14 hour layovers at Abu Dhabi

[aussiejohn]

I have finally bitten the bullet and decided to travel to the UK after 5 long years of pandemics and fear of flying long distances with DVT. I managed to get a reasonably cheap business class fare from Kuala Lumpur to Geneva and back on Etihad. The trade off is of course long layovers in Abu Dhabi. But needs must

My luggage will be checked through to to final destination on both legs, so in effect I will be "in transit" at Abu Dhabi. From what I can see on the internet, it appears possible to get a transit visa to leave the airport. The transit on the outbound flight to Geneva will during the day - arriving 12.35pm and departing 02.55. Coming back it will be an overnight transit, so going to an airport hotel to sleep would be welcome. Unfortunately there is no hotel in the new Terminal A at Abu Dhabi, and the Aerotel in Terminal 1 has closed.

Anyone here been in this situation and have any advice on my options? I will carry some necessities in my carry on to cover an overnight stay in a hotel if I can do that.

Thanks.

 

[Scr77]

In August, I stayed landside at Premier Inn. It was easy to get to and all connected via walkways with signage. The hotel was nice and had a good coffee spot for the next morning. I would happily stay again.

From memory, the visa was free and issued on arrival for Australian passport holders, but confirm this is still the case.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g294013-d5600443-Reviews-Premier_Inn_Abu_Dhabi_International_Airport_Hotel-Abu_Dhabi_Emirate_of_Abu_Dhabi.html

Off topic, I was in J and was quite happy with the older 777 cabin. Was very comfortable and staff were great.

 

[aussiejohn]

Thanks for your insights. Greatly appreciated. Etihad has now moved in to the new Terminal A so no longer walking distance to the Premier Inn. However there is a shuttle bus for the 15 minute journey. So I shall go there for the overnight transit. Not sure if they will let me spend about 12 hours in the lounge on the outbound day transit, so I might have to do a bit of exploring of the new terminal and then go to the lounge. I do have some mobility issues, but with DVT I will need to do some walking after the flight, so that might work. I usually ask for wheelchair assistance at airports so I will have to see what happens I guess.

 

[jase05]

Unfortunately there is no hotel in the new Terminal A at Abu Dhabi

Yes there is.
The new AUHotel opened not long before we went through there a few weeks back.
Located at the escalators where the Pearl lounge is.
Had signs up stating they had only just opened

 

[aussiejohn]

Thanks Jase05. Looks good, but three times the price of the Premier Inn for a refundable booking. Bit late now to try and rework the budget to pay for that, super convenient as it is. I will look and see if it is on Qantas hotels and how many points it would cost.