Obtaining a transit visa in Abu Dhabi. Transit through Abu Dhabi airport: scheme, hotel, food, internet

Abu Dhabi Airport is one of the largest international airports in the United Arab Emirates with a futuristic design and passenger traffic of more than 20 million people per year. It is located in the capital of the Arab state of the same name and is the base for Etihad Airways. International flights depart from this point to more than 150 countries. New facial recognition technology with 100% accuracy was used for the first time at Abu Dhabi Airport.

The aviation hub was built relatively recently, in 1982, due to lack of space to expand the existing one. It is often chosen by passengers as a transit destination to relax during connecting flights in luxurious surroundings.

Description

According to the international classification, the airport is assigned the following codes: “AUH” – IATA code, “OMAA” – ICAO code.

Address: P.O. Box 20, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Contact details:

telephones: +971 25 75 75 00 (inquiry), +971 25 75 75 28 (fax)

Opening hours: 24 hours a day.

Online flight board

The online departure board at Abu Dhabi Airport can be tracked on the main page

The on-line summary table displays the following information:

departure time;
flight number;
destination;
boarding status.

On the main page you can track your flight by clicking the “My flight” button. In the form that appears, select departing or arriving flights, when (today, tomorrow) and enter your flight number or arrival city. After all these steps, information about the requested flight appears on the screen.

Note! You must arrive at the airport 2.5 hours before departure.

How to get there

The airport is located 32 km from the city center, east of Abudabi. You can’t get there by public transport, but there are other ways:

The regular bus runs on a schedule 24 hours a day. This is the cheapest type of transport, costing 4 dirhams*, which will take you to terminal No. 1 or No. 2. Bus stops are located near the terminal exits and are illuminated in white and blue. You can get there by buses No. A1, X81, 221, 240, 490. Travel time will be 40-45 minutes.
The transfer can be ordered in advance so that the car is available at a certain time, or upon arrival at the information desk. Fares to the city start from $35*.
A taxi will take you to the airport in half an hour from anywhere in the city. Price is negotiable, from 25 dollars*. This is the most popular type of transport among locals; you can choose not only the class of car, but also the driver. The cars with pink roofs are driven by women, but only females and boys under 10 years old can use their services.
A rented car can be ordered directly at the airport for any number of days. You can even return back with this car if the car is rented for the entire duration of your stay in the country. Rental cost starts from $30 per day*.

Parking

There are parking lots near each terminal. The cost of services depends on the time the car is located. Parking for up to 30 minutes will cost 5 dirhams* near terminal No. 2 and 10 dirhams* near terminals No. 1 and 3. Parking for up to 60 minutes in terminal No. 2 costs 10 dirhams*, in terminals 1 and 3 – 20 dirhams*. You will have to pay from 120 to 240 dirhams per day*.

Airport map

The airport has 4 terminals. The fourth terminal is still under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2019. The diagram shows that the terminals are located under the roof of one building, and you can walk from one end of the airport to the other in 15 minutes. You can also take a free shuttle bus.

The following facilities are located inside the airport:

waiting room, departure, arrival and baggage claim;
airline ticket offices;
information desk, departure and arrival schedules, check-in counters;
toilets;
cafes, restaurants, snack bars;
duty free shops before and after passport control;
zone with GoSleep capsules;
five-star hotel with golf course;
VIP zone;
mail;
pharmacy;
transfer service;
police;
mother and child rooms;
playgrounds in terminals 1 and 2;
ATMs;
currency exchange;
recreation areas;
smoking areas;
free support in English (not provided in Russian)
room for prayer.

Most often, planes arrive at the first or second terminals; Etihad flights arrive at the third terminal. Passengers of this airline have some privileges: there is no huge crowd in the terminal.

The characteristics of the runways make it possible to accommodate all aircraft, including large ones.

Services

The airport provides paid and free services:

luggage trolleys are provided free of charge, porter services are available for an additional fee;
provision of baby strollers – free of charge;
Luggage storage - from 10 dirhams*;
24-hour medical service (for a fee);
spa center services in terminals No. 1 and 3;
tablet rental.

Important information: due to working air conditioners, the room temperature is kept at 17 degrees. For a comfortable stay at the airport, it is recommended to have warm clothes with you.

WiFi

Throughout Abu Dhabi Airport, in any location, there is access to a free wireless connection. To connect to Wi-fi, you need to find a network called “ADAC Free Wireless” and connect to it. When the ADAC Welcome window appears, click ACCEPT. You will be redirected to the landing page of the website.

You can also get free Internet access at one of the 50 Internet kiosks located in three terminals. Most airport lounges are equipped with computers, laptops and fax machines.

Hotels in the transit zone

If the wait for a connection between flights is long, you can use the services of hotels that are located both in the complex itself and in the immediate vicinity.

Aerotel Abu Dhabi Terminal 1 is located on the lower floor of the airport complex in Terminal 1. Its location is convenient, and you can rest here for any amount of time before your flight. All rooms have a free Wi-Fi connection with good speed. The room has a TV, shower, air conditioning. Guests can order any dishes from the best chefs. The absence of windows does not make the environment less cozy. Young couples especially like to stay at this hotel. The cost of a double room per day starts from 15,000 rubles. for two*
GoSleep are sleeping hammocks located in Terminals 1 and 3 of the airfield. Interesting designs in the form of a cocoon with an opening curtain allow you to isolate yourself from others and relax peacefully after going through passport control. The hammocks have a bed, sockets, a USB cable for smartphones, and a luggage rack for hand luggage. You must reserve a place in the goslip at the reception desk; here you can also purchase a sleep kit (mask, earplugs, socks). The cost of a vacation in this design varies from $22 for 2 hours of sleep to $78 for 10 hours*. Payment from 8 hours includes free rental of blankets and pillows.
Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport 3 is located just 500 meters from Abu Dhabi Airport and offers excellent value for money. There is a passage to the hotel from the terminals after passport control. There is a swimming pool on the roof with a beautiful panorama, and inside the complex there is a gym, a 24-hour restaurant, a bar, and a coffee shop. The hotel offers free shuttle service to Water World, Ferrari Park, The Mall, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the public beach. The rooms have air conditioning, TV, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities. Price of daily accommodation for two – from 3800 rub.*
Crowne Plaza Yas Island 4 is 6.5 km away on Yas Island, a 10-minute walk from the beach. The hotel has a professional golf course, a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym and a sauna. Bars and restaurants offer tasting dishes of various cuisines: national, Lebanese, Asian. Accommodation takes place in spacious, bright rooms with a modern design, with the necessary set of furniture and contents. Nearby there is a water park and a shopping center. Cost for a double room – from 5080 rubles per day*.
The pompous Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi 5 hotel stands on both land and water. Abu Dhabi Airport is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and the city center is a 15-minute drive. Within walking distance there are golf courses and the Yash shopping center. The hotel windows overlook the Formula 1 track. 11 restaurants offer dishes of European, Mediterranean, national and Asian cuisines. Tourists have 2 swimming pools, a hammam and a well-equipped beach area. Spacious rooms with French windows, tea and coffee making facilities and everything necessary meet the expectations of the most discerning clients. Price per room – from 7800 rub.*

List of airlines

The airport receives flights from many countries, with flights departing from Abu Dhabi to 97 cities around the world. Airlines passing through the airport: Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, Gulf Air, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Egypt Air, British Airways, Alitalia, Srilankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, Philippine Airlines and others.

* All prices and terms of services are current as of June 2018.

The national air carriers of the United Arab Emirates are known throughout the world thanks to their modern fleet of aircraft and the highest level of service. One of them is Etihad Airways, whose port is the capital of the country, Abu Dhabi. Flights depart daily through it to Asia, Africa, and North America, so the transit area at Abu Dhabi Airport is perfectly adapted to such passenger traffic.

There are also quite a few Russian tourists flying through the UAE. In this regard, the question often arises whether it is necessary to obtain a transit visa.

For tourists who plan to leave the transit zone during a stopover to see the city, it is necessary to put an arrival visa in their passport. This visa is issued free of charge. If the tourist remains at the airport, he has the right to visa-free transit.

It also happens that a person flies with different airlines that do not belong to the same alliance; in this case, he will have to leave the transit area to pick up his luggage and check in for a new flight, then a visa on arrival is also needed.

Time limit for visa-free transit

The duration of such transit is 24 hours. If there is more time between flights or you just want to stay in this amazing country for a day or two, you need to apply for a visa upon arrival. This visa gives the right to stay in the UAE for up to 30 days.

Of course, the lack of a visa imposes certain restrictions. You will not be able to leave the transit zone and go into the city, even just to spend the night in a hotel.

If the connection is long, waiting 12-14 hours can be tiresome even at such a convenient and modern airport as Abu Dhabi. It is especially worthwhile to take care of obtaining visas upon arrival for those traveling with small children.

Gift: 2100 rubles for housing!

When you register using the link in AirBnB, you will receive 2100 rubles to your account.

For this money you can rent a good apartment for 1 day abroad or in Russia. The bonus only works for new accounts.

Registration procedure

You can apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport completely free of charge. Externally, it looks like a stamp in a passport with the date of arrival on it.

Documents required for obtaining a transit visa

To obtain a visa for transit purposes, you will need the following documents:

A foreign passport, the validity of which cannot be less than 6 months after returning from the trip.

As for previous visas or marks for visiting Israel, unlike other countries in the Middle East, no obstacles will be put in your way. UAE migration authorities understand that people may visit Israel for a variety of purposes and allow entry to foreigners who have been there.

Visa for a child

If a child is traveling with one of the parents or accompanied by third parties, a notarized consent for departure will be required.

Cost of visa on arrival

Visa on arrival for visiting Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE for up to 30 days is issued FREE OF CHARGE.

Existing restrictions

The maximum period of stay in the country with a free visa on arrival is no more than 30 days. This visa can only be extended once. Renewal cost is $169.

In addition, UAE immigration legislation allows restrictions on visa-free transit. It may be denied to unaccompanied minors, as well as girls under 30 years of age who are traveling alone.

Arrival at the transit zone

Upon arrival at the transit area of Abu Dhabi Airport, passengers enter Terminal 3, built specifically for Etihad. The short queue at the airline counter passes quickly; here you will need to present your air tickets. If you wait more than 8 hours for your flight, you will be given free meal vouchers. You can also ask for a blanket to relax in the waiting room.

After this, you need to go through a metal detector and you will be taken directly to the third terminal.

To use the issued food coupons, you need to walk a little along the corridor to the round hall and go up the escalator, where you will find a food zone where you can refresh yourself. Check with the airline counter in advance about places where you can use coupons, as well as all other details.

Perhaps one of the most important moments of a transit trip is the opportunity to get at least a little sleep and take a shower. We tried to provide for this here too.

To relax, you need to go down to the first floor and walk to the boarding gate. There are regular waiting areas as well as reclining chairs. There are a large number of gates here, so you can always find free seats. There are toilets with showers nearby, where you can freshen up before going to bed.

Another important point is the ability to charge tablets, smartphones and laptops. There are plenty of outlets for this, and no adapters are required.

Some travelers are wary of strong air conditioners. However, the temperature at the airport is quite comfortable. In addition, at night the speakerphone is turned off and soft lighting is used.

In addition, Abu Dhabi Airport has a well-equipped medical center open 24 hours a day, a business center for business people, numerous restaurants and bars, a post office, currency exchange offices, bank branches, offices where you can rent a car, ATMs and even your own mosque.

Most travelers pay tribute to both the UAE authorities and airline representatives: at Abu Dhabi airport they are trying to do everything possible to ensure maximum passenger comfort. Few countries can boast of this. After relaxing and having some pleasant shopping in the local duty-free shops (the range and prices of which will certainly not disappoint), you will continue your journey to your destination country.

This time we flew to Bangkok via Abu Dhabi. This is not only $400 cheaper than a direct Moscow-Bangkok flight, but there is a more important plus - a day flight, not a night one. Still, direct flights from Moscow to Bangkok are exclusively at night, and I just hate night flights. So I immediately liked the option of flying through Abu Dhabi;) Fly there, stay in a hotel there right in the transit area of the airport, sleep well, and fly to Bangkok in the morning.

In terms of visas in Abu Dhabi, this is how it is - if you do not leave the transit area of the airport, then no visa is needed. To go out into the city, you need to obtain a visa in advance(!). So, we booked the Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel, which is located in the transit area of the airport and where you can stay without a visa. At first, we couldn’t figure out how to book rooms in this hotel at all, because neither Booking.com, nor Agoda, nor Advisor had such an opportunity, as well as on the hotel’s official website. It turned out that you need to write them an email: [email protected], and they will send you a reservation number, which you will then show when you arrive at the hotel.

A double room cost us $240 (including fees). Without fees it's $237. Room for one without fees 185$. The price, of course, is way too high, because this is the only hotel in the transit area of Abu Dhabi airport. But it’s still much cheaper than taking a direct flight, which, I repeat, is also a night flight (oh, terrible horror!).

This hotel is civil, everything is new and clean, it is spacious. Only there is no Internet in the rooms, it is only at the reception. Of course, we didn’t even have time to sit in it, we relaxed in the bathroom and fell into a cozy bed to sleep. Oh how good! I can’t imagine if now I had to wait out the time just on benches at the airport, in a lounge or in a capsule. This is what the Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel looks like:

Right next to the entrance to this hotel there is a lounge and there you can pick up free Emirati dates at the entrance))) They are very tasty, they are a little dried (about the same as Medjoul and royal dates) and fresh, the seeds have been removed from them. A very nice bonus!

By the way! If you are flying through Abu Dhabi with Etihad (very cool, by the way), then at Gate 7 you can get coupons for free dinner and breakfast at any airport cafe (in terminals 1 and 3). Naturally, such coupons are only given if you have a long layover. To receive them, you need to provide boarding tickets for the next flight. There is a lot here for regular eaters, but for ourselves we only found sliced fruit and freshly squeezed orange juice. This is what we took for both dinner and breakfast. This is in the Brioche Doree cafe. It is closest to the airport hotel. Grapes, strawberries, pineapples and apples were very good here, but the melon was garbage. The orange juice is squeezed right in front of you, along with the peel, and not the coolest oranges, but it was still delicious, especially in the morning)))

Oh, I remembered another minus of the airport hotel in Abu Dhabi - the lack of normal sockets! And they didn't have an adapter/converter at the reception. So we were unable to charge our laptops and phones.

But Abu Dhabi airport is very good, I liked it. Before boarding the plane, we surfed the Internet, which is free here, easy to connect and at normal speed.

From the airport we saw a new Boeing model - the 787 Dreamliner:

By the way, I was looking at photos of beaches in Gagra, and was incredibly impressed! It's just some kind of magic! So if you haven’t seen it yet, check it out at least from the photographs. Although I really want to see this beauty in real life!

Tatiana Solomatina

Long layover in Abu Dhabi: why couldn’t you save money?

Hello, dear readers! I’m with you again and today I want to raise two questions: “In what cases do cheap, crooked tickets backfire on us? Will a long layover in Abu Dhabi really help you save money on travel?”

I had no intention of coming to the UAE. But circumstances were such that I managed to visit this state completely by accident. The fact is that when I was going to Sri Lanka, I bought a cheap flight with a long wait for a connecting flight at the airport in Abu Dhabi. But then I didn’t expect at all that in the end, such savings would cost me much more than a direct flight.

In this story, I will write why crooked tickets with a long wait for the second plane to the UAE can be more expensive than direct flights, I will talk about the features of transit through Abu Dhabi and, using my own example, I will show all the pros and cons of this. I hope my experience will help you choose the right decision when planning your vacation.

Expenses

In the end, the second option won and this is what I got for two:

Tickets - 50,000 rubles

Transit visas - 11,000 rubles

Individual tour of Abu Dhabi 6 hours - $300

Lunch on the roof of a skyscraper - $70

Total: 61,000 rubles and $370 (a dollar was already worth 60 then)

And at the same time, the visas were one-time, we still spent 12 hours in the transit zone on the return flight. And direct tickets, which I thoughtlessly refused, would have cost 74,000 rubles for two. Did you save well?

When buying a ticket with a long layover in a third country, study the information on staying in this place in advance and calculate all the options. Perhaps such a flight will be much more expensive than direct flights, as happened in my case.
If you decide to transfer to Abu Dhabi, you can safely choose a 1-hour connection. Despite the fact that our plane was delayed for 40 minutes, mourners with signs were waiting for such transit passengers at the ramp. They were the first to be let off the plane; their next flight was deliberately delayed, waiting for ours to arrive. Such a well-functioning system really surprised me. I sadly looked after them, thinking that I would have been in their place if I had made the right decision.
If you have a long layover and want to see the city, try to choose a flight that arrives early in the morning. Then you will have time for group excursions, they are much cheaper than individual ones. But it is also advisable to order them in advance.
To still stay in a transit hotel, you need to make reservations well in advance of the trip.
If you decide not to spend money and pass the time in the transit zone, then try to find a place in a cafe where there are comfortable soft sofas. Order coffee a couple of times and you won’t have to spend many hours on hard benches in the waiting room. This is how we spent 12 hours on the way back. No one bothered us or asked us to make room. The cafe was located in a nook, it was quiet and calm.
There are smoking areas in the transit hall, so as not to lose your place in the cafe, it is better to leave in line. The same applies to visiting toilets and shops.

conclusions

So is it possible to save money by purchasing a cheap flight with a long layover in the UAE?

Of course, you can save money, but only if you are mentally prepared for the difficult wait and do not spend money on a more comfortable stay there. If you are not attracted by this prospect, then you need to clearly understand that a long stay in this country will lead to large expenses that will negate all your desires to save on a flight. In this case, it is better to accept it and buy tickets for a direct flight, of course, if you do not plan to visit another country at the same time.

“In my case there was only one big plus. A wonderful excursion, led by a wonderful guide Mikhail Rakushin https://vk.com/id192986287, allowed us to form a definite opinion about this country and spend unforgettable hours in the luxurious emirate of Abu Dhabi. I’m not a fan of Muslim countries and I definitely wouldn’t go to the UAE on purpose. You can read more about my impressions."