Virgin/Etihad Abu dhabi stopover

[Westmate]

I am travelling via Abudhabi in Business class on V Australia/Etihad code share with 7 hours stop over (arrival approx 7 am on Thursday). I have flown via AUH few years ago and airport terminal was small, ordinary and very busy. I am not keen to spend 7 hours in J lounge but I wish to visit any interesting historic/cultural sites in Abu dhabi during my stop over if possible (especially Shaikh Zayed Mosque which looks impressive looking at photos). I would like to know if immigration allow stop over passengers to venture out (with Aussie passport) and is it possible to visit Zayed Mosque/any other historic or cultural sites during my stopover? Can some one who visited Abu dhabi on stopover please suggest best option and suggestions please ? Should I catch a taxi from-to airport or any short city tour option?

thanks in advance.

 

[jneufeld]

I have visited AUH and you should be able to fit a bit in a couple of things. It's important to remember the airport is about 50 mins out of town so you need to leave yourself plenty of time. I wouldn't think it would be an immigration issue, but best to double check that. Near to the airport is Yas Island which has the F1 track and Ferrari World (if cars or theme parks are your thing). If you head out to Marina Mall there is plenty of shopping to be had, there is also a great view of the Corniche (foreshore) and the surrounding CBD. You can walk along the Corniche as well. Many people say a visit to the Emirates palace is a must, but I have not been. The Zayed Mosque is incredible and well worth a visit just to see the scale and opulence of the thing. The airport has been extended with the addition of T3 but is often crowded, so if you can get out I would recommend it.

 

[loobloke]

No problems with immigration. The Mosque is quite close to the airport, as is Ferrari world. The city is a bit further away, and everything in the city is ridiculously spread out - you need to taxi everywhere, didn't really think there was alot which I found interesting around the city itself.

 

[pmdg7444]

The EY first lounge at Terminal 3 wouldnt be a bad way to spend 7 hours. yes you can venture out - transit visas are issued FOC.

Taxis are cheap and the best option. The public bus, although only 3AED is not recommended.

7 hrs I think is too short to venture any further than the Mosque to do anything worthwhile. The AB exhibition is also close by.

 

[haydensydney]

I've stayed at the Emirates Palace which was ah-maa-zing (see here) but it sounds like you may not be overly interested in faux gold and people-watching pompous wealthy Russians

On the way to the airport I remember seeing a massive mosque, which I believe was the biggest in the Emirate (i'm not 100% sure about the factuality of that as it may have heard that from the driver or something - not entirely sure). Have you thought about changing your trip so you get at least one night there? We had heaps of fun and really enjoyed ourselves.

 

[Westmate]

thanks everyone for quick responses. I am on tight schedule so bit difficult to spend 1 night in Abu dhabi but as most people have recommended so far I was interested to see Zayed Mosque (especially architecture and scale of it) if possible. As I would have 7 hours stop over I can possibly catch a taxi from airport and spend 1-2 hours at Mosque/surroundings and back at terminal with some buffer time in between.

 

[Westmate]

The EY first lounge at Terminal 3 wouldnt be a bad way to spend 7 hours. yes you can venture out - transit visas are issued FOC.

Taxis are cheap and the best option. The public bus, although only 3AED is not recommended.

7 hrs I think is too short to venture any further than the Mosque to do anything worthwhile. The AB exhibition is also close by.

I would not be eligible for First lounge as I am travelling business class, would that be right? Sorry for my ignorance what is AB exhibition?