A Full Day in Abu Dhabi - Lounges or Get outside?

Hi all,

We're going to be on a budget trip to India at the end of the year, and have the delightful prospect of a stopover in AUH from 6am until 11pm (or 9pm, I forget). Luckily I have a Priority Pass, so we could take our pick of three of the lounges here - Airport Lounges | Airport Services | Airport Information | Abu Dhabi International Airport

Looking at the reviews, it seems like the Al Dhabi is going to be the best option, right? (I can't use any of the Etihad ones) Do they enforce the 4 hour rule if we're not drawing attention to ourselves? I've never really used an airport lounge before!

The other option is doing a bit of sightseeing - is this an option for the day? We're on one UK and one Aussie passport, and couldn't find info about transit visas for the day. If so, what would you recommend? I saw a few suggestions here, http://www.australianfrequentflyer....t/virgin-etihad-abu-dhabi-stopover-39101.html but nothing concrete.

Again, we're on a budget so $60 to go to a private beach isn't really what we're after, but we could get a taxi somewhere for a wander round. Any tips?

See this thread for some ideas: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....el-auh-long-way-round-50912-2.html#post834029

You might like to compress some of the ideas ...

you will be eligible for a visa on arrival so definitely go outside the airport and see a few things if you can... ferrari world maybe? Grand Mosque could be nice too...

They would blow the budget on Ferrari World.
You could take the A1 bus from AUH into the city 4Dh. Walk along the Corniche, view the Emirates Palace, check out a mall if that's your thing. You can take the 54 or 44 (2Dh) to Sheikh Zayad Grand Mosque. The most popular picture is on the west side, which is probably where the bus driver will suggest you stop. Be aware that the entrances are on the North and East side. If you can find where the A1 stops, you could take it back to the airport (I was not able to find it). Otherwise take the bus back to Al Wahda Bus Terminal and you'll be able to take the A1 from there or if you want to go the long way around, take the 170 (4Dh). Al Wahda Mall is close by for more retail therapy.

Alternatively, you can look at the shuttle going to Dubai. Etihad Express coaches

Oooh, Dubai looks like a good idea. If only to point up at that tall building and then leave I suppose!

I went on a hop on hop off sightseeing bus tour (which will take you to the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque among other spots) when I was there on 2 November:
Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Bus | Hop On Hop Off Abu Dhabi | Big Bus Tours

You could rent a car for the day and drive around Abu Dhabi and even Dubai, doing whatever you please. Fuel is very cheap in the UAE (no surprises there) and car hire should be no more than 30 bucks p/day.

AUH is so small so get out of the airport. Even the famed LHR T5 CCR gives cabin fever after 4 hours (I've done 9!)

Visa on arrival is available at a small window on the left as you go towards immigration.

Do the hop on hop off bus tour, do a tour of the Shiekh Zayed Mosque Guided Tours - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center visit the Falcon Hospital Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital and if you still have time chill at the Monte Carlo Beach Club on Sadiyaat Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, a celebration of fine living, culture, wellbeing and health although I don't know the day pass price.

Jock28 said:

AUH is so small so get out of the airport. Even the famed LHR T5 CCR gives cabin fever after 4 hours (I've done 9!)

Visa on arrival is available at a small window on the left as you go towards immigration.

Do the hop on hop off bus tour, do a tour of the Shiekh Zayed Mosque Guided Tours - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center visit the Falcon Hospital Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital and if you still have time chill at the Monte Carlo Beach Club on Sadiyaat Monte-Carlo Beach Club, Saadiyat, a celebration of fine living, culture, wellbeing and health although I don't know the day pass price.

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Australian passport holders just need to go to immigration.

I am watching this thread with interest as I have a 22 hours sojourn in Abu Dhabi coming up next month. 0000-2200

serfty said:

I am watching this thread with interest as I have a 22 hours sojourn in Abu Dhabi coming up next month.

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Ditto here, although its closer to forty hours for me.

markis10 said:

Ditto here, although its closer to forty hours for me.

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Ditto here, 22 hours on the way back from the Maldives. Although I know exactly what I'll be doing. Staying at an airport hotel adjacent to the Yas Marina F1 circuit. And then sample their Aston Martin GT4, Yas Supersport SST, Formula Yas 3000 and Chevrolet Camaro. Can't wait! Oh, and did I mention they have an F1 two-seater!!!??

Get behind the wheel at Yas Marina Circuit

Driver Experiences at Yas Marina Circuit

Very cheap for what would cost a fortune anywhere else in the world. Bit more than OPs $60 limit though sorry.

For the shooters you can visit Caracal Shooting club at the Armed Forces Officers Club near Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Ammunition is more expensive than a random range in Florida.
You can also consider driving out to the Liwa Oasis 150km SW of Abu Dhabi. I have not been, so cannot tell you if it's worthy of travelling out there. Probably not if you haven't seen the major cities first.

Gold Member said:

Ditto here, 22 hours on the way back from the Maldives. Although I know exactly what I'll be doing. Staying at an airport hotel adjacent to the Yas Marina F1 circuit. And then sample their Aston Martin GT4, Yas Supersport SST, Formula Yas 3000 and Chevrolet Camaro. Can't wait! Oh, and did I mention they have an F1 two-seater!!!??

Get behind the wheel at Yas Marina Circuit

Driver Experiences at Yas Marina Circuit

Very cheap for what would cost a fortune anywhere else in the world. Bit more than OPs $60 limit though sorry.

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I have booked the CP at Yas as it was the cheaper of the IHG options and have put in a BRG, looks like the island will be keeping me busy!

If you feel like really stretching the legs, would recommend hiring a car and driving out to Jebel Hafeet near Al Ain. The road there ain't going to be that interesting, but it's a case of the destination not the journey. From Wikipedia:

The Jabal Hafeet Mountain Road extends for 7.3 mi (11.7 km) up the mountain, rising 4,000 ft (1,219 m). With 21 corners and three lanes (two climbing and one descending), the immaculate road was called the greatest driving road in the world by Edmunds.com. The road scales the mountain and ends at a parking lot with only a hotel and a palace belonging to the country's rulers.

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The road up is pretty bloody spectacular, and the views are just as great. Some photos from my recent visit can be found here.

And topping up the tank will be cheap as chips when you return it, we drove between Abu Dhabi and Dubai for four days, covering about 400Km a day in a Ford Focus. We barely spent AUD 80 on fuel off the top of my head.

If your time & budget permits: Ferrari World is a fantastic option.. World's Fastest Roller Coaster. :shock: ->
I'm not usually fond of theme parks, though this one is very different, educational & enjoyable.

Agree it's worth getting out to have a look around.

Agree - hire a car and visit the mosque, yas marina and just have a look around - its fascinating. Visit the 6* hotel. Go somewhere for lunch. Go to the waterfront and look back at the city. There's plenty to do. Then head back to the airport by sunset and have a shower/relax before the flight.

I wouldn't bother driving to Dubai - there's enough to see the 1hr each way isn't worth it.

Ferrari world is expensive but I enjoyed it. Could easily spend 3 hours there.

But there is plenty of cheap/free stuff to do in Abu Dhabi. The corniche, historical village, the malls, sheikh zayed mosque are just some of the things on offer for free.

there are also ways to get buy 1 get 1 free tickets to ferrari world... one of them is to get an "Entertainer" book with coupons... I also think some websites etc have deals (including Etihad maybe?) Anyway, don't pay full price!

zainman said:

there are also ways to get buy 1 get 1 free tickets to ferrari world... one of them is to get an "Entertainer" book with coupons... I also think some websites etc have deals (including Etihad maybe?) Anyway, don't pay full price!

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The entertainment books are sold at Carrefour supermarkets, there is one at the Marina Mall at the end of the corniche.