Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Abu Dhabi Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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When I asked, the staff were more than happy for me to enter the terminal, despite not flying out from there in the morning. – rossh89
AUH Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Abu Dhabi International Airport (Code: AUH).
What to Expect
Zayed International Airport (formerly Abu Dhabi International Airport) now operates solely from Terminal A, which opened in November 2023. Previously known for crowding and limited amenities, the revamped airport offers a cleaner, more spacious experience with ample seating, dining options, and duty-free shopping. Free WiFi is available, though some users have reported connectivity issues. Additionally, several lounges are accessible by purchasing a day pass; more details can be found in the Airport Lounge section below.
Sleeping in Abu Dhabi Airport
Multiple reviews describe the airport as clean, spacious, and safe, with 24-hour food options available. The temperature is generally comfortable, although a few travellers noted cold spots, especially in Arrivals. Safety reviews are consistently positive, with travellers feeling secure even when sleeping overnight.
Landside: Sleep locations in the Arrivals Hall are mixed: some travellers previously found couches near baggage belts 8–9, but recent reviews report that these sofas have been removed and replaced with armrest-style seating or hard benches. Arrivals is described as noisy at times (belt movement, passenger traffic), and travellers may be asked to move by staff. Airside remains the best sleeping option.
Airside: Travellers report quiet rest opportunities at less-used gates, and several noted that the airport operates as a “silent airport,” with minimal announcements in many airside areas. Still, some gate zones have frequent announcements, depending on location.
For passengers seeking more privacy or comfort, Terminal A offers an on-site airport hotel and dedicated sleep pods, which provide an alternative to resting in public seating areas. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more details.
Read traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Abu Dhabi Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
The airport offers areas with reclining seating for people to rest in between flights, but they are generally in open areas that might have a lot of noise for a deep sleep.
Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.
Cots
Abu Dhabi Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Abu Dhabi airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel inside the airport and another nearby:
- AUHotel – Location: Terminal A, Airside, Inside the transit area. Available for overnight and short stays (3 – 12 hours). » Check Rates
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport – Free shuttle to Terminal A. » Check Rates
Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Abu Dhabi Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Looking for a place to relax and unwind away from all the hustle and bustle of the airport? Check out these lounges at Abu Dhabi Airport.
Walk-in Rates, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program.
Pearl Lounge – Location: Terminal A, Airside, Level 1, near Gate D43. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: Yes (10 shower rooms; reservations required at reception; towels, shampoo, shower gel, and hair dryer are provided). Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet areas). Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (AED 210 per person for 3 hours) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Complimentary for select airline partners • Business class passengers • Select credit cards.
Etihad First Lounge & Spa – Location: Terminal A, Airside, near the main departure concourse. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet areas). Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (AED 590 per adult for 4 hours or $150/20,000 Etihad Guest Miles for up to 4 hours; $180/24,000 Miles for 4-8 hours) • Prepaid lounge passes • Complimentary access to Etihad First Class passengers, Etihad Guest Platinum members • First class passengers on select airlines • Paid access is available for Economy or Business Class passengers via etihad.com.
Etihad Business Lounge – Location: Terminal A, Airside, near the main departure concourse. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes (quiet areas). Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (AED 490 for 4 hours; Etihad Guest Gold Members pay AED 365 for up to 8 hours) • Complimentary for Etihad Business Class passengers, Etihad Guest Gold and Platinum members • Paid access for Economy passengers via etihad.com; Etihad Guest Miles can be used • Select partner airlines’ business class passengers • Select credit cards.
Diamond Lounge – Location: Terminal A, Airside. Hours: Open 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: unknown
Drinking Water
Drinking fountains are available. A reader tells us, “Water from the taps in the toilets is not suitable for drinking, but there are drinking water fountains in front of all toilets. You can also refill small water bottles there.” (August 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide selection of restaurants and cafés across both the Landside and Airside areas. The airport website states that a wide variety of restaurant options are available 24 hours a day. Click here to update this information.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Short- or long-term storage and lockers are available at the arrivals area of Terminal A, both landside and airside. Rates: AED 30-50 per bag per day.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us, “There are sockets and mobile device charging sockets (USB-A and USB-C in the waiting areas at the gates.” (August 2024)
Showers
Showers are available in the Pearl Lounge. See Airport Lounges for locations. A reader tells us “There are showers towards Gate C, Next to the Burberry store and down underneath the Burger King.” (October 2025)
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Abu Dhabi Airport. Connect to the ‘Zayed Intl Airport Free Wi-Fi’ network.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Drinking Water – see “Drinking Water” above.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Change and feed your baby in privacy and comfort at one of the numerous baby-changing rooms and nursing rooms near all restrooms throughout the airport.
- Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Locations: Terminal A, Airside.
- Strollers – The airport provides complimentary baby strollers to help parents get around the airport more easily. Locations: various pick-up points throughout the airport.
Food & Drinks – see “Food & Drinks” above.
Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit one of the airport information desks. Locations: located in every terminal. Hours: unknown.
Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
Luggage
- Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge. If you want a porter, the fixed rate is AED 21/US$ 5.70.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them wrapped in plastic. Locations: Terminal A
Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care is available at the Medical Services Clinic. Location: Terminal A, airside, near the Immigration Arrival Hall. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Mobile Charging – see “Mobile Charging” above.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
- Currency Exchange – Four Travelex shops are located in Terminal A. Hours: varies, with many open 24 hours a day.
Newspapers & Magazines – The airport provides free magazines and newspapers available at these locations in Terminal A: First & Business Class Lounges • VVIP Lounge • Departure Gates • Arrivals Gates • Food Court • Arrivals Area.
Pharmacy – Boots (Terminal A, Airside, 1st floor). Hours: open 24 hours.
Phone – Pay phones can be found throughout the airport. SIM cards, phone cards and headsets are sold at the bookstores and newsagents.
Post Office – Information not available.
Prayer Rooms – Clearly marked, gender-separated prayer rooms are available in each terminal.
Shopping – Duty-free shopping and a large selection of retail outlets are available, some of which are open 24 hours a day.
Showers – see “Showers” above.
SIM Cards – SIM cards are sold at bookstores and newsagents.
Smoking – Designated areas are available airside. Exact locations are unknown. Click here to update the guide.
Spa – Pamper yourself at two locations: Be Relax Spa (Location: Terminal A, Airside, next to the Etihad Airways Business & First Lounges) and XpresSpa (Location: Airside, Terminal A, located near Gates B10-B11). Hours: open 24 hours.
Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Abu Dhabi and need local arrangements or help planning a last-minute trip abroad, there is an Omier Travel Agency (Skypark Plaza, Landside) that can probably be of assistance.
VAT Refund – Eligible travellers can receive a refund for any VAT paid on purchases made during their visit. The Tax Refund counters are available in 2 locations: Terminal A, next to Etihad Airlines Transfer Desk (Airside) • Terminal A, next to Etihad Airlines Transfer Desk (Airside).
WiFi – see “WiFi/Internet” above.
Things to do
- Golf Course – Located a short drive (7 minutes) from the airport, the Al Ghazal Golf Course is considered one of the finest sand golf courses in the world. If you have a 3-5 hour transit, you can play 9 or 18 holes.
- Transit offers -If you have a 4+ hour transit time in Abu Dhabi, you may want to take the opportunity to explore the city provided you meet UAE entry requirements and have enough time to return and clear security before your next flight. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, or zoom around the F1 Yas Marina Circuit.
Note: A transit visa may be required for you to leave the airport. Be sure to inquire before making arrangements to leave the airport during transit.
Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by leaving the airport to do some sightseeing? Check out our Abu Dhabi Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in Abu Dhabi on Tripadvisor.
Bus
The airport is served by several lines of Abu Dhabi’s economic public bus system. Buses are air-conditioned and green and white in colour. Bus stops are marked by blue/white signs on the lower curbside outside Terminal A. Departures operate approximately every 40 minutes, 24 hours a day, and the journey between the airport and the city takes about 45 minutes (depending on traffic). At the time of this update, a one-way bus fare was AED 4.00. If you are flying economy class with Etihad, you may be eligible for free Etihad Coach service when arriving or departing from Zayed International Airport (Terminal A). Connections are available to Dubai and Al Ain. The Etihad Coach service can be reserved online up to 24 hours before the flight.
Car Rentals
Car rental service is available 24 hours a day. Location: The car rental desks are situated in the building known as Skypark Plaza, outside the terminal complex on the landside. On-site car-rental agencies include: Avis, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, and Thrifty. (Updated: Nov 2025)
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we could not find any hotels that provide an airport shuttle.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Ride Sharing
Uber is available in Abu Dhabi. A ride from the airport to the city centre will cost you from 131.00 to 158.00 AED.
Taxi
Metered taxis are available 24 hours a day at the airport. Late-model six-seater Mercedes Vito vans now operate from Terminal A, offering GPS, extra baggage space, and multilingual male or female drivers. Multiple currencies are accepted for payment. All arriving passengers at Terminal A are served by metered taxis from the taxi ranks outside the Arrivals Hall. At the time of this update, the flag drop is AED 25.00, with an AED 1.60 charge per km up to 50 km (9 fils per km above 50 km).
Last updated: 2025-11-27
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.