10 July 2025·4 min read
How Much Does a Taxi Cost in Abu Dhabi? (2025 Fare Guide)
Abu Dhabi taxis: AED 5 flag fall + AED 1.82/km. Airport to city costs AED 60–90 (~$16–25). TransAD is the official metered operator — safe and reliable.
Abu Dhabi taxis are operated by TransAD — clean, metered, and reliable. Flag fall AED 5, then AED 1.82/km. Abu Dhabi International Airport to downtown costs AED 60–90 (~$16–25). Careem and Uber also operate and offer comparable prices with upfront booking.
Abu Dhabi Taxi Fares (2025)
AUH Airport → Downtown / CornicheAED 60–90 (~$16–25), 30–40 min
Corniche → Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueAED 25–40 (~$7–11), 15 min
Downtown → Yas IslandAED 65–90 (~$18–25), 30 min
Abu Dhabi → Dubai (130km)AED 200–280 (~$55–76); intercity taxis available; bus is far cheaper (AED 25)
Night surchargeAfter 22:00: AED 5 additional flag fall + slight rate increase
Women-only taxisAvailable via TransAD app — pink-themed vehicles with female drivers
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai Taxi Pricing
Abu Dhabi taxis are slightly cheaper per km than Dubai RTA taxis (AED 1.82/km vs AED 1.97/km) and use a higher flag fall (AED 5 vs AED 3.50 for Dubai). Overall, city trips in Abu Dhabi are comparable in total cost to Dubai for similar distances. Careem operates in both cities and is often the most convenient option with upfront pricing and no cash needed.
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Abu Dhabi's layout is more spread out than Dubai — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Yas Island (Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World) are 20–40km from downtown. Plan for longer taxi journeys and higher transport costs than a comparable European city. The Abu Dhabi bus network (Mawaqif) is cheap but slow and infrequent for tourist routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber in Abu Dhabi?
Uber operates in Abu Dhabi through the Careem app (same service since the 2019 merger). Standard Careem/Uber trips in Abu Dhabi are priced similarly to TransAD metered taxis, with the advantage of upfront pricing and app-based booking. Both are safe and widely used.
How do I get from Abu Dhabi Airport to the city?
The most convenient option is a TransAD metered taxi (AED 60–90) or Careem (AED 55–80, pre-booked). The Airport Bus (Route 901 to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station) costs AED 4 but takes 45–60 minutes. There is no direct metro connection — Abu Dhabi's metro is still under construction as of 2025.
Book a pre-arranged transfer in Abu Dhabi
Fixed price · no meter disputes · book in advance
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