Abu Dhabi car hire

Abu Dhabi’s swanky airport is home to many international car hire agencies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty. All of them are located in the Skypark Plaza opposite Terminal 3 – a short stroll from terminals 1 and 3, or a five-minute shuttle ride from Terminal 2.

It’s also highly convenient to hire a car in Abu Dhabi city centre – the blocks between 1st Street and Mohamed Bin Khalifa Street (15th Street) have about two dozen car hire companies all vying for your business. Pre-booking your car rental usually gets you the best deal.

Once you’ve got used to the slapdash local driving, navigating Abu Dhabi is a breeze. Highways are wide and well-maintained, traffic jams are rare, and road signs are in Arabic and English. The heat can make walking a gruelling business, so cruising between attractions in your own air-conditioned rental car is a perfect way to explore.

Motor down to Yas Island to drool over the super yachts that adorn Yas Marina, or ride a record-breaking rollercoaster at nearby Ferrari World. For a city centre adrenaline hit, park your car hire vehicle near the E10 and hire a canoe for a paddle around the Mangrove National Park.

Just an hour-and-a-half south of Abu Dhabi is Rub’ al Khali, the largest sand sea on the planet – a desolately beautiful region of shifting dunes and sizzling heat.

There are 4x4 tours on offer that venture off-road into the heart of the Empty Quarter, but you can do it yourself – hire a 4x4 and drive west on E11, south on E45, and west on 90 where you will come across an asphalted road south on Liwa Oasis. This leads you to Tal Mireb (also known as Moreeb dune), the tallest dune in UAE with 50-degree hill climbs – it’s one of the best places for sand drag races.

You’ve heard of Abu Dhabi and Dubai – but what about Ajma, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain? The UAE is made up of seven emirates, each with its own individual character. Dubai is the easiest day trip from Abu Dhabi and it’s packed with record-breaking attractions, from the world’s highest building to its fastest lift. For something a little more unusual, head to pocket-sized emirate Ajman to explore its soft sand beaches or spend a night in beautiful Fujairah on the other side of the Hajar mountains.

1.    You’ll need an international driver’s licence to hire a car in Abu Dhabi. Apply in advance online, by post or at your local Post Office. 

2.    Look out for tolls on some of the major roads. The Al Garhoud Bridge and the Sheikh Zayad Road both operate toll systems. 

3.    If you plan on exploring the desert, then many car hire agencies offer 4x4 vehicles. Make sure you take plenty of water, travel in a convoy of vehicles and let people know where you’re going.