Car Rental at Abu Dhabi Airport

Airport travel guide

Equally wealthy, but distinctly more traditional than its larger neighbor Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates can be a fascinating place to visit – especially if you know what you’re looking for. Listing all of Abu Dhabi’s landmarks could take up pages, but here are four ideas for you to help start planning your trip:

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Although by no means the oldest – it was finished in 2007 – this is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Arabia. Primarily an active house of prayer, it is open to visits by tourists of all faiths and denominations at certain times. Check the mosque’s official website for more information about its history as well as opening hours and rules of clothing.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi. Although not quite as famous as its iconic namesake in Paris, The Emirati Louvre is the largest art museum on the Arabian Peninsula. A symbol of the region’s wealth and growing interconnectedness with the rest of the world, it was opened in 2017 and hosts everything from prehistoric regional art to masterpieces by Gauguin and Matisse.
• Corniche. Similar to its famous counterparts on both sides of the Mediterranean, Corniche is Abu Dhabi’s waterfront and also one of its many thoroughfares. Corniche is home to many landmarks and restaurants, but even just traveling along its full length of 8 km (5 miles) would be a memorable experience.
• Al Ain. If Abu Dhabi is often seen as less cosmopolitan than Dubai, then the city of Al Ain is even several levels more authentically Emirati. Located in the inland part of the emirate about a 90 minute drive from Abu Dhabi, on the border with Muscat, the oasis city is known for its many gardens and green areas, as well as the local camel souq, or market, that is a very short drive outside the city itself. Visitors wanting to learn more about the history of the country can also visit the Hili Archaeological Park.

Top international routes

• Cochi
• Mumbai
• Manama
• Bangkok
• Delhi
• Cairo
• Jeddah
• Chennai
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Riyadh

Main airlines

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) services more than 50 airlines to over 100 worldwide destinations. The national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways, is the main airline operating from Terminal 3.

You will also find local discount airlines Wizz Air and Air Arabia operating from Terminal 1, alongside Air India, airblue, Gulf Air, Jet Airways, Middle East Airlines, Oman Air, PIA, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and many others from Europe and Southern Asia.

Terminals

The three passenger terminals are T2, T3, and T1. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are attached and easy to walk between. For connections via Terminal 2 (rarely used), you would need to collect baggage and pass through immigration to switch to Terminals 1 and 3. It is a 5-minute cab ride away or a 2 km walk.

The car rental companies at AUH can be found in Skypark Plaza, which is immediately adjacent to Terminal 3 and connected by an air-conditioned walkway. A new terminal, known as Midfield Terminal, which can cater to over 30 million passengers a year, is expected to open by late 2023.

Location

Abu Dhabi Airport is about 30 km (18.6 mi) east of the city center. International Airport Road and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street/E30 are the main roads connecting the airport to the city. It takes around 30 minutes to drive from AUH to the Corniche.

If you are staying on Yas Island, it is only around 10km (6.2 miles) away via the Yas Tunnel and takes less than ten minutes to drive to. Saadiyat Island, known for its beautiful beachfront resorts and museums, is 32 km (20 miles) from AUH and will take about 25 minutes to drive to via via highway.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $11 per day
• Medium cars - from $11 per day
• Large cars - from $13 per day
• SUVs - from $14 per day
• Premium cars - from $37 per day
• Vans - from $21 per day
• Station wagons - from $29 per day
• Convertibles - from $139 per day

Car rental desks

Car rental desks can be found in the Skypark Plaza, immediately adjacent to Terminal 3.

Services and facilities

Inside AUH, you’ll find a great choice of cafés, bars, and restaurants offering both international and traditional Emirati cuisine, as well as stores and duty-free outlets.

Other services at AUH include ATMs, airport lounges, two on-site hotels (one airside in Terminal 1, one land side attached to the Skypark Plaza), baby changing facilities, a children’s play area, complimentary strollers, a medical clinic, pharmacy, showers, a spa, business center and, post office.

Luggage storage and lockers are in the arrivals area of T1. Abu Dhabi Airport is easily accessible to people with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

There is an ADNOC Service Station, located on the way to the city on the right side of International Airport Road. It can be reached in under ten minutes and is open 24/7. There are many other ADNOC gas stations in and around Abu Dhabi that offer a full service with pump attendants. You can pay by cash or card, tipping is not essential.

Top one-way rentals

• Dubai (112 km / 70 miles)
• Sharjah (138 km / 86 miles)
• Al Ain (153 km / 95 miles)
• Ajman (156 km / 97 miles)