Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)

The airport at a glance

• Zayed International Airport (AUH) is the main airport of Abu Dhabi. Its international terminal is Terminal A.
• It handled a record 32.5 million passengers in 2025. Abu Dhabi Airports calls it the fastest-growing mega airport in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 39 new routes and 7 new airlines in 2025.
• It is the home of Etihad Airways. Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi are on its destination list, among about 125 destinations.
• Since the conflict involving Iran began at the end of February 2026, flights in the region have been disrupted at times. Check your flight with your airline before you travel.

Connecting between flights

• Follow the purple 'Transfer' signs after you leave the aircraft; do not follow the signs for Arrivals or Baggage Claim.
• All connecting passengers go through transfer security screening. Then check the flight information screens for your gate.
• Flying to the United States: AUH has a US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facility, so you complete US immigration and customs before boarding and arrive in the US as a domestic passenger. It is mandatory on US-bound flights; the airport recommends arriving at least four hours before departure.

Getting to Abu Dhabi and Dubai

• Airport Express to Dubai: a shuttle bus to Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai, every hour around the clock, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Buy tickets at the counter in the Arrivals Hall.
• City buses: stops are just outside Arrivals. A-series buses run 24/7, including A1 to Al Zahiyah (city centre, Al Reem Island) and A2 to Khalifa Street (Al Markaziyah, Al Khalidiya). A one-way fare is around AED 4, paid with a Hafilat card from the machines near the stops; no cash on the bus.
• Official airport taxis run 24/7, metered, to anywhere in Abu Dhabi; pay by cash or card. Wheelchair-accessible and larger vehicles are available.

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Arriving in the United Arab Emirates

• Your passport must be machine-readable and valid for at least six months after your date of entry.
• Citizens of some countries get a visa on arrival; everyone else needs a visa or entry permit before travel. Check the UAE government portal before you book.
• Thai passport holders generally need a visa arranged before travel. Thai nationals with a residence permit from the US, the UK, an EU country, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand or Canada can get a 14- or 60-day entry visa under ICP rules.
• Declare cash and financial instruments worth more than AED 60,000 on arrival.

Lounges and Wi-Fi

• Etihad First Class and Business Class lounges, the Pearl Lounge, and the Diamond Lounge, which is in a separate terminal with private entry.
• You can book a lounge or Fast Track (priority lanes at security and immigration) on the airport site. Wi-Fi in the terminal is free.

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