If you’re looking to make the most out of an Abu Dhabi long layover on a budget, I have just found the ultimate hack! As you probably know or assume, Abu Dhabi is pretty expensive, especially when it comes to getting around, so this hack takes care of that!
Also, if your layover is only a few hours long, this probably won’t work, it works best with a full day or overnight layover! If your flight has a layover in Abu Dhabi that’s short, try searching “multi city” on Sky scanner, and add Abu Dhabi as an overnight stop in between!
Ok here’s my Abu Dhabi long layover on a budget hack:
Jump To:
Stay at Premier Inn Airport Hotel
No, this is not a sponsored post, and I am not getting paid to say that aside from my affiliate link which makes like $3 anyway. I just had so many people ask on Instagram for the name of the hotel after I posted this hack on my Stories, that I thought I’d explain it here and at least get some clicks. (This is how my business runs and how I’m able to give you free info by the way, so please click click click!)
Anyway, Premier Inn Airport Hotel is the hotel I stayed at where I discovered the very important free shuttle hack. It’s around $100 per night, which is considered affordable in Abu Dhabi.
How to Get the Free Airport Shuttle
To get from the airport to pretty much anywhere by taxi or rideshare is a minimum of $20. But if you stay at Premier Inn, it’s included, and that’s actually necessary because Abu Dhabi has a new airport that’s 8-10 minutes away from the hotel (it is attached to the old airport that’s no longer in use).
The shuttle from the airport to the hotel runs every quarter hour (for example: 9:25, 10:25, 11:25, etc), and is located outside of Door 7. It’s important to note that it’s the door, not the small bus stop signs which are for public buses.
It’s a smaller bus and it has an advertisement for the aquarium on it. That being said, seating is limited, so be sure to be out there waiting as soon as you get your bags.
To go from the hotel to the airport, the shuttle leaves every hour on the hour. Again, get there early because spots are limited.
The Free Sightseeing Shuttle to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
I have postponed going to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque so many times just because of how expensive the Uber ride was to get there and back. But I finally went since Premier Inn includes a free shuttle there!
It only runs two times per day; leaving the hotel at 10:45am and 6:30pm. It returns an hour and a half later.
Very important to note is that the drive is around 25 minutes, so by the time you get there and walk to the entry point, you only have one hour to see the mosque.
Here’s some important tips for the mosque to make the most of your hour there:
- Dress appropriately – you need to be completely covered, from feet to wrists, and bring a scarf to cover your head, or they won’t let you in. You can buy a cheap “amaya” (the colorful robes Muslim women wear over their clothes) for around $13 at the stores near the entrance, but that will take extra time.
- Reserve your entry time online in advance. It’s required to get in. Reserve it on:
- Keep in mind that the walk to get from the entry point to the actual mosque is 15-20 minutes, but you can pay extra to have a little golf cart take you there.
- The entry point is inside the glass egg looking thing. Go downstairs and turn left.
- Don’t spend all of your time at the main courtyard view. Take your photos quickly, and go, because it’s another lengthy walk to the actual entrance to go inside of the mosque. I missed it because I spent too long taking photos, and all of the security guards said I was missing out!
The Free Shuttle to Yas Island and Marina
I haven’t actually gone to Yas Island yet, because I opted to sleep all day after an overnight sleepless flight, then go to the mosque with the 6:30pm shuttle, but if I wasn’t tired AF, I would have gone to the mosque in the morning, and Yas Island in the evening.
The shuttles leave at 2:30pm and 8:35pm. On the hotel schedule it says pick up time is 3pm and 9pm, which doesn’t make sense, so make sure to ask when it comes back to the hotel before you leave.
Baggage Storage at Abu Dhabi Airport
If your layover is only for the day, and you want to explore without carrying your bag, below are the prices to store it! Baggage Storage is located at the far right end of Arrivals!
- Up to 3 hours: 35 AED
- Up to 24 hours: 70 AED
- Up to 48 hours: 105 AED
- Up to 72 hours: 140 AED
- After 72 hours: 140 AED + 35 AED for each additional day
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