In an emergency
- Emergency999
- Police999
- Tourist police+971 2 699 9999Abu Dhabi Police Tourism Police section
- Ambulance998
- Complaints800 1222Ministry of Economy, consumer complaints
UAE-wide: 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire, 996 coastguard. Abu Dhabi Police's AD999 app has an SOS button; Aman security line 800 2626 (SMS 2828). Istijaba medical line 800 1717. Government info line 800 555. Bus lost property and fines: 800 850. Taxi booking 600 53 53 53. A&E: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City +971 2 610 2000, Al Noor Hospital +971 2 626 5265. Visitors must have medical insurance; stabilising emergency care is free.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| City bus ride (Hafilat)AED 2 boarding + 5 fils/km, maximum AED 5 per journey; free transfers within 60 min; kids 10 and under free. | 2+ AED |
|---|---|
| Hafilat anonymous cardValid 16 years. | 10 AED |
| Taxi flag fall (silver taxi)AED 5.50 at night (22:00-06:00); AED 1.82 per km; minimum fare AED 12; booking fee AED 4 / 5. | 5.00 AED |
| Airport taxi flag fallPlus AED 1.82/km; Visit Abu Dhabi quotes about AED 70-80 to town (undated). | 20 AED |
| Intercity bus to DubaiTo Al Ain AED 30 (premium 40); to Sharjah AED 30. | 25 AED |
| Etihad Rail to DubaiComfort from AED 39, Premium from AED 109 (from 30 Sep 2026). | 39+ AED |
| Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry (overseas visitor)From 1 Sep 2026; AED 5 with Emirates ID; free for worshippers and over-60s. | 10 AED |
| Abaya to buy at the Grand MosqueSold at Souq Al Jami next to the mosque; the mosque no longer lends abayas. | 45 AED |
| Heritage Village abra cruise (20 min)Under-3s free; VIP boat for 10 AED 400. | 40 AED |
| Hotel restaurant meal per personExcluding drinks; fine dining may add ~10% service and a 6% tourism levy (Visit Abu Dhabi, undated). | 100-200 AED |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
AED 10 visitors from outside the UAE, AED 5 Emirates ID holders, AED 8 via tour operators; free for worshippers and visitors 60+ (from 1 Sep 2026). Light & Peace Museum or Diya AED 25 each, AED 40 combined; main prayer hall carpet AED 30 extra
Buy at: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque website or the ticket counter on site
not verified
- Abrahamic Family House
Free
Buy at: Book online in advance at abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae (to join a 'storyteller' guide)
not verified
Traps
- Watch outGrand Mosque: no free abayas any more
The mosque stopped lending abayas; arrive covered or pay AED 45 at Souq Al Jami next door.
Source: whatson.ae - TipUse metered silver taxis
Official taxis are silver with a yellow roof sign and metered; fares are set by AD Mobility (AED 5 flag fall by day).
Source: visitabudhabi.ae, admobility.gov.ae - TipKeep the receipt
Take a receipt so the taxi call centre can trace the car if you leave something behind.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae
Money
- TipThe dirham is pegged to the US dollar
AED (Dh, Dhs) = 100 fils; USD 1 = AED 3.6725 at a fixed rate. Coins: AED 1, 50 and 25 fils; notes AED 5-1,000. Cards are widely accepted.
Source: u.ae, en.wikipedia.org, visitabudhabi.ae - TipTipping is optional
Tipping is not expected but common. Many high-end restaurants add a ~10% service charge and 6% tourism levy (often already in menu prices); if not included, 10-15% is usual. A taxi tip is not expected but welcome.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae - TipCards everywhere, cash for souks
Most shops, hotels and restaurants take Visa, Mastercard and Amex; ATMs are widespread; haggle in the souks.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae
Transport
- TipGet a Hafilat card
AED 10 at the airport's 24/7 customer office, bus stations or Lulu branches; tap on and off. Rides cost AED 2 plus 5 fils/km.
Source: admobility.gov.ae, admobility.gov.ae, admobility.gov.ae - TipBus 094 links the big sights
Route 094 runs Mamsha Al Saadiyat - Louvre - Zayed Grand Mosque - Wahat Al Karama (route list June 2025).
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipFree shuttles
The Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus (Saadiyat, Yas, Jubail, city centre, Grand Canal) and Yas Express are free.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae, visitabudhabi.ae - TipTrain to Dubai
From 30 Sep 2026 Etihad Rail runs from Mohamed Bin Zayed City to Dubai in 1 h 4 min, from AED 39; the station is off the island.
Source: whatson.ae, visitabudhabi.ae - TipFamily taxis
Family taxis (white roof light) are driven by women and carry families.
Source: admobility.gov.ae, visitabudhabi.ae
Etiquette
- RuleDress modestly in public
Abu Dhabi's tourism board says short or tight clothing is legal but draws unwelcome attention, malls and resorts are relaxed, and shoulders and legs should be covered in government offices; dress more conservatively during Ramadan. Take a layer: air conditioning is strong.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae - RuleGrand Mosque dress code
Cover shoulders and knees with loose, non-transparent clothing; women cover their hair. Friday visits pause 11:30-14:30 for prayers.
Source: whatson.ae - RuleNo public displays of affection
Overt displays of affection in public, especially in malls, restaurants and on public transport, break UAE decency rules and can bring a heavy fine or even jail (What's On, 2025). Guides repeat the point for Ramadan.
Source: whatson.ae, whatson.ae - RuleAsk before photographing people
Filming or photographing people without consent can be prosecuted under UAE privacy law, with fines reported at AED 150,000-500,000 (What's On, May 2026). Photographing government buildings, military sites, palaces, ports and airports is also off limits, and cameras may be banned in women-and-children-only areas.
Source: whatson.ae, whatson.ae, visitabudhabi.ae - RuleRamadan: don't eat, drink or smoke in public by day
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Non-Muslims do not fast, but must not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight; What's On (Feb 2026) says this includes malls and public transport. Restaurants and mall food courts provide designated dining areas, though some close or shorten hours by day (u.ae, 2026); older Visit Abu Dhabi guidance says many outlets offer only takeaway until sunset. Cities come alive after sunset. Dress more modestly, keep music low, and expect later opening hours.
Source: u.ae, whatson.ae, whatson.ae - TipWeekend is Saturday-Sunday; Friday is prayer day
Since 1 January 2022 the UAE's official weekend is Saturday and Sunday; federal offices work only until 12:00 on Friday. Friday is the Islamic holy day, so mosque visits and some opening hours change around the midday prayer.
Source: u.ae, en.wikipedia.org, visitabudhabi.ae
Food
- RuleAlcohol: hotels and licensed venues, 21+
Alcohol is sold in licensed places, mainly hotel bars and restaurants; you must be over 21 and buy only for personal use. In Ramadan, alcohol sales are restricted until after dusk.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae - TipPork is marked
Some restaurants serve pork to non-Muslims, prepared separately and clearly marked on the menu.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae - TipIftar tents
In Ramadan, charities and the Emirates Red Crescent set up tents offering free iftar meals to everyone.
Source: u.ae
Safety
- TipTourism Police
Abu Dhabi Police runs a Tourism Police section for visitor advice: +971 2 699 9999. Emergencies: 999.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae - RuleCarry health insurance
UAE and Abu Dhabi law require visitors to have medical insurance; stabilising emergency care is free.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae, u.ae - Watch outDon't share accident photos
Posting photos of accidents is illegal in the UAE, as is photographing military sites, palaces and planes.
Source: whatson.ae
Free
- TipFree shuttle buses
Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus and Yas Express cost nothing.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae, visitabudhabi.ae - TipAbrahamic Family House is free
Entry is free; book a storyteller online.
Source: whatson.ae - TipKids ride free
Children 10 and under travel free on Abu Dhabi buses; over-60s enter the Grand Mosque free.
Source: admobility.gov.ae, whatson.ae
Fun
- Fun'Father of the gazelle'
Abu means father and Dhabi gazelle.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae - FunA bus for bikes
Service 73 was the region's first bus with bike space on board, running Al Reem Island to Al Hudayriat.
Source: admobility.gov.ae - Fun82 domes
The Grand Mosque has 82 domes and a world-record hand-knotted carpet.
Source: whatson.ae, whatson.ae - FunHagg Al Layla
Mid-Shaaban, before Ramadan, Emirati children in traditional clothes go door to door singing and collect sweets.
Source: u.ae
When to go
- TipBest months: November to April
The cooler months, November to April, are the most pleasant; December is Visit Abu Dhabi's pick.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae, visitabudhabi.ae - Watch outJune to August is the hottest
Summer highs reach the 40s C; forecasts hit 49 C inland in July 2026. Plan indoor sights in summer.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae, whatson.ae - TipRamadan 2027
Expected from about 8 February 2027 (moon sighting decides); live music and dancing stop, nightclubs tend to close, and eating in public by day is not allowed.
Source: whatson.ae, visitabudhabi.ae - TipNational Day
UAE National Day holiday is 2-3 December.
Source: u.ae, whatson.ae - TipUAE time is UTC+4 all year
No daylight saving time; at noon in the UAE it is 08:00 in London (winter).
Source: u.ae, en.wikipedia.org, visitabudhabi.ae
Words
- TipRamadan Kareem
'Blessed Ramadan'.
Source: u.ae, whatson.ae - TipEid Mubarak
'Blessed Eid'.
Source: whatson.ae - TipKandura, ghutra, abaya, sheyla
Emirati men wear the white kandura with a ghutra headdress; women the black abaya and sheyla headscarf.
Source: visitabudhabi.ae
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.