General Information » Getting Around » Getting Around

The car is the most popular method of getting around Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Emirates in general, either by private vehicle or taxi. There is a reasonable public bus service, but walking and cycling are limited and there are no trains or trams (see also Bus, Car and Taxi). In the next 4 - 6 years, a rapid rail transit system will be introduced in Dubai. Other proposals for transport include a high speed ferry linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The UAE’s road network is excellent and most of the roads comprise two, three and sometimes four lanes. Roads are generally well signposted with blue or green signs indicating the main areas or locations out of the city, and brown or purple signs showing heritage sites, places of interest, hospitals, etc. For the benefit of both locals and expats, the majority of signs are in Arabic and English.

In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a surprising amount of care has been taken to beautify the roads and roundabouts; you will find many tree lined avenues and roundabouts decorated with flowers and shrubs, and sometimes even a dhow or a massive coffeepot sculpture – these often become useful landmarks for getting around.

Visitors should find the UAE’s cities relatively easy to negotiate. Be aware though, people usually rely on landmarks to give directions or to get their bearings, these are normally shops, hotels, petrol stations or notable buildings. Roads are marked by white signs, but these are rarely referred to. Similarly, while there is a street name/numbering system, few people actually use it. In Abu Dhabi city in particular, confusion arises since some streets can be called by their street number, their old name or their nickname! For example Sheikh Zayed the Second Street is also known as Seventh Street, but is also popularly called Electra Street.

Some other roads with more than one name include:

Fourth Road – most popularly known as Muroor Road, it is also known as Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum Street or Old Airport Road. In the city centre, it is sometimes called East Road or Lulu Street. Newer expats will know it as Fourth, but taxi drivers will often call it Muroor. It’s best to learn landmarks or cross streets when giving directions to a taxi driver.

Al Falah Street – Passport Street

Hazaa bin Zayed Street – Defence Road

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Street – Hamdan Street

Al Salam – Corniche Road

A little bit of insider knowledge and broad facts will help you get from A to B.

The island’s roads are built on a grid system and linked to the mainland by two bridges – Al Maqtaa Bridge and Mussafah (or Al Ain) Bridge. As you come...