Abu Dhabi. Met at either airport, with the car held for a day that runs across the islands.
Zayed International takes everything, and Al Bateen, in the middle of the city, is the region's dedicated business aviation field. We place the car at whichever one your aircraft uses, so the day starts when the door opens.
The airport
Zayed International at a glance
- CodesAUH / OMAAZayed International Airport, renamed in February 2024. Still widely called Abu Dhabi International.
- DistanceAbout 30 km from the city centreYas Island is much closer, roughly a quarter of an hour by road in ordinary traffic.
- TerminalTerminal AThe main terminal, opened at the end of 2023, handling almost all traffic.
- Business aviationAl Bateen Executive Airport, in the cityA separate field, AZI / OMAD, about 12 km from the centre and dedicated to executive flying.
Most private movements into Abu Dhabi use Al Bateen. Zayed International is used when the aircraft, the crew or the schedule requires it, and both are straightforward for ground transport.
Journey times
From Zayed International by road
| To | Quiet roads | Busy periods |
|---|---|---|
| Yas Island and Yas Marina Circuit | 15 to 25 minutes | 30 to 60 minutes on event days |
| Saadiyat Island | 25 to 35 minutes | 35 to 50 minutes |
| Al Maryah Island and the business district | 25 to 35 minutes | 35 to 55 minutes |
| The Corniche and Emirates Palace | 30 to 40 minutes | 40 to 60 minutes |
| Al Bateen Executive Airport | 30 to 40 minutes | 40 to 55 minutes |
| Dubai, Downtown and DIFC | 90 to 120 minutes | 2 to 3 hours |
| Dubai Al Maktoum | 70 to 95 minutes | 95 to 140 minutes |
Realistic ranges. The Abu Dhabi to Dubai motorway is fast outside the peaks, and the peaks at either end are long.
How a day works here
The city is spread out, so the car stays with you
Abu Dhabi is built across islands linked by bridges and long causeways, and almost nothing is within walking distance of anything else. An itinerary that looks like four appointments is really four drives, and in summer heat the gap between the car and the door matters as much as the drive itself. Most clients here take a car held as directed for the day rather than booking legs, and we would usually recommend it. See hourly and as directed hire.
Our own cars and chauffeurs are in London and Manchester, and a trusted global network covers everywhere else. In Abu Dhabi the cars are arranged through operators we know and have used, and your booking, your brief and your invoice stay with your usual contact here.
A note on timings. Airspace restrictions across the Gulf have caused rerouting and schedule changes at various points through 2026, and arrival times have moved at short notice more often than usual. We plan ground movements to the times your operator or airline gives us on the day rather than to a published schedule, and we hold cars rather than release them.
On arrival
How we handle an Abu Dhabi arrival
Standard practice on both fields.
- Flight or tail number tracked, with the car positioned to the terminal actually in use.
- Private arrivals met at the executive terminal, and at the aircraft where the airport permits it for your movement.
- Scheduled arrivals into Terminal A met inside with a name board, or kerbside if you prefer.
- A car held for the day rather than released between appointments, where the itinerary justifies it.
- Onward runs to Dubai quoted from the outset, because they are a different order of journey from a city transfer.
- Second vehicles for staff, luggage or security arranged alongside rather than improvised.
Events
Yas Marina and the race weekend
Yas Island is close to Zayed International, which is a real advantage for the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit and a real problem for everyone trying to leave at the same moment. Access to the island is controlled on race days, drop points move, and the run back to the hotels on the Corniche after the concerts takes a great deal longer than the map suggests.
We plan those weekends around held vehicles, agreed meeting points away from the obvious exits, and departures timed to the traffic rather than the chequered flag. See the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and event and hospitality transport.
Onward
Where Abu Dhabi passengers go next
Request a quote
Tell us the arrival
Which airport, the flight or tail number, passengers, luggage and the destination, and whether you want a car held for the day. We come back with a clear price. Nothing is booked or charged online.
Prefer to talk? +44 2030 048300 or WhatsApp, at any hour.
Questions people ask
About Abu Dhabi transfers
Should the aircraft use Zayed International or Al Bateen?
Al Bateen is the dedicated executive field and sits in the city, so it is usually quicker door to door. Zayed International is used when the aircraft or the schedule needs it. Tell us which before the slot is taken and we will give you the ground picture for both.
How long is the drive to Dubai?
An hour and a half outside the peaks, and well over two hours in them. It is a motorway journey, not a transfer, and we quote it as one.
Can the car come to the aircraft?
Where the airport permits it for your movement. We confirm with the handling agent rather than promising it in advance.
What happens if the flight is delayed or rerouted?
We hold the car and follow the movement. Regional schedules have moved more than usual through 2026 and we plan for that rather than against it.
Are these your own cars?
In London and Manchester, yes, and a trusted global network covers everywhere else. In Abu Dhabi they are arranged through operators we know, and the arrangement stays ours.
