- Modes of public transport in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi public bus service
- Abu Dhabi public transport cards
- Abu Dhabi Taxi
- Abu Dhabi Ferry Service
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is almost as busy as the megacity Dubai. It attracts numerous visitors on a daily basis. While some visit for leisure and sightseeing, many settle in the emirate for work. No matter why you are here, commuting is an integral part of everyday life in the capital. What makes the city even more desirable is easy access to various Abu Dhabi public transport options.
From buses to taxis, you can travel from one place to another easily through affordable and accessible options.
Different Modes of Public Transport in Abu Dhabi
Governed by the Department of Transport, public transport in Abu Dhabi adds immense value to the city’s robust infrastructure. Let’s explore the different modes of public transportation in Abu Dhabi:
Abu Dhabi Public Bus Service
When it comes to public buses in Abu Dhabi, a 24/7 public bus transportation service in the capital was introduced by DoT in 2008. These buses are fully air-conditioned and have proper access for passengers with disabilities.
Most of the bus rides cost AED 2. Each time you get on and off the bus, you can simply put AED 2 in the collection box placed next to the driver. These buses are free of cost for people with disabilities and senior citizens, over 60 years of age.
If you plan to use the Abu Dhabi public bus service daily, paying for the bus fares through Abu Dhabi public transport card, known as Hafilat smart card will be ideal.
The Abu Dhabi Government also announced the introduction of electric buses in Abu Dhabi – an eco-friendly mode of public transportation.
Abu Dhabi Public Transport Cards – Hafilat Card
You can use the Hafilat card to pay for the bus fares in Abu Dhabi. The Hafilat card is a rechargeable card, available at all Abu Dhabi bus stations. There are six types of Hafilat cards, one temporary and five permanent. Here is a brief overview of each:
The Temporary Card
The temporary card is valid for 14 days from its purchase date and is available for AED 5. The temporary card is ideal for tourists or residents who don’t use public buses often. As for Hafilat recharge, the temporary cardholders can top-up their T-Purse (an electronic wallet) with AED 150.
Permanent Card (Anonymous)
The anonymous cards are permanent Hafilat cards available for AED 10.
Other Permanent Cards
Other permanent cards include cards for people with special needs, senior citizens and student Hafilat cards. All these are available for AED 10. As mentioned earlier, senior citizens and people with disabilities or special needs are not required to recharge the cards and can travel for free.
All permanent cards are valid for 5 years.
Personalized Cards
A personalized card is also a permanent Hafilat card available for AED 5 with a validity of 5 years.
All these cards can be recharged easily at Abu Dhabi bus stands, shopping malls, and ticket vending machines installed at the city’s customer care centres. Abu Dhabi Public Bus Services available for each Hafilat category include the following:
- Local city bus services for AED 2
- Suburb bus services for AED 2 + 5 Fils/kilometre
- Intercity bus services at AED 10 + 10 Fils/kilometre
Abu Dhabi Taxi
You will find numerous taxis standing outside the airport and various known points of the city, including shopping malls and popular tourist destinations. Besides the regular Abu Dhabi taxi, there are exclusive taxi services in the capital for women, children and people with special needs. You can book a ride by calling them or through smartphone apps.
Let’s take a look at different kinds of Abu Dhabi taxi services:
Silver Taxi
These taxis are operated by authorized taxi service providers and charge fares according to meter readings.
Pink Taxi
Pink taxis are driven by women and exclusively cater to female passengers and children under 10 years of age.
Taxi Fares
The taxi fare naturally depends on a number of factors including mileage, base price, the destination one has to be dropped off at and the distance travelled.
The standard fare for a taxi ride in Abu Dhabi is AED 12 + AED 1.82/kilometre; waiting and standing time charge is AED 30/ hour.
Local Ride-Hailing Services
You can also use local ride-hailing services such as Careem and Uber to get around the city. We suggest tourists use Google maps to get to their destination, in case the driver does not understand their language, they can always name famous landmarks appearing on the maps.
Moreover, if you frequently use the Abu Dhabi taxis, we recommend downloading the Abu Dhabi Taxi app on your smartphone. Booking rides become extremely easy with the app.
Abu Dhabi Ferry Service
Abu Dhabi provides ferry services for passengers as well as vehicles. Two ferries managed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport operate from Abu Dhabi to Delma Island and back.
Delma Island in the Persian Gulf is among the most beautiful places to visit in the capital. You can get to this island via the ferry service from the mainland or by air from Delma airport. Both ferries travel from the island to the city, from Mugharag Port to Delma Island Port.
Fares for taking the ferry
- Passengers below 12 years of age: Free
- Passengers aged 12 and above: AED 20
- Fare for ferrying a vehicle: AED 100
Documents needed for ferry rides
Make sure you have the following documents ready before reaching the Abu Dhabi Airport:
- Valid ID: You need to have a valid ID. It can be your Emirates ID, passport, driving license or any other officially valid ID.
- Vehicle registration card: If you plan on taking your car along with you on the ferry, a vehicle registration card is mandatory.
For more information about ferry timetables and port locations, please visit the official DoT website or call 800-888-888.
That is all you needed to know about public transport in Abu Dhabi. If you wish to enjoy the freedom of driving your own car, here is a list of used cars in Abu Dhabi on dubizzle. You can also find used motorcycles in Abu Dhabi at economical prices.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on Abu Dhabi’s automotive and transportation sector.
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