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Etihad Airways — one of the two flag-carrying airlines of the United Arab Emirates — is providing complimentary and heavily discounted layover packages in Abu Dhabi for trips through December 20, 2023. This includes stopovers up to four nights but also includes long layovers for 10–24 hours. Here's how you can take advantage of this deal.
Where is Abu Dhabi, UAE?
If you haven't been yet, the United Arab Emirates is a small country in the Middle East. It resides on the southeast side of the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia and west of Oman. It's very safe, relatively friendly, and offers some great food. It's the kind of country I think everyone should visit at least once in their life (I've been twice).
Just in case there's any confusion on Abu Dhabi, here's a quick summary. Contrary to some misconceptions, Dubai is not the capital of the UAE. Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai — one of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (aka the “UAE”). Many people head to Dubai for the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, and many other attractions. But Abu Dhabi has its own gems.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE. Although smaller than Dubai, there's plenty to do. The biggest highlight is the Grand Mosque, the second-largest mosque in the world and the very definition of opulent. You also can visit Ferrari World, Emirates Palace, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In other words, there are plenty of reasons to arrange a multi-day layover with Etihad.
How to Get a Free Hotel with Etihad Layovers
Etihad Airways is currently offsetting accommodations in Abu Dhabi for layovers of up to two nights through December 20, 2023.
If you're connecting in Abu Dhabi for 10–24 hours with Etihad, you can book a Transit Connect package. This entitles you to a free stay at near the airport at one of these three hotels: Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel, Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre Hotel, or Aloft Abu Dhabi. This is available on one-way flights of $500+ or round-trip flights of $750+ (including taxes and fees).
For those spending more than 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, options expand. If your layover is one or two nights, Etihad will put you up in one of the following hotels for free:
- Centro Al Manhal
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre Hotel
- Ramada by Wyndham Abu Dhabi Downtown
- Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
- TRYP by Wyndham Abu Dhabi
If your layover is 2–4 nights, you can get a 40% discount at the following hotels:
- Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
- Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi – a concept by Hyatt
- Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- Fairmont Bab al Bahr, Abu Dhabi
- Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
- InterContinental Abu Dhabi, an IHG Hotel
- Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan
- Park Rotana Hotel Abu Dhabi
- Royal M Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi
- Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
- Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Use this link to book your Transit Connect package or longer layover package.
Terms and conditions
- Hotel stays are valid 24 hours from check-in. Check-in is open 24 hours.
- Hotel stays can be booked for up to three people (three adults or two adults and one child).
- Meet all vaccination and testing requirements in Abu Dhabi.
- Have a pre-arranged visa to enter the UAE or are eligible for a visa on arrival (U.S. citizens get a free 30-day visa on arrival).
- Connect to and from an Etihad-operated flight.
- Transit Connect packages must be booked five days before arrival. Other accommodation packages must be booked three days before arrival.
- The lead booker must be 21 years or older.
- See the Etihad website for further terms and conditions.
Our Take
If you have a short layover in Abu Dhabi, I would recommend booking the Transit Connect package and staying at the city center Premier Inn. Thankfully, the Inn is only a couple miles away from the Grand Mosque. Otherwise, you should stay closer to the beach. Make sure to visit Yas Island and all the theme parks, and relax on the sunny beach for the perfect December vacation. Well… the perfect layover on your vacation.
Public transportation in Abu Dhabi is free. You can get the A19 bus from the airport into the city, plus the other city buses around Abu Dhabi. Please ignore taxi scams at the airport that will try to charge a fortune for rides.
Award flights aren't eligible for the free layover hotel with Etihad. If you're wanting to book awards, don't forget that there's a Hilton hotel you can book with points in Abu Dhabi and receive complimentary theme park tickets. And if this offer doesn't work for you, you can get a hotel room from $14 in Doha if you're flying with Qatar Airways.
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