Operated by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC/DoT), buses cover hundreds of routes—including city, suburb, airport ("A"), express ("X"), and minibus ("M") lines. Buses are fully air-conditioned, typically run 24/7 on major lines, and have high frequency even late at night.
Buying and using a Hafilat card: Tourists can easily get a Hafilat card from ticket vending machines at major bus stations, the airport, certain malls, or convenience stores. The card itself costs AED 10 and is valid for five years. You can purchase passes for your Hafilat card based on your budget and travel needs. The weekly pass is AED 30. No cash is accepted on buses, so having this card is mandatory for public bus travel. All bus information (routes, timings) is available on the Darbi journey planner app provided by the transport authority - a handy tool to map out which bus to take.
Make your way around Abu Dhabi City's major landmarks and vibrant neighbourhoods with ease. The colorful Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus fleet operates on eight key routes, connecting Yas Island, Jubail Island, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi city center, and the Grand Canal area. Both local and international tourists can hop on for free - simply scan the QR code on board and enjoy the ride. You can board the shuttle bus from any of the designated stops as per the set schedules.
Abu Dhabi's standard silver taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive for tourists. The meter starts at about AED 5 for hops in the city (a bit higher if you travel late at night after 10 PM), and the rate is roughly AED 1.82 per kilometer traveled. There is a minimum charge of AED 12 for any trip, so even a short ride will round up to that amount. You can pay in cash, and many taxis also accept credit/debit cards or contactless payments for convenience. If you book a taxi by phone/app, an extra booking fee (around AED 4-5) is added.
Airport taxis: At Abu Dhabi International Airport, dedicated airport taxis are available 24/7 to take you into the city. These have the same look (silver) but carry an additional flagfall surcharge of AED 20 on the meter for pickups from the airport.
Many tourists in Abu Dhabi also take trips to Dubai or the historic city of Al Ain. There are comfortable intercity buses and traveling by bus is a popular, cost-effective method. You can pay using a Dubai Nol card or by purchasing a ticket at the station.