Europe & Beyond

Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport lies just 32km (20 miles) east of the heart of Abu Dhabi city. It is one of the fastest growing airports in the world, with ambitious expansion plans as the demand for flights to Abu Dhabi continue to grow, and it even boasts its own well-respected sand golf course.

The airport’s newest terminal, terminal 3, opened in January 2009, which helped to ease passenger congestion in terminal 1. Most international airlines, except Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier), still use terminal 1, however, which is housed in an architecturally interesting domed building with curved, mosaic walls. Passengers seem to either love or hate the building, but either way it seems to provoke strong reactions.

General facilities

Facilities across the airport’s terminals include coffee shops and restaurants; free internet access points and a Wi-Fi network; plasma screens showing BBC World News; showers; and duty free shopping outlets.

There is seating available in all of the terminals, but for a bit more luxury you can pay AED100 (per four hour block) to use the Airport Hotel Lounge or the Ghazal Lounge facilities.  There is also a business centre with computer workstations and internet access if you want to get on with some work.

Shopping at Abu Dhabi Airport

As mentioned in an earlier post about shopping in Abu Dhabi some passengers choose to fly via Dubai rather than Abu Dhabi just for its award-winning duty free shopping, and it’s true that Abu Dhabi’s offering can’t compete. Still, there are duty free shops across all of the airport’s terminals where you can find all the usual fare, such as watches, perfume, cigarettes and alcohol, and there are multi-lingual staff on hand to help, speaking a wide range of languages ranging from English to Chinese.

Recreation

If you have quite a bit of time to kill at the airport, there is a fitness centre at the Airport Hotel, which you can pay (AED23 per person) to use if you are a non-guest. It has a jacuzzi, a sauna and a gym, and is free for those staying at the hotel.

The airport also has an 18-hole golf course that is considered to be one of the world’s best sand courses, located just 400 metres from the main terminal (two minutes by road). The Al Ghazal Golf Course has an English-style hilltop clubhouse, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a health club equipped with a gym, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.

Other Airport Facilities

The airport also has a post office and post box (terminal 1); several coffee shops and snack bars; and numerous designated smoking areas within the transit and satellite area, and in some cafés.

For more information about Abu Dhabi International Airport or visit http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/

Visit Dubai

Looking for an alternative to Abu Dhabi – then consider visiting Dubai.

Jenson Button  finally scraped enough points at the Brazil Grand Prix to take the 2009 F1 world title. As a consequence you would expect the final race of the season – the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – to be crossed off the race calender.  However the expectation of the inaugral race has meant that tickets for the race are sold out well in advance and hotels are fully booked.

For those wishing to experience the glamour and excitement of the United Arab Emirates there is an alternative – Dubai

Flights to Dubai

Direct fights to Dubai have dropped in price since the development of Abu Dhabi International Airport which is set to become the main hub in the Middle East replacing  Dubai Airport which pales in comparison.

Dubai – Hectic City

This hot, fast-paced, congested metropolis has a more cosmopolitan feel to it than Abu Dhabi.

To explore one of the last pockets of ‘Old Dubai’, head for the Bastakiya District, which houses many reconstructed traditional buildings plus art galleries and cafés.

At Dubai Museum you can experience the sights and sounds of a reconstructed traditional souq.

Dubai Shopping

If you haven’t had your fill of shopping in Abu Dhabi, there’s an even greater choice in neighbouring Dubai, which is only about 90 minutes away by road.

And if you’re after a shopping fix, there are countless malls to choose from, but for something unique try Ibn Battuta Mall, where you can learn about the explorer after which it is named while you shop.

Other Things to See in Dubai

You could go skiing or snowboarding at the snow centre in the Mall of the Emirates (MOE). Other city attractions include Dubai Zoo; Jumeira Beach; and tours of the Jumeirah Mosque.

Images of Dubai

This site has some splendid photographs of Dubai – although we suspect some are make believe – and some illuminating comments from visitors