Abu Dhabi Stopover

PrettyBoy

Hi guys just a quick question regarding a stopover. I'm in Thailand at the moment and leaving in a few weeks. I flew with Etihad so my stopover is in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately the stopover is for 14 hours...

Can anyone tell me whether or not I'll be able to leave the airport during this time and come back for my flight to Dublin? Literally arrive at 7 in the morning and I'm there for the whole day..really don't want to spend 14 hours sitting in a departure gate.

Thanks in advance for any info

AngryHippie

I had an 8 hour stopover there last year, pretty ordinary airport, but I don't know what the immigration/visa situation is there, or how much there is to do in the airport precinct

Arcee

There is very little to do in that airport, however, there is also very little to do in Abu Dhabi itself! It's also insanely, unbearably hot there at this time of year so you couldn't really go to the beach or anything - everyone stays indoors where there's air-con. There is some useful info on the airport website for people in transit http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/english/airport-information/transit-information/more-than-4-hours.aspx

Also, it's Ramadan until August 18th or so which means it will be very quiet with lots of places closed down during the day

Stinicker

If you hold an Irish passport you can enter the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) Visa free for e.g. similar to how you would enter Thailand for the 30 days without a visa.

Normally when you are in transit you do not clear immigration in the U.A.E as you technically never enter the country and do not get your passport stamped. As an Irish citizen you can enter the U.A.E however if you so wish.

I've transited through both Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports before but kept my layovers to under 4 hours each time, with a 1hrs 30mins layover in Abu Dhabi in 2011 and 3hrs 30mins in Dubai this past March 2012.

Plenty shopping and Duty Free at both airports and if I was transiting for that long I'd grab a hotel and get some kip for the onward flight to Ireland. To me it appears the U.A.E is just one hot, dusty, overpriced horrible conservative place that really doesn't appeal however.

PrettyBoy

Was planning on going to the Ferrari World theme park which I've been told is relatively close to the airport. Anyone know for sure if I'd be able to leave the airport for the day without any hassle?

Stinicker

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Was planning on going to the Ferrari World theme park which I've been told is relatively close to the airport. Anyone know for sure if I'd be able to leave the airport for the day without any hassle?

You will get a 30 day visa free on arrival, see here, just make sure you have your boarding pass for your Abu Dhabi - Dublin flight so that you get back in through security afterwards. Usually when you check in for a connecting flight you will be issued two boarding passes, one for the Bangkok - Abu Dhabi leg and the second for the Abu Dhabi - Dublin flight.

crazytealeaf

Im also on that flight ~ didnt actually realise util after I had booked that there was a 14 hour stopover!
I was thinking about possibly trying to get in a bus tour. should be enough time really.

lc180

I'm going to Thailand in a couple months and have a similar 14 hour layover. Not a hope in he'll am I staying in the airport for that period of time! My mate was there on a trip recently, recommends I do this 4 hour desert safari, if you email them they might even organize collection and drop-off to the airport.

http://www.abudhabidesertsafari.net/evening_desert_safari.html

lc180

OP, would love to know what you did in the end-up?

I've got a lengthy stop-over next month and still trying to decide what to do.

Cheers!