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Layover guideAbu Dhabi · AUH

Local laws that catch crew out in Abu Dhabi

Drink only inside licensed venues, keep the camera down and the language clean: the UAE prosecutes visitors for behaviour that is unremarkable at home.

Blogtrepreneur / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
All of Abu Dhabi

Drugs: possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs, cannabis included, can bring a minimum three-month prison term or a fine of between AED 20,000 and AED 100,000. Sentences for trafficking can include the death penalty.

CBD: the FCDO warns that some skincare products and e-cigarette refills contain ingredients that are illegal in the UAE, such as CBD oil. If you are found in possession, the products are confiscated and you could face criminal charges. Check your vape refills and your washbag before you pack.

Photography: do not photograph people without their permission. The FCDO records that men have been arrested for photographing women on beaches. It is illegal to photograph some government buildings and military installations, and the FCDO warns that hobbies like plane spotting may be misunderstood, particularly near military sites, government buildings and airports. That applies directly to crew with a camera near the fence.

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the UAE and same-sex marriages are not recognised. The FCDO reports individuals being punished for same-sex sexual activity, particularly where there is any public element or where the behaviour has caused offence. Factor that into where you socialise.

  1. UK FCDO travel advice for the United Arab Emirates: safety and security · checked 2026-08-17
  2. UK FCDO travel advice for the United Arab Emirates: health · checked 2026-08-17

The rest of Abu Dhabi

The whole guide
Getting out of the airportThe taxi tariff is published by the authority and the airport flagfall is AED 20 against AED 5 in the city, but the bus is not round the clock: A1 stops at 23:00 and only N2 covers the night.Ride-hailingUber and Yango operate; silver metered taxis are the regulated default, airport taxis carry an AED 20 flagfall.Staying connectedA visitor SIM is registered against your passport and capped at two per network, and an unregistered line gets cut off rather than merely warned.WeatherDesert climate: pleasant Oct-Mar, brutal 40°C humid heat May-Sep; the state bans midday outdoor work 15 Jun-15 Sep.Eating near the crew hotelsMina Zayed port district is the market-food area: fish souk plus fruit-and-veg souk, haggling is the norm.What to buyGold at Madinat Zayed Gold Centre, oud, dates and spices in the souks; 5% VAT is refundable via Planet at departure.TippingNot expected but common; high-end restaurants add ~10% service charge plus a 6% tourism levy, otherwise 10-15% is usual.