Practical tips
- 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 cheapest) airports to fly into Abu Dhabi. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce, and airfare decreases as a result.

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).
- Once in Abu Dhabi, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, 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 Air India Express, FlyNas, Go First, 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.
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: Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Singapore 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.
40–80% off flights to Abu Dhabi
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What is the best time to book flights to Abu Dhabi?
The best time to book flights to Abu Dhabi is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Abu Dhabi flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Airfare prices for Abu Dhabi flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales.
Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats.
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays including holidays in UAE. If you must travel during peak times, book your flight well in advance.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Abu Dhabi less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up.
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Abu Dhabi, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. This is the “Prime Booking Window.” After some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 a.m.) flight. 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. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Flights to Abu Dhabi from 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 FlyDubai, Pegasus Airlines, Air Europa, and Wizz Air
- 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. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
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Airlines flying to Abu Dhabi | Aegan Airlines, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air India Express, Air New Zealand, Air Seychelles, AirBlue, ANA, Avianca, Badr Airlines, British Airways, Egypt Air, El Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, FlyNas, FlexFlight, Gaurda Indonesia, Go First, Gulf Air, IndiGo, ITA Airways, JetBlue, Kam Air, KLM, Korean Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Middle East Airlines, 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) |
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).
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.
Domestic flights from Abu Dhabi
Most domestic routes in UAE are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah from Abu Dhabi Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Emirates, Etihad Airways, FlyDubai, Wizzair Abu Dhabi, Rotana Jet, and Royal Jet.
This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Emirati destinations.
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 Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.
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. - Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Abu Dhabi, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney
SYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, and DunedinDUD
. - For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Abu Dhabi via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Abu Dhabi are Air India Express, FlyNas, Go First, Pegasus Airlines, Saudia, and Wizzair.
For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).
40–80% off flights to Abu Dhabi
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Flights to Abu Dhabi
from 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.
40–80% off flights to Abu Dhabi
from Asia
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Flights to Abu Dhabi dataset
User Review
4.1 (661 votes)Flights to Abu Dhabi
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. The optimal time to book international flights to Abu Dhabi is 2–8 months in advance, with a "prime booking window" at 4–6 months before departure for the best bargains.
In economy class, medium to long-haul flights to Abu Dhabi range from $150 to $600, and can go up to $1,000 for routes exceeding 6,000 km. Round-trip bookings offer savings between 20% and 35%. Strategic planning like early booking, flying in low-season, booking directly with airlines, or chosing a route with a layover can save an additional 5–30%.
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About the author

Maksim Koval
Aviation industry expert, digital editor at Tiket2 since 2010, and the pioneering founder of the Air Traveler Club.
Maksim is a Bali-based seasoned travel writer, avid flyer, tinkerer, photographer, motorbiker, animal lover, and the truest evangelist of the company. His dedication to providing valuable insights and engaging content has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.
You can contact him via email at maksim[at]tiket2.com.