Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates — the guide for Indian travellers

Visa & entryUnited Arab Emirates

Type
e-Visa
Fee
₹6,500
Validity days
60
Processing days
3–5
Documents
  • Passport (6 months validity)
  • Passport-size photo (white background)
  • Confirmed return ticket
  • Hotel booking confirmation
Steps
  • Apply via your airline (Emirates/Etihad/IndiGo) or dubai.vfs.com
  • Upload documents and pay online
  • Receive e-Visa PDF by email in 3–5 working days
Alternatives
  • Visa on arrival (for select visa-holders/residents) — ₹9,000 · Longer queues; not for first-time Indian tourists

MoneyUnited Arab Emirates

Currency
AED (Dirham)
Forex cards
  • Niyo Global — Zero forex markup; good ATM access
  • Fi / Federal Debit — Low markup, instant UPI top-up
  • Scapia — No forex markup, travel rewards
Upi supported
No
Upi note
No live UPI acceptance for Indians in 2026; some malls piloting. Carry a forex card.
Cash vs card
Cards accepted almost everywhere; keep ~AED 200 cash for taxis and souks.

CustomsUnited Arab Emirates

Into india
  • Duty-free allowance ₹50,000 (returning resident)
  • Gold: up to 20g (male)/40g (female) within limits, with conditions
  • 1L alcohol duty-free
Into destination
  • 4L alcohol allowed into UAE
  • No e-cigarettes/vape restrictions but respect public-use rules
  • Prescription medicines: carry prescription

LanguageUnited Arab Emirates

Official
  • Arabic
English prevalence
Very high — English works everywhere
Key phrases
  • Shukran — Thank you
  • Marhaba — Hello

Staying connected

Recommended
Type
eSIM
Partner
Airalo
Plan
UAE 5GB / 30 days
Price
₹1,100
Alternatives
  • Etisalat Visitor Line — Local SIM · AED 40 · Zayed Intl arrivals hall
  • du Tourist SIM — Local SIM · AED 49 · Airport & malls
Whatsapp text
Works normally
Whatsapp calls
Blocked in the UAE — use Botim/GoChat (needs UAE number) or hotel Wi-Fi workarounds
Free wifi
  • Malls
  • Most hotels
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi

Airport to city

Options
  • Taxi (metered) — ₹1,800 · 30 · AED 75–90 to downtown; queue at official rank
  • Careem/Uber — ₹1,700 · 30 · Similar price, fixed upfront
  • Bus A1 — ₹100 · 50 · AED 4 by Hafilat card; cheapest, runs 24h

Getting around

System
Buses only (no metro); taxis are the default
Card
Name
Hafilat card
Note
AED 10 incl. AED 5 credit; buses are AED 2 flat in the city
Ride hailing
  • Careem
  • Uber
  • Abu Dhabi Taxi app
Daily budget
₹1,500

Weather & packing

Best months
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Monthly
  • Nov–Mar — 24–28°C days — perfect sightseeing weather
  • Apr–May — Heating up past 35°C; mornings still fine
  • Jun–Sep — 44°C+ and humid — indoor attractions only
  • Oct — Cooling down, sea still warm
What to pack
  • Light cottons
  • Modest wear for the Grand Mosque (mandatory)
  • Sunglasses & SPF 50
  • Light jacket for freezing malls

Food

Veg friendly
  • Indian restaurants everywhere
  • Lebanese mezze (hummus/falafel)
  • South Indian tiffin chains in Electra St area
Indian restaurants
  • Bikanervala — Al Nahyan · Pure veg, chaat & thalis
  • Saravanaa Bhavan — Madinat Zayed · South Indian pure veg
  • Punjab Grill — The Galleria · Upscale North Indian
Typical meal cost
₹700

Safety

Scams
  • Unofficial 'city tour' touts at bus stops
  • Inflated souvenir pricing at Heritage Village — bargain
Areas to avoid
  • None in practice — among the safest cities anywhere
Emergency numbers
  • Police — 999
  • Ambulance — 998
  • Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi — +971-2-4492700

Culture & etiquette

Dress
More conservative than Dubai. Shoulders/knees covered in malls; Grand Mosque enforces full modest dress (abayas lent free).
Tipping
Not mandatory; 5–10% appreciated. AED 5–10 for porters/valets.
Dos
  • Ask before photographing locals
  • Use right hand for greetings and food
  • Carry your passport/Emirates ID copy
Donts
  • No public displays of affection
  • Don't photograph government buildings or the palace gates
  • No alcohol outside licensed venues

Top experiences

  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — szgm.jpg · 82 domes, world's largest carpet — free entry · ₹0 · 2 · sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque
  • Ferrari World — ferrari-world.jpg · World's fastest coaster under the iconic red roof · ₹8,500 · 6 · Klook · ferrari-world
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi — louvre-ad.jpg · Art under the floating dome on Saadiyat · ₹1,500 · 3 · louvre-abu-dhabi
  • Qasr Al Watan — qasr-al-watan.jpg · The working presidential palace, open to visitors · ₹1,400 · 2 · qasr-al-watan