ABU DHABI
Transport:
Getting There:
 Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves this city, with direct flights from British Airways and Etihad from London Heathrow. There is also the option of flying to Dubai and making the two hour journey to Abu Dhabi by car.
Private vehicles and taxis are the primary means of transportation in the city. There is a 2 AED pick-up fee plus 0.50 AED per kilometre from the airport. There are bus routes to nearby towns such as Baniyas, Habashan and Al Ain, among others.
The airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world in terms of passengers, new airline operators, and infrastructural development. Currently undergoing a major expansion, the total amount earmarked for its various projects, or masterplan development, is US$6.8 billion.
 Abu Dhabi airport is the second largest in the UAE, serving 6.9 million passengers in 2007, up 30 per cent on the year before. Its terminal spaces are dominated by Etihad Airways which is the United Arab Emirates's second largest air carrier after Emirates Airline.
Work is underway on a new terminal at the airport, to open later this year. Once completed, the airport's three terminals will have an approximate capacity of 12 million passengers per annum. It is expected that passenger numbers will reach this level in 2011.
By Car:
Visitors to Abu Dhabi can rent or drive a car in the emirate if they have a valid international driving license issued by the country from which their driving license has been granted. Visitors are not allowed to use their national driving license during their stay in Abu Dhabi.
The five-laned highway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is the country's heaviest-travelled route, and the 170-km journey can be covered in two hours. While there is a notional speed limit of 160 km/h, this is often wildly exceeded by young Emiratis and the highway sees over 20 accidents monthly. Stay out of the leftmost lane and drive carefully, especially at night.
The core of Abu Dhabi is a wedge-shaped island connected to the mainland by the Maqta and Musaffah bridges. The wide end of the wedge forms the city centre, with the Corniche running along the coast and a road variously known as Airport Rd or Sheikh Rasheed bin Saeed al Maktoum St running lengthwise out to the bridges.
 Street addresses in Abu Dhabi are simultaneously very logical and hopelessly confusing. Many roads have traditional names, like "Airport Rd", which may not correspond to the official names, like "Maktoum St", and the city is divided into traditional districts like "Khalidiyya". However, by recent decree the city has been split up into numbered "zones" and "sectors", with all roads in each sector numbered, First St, Second St, etc, and the vast majority of street signs only refer to these.
The system of main streets is straight forward enough once you realise that the odd numbered streets run across the island and the even numbers run along it. So First St is in fact the Corniche, and the odd numbers continue out of town to 31st St which is near the new Khalifa Park. Airport Rd is Second St and the even numbers continue to the east through to 10th St by Abu Dhabi Mall.
On the west side of Ariport Rd, the numbers go from 22nd Street to 32nd St by the new Bateem Marina. Alas, confusion is caused by the local streets which are on green signs (main streets are on blue signs) and are also called First, Second etc. Most locals opt to ignore the system entirely, and the best way to give instructions is thus navigating by landmarks, if taking a taxi, odds are you will get to "behind the Hilton Baynunah" much faster than "Fifth Street, Sector 2".
Unless they are very aggressive drivers or accustomed to reckless road behaviour, most visitors find the Emirati style of driving far too dangerous to be willing to get behind the wheel themselves. Those who do should be aware that any traffic accidents between locals and expats will ultimately mean that the expat is deemed at fault in most cases. Rented cars/visitors are not treated differently if they get into a car accident. However, it must be known that if you do get in a car accident that you should never move your car unless 1) you are asked by the police to do so over the phone, or 2) the police ask you to move it upon their arrival to the scene. It doesn't matter how you feel about your car blocking three lanes in the middle of the rush hour while waiting for the police. If you move your car, you will be in some serious trouble. Tests for alcohol can also be administered, and even the blood-alcohol level rise from a glass of wine will be ground for one month's incarceration.
If you do decide to take the plunge, beware that the street numbering system is unusual and it can take 30-45 days to get used to it. U-Turns are allowed at almost every intersection. When the left lane signal turns green, you simply have to swing a U-turn and come back. One tip - whatever other flaws drivers here may have, they do not run red lights. There are cameras at many intersections, fines are high (US$100-150), and residents who are not citizens can be deported for running too many red lights. When the light turns yellow, that taxi in front of you will jam on the brakes, and you should, too. But when the light turns green, expect someone behind you to honk at you immediately to get you moving.
By Taxi:
 The best way to get around if you haven't rented a car is by taxi. Basic white-and-gold taxis with green signs on top are ubiquitous and crossing town won't cost more than Dhs5 ($1.50) or so. Basic metered fares start from AED 2.50. However, slightly more luxurious cabs like Al Ghazal and National - which monopolize the hotels - charge anywhere from Dhs. 8 to 25.
A host of silver coloured taxis have now entered the local taxi business. Though the cars used are of a higher standard, have better educated and trained drivers, they charge a little more. These cabs charge the metered fare + AED 10.00 for a trip to the airport. The local white and Gold cabs, do not go to the Airport by the meter, and will usually bargain for the fare from the city. The normal being between AED 40.00 to AED 60.00, depending on your race and bargaining ability.
If you're staying at a hotel, there are normally taxis waiting outside in the parking lot. You are not expected to tip cab drivers, but gratuity will be very appreciated. Many taxi drivers are displaced persons, far from their home countries and families, so don't be surprised if they take out pictures of family members for you to comment on.
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