Abu Dhabi
travel information
Find everything you need to know before you fly to or from Abu Dhabi, including testing, transit and quarantine information – all personalised to you. Use our handy guide to get your simple checklist for travel. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions below.
Visiting from Green list country
Visiting from any other destination
To keep everyone protected on board, you must wear a face mask and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test before every Etihad Airways flight. This applies even if you’re just transiting. Rapid tests will not be accepted.
You won’t need to quarantine if you’re travelling on a direct Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi from any of the countries below.
See all Green list countries
It’s easy to fly to Dubai or any other emirate via Abu Dhabi. Take a PCR test 48 hours before your flight, then follow the quarantine and COVID-19 regulations of that emirate when you arrive.
If you’re travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, you’ll need to present a negative PCR test result. The test must have been taken within 48 hours and can be presented via the Al Hosn app or the official health app from your country of residence.
This is not required to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
We recommend that you register via the ICA Smart Travel Service before you fly.
To be fully vaccinated, you must have received two doses of the same vaccine, or one dose of Janssen, at least 14 days before departure.
Save on the cost of your COVID-19 PCR test with discounted testing available at LifeDX and G42 clinics across the UAE. You can even arrange for your test to be taken at home.
LifeDX:
Visit lifedx.net/etihad to book.
G42:
Call G42 on 052 745 7544 to book.
If you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will not be required to quarantine when you travel between the UAE and Bahrain, Greece, Serbia or the Seychelles.
You can leave the airport if you're eligible for a visa on arrival.
Check our travel requirements and enter your final destination to find out where and when to take your test.
You may require a test in transit, depending on your final destination. You can take a COVID-19 PCR test at Abu Dhabi airport, and it takes two hours to receive your results. You must pay for your test when you check in before you fly to Abu Dhabi.
We recommend paying by credit card. Cash will only be accepted in the local currency at your departure airport. Tests cost USD 50 (rate variable based on the latest exchange rate).
We’ll make your connection in Abu Dhabi as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Unless you are a UAE national, we recommend that you register via the ICA Smart Travel Service before you fly to Abu Dhabi. We suggest doing this on the desktop version of the website.
This applies to all adults and children.
If you have been fully vaccinated in the UAE:
If you’ve been fully vaccinated outside the UAE:
If you have not been vaccinated:
By registering via the ICA, you’ll be able to use the Al Hosn app when you land in Abu Dhabi.
You’ll be required to present the Al Hosn app or the official health app from your country of residence to prove your vaccination status before you enter any public place in Abu Dhabi.
No, but you will only be able to enter public places in Abu Dhabi – like hotels, restaurants, malls and supermarkets – if you’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
To prove your vaccination status, you must present either the Al Hosn app (with green status) or the official health app from your country of residence.
To use the Al Hosn app, follow the steps below.
Before you fly:
When you land:
In Abu Dhabi:
Abu Dhabi is your final destination, children under 12 are exempt from testing.
For all other destinations, please check the latest travel requirements.
You must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before every Etihad Airways flight, even if you’re just transiting. We accept RT-PCR and NAAT PCR tests.
You can take your PCR test at any approved medical facility.
COVID-19 PCR testing is available across the UAE. Call G42 on +971 2 205 5999 or visit lifedx.net/etihad to book at a LifeDx clinic.
Or if you need a test whilst you’re in transit, we’re conducting COVID-19 rapid testing in Abu Dhabi airport You must pay for your test when you check in before you fly to Abu Dhabi.
Yes. You must take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before your flight to Abu Dhabi. Then when you arrive in Dubai.
You must take your test 72 hours before your first flight departure time, unless the testing requirements at your final destination are 48 hours.
If you are unable to meet this requirement, you can take a COVID-19 PCR test whilst you’re in transit in Abu Dhabi airport.
You must pay for your test when you check in before you fly to Abu Dhabi. We recommend paying by credit card. Cash will only be accepted in the local currency at your departure airport. Tests cost USD 50 (rate variable based on the latest exchange rate).
If you’re returning to Abu Dhabi within 48 hours, your departure PCR test will be valid for your return trip.
No. As soon as you’ve taken your test, you can leave the airport. Please isolate at home or in your home until you receive your results.
Yes, you must present a negative PCR test result before every Etihad Airways flight.
Where and when to take a test depends on where you’re flying to. Check our travel requirements to find out more.
We work with a network of partners to offer you optional services that make your journey with us even better. When you click a link from one of our partners:
