Abu Dhabi is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Abu Dhabi works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Abu Dhabi, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 5 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Abu Dhabi, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Abu Dhabi starts at around €47 per night, with a typical rate near €89 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, guest rating 9.6 from 148 reviews, from €100 per night; The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, guest rating 9.6 from 109 reviews, from €151 per night; Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, guest rating 9.6 from 118 reviews, from €157 per night; The Abu Dhabi Edition, guest rating 9.6 from 59 reviews, from €158 per night; Jannah Burj Al Sarab, 5-star, guest rating 9.4 from 8456 reviews, from €49 per night.
Day trips & routes: Dubai — about 129 km, 1h 18m drive; Al Ain — about 158 km, 1h 36m drive; Ajman — about 261 km, 2h 43m drive; Umm al-Quwain — about 207 km, 2h 16m drive; Manama — about 226 km, 2h 26m drive. Fastest option is Dubai: 1h 18m by car.
Abu Dhabi: what to know
Things to see: "Empty Quarter Sunset Desert Safari", rated 5 from 46 reviews, from €218.84; "Abudhabi Desert Safari", rated 5 from 44 reviews, from €223.31; "A Day Trip to Dazzling Dubai from Abu Dhabi", rated 5 from 43 reviews, from €111.65; "Liwa Full Day Desert Safari (exploring)", rated 5 from 39 reviews, from €200.98; "Private Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour", rated 5 from 38 reviews, from €152.05.
Abu Dhabi has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 5 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Abu Dhabi is around €89, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Abu Dhabi you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 5 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring UAE, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
