Trip Planner
Getting to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Sunday December 6 2026
What to expect in this guide
• Which airport do you fly into?
• Should you fly into Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
• How do you get from the airport to your hotel?
• Do you need a visa?
• Frequently asked questions
• Money-saving tip
Estimated Reading Time: 4–5 minutes
Most international flights into Abu Dhabi land at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), around 8 to 10 km from Yas Marina Circuit and around 30 km from downtown Abu Dhabi. Flights into Abu Dhabi often approach over Yas Island, giving you a view of the circuit before landing.
Getting there by air
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, operates direct flights to Abu Dhabi from cities across the world. Most major international airlines also serve AUH directly.
Direct services run from across Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Middle East. Wherever you’re flying from, there’s likely a direct flight to Abu Dhabi or Dubai from somewhere close to home.
Dubai International as an alternative
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the world’s busiest hubs and is served by Emirates and most major international airlines. You’ll often find more flight choices and sometimes better fares into Dubai than into Abu Dhabi.
Dubai is around 60 to 90 minutes by road from Abu Dhabi. If you fly in via Dubai, the simplest approach is to transfer straight to Abu Dhabi for the race weekend rather than commuting back and forth each day. Dubai is well worth a visit on its own, so a few days there before or after the race weekend can work well.
From the airport to your hotel
The airport-to-hotel journey is around 15 to 30 minutes from AUH, depending on which area of Abu Dhabi you’re staying in.
- Taxi. Available from the official taxi rank at the airport. Reliable, metered, and reasonably priced.
- Pre-booked transfer. Worth considering if you’d rather skip the queue or want a fixed price agreed in advance, particularly after a long overnight flight.
- Uber and Careem. Both operate widely in the UAE.
If you’re flying into Dubai, taxis and pre-booked transfers can take you direct to your Abu Dhabi hotel. Coach services also run between the two cities.
Visa and entry requirements
Many nationalities can enter the UAE visa-free or get a visa on arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Requirements vary by nationality and personal circumstances.
Check the official guidance on the Visit Abu Dhabi website or the Abu Dhabi Government website before booking. Etihad and Emirates also publish travel requirements for their routes.
FAQ's
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), around 8 to 10 km from Yas Marina Circuit. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is also a workable option, around 60 to 90 minutes by road from Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi is closer to the circuit and more convenient. Dubai often has more flight options and sometimes better fares, but adds a 60 to 90 minute transfer at each end.
Yes. Etihad Airways flies direct from cities across the world, alongside most major international carriers. Direct flights are also available to Dubai with Emirates.
Around 15 to 30 minutes from AUH, depending on where you're staying.
Introducing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about Yas Marina Circuit, the circuit's location on Yas Island, and how a race weekend works.
Where to stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
In this guide we'll help you choose the best place to stay during your trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Choosing a grandstand at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
In this guide we'll help you choose the right grandstand for your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix experience.
Evening concerts at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the post-race concerts that run alongside the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Getting around at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Getting around at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix In this guide you’ll learn about the different options for getting around during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
