Capital city, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
The calmer capital: Grand Mosque, Louvre, Yas Island and Saadiyat beaches, with cleaner, quieter streets than Dubai. Strong for culture and safety; car dependence, summer heat and limited nightlife.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,720–4,360Comfortable, one person · Dh10,000–16,000Details
- Value for money10/100Better value than 9% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: Aug, 39°CDetails
- Air quality43.7 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet385 MbpsFixed broadband, United Arab Emirates medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilDesalinated tap water meets standards, but building tanks vary.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–136Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCareemWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards, Apple Pay and contactless work almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Abu Dhabi
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Corniche and Al Markaziyah | Central, walkable seafront, hotels and restaurants |
| Al Reem Island | Modern flats, expats, a short ride to Saadiyat |
| Saadiyat Island | Beaches, museums and upscale stays |
| Yas Island | Theme parks, events and resorts |
Apps that work in Abu Dhabi
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp (messages); Botim for calls
- RTA Dubai: Nol card top-up, metro and bus routes
- Botim: Voice and video calls that aren't blocked
- Taxis: Metered taxis are cheap and safe. Use the official taxi stands or an app instead of unmarked cars.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United Arab Emirates.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards, Apple Pay and contactless work almost everywhere. Keep small notes for tips and street stalls.
- Currency: Dirham (AED). US$1 ≈ Dh3.67 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs are everywhere; some banks add a fee for foreign cards. Always decline conversion to your home currency.
- Tipping: Not obligatory. About 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added; round up taxis; small tips for delivery riders and hotel staff.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are accepted at almost every contactless terminal.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many passports get a free visa on arrival; others apply online through ICP, GDRFA Dubai or their airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai).
- Passport must be valid at least six months on arrival.
- Codeine, tramadol, some ADHD and sleep medicines need advance approval via the ede.gov.ae portal.
Emergency numbers
Police 999 · Ambulance 998 · Fire 997
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
du and e& sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airport arrivals and in malls; passport needed. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in United Arab Emirates
Going to Abu Dhabi solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.