Landing in Abu Dhabi and dreading the queue for a cab? That wait should be shorter from now on. The emirate has rolled out 800 additional taxis across its transport network, aimed squarely at making the trip to and from Zayed International Airport less of a scramble.
The rollout, announced by the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) together with Abu Dhabi Airports, splits into two parts. Some 500 of the new vehicles are luxury taxis dedicated to airport passengers, giving arrivals a more comfortable (and pricier) option for the ride into town. The remaining 300 operate across Abu Dhabi city, easing pressure on regular cabs and cutting down waiting times during the peak periods when everyone seems to land at once.
For travellers, the practical effect is simple: more choice and shorter queues at the taxi rank, whether you're heading from the airport to the Corniche, Saadiyat Island's beach resorts, or straight to a desert hotel. It's part of a broader push by Abu Dhabi Mobility to smooth the journey between the airport and the rest of the emirate — useful to know if you're visiting during busy stretches like winter holidays or major events, when cabs can be thin on the ground.
The taxi news also slots into a bigger story about getting around the UAE in 2026. Etihad Rail has launched its first passenger services, and the numbers are striking: since trains began running between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30, more than 70,000 tickets have already been sold. The network is being built out in phases across ten stations.
Right now, four stops are open: Abu Dhabi's Mohammed Bin Zayed City and Fujairah (both since June 30), plus Dubai's Al Yalayis station and Sharjah's Al Dhaid station (both since September 30). A wave of new stations follows through the winter — Liwa and Zayed City in Abu Dhabi open November 30, Al Dhannah, Al Sila and Al Mirfa on December 30, with Sharjah's University City set for March 2027.
What does this mean for a holiday? Once the network fills out, you'll be able to pair Abu Dhabi with day trips or multi-stop itineraries without relying on cars — a genuine shift in a country built around highways. For now, arriving passengers still have the usual options: taxis (now with hundreds more in circulation), ride-hailing apps, and pre-booked hotel transfers.
Who should care? Anyone with an Abu Dhabi trip on the horizon, particularly those arriving at Zayed International Airport late at night or during peak travel weeks. The expanded luxury fleet is also worth noting if you'd rather pay a little extra for a guaranteed comfortable ride after a long-haul flight. And if you're planning an Emirati itinerary beyond one city, keep an eye on Etihad Rail's station openings — by spring 2027 it should be a legitimate alternative to intercity driving.
