How to get around the city of Abu Dhabi – Allow convenience to direct your steps
The prospect of commuting in a city like Abu Dhabi can be quite the daunting task at first. However, with a bit of practice and understanding what works and what doesn’t, you will soon be on your way to your desired location. Provided below is an outline of the numerous transportation facilities that you can avail of when in UAE’s capital – Abu Dhabi.
Board the bus
Buses operated by the Department of Transport (DOP) cover Abu Dhabi City and its suburbs such as Madinat Zayed and Al Ain. To cut a long story short, travelling by bus is the cheapest mode of transport in Abu Dhabi, especially with its fares that are considerably lower than other countries. Single trips in the city will have you pocketing out a mere AED 1 while if you foresee making quite a number of trips, then it will make better sense to purchase an Ojra Buss Pass from any Red Crescent kiosk. These passes range from one trip tickets, monthly passes, senior citizen passes and special needs passes. Should you want the monthly pass, then expect to pay AED 40 for which you will be allowed unlimited travel on any city bus owned by the DOT. Know that the fare is paid by placing the money in the box next to the driver no sooner you enter and if you are a female traveller, then you can choose any of the seats found within the first 3 rows, immediately behind the driver. The back of the bus is reserved for men.
Ranged Enigma, Abu Dhabi Bus 56, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ride a taxi
Where comfort and convenience rank high on your list of priorities, then it is wise to factor in the possibility of riding in a taxi in Abu Dhabi. On the back of there being a wealth of taxis to choose from, hailing one, especially outside malls and other places where it is safe for the driver to stop will be a piece of cake. Moreover, bookings can be made from wherever you are based at via the TransAD hotline – 600535353. Do note that the city’s taxi service is made up of three types of vehicles with each variant easily distinguished by a particular colour. Managed and run by authorised taxi companies, the silver taxis are commonly found while the fares are determined by a meter. On the flip side, the gold and white coloured taxis which come with a fixed meter can also be considered. Although understand that you may have to negotiate a price with these drivers and if you aren’t in the mood to bargain, then it is best that you avoid these vehicles altogether. Also, the pink taxis which is the latest entrant to Abu Dhabi’s taxi network is exclusively for females and boys below the age of 10. These cars are driven by females whose fares are set by a meter taxi as well. While most drivers are familiar with the addresses of shopping malls, parks, streets and hotels including Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara which is a decent Abu Dhabi resort to book into, it will be better for passengers like yourself to have a fair understanding of your location before hopping in.
Rent a vehicle
For those of you who prefer dictating the pace at which you move about, then renting a vehicle will be your best bet. Rental agencies are spread throughout the city and therefore, you will never be too far away from obtaining the services of one. Holidaymakers and business travellers will need their passport, a credit card and an international driving license in order to be eligible to drive in Abu Dhabi. Importantly, Abu Dhabi International Airport which is your point of entry to Abu Dhabi features some of the reputed car rental companies in the city that will make for a hassle-free experience of filling out forms, choosing a flashy or comfy model and hitting the road.
