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One of the more recent additions to the racing calendar, the first F1 twilight race took place in Abu Dhabi back in 2009 and has remained a firm fan favourite ever since. Who can forget last year’s grand finale at Yas Marina where a jubilant Max Verstappen clinched a record-extending 19th victory, putting him third on the all-time list of career F1 wins?
If the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is on your go-to list for 2024, you may already be wondering how to get there. In this article, we’ll explore all options for getting to Yas Marina for the 2024 Grand Prix.
Buy tickets for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Where is the Yas Marina Circuit?
The circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is located on Yas Island, a 30-km (19 miles) drive from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Airports near the Yas Marina Circuit
The closest airports to the circuit are Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport, both of which have great direct links from the UK, Netherlands, USA and Australia.
Flights from the UK will typically take seven hours.
Abu Dhabi International Airport
Located just 11 km (seven miles) from the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) is the closest international airport to any circuit on the F1 calendar. With direct daily Ethiad flights from London Heathrow and Manchester in the UK, plus direct routes from New York, Washington, Sydney, Amsterdam and Bangkok, getting to Abu Dhabi from the Grand Prix is a doddle.
How much is a taxi from Abu Dhabi Airport to the city?
The average price of a taxi from the airport to the city will typically cosy around 150 AED (approx. £32) and take about half an hour while a 10-minute taxi to Yas Island will be 130 AED (approx. £28). The taxi rank is well signposted and taxis are readily available outside the arrivals areas.
Heads up: There is a free shuttle service from the airport to Yas Marina that departs opposite to Arrivals Door 3. Please note you must have a Yas hotel booking voucher to board this bus.
Dubai International Airport
Another option, albeit a slightly more convoluted one, is flying into Dubai (DXB). With more UK airports (including Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow) flying direct to Dubai with Emirates, this is a great option if you’re attending the Grand Prix from other parts of the country. The airport is located 120km (75 miles) from the centre of Abu Dhabi and 95km (59 miles) from Yas Island. It’s also a viable option if you’re intending to hire a car and drive down to Yas Marina for the Grand Prix.
How much is a taxi from Dubai International Airport to Abu Dhabi?
A taxi from Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi will likely set you back 330 AED (approx. £71) with a journey time of around one hour and 30 minutes. If you’re travelling from the airport directly to Yas Marina, the cost is likely to be a bit cheaper, at 315 AED (approx. £67).
Heads up: There’s a free shuttle bus service from central Dubai to Yas Marina. See further down the page for details.
How to get to Yas Marina Circuit from Abu Dhabi
Getting to the Yas Marina circuit from the city is simple, with free shuttle services readily available. We’ve included your travel options below.
Bus
Probably the cheapest and most reliable way to get to the circuit is to take the bus from Abu Dhabi bus station, located next to AI Wahda Mall. The main bus route connecting the city with Yas Island is the 190 service, which runs every 30 minutes and costs 2 AED (£0.43) for a single trip. Please note that cash is not accepted on buses and you will have to purchase a Hafilat card to be allowed on board. The journey will normally take around 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Free shuttle buses
Yas Island offers a complimentary shuttle bus service which takes you to all the main tourist attractions as well as the track. Beware though – these buses run on a first come, first served basis so be prepared for a lengthy wait in line after the race.
There are five free shuttle bus routes that connect various points at the Yas Marina Circuit, including dedicated routes for the Thursday Pitlane Walk, Paddock Club and Yas Suites. The most relevant services for race attendees are the Circuit Circular Shuttle and the Yas Courtesy Shuttle. The Circuit Circular Shuttle runs every 10 minutes and stops at all the grandstands and Yas Marina. The Yas Courtesy Shuttle runs every 15 minutes and stops at the Yas Plaza hotels, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Yas Island, Yas Beach, Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit. View the full timetable here.
Taxi
If you’d rather avoid public transport, you’ll be pleased to hear taxis are relatively cheap and reliable in Abu Dhabi. As always, advanced bookings are always advisable and the fare from central Abu Dhabi to Yas Marina Circuit will cost around 112 AED (£24) with a journey time of approximately 20 minutes, depending on the traffic. For the cheapest taxis in Abu Dhabi, download the Abu Dhabi taxi app on 10S or Android. You can pay with cash or credit card and it’s common to tip up to 10% of the fare, particularly for longer journeys.
Heads up: You may find that alternative taxi services, sich as Uber or Careem, are cheaper than regular Abu Dhabi taxis.
Driving, parking and car hire
If you want to explore Abu Dhabi, Dubai and surrounding areas, hiring a car might be the best option for you. There are plenty of rental companies at both Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airports, including well-known international names like Sixt, Europcar, Budget and Hertz.
To rent a car in UAE, you will need to present your passport, tourist visa and driving licence or international driving permit. The cost to rent a 5-door car (e.g. Toyota Yaris or similar) will typically cost around 120 – 150 AED per day, but prices differ from company to company so it’s best to shop around for the best quote.
When driving in UAE, it’s essential you familiarise yourself with the rules of the road, such as the speed limit, seat belt requirements, Salik toll system and Darb toll gate system. Sites such as Abu Dhabi Travel Planner have some great tips about the do’s and don’t of driving in the UAE.
Heads up: Driving with even the smallest amount of alcohol in your system – even from the night before – is strictly prohibited in Abu Dhabi and will almost certainly land you in jail.
Parking at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The main parking facilities can be found at Yas Mall. From there, you can hop on the free shuttle bus to the circuit. Premium parking passes can also be purchased, if you prefer to park within walking distance of the Grandstands.
How to get to the Yas Marina Circuit from Dubai
Here are some travel options for F1 fans planning on staying in Dubai and travelling down to the Yas Marina circuit.
Bus
There are two shuttle bus service from Dubai to Yas Island which are free for anyone travelling with a valid Yas Island attraction voucher:
Y6 shuttle bus: Pick up Deira City Center entrance beside Majid Al Futaim – drop off Yas Mall. Journey time of two hours and twenty minutes.
Y7 shuttle bus: Pick up Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel – drop off Yas Mall. Journey time of one hour and fifty minutes.
Taxi
Taxis from central Dubai to Yas Marina usually take about an hour in normal traffic and costs around 370 AED (£80). You can hail a regular taxi or book a larger or fancier car through the RTA app. An Uber or Careem booking may be slightly cheaper, with current quotes coming at 323 AED (£69).
Book tickets for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Planning to attend the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Tickets are already selling fast for the final round of the 2024 F1 season, so buy your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets now!