Global airport information

Travelling to and from Abu Dhabi

We’re proud to call Abu Dhabi our home. The capital of the UAE and the crossroads between East and West, from here, so much of the world is within easy reach.

Check-in times

Check-in opens four hours before your scheduled departure time. If you’re travelling in Economy, check-in closes 60 minutes ahead of your flight, or 45 minutes if you’re flying in Business or First.*

*Applicable for flights from Abu Dhabi

U.S. flights

Flying to the U.S? Arrive at Zayed International Airport – Terminal A at least four hours before your flight. Then, make your way to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility two hours before your flight, or 90 minutes if you’re travelling in Business, First or The Residence. 

Use the e-gates

Register to use the e-border gates in Abu Dhabi to save time at immigration. This is subject to visa requirements.

Bag drop & go

Checked in online? Simply drop your bags and use the time you’ve saved to shop, dine or unwind.

Customs in Abu Dhabi

If you need to declare anything to customs, including the disclosure of cash, you access all customs services online at tamm.abudhabi.

Ways to pay at the airport

We recommend that you use a credit or debit card for payments at the airport. Some airports no longer accept cash and you may be charged a cash-handling fee at the limited number of airports where cash is accepted.

These airports do not accept cash payments:

Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)
Beijing, China (PEK)
Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
Chicago, United States (ORD)
Dublin, Ireland (DUB)
Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
Geneva, Switzerland (GVA)
London, England (LHR)
Shanghai, China (PVG)
Sydney, Australia (SYD)
Toronto, Canada (YYZ)

Manchester, England (MAN)
Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
Moscow, Russia (SVO)
Munich, Germany (MUC)
Narita, Japan (NRT)
New York, United States (JFK)
Rome, Italy (FCO)
Saint Petersburg, Russia (LED)
Vienna, Austria (VIE)
Washington, United States (IAD)
Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH)