

The UAE is open to international tourism
The United Arab Emirates is open to travelers from all countries. Vaccinated visitors must present the vaccination certificate, while those who are not fully vaccinated should present a negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival. Passengers, irrespective of whether they are vaccinated, do not need to quarantine on arrival.
Depending on your nationality, you can get a VoA (Visa on Arrival) or apply for your prearranged Visit Visa from Dubai Immigration before you travel. Nationals of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia – are allowed to enter the UAE with their national identity card.
Transiting through Emirati airports is permitted. Transiting passengers are not required to present a health certificate (unless it is mandated by their final destination).
Arriving in Abu Dhabi
- If you are flying to Abu Dhabi from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Abu Dhabi International Airport
AUH
, the primary airport serving the UAE capital city Abu Dhabi and its surrounding areas. Abu Dhabi Airport is located approximately 30 km (19 miles) kilometers from the city center. It offers several transportation options for arriving passengers, including taxis, buses, and car rentals.
The second airport of Abu Dhabi - Al Bateen Executive AirportAZI
- is dedicated to private jets only.
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Abu Dhabi. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result. - Once in Abu Dhabi, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Wizzair Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, and Royal Jet. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Abu Dhabi can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirArabia, Air India Express, FlyNas, Pegasus Airlines, Saudia, and Wizzair. If you have a layover in Abu Dhabi and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Abu Dhabi

AUH
, located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) east of the city center of the UAE capital city Abu Dhabi. The airport is situated on the mainland and is easily accessible by car or public transportation (30-45 min car ride to the city center).
Airlines flying to Abu Dhabi | Aegan Airlines, Aer Lingus, AirArabia, Air Canada, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air India Express, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, AirBlue, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Badr Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Condor, Egypt Air, El Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, FlyNas, FlexFlight, Gaurda Indonesia, GoFirst, Gulf Air, IndiGo, ITA Airways, JetBlue, Kam Air, KLM, Korean Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan Airlines, SWISS, Syrian Air, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, Wizz Air |
---|---|
Airlines of UAE | Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Wizzair Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, Royal Jet |
Main airports in Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €500 – €700 (from Europe) ✈ $800 – $1100 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Airline promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from March to May |
The cheapest time to fly to Abu Dhabi
The cheapest time to fly to Abu Dhabi is during the summer months – from June to August. Middle East countries, like UAE, are extremely hot during the summer, and Abu Dhabi sees a sharp drop in tourist footfall during these months. With less demand for flights, airlines offer discounted tickets to fill their empty seats on planes.
Use Smart Travel system to avoid queues at Abu Dhabi Airport
The Smart Travel system installed at the Abu Dhabi Airport uses biometric data instead of passports and boarding passes to make passengers’ airport experience fully contactless.
Its fast-track biometric system uses face and iris recognition, so there is no need to scan any document – you can pass various ‘touchpoints’ across the airport by simply looking at the green light. The Smart Travel system includes self-service baggage counters, electronic immigration gates and self-boarding gates.
Who can use it? If you are UAE/GCC national or Visa-on-Arrival passenger with a biometric passport, you are eligible to use Smart Travel. There’s a requirement to be registered first. However, all passengers who have recently arrived at AUH are likely to have been registered when they entered the immigration touchpoint. If you still need to register, you can do this at the passport control desk.
Take a free bus from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai
You can take a comfortable and affordable direct bus from the airport to Dubai. The journey takes around 90 minutes, and buses frequently depart from the lower level of arrivals at Abu Dhabi Airport, with stops at Al Wasl Centre or Ibn Battuta Mall in the center of Dubai. If you are flying with free Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles, Bangkok Airways, Garuda Indonesia, or Royal Air Maroc, you are eligible for a free Etihad Coach. Otherwise, you can book the Airport Express bus service – which offers economy seats for 25 AED (7 USD) and VIP tickets for 40 AED (11 USD).
Flights to Abu Dhabi from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Abu Dhabi. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Abu Dhabi, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Direct flights from Canada (Toronto) to Abu Dhabi are operated by Etihad Airways, with an average flight time of around 13 hours. If you're looking for a non-stop connection from the US, check out Etihad Airways, and JetBlue for the latest offers. These two airlines have direct flights to Abu Dhabi from the largest hubs in the US, including Chicago, New York, and Washington
- Abu Dhabi is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Abu Dhabi with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Abu Dhabi from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
- For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Abu Dhabi, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
Abu Dhabi from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Abu Dhabi from the US and Canada. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (March to November).
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Hacker faresto Abu Dhabi
Superdeals airlines don't want you to see:
Connect to Wi-Fi
Abu Dhabi International Airport offers fast, unlimited free Wi-Fi that you can use immediately upon arrival. Use your phone to look for networks, and select “ADAC Free Wireless” – once the ADAC welcome box appears, click “Accept” to be redirected to Abu Dhabi airport’s website landing page.
Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports
Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Emirati airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.
It is always a good idea to bring cash to Abu Dhabi. Plan ahead and exchange some money for Emirati dirham at home, or use one of the many ATMs at the airport and in the city.
Check your terminal at AUH airport
If you are transiting via Abu Dhabi AUH
, double-check which terminal your next flight is from. Abu Dhabi International Airport is huge, and getting between terminals may involve taking a shuttle bus. Terminal 1 serves international flights operated by Air India, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Terminal 2 mainly serves low-cost carriers such as Air Arabia, Flydubai, and IndiGo, and Terminal 3 is exclusively used by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.
Flights to Abu Dhabi with stopover
Direct flights to Abu Dhabi are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.
So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.
When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Abu Dhabi. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.
Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Abu Dhabi with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.
A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Abu Dhabi will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.
Flights to Abu Dhabi from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Abu Dhabi — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Abu Dhabi are just a few hours long (around 6 hours if you fly non-stop from Frankfurt, and just 4 hours 30 minutes from Athens). Many European hubs have a nonstop connection to Abu Dhabi — including Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Paris, Vienna, and Zurich. Among the airlines that operate Europe — Abu Dhabi routes, you'll find both full-service carriers such as Etihad Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and low-budget companies by the likes of AirArabia, FlyDubai, Pegasus Airlines, Air Europa, Eurowings, and WizzAir
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Abu Dhabi include Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Abu Dhabi from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.
We recommend checking prices for flights to Abu Dhabi from these European airport hubs: LondonLHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to Abu Dhabi
Find the lowest prices for flights to Abu Dhabi Airport in Abu Dhabi from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
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Can't finda good deal?
Get 40% – 80% off airfares from Europe to Abu Dhabi:
How to book SuperDeals?
At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Abu Dhabi is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.
Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.
One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.

If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:

If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Abu Dhabi). Signup now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!
Last-minute flights to Abu Dhabi. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Abu Dhabi almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Abu Dhabi is around 60-90 days before the departure date.
Domestic air travel from Abu Dhabi
Most domestic routes in UAE are operated by local airlines. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah from Abu Dhabi Airport, you’ll be flying with one of these domestic air transport companies: Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, Wizzair Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, and Royal Jet. In most cases, it is the best (the fastest, the most convenient, and the cheapest) way to travel around the country.
If you plan to fly domestically from Abu Dhabi check the latest prices here, then book your flight ticket online.
Flights to Abu Dhabi from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Abu Dhabi. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Direct flights and flights with one layover to Abu Dhabi are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
. - In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Abu Dhabi with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Abu Dhabi are AirArabia, Air India Express, FlyNas, Pegasus Airlines, Saudia, and Wizzair.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Abu Dhabi. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Prices of flights to Abu Dhabi from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Abu Dhabi from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Prices in Australian Dollar.
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Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) from Australia and New Zealand to Abu Dhabi:
Get cheaper business class by bidding on airline upgrades
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Abu Dhabi, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, visit the airline website and place a “blind” bid for an upgrade by providing your Booking Reference number.
There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed by email, and your seat will be upgraded.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).
Why should you book an early morning flight to Abu Dhabi
It is a seemingly simple but often overlooked strategy: fly at dawn for smoother travel and cheaper tickets. Booking an early morning flight to Abu Dhabi can pay off in numerous ways:
- Cheaper airfares. Early morning flights – between 4 am and 8 am – are usually cheaper than other day schedules. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early.
- Lower chance of delay. The thin traffic in the morning leads to fewer delays – all the flights from the night before have already landed, and there is no other air traffic to contend with. Air traffic and delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to Abu Dhabi with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
- Fewer crowds at the airport. By heading to the airport before rush hour, you can at least halve the time spent in city traffic. With fewer travelers at the airport, there will be no long lines at the check-in and security, and waiting areas will be less crowded.
Taking an early morning flight is the best way to avoid crowds at the airport - Less turbulence. Early morning flights offer a smoother ride, with less turbulence. Thunderstorms and unstable air, which can cause turbulence (including its worst kind – convective turbulence) are more likely to occur in the afternoon.
- Fresher crew. You’ll be flying with a crew that has had a good night’s sleep and is mentally ready to provide better service and ensure a safer flight experience.
- Cleaner plane. On its first flight of the day, your aircraft will be as sanitary as possible. Airlines generally take extra care to thoroughly clean planes between flights, but boarding that morning flight gives you the greatest chance of a spotless plane.
Looking for the best deals for Abu Dhabi? Check different departure airports.
Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Abu Dhabi from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Abu Dhabi, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.
For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Abu Dhabi, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.
The same goes for long-haul flights to Abu Dhabi from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Flights to Abu Dhabi from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Many popular tourist destinations in Asia have convenient direct flights to/from Abu Dhabi: Bangkok
BKK
, BeijingPEK
, Hong KongHKG
, JakartaCGK
, Kuala LumpurKUL
, ManilaMNL
, New DelhiDEL
, PhuketHKT
, SeoulICN
, ShanghaiPVG
, SingaporeSIN
, and TokyoNRT
. - Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Abu Dhabi look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Abu Dhabi will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting UAE and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Flights from major Asian airports to Abu Dhabi
Asia is home to some of the busiest and most connected airports in the world. All major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Abu Dhabi — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
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Fly half-price(or less!)
Get curated deals to Abu Dhabi from our flight experts:
Fly now, pay later
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.
The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).
When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Abu Dhabi, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from UAE to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of UAE and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips
Every year, airlines handle millions of bags, and a small percentage of these bags never make it to their final destinations. Globally, airlines mishandle around 0.7% of bags checked in, which translates to seven bags out of every 1,000. Losing the luggage on your trip to Abu Dhabi can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of this happening to you.
- Use GPS-Trackers. A luggage tracking device such as Apple AirTag or Samsung Galaxy SmartTag comes with a smartphone app and is an excellent way to locate your bag if it goes missing.
Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag are small, trackable devices that can be attached to the check-in luggage - Label your luggage with your name, address, phone number and the name of your destination airport in Abu Dhabi. Put these details inside the case as well.
- Remove old tags. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags from previous flights can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners.
- Avoid tight layovers. Give yourself and your luggage time to get aboard the next plane by picking a flight to Abu Dhabi with a longer layover.
- Don’t overstuff your suitcase. Heavy bags are more likely to get damaged and stuck on the belts, causing the bag to be misdirected.
- Make your bag stand out. After arrival at Abu Dhabi airport, most people just want to grab their luggage and get out of the airport as soon as possible. In their haste, a case of mistaken identity can sometimes occur.
- Take a picture of your bag and the contents, and keep it on your phone. This can be helpful if you need to make a claim for lost or damaged items.
- Use a TSA-approved luggage lock. This will secure your bags and will help deter theft.
- Keep your valuables in your hand luggage. The airline liability is notoriously low (around €1,000 in most cases) and it usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance. It can act as a safety net as it can often cover the full value of your luggage. Travel insurance may also reimburse you for any emergency purchases you need to make while you wait.
Hidden-city ticketing hack
Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.
It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.
Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.
How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Abu Dhabi.

FAQ: Flying to Abu Dhabi
Q: What are the cheapest months to fly to Abu Dhabi?
A: The cheapest time to fly to Abu Dhabi is during the summer months – from June to August.
Q: What are the options for direct flights from India to Abu Dhabi?
A: If you prefer to fly directly, there are popular airlines that offer non-stop flights from India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru) to Abu Dhabi: Air India, Air Vistara, GoFirst, IndiGo, and Etihad Airways
Q: Can you fly direct from London or Manchester to Abu Dhabi?
A: Yes, Etihad Airways have direct flights from London and Manchester to Abu Dhabi. The flight duration is typically around 7 hours.
Q: Why flights to Abu Dhabi are so expensive?
A: The flight prices to Abu Dhabi depend primarily on which part of the world you are flying from. For example, the cheapest tickets to Abu Dhabi from North America are around $400-$600 one-way (not that expensive for more than 11,000 km / 7,000 miles route).
Time of travel and time of booking are also significant factors. High demand + low supply = higher fares. If you travel during the peak season (high demand) and book a last-minute flight (low supply - not many tickets left), your flight to Abu Dhabi will be costly (expect to pay 2 or 3 times more than the average price!).
The number of carriers that fly to Abu Dhabi from your region also plays a role. Neighboring countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Yemen, etc) tend to have plenty of flights, not only with large, full-service airlines but also with regional low-cost carriers. Competition is fierce, so prices are low.
Finally, there are oil prices and the fact that airfares are pegged to the US dollar. These factors are passed on to travelers, making your flight ticket even more expensive.
Q: What's the best way to fly non-stop to Abu Dhabi from Singapore?
A: There are only a few direct flight options to Abu Dhabi for travelers departing from Singapore, and these non-stop flights are operated by Etihad Airways. A direct flight takes 7-8 hours and costs approximately 400 SGD (~300 USD) one way.
Q: How much does it usually cost to fly to Abu Dhabi from the USA?
A: The prices of flights from the USA to Abu Dhabi fluctuate and will likely increase closer to your departure date. Assuming you book well in advance, you can find return flights from the USA to Abu Dhabi ranging from $900 to $1300 (departing from the West Coast) and $700 to $1100 (departing from the East Coast).
Q: When is the best time to book flights to Abu Dhabi?
A: Plane tickets usually don’t get cheaper closer to the departure date. Even these reasonably priced flights in the low season sell out quite far ahead of the date of travel. It pays to book your ticket well in advance, giving you a good range of flight times and seat selection choices.
The best time to book flights to Abu Dhabi can vary among airlines but the golden time usually falls between 2 months and 6 months before the departure. So, January is the best time to book flights if you want to visit Abu Dhabi during the summer.
User Review
4.1 (661 votes)Flights to Abu Dhabi
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to Abu Dhabi is not as easy as booking local travel.
Most likely you are looking at a long-haul trip — and every layover will add a few more hours if you choose not to take a direct flight. Choose your airline wisely, by reading the online reviews left by passengers who have already taken a similar route. Always look for their in-flight experience: seats (are they comfy and spacious?), menu (was it delicious with plenty of choices for different tastes and diets?), and the entertainment options available onboard (the quality of screens and headphones, the range of movie/music/tv channels on offer, etc).
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. Leave it too late and you might have to pay almost double the price, especially if you want to fly during school holidays and popular times like New Year's Eve. If you're not yet an Air Traveler Club subscriber, sign up now — we'll send you lots of discounted offers for free. Our members often save $500 or more on flights to Abu Dhabi!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to Abu Dhabi
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive