Compare Cheap Flights from Auckland to Abu Dhabi
An interesting mix of history and glamour, Abu Dhabi is a city that should be on all travellers’ radars. While Abu Dhabi is often overlooked for its larger neighbour Dubai, the city offers a vast array of attractions to keep you busy. While Dubai is the larger city, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. While visiting Abu Dhabi, you’ll be amazed by grand architecture, delicious food, and waterfront views. Outside of the city, the Abu Dhabi region is within easy reach of some incredible stretches of desert. While the city centre offers an insight into the history and culture of the United Arab Emirates, the desert serves as a rugged backdrop to the quickly modernising city. Booking cheap flights from Auckland to Abu Dhabi is the perfect way to experience somewhere new and unique on your next holiday. If you have the time, spend some time in Abu Dhabi then pay a visit to Dubai and the neighbouring country of Oman.
Experience the magic of the Arabian Peninsula on your next holiday with Webjet’s cheap flights from Auckland to Abu Dhabi.
The best time to visit Abu Dhabi
Due to its location in the desert, daytime temperatures in Abu Dhabi are always warm. The heat hits its peak during the summer months, when daytime temperatures hover around 42°C with high humidity. Because of this intense heat, summer is the quietest time to visit Abu Dhabi. While the weather isn’t ideal, this is the time to score the best deals on hotels within the city. If you’re after a bargain, you can plan to spend lots of time indoors in the air conditioning while visiting. However, if you hoped to spend a lot of time outdoors in Abu Dhabi, you may want to visit during another season.
While spring and autumn are still hot, they are much more bearable than the heat of summer. Temperatures average about 33°C during the day. Although it’s hot, temperatures aren’t quite so stifling that you’ll feel the need to spend your time indoors. Spring and autumn don’t see the same influx of tourists as the high season, so it’s still possible to find a bargain on a hotel.
Winter experiences the best weather in Abu Dhabi, but it is also the city’s busiest time. People travel from all over the world to experience the city without the intense heat of the warmer months. Daytime temperatures are still warm at about 25°C–the perfect weather for adventuring around the city. Since Abu Dhabi is in the desert, temperatures can dip down to about 12°C at night, so make sure to bring a jacket with you. Since winter is Abu Dhabi’s high season, hotels can book out quickly. In order to secure your first-choice hotel at a good rate, book your hotel as early as you can.
Departing From Auckland
Auckland has one major airport that offers flights to the UAE. Auckland Airport (AKL) is based 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of the CBD. As the busiest airport in New Zealand, Auckland Airport offers regular departures to the Middle East.
Each week, there are more than 450 return flights from Auckland to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). AKL to AUH flights include a stopover and can get you to the UAE in about 20 hours. A variety of major airlines offer cheap airfares from Auckland to Abu Dhabi, such as Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Etihad Airways, British Airways, and Oman Air.
Getting to Auckland Airport
In order to reach Auckland Airport for your flight to Abu Dhabi, you can catch the city’s SkyBus. The SkyBus offers 24 hour service between the city and airport, arriving in about 45 minutes. Buses depart every 10 minutes from Customs Street East. Along the way, they also pick up passengers along Queen Street, Dominion Road, Symonds Street, and Mount Eden Road. Bus fare to ride the SkyBus costs $18 NZD for a one-way ticket and $32 NZD return.
A taxi or an Uber will get you from central Auckland to the airport in about 30 minutes. If you are travelling from the CBD or inner suburbs, you can expect to pay a fare of about $60 NZD.
Parking at Auckland Airport
Auckland Airport offers several car parks with easy access to the International Terminal. In order to secure the best rate on your parking space, be sure to pre-book.
Where to Park at Auckland Airport
• The cheapest rates are available in Car Park A. Spots are uncovered and are a 2 to 3 minute walk from the International Terminal. Weekly rates start at $75 NZD.
• For even more convenience, there is valet parking. Pull up to the terminal, and an attendant will park your car. Covered spots in the valet car park start at $139 NZD per week, and uncovered spots start at $130 NZD for a week.
Arriving in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is the primary airport for passengers visiting the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is also the second busiest airport in the UAE, receiving flights from all over the world. The airport is located 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) east of the city centre.
How to Get from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Your Abu Dhabi Hotel or Accommodation
Once your flight has arrived to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), there are several options to reach the city centre. Several bus services are available outside Terminals 1, 2, and 3. For the most direct route into the city, look for bus route A1. This bus offers four stops within the city centre, including the Al Wahda Bus Station and Electra Park. Without traffic, the journey from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to the city will take about 45 minutes. Buses operate 24 hours a day and depart from the airport every 40 minutes. Bus fare into the city costs 4 dirham ($1.60 NZD).
Taxis are available outside each of the airport terminals. Taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi calculate the fare using meters. A taxi ride from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) into the city will take about a half hour for a fare of approximately 85 dirham ($34.35 NZD).
Things to do in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
This impressively designed mosque is the largest in the United Arab Emirates. While the temple is closed on Friday mornings for worship, it is open to visitors at all other times. The mosque is constructed from bright white marble and accents of gold. Surrounding the mosque, you’ll find a series of equally beautiful gardens. There is a strict dress code in place, which includes no shorts, no tank tops, and no exposed wrists or ankles. Women must also have their head covered. No worries if your outfit doesn’t meet these qualifications; the mosque offers abaya robes to visitors free of charge.
The Corniche
The Corniche is the long stretch of beach in central Abu Dhabi.The sandy beach and beautiful waterfront area stretches for 8 kilometres (5 miles). Alongside the beach, there is a wide promenade that is perfect for taking a walk or bike ride through the city. The Corniche offers incredible views of the Persian Gulf and is lined with a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Venture into the Desert at Rub Al Khali
Much of the UAE is covered by desert. Outside of Abu Dhabi, you can visit the country’s Al Gharbia region. It is here that you’ll find Rub Al Khali, which is Arabic for “Empty Quarter.” This portion of the desert is considered to be the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass. A number of tour operators offer day trips to Rub Al Khali where you can take part in typical desert activities. Some popular activities to join in on include driving a dune buggy, riding a camel, or taking a hot air balloon ride. Visiting the desert will show you a completely different side to the UAE than what you experience in the city.
Al Jahili Fort
Al Jahili Fort was built in 1891 by former Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa. In addition to building the fort as a summer residence for his family, he wanted to assert his power over the local people. The fort has a fascinating design and almost resembles a large sandcastle. In 2008, the fort was restored into the attraction that you can visit today. Within the fort are exhibitions showcasing photography and stories of Rub Al Khali. Visitors are also welcome to walk through the fort to see its watchtowers and battlements.
