Abu Dhabi, UAE
Capital and the second most populous city of the United Arab Emirates
The IST 2019 will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Travel
Getting to Abu Dhabi
More carriers than ever are now flying to award-winning Abu Dhabi International Airport - one of the most customer-friendly airports around.
Citizens of Australia, Andorra, Austria, Brunei, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and the Vatican State can get a free-of-charge entry visa upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE.
Citizens of all other countries will need to apply for a Tourist, Transit or Visit Visa prior to their trip. If you are flying with Etihad Airways, a visit visa may be arranged for you upon request. If you have booked your trip through a travel agency, in most cases they will be able to arrange this for you. Five, four and three star hotels can apply for visas on behalf of guests.
Getting to Abu Dhabi by Airport
With more than 52 airlines flying to and from some 85 cities in over 49 countries, Abu Dhabi International Airport holds the 2013 World Airport Awards’ ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ accolade, for the second year running.
The newly refurbished Terminal 1, with design and architecture reflecting traditional Emirati hospitality elements set in a high-end, ultramodern ambience, delivers a 5-star travel experience.
The home of Etihad Airways - the national airline of the United Arab Emirates – Terminal 3 welcomes travellers to plush Etihad lounges and an award-winning concierge style check-in. Impressive retail is managed by DFS, the world’s largest luxury retailer, and is complemented by up- market restaurants and cafés.
The planned Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC), the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Airport’s Company (ADAC)'s multibillion-dollar investment programme, will provide a full terminal building, passenger and cargo facilities, duty-free shops and restaurants for between 27-40 million people a year.
Are you flying into Abu Dhabi? Click here for full flight information
Abu Dhabi International Airport is also well connected to the rest of the emirate by numerous bus services. For more information on bus services, fares and schedules, or to download bus routes, click here.
Getting Around in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a well-planned road system and getting around Abu Dhabi is easy. People often rely on landmarks to give directions.
Taxis are reasonably priced and plentiful and can be flagged down at the roadside or booked by phone through the TransAD hotline 600 535353. Public transport buses are modern, clean, air-conditioned reliable and highly cost-effective. Visitors who choose to rent a vehicle will find all major car rental companies in Abu Dhabi, plus a few extra.
You will find all major car rental companies in Abu Dhabi, plus a few extra, and it's worth remembering that larger, more reputable firms generally have more reliable vehicles and a greater capacity to help in an emergency (an important factor when handling the trying times following an accident).
All rentals are inclusive of registration, maintenance, replacement, 24-hour assistance and insurance (comprehensive insurance with personal accident cover is advisable). For short term rental, many companies offer daily rates - there are booths at the airport and most of the major hotels, and there are numerous shops dotted throughout the city. It's worth ringing around for rates, although usually the most competitive rates can be found online.
To hire any vehicle you will need a passport copy, credit card and a valid driving licence from your home country, or a valid international driving licence.
If you have a UAE residence visa, you will need to have a valid UAE driving licence.
Car hire companies
Company name Telephone number Website Al Ghazal Transport Co +971 2 634 2200 www.adnh.com ALLO Rent +971 2 575 7232 www.allorent.com Avis Rent A Car +971 2 621 5400 www.budget.com Diamond Lease +971 2 674 0350 www.diamondlease.com Dollar Rent A Car +971 2 641 9002 www.dollaruae.com Emco Rent A Car +971 2 633 8933 Europcar +971 2 626 1441 www.europcar-uae.com Eurostar +971 2 645 5855 www.eurostarrental.com FAST Rent A Car +971 2 632 4000 www.fastuae.com Hertz Rent A Car +971 2 672 0060 www.hertzuae.com National Car Rental +971 2 800 3130 www.national-me.com Thrifty Car Rental +971 2 445 5011 www.thriftyuae.comCar hire companies in Al Ain
Company name Telephone number Website Avis Rent A Car (Al Ain) +971 3 768 7262 www.avis.com FAST Rent A Car (Al Ain) +971 3 766 7330 www.fastuae.com Thrifty Car Rental +971 3 721 8088 www.thriftyuae.comMawaqif: paid parking system
Abu Dhabi city’s paid parking system Mawaqif is enforced from 8 AM to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, excluding Fridays and public holidays. Parking meters set time limits for use of public parking spaces, which helps organize parking and prevent illegal parking.
At premium parking lots on main streets (white and turquoise colored curbs), vehicles can park for up to four hours at AED 3 (US$ 0.8) per hour. In standard spaces (black and turquoise colored curbs), the rate is AED 2 (US$ 0.5) per hour and AED 15 (US$ 4) for 24 hours.
Drivers who park outside designated spaces; indicated by turquoise and white or blue and black markings, can be fined from AED 200 - AED 1,000 (US$ 54 - 273).
For more information on Abu Dhabi’s parking system, visit www.mawaqif.ae
Abu Dhabi’s modern air-conditioned buses operate round-the-clock. The service is easy to use, with passengers hopping in and out of any bus by placing two Dirham coins in the collection box next to the driver.
If you are planning to use the bus on a regular basis, day passes - monthly passes at AED 80 (US$ 21.8) are also available.
Travelling by bus is complimentary for senior citizens above the age of 60 and for people with disabilities.
- For more information on bus services, fares and schedules, or to download bus routes, visit the website
- For a detailed timetable of services in the Central Abu Dhabi region (A1, 211, 240) - click here
- For a detailed timetable of services in the Eastern region (490) - click here
- For a detailed timetable of Intercity bus services (X81) - click here
Getting around Abu Dhabi is easy and taxis are reasonably priced and plentiful. They can be flagged down at the roadside, booked by phone through the TransAD hotline 600 535353 or via the Abu Dhabi Taxi app available for both iOS and Android platforms.
Street taxis are easily recognized by their silver livery and yellow roof sign.
Taxi Fares*
| Day Time - 6:00 am to 10:00 pm |
AED |
US$ |
|---|---|---|
|
Flagfall (starting fee) |
3.50 |
0.95 |
|
Every 1km up to 50km |
1.60 |
0.43 |
|
Over 50km |
1.69 |
0.64 |
|
Every 1 minute of waiting time (First 5 minutes free) |
0.50 |
0.13 |
|
Booking through Call Centre |
8.00 |
0.80 |
|
Night Time - 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Flagfall (starting fee) |
4.00 |
1.09 |
|
Every 1km up to 50km |
1.69 |
0.46 |
|
Over 50km |
1.69 |
0.46 |
|
Every 1 minute of waiting time (First 5 minutes free) |
0.50 |
0.13 |
|
Booking through Call Centre |
8.00 |
1.09 |
Many taxi drivers speak fluent English, but are not always familiar with street names, so it helps to know exactly where you are going. It's also helpful to take the phone number of your destination with you in case you get lost. When using a taxi, always take a receipt in case you leave something behind in the vehicle. It’s then much more likely that you will get your items back quickly, as the call centre will be able to identify the vehicle and call the driver immediately.
Taxis for Families and Passengers with Additional Needs
Dedicated family taxis available in 4-seat or 7-seater options provide services dedicated to women and those travelling with children under 10 years old. TransAD also runs a fleet of specially adapted luxurious Mercedes Vito cars equipped with trained drivers and the latest technology providing wheelchair users and passengers with disabilities safe, secure and convenient options. It is recommended to book either service in advance to ensure specific requirements are met.
Chauffeur Drive Services
Uber operates a luxury chauffeur-driven service where passengers are charged by credit card via a downloadable app, available for Android, Blackberry and IOS operating systems, which is used to place orders. There’s a minimum fare of AED35 (US$9.50) increasing by AED2.50 (70 cents) per kilometre, or AED1.50 (45 cents) per minute if travelling under 18kmph.
Careem
Careem operates a satellite mapping system and 24 hour call-centre to match customers to private chauffeur driven cars closest to them across Abu Dhabi, with real-time tracking for an accurate estimated time of arrival. Bookable online or via a downloadable app, available on Android and IOS platforms, fares - charged by credit card - start at AED35 (US$9.50) increasing by AED2.50 (70 cents) per kilometre, or AED1.50 (45 cents) per minute if travelling below 16kmph.
Airport Taxis
All taxi companies service the airport in addition to specially registered airport taxis. The journey into town from the airport costs AED 70 - 80 (approx US $ 30), including a minimum flag fall of AED20 (US$5.50). Passengers leaving Abu Dhabi International Airport can also opt for a luxury taxi which are available round-the-clock from Terminals 1,2 and 3. A Mercedes-Benz Vito van can be hired at a flag fall cost of AED25 (US$6.80) but the rate per kilometre will be the same as the conventional taxis. The vehicles, which run on green diesel fuel, are equipped with on online tracking system, a speed limiter and updated GPS.
Visitors From Abroad
International Travel Information
IST 2019 welcomes visitors from around the world. We have compiled a list of resources to help make your travel and show experience as convenient and successful as possible.
Letter of Invitation
A letter of invitation is provided only after you have completed registration for the conference and paid the conference registration fee. Such a letter may be needed to obtain a visa or permission to attend the meeting. If you require an invitation letter please contact the conference organizers via email. The letter will be provided by email.
The Conference cannot contact or intervene with any Embassy or Consulate office abroad on your behalf so please begin your visa application process as soon as you determine that you wish to attend IST 2019. Please provide as much information as possible to avoid delays in receiving your letter. You must register for the conference and pay in full before requesting an invitation letter.
Invitation Letter Request for Authors
To request an invitation letter for IST 2019, you must be registered for the conference. Using the button below to open the request form, please provide the follow items in your request:
- Name
- Affiliation
- Address
- Paper #(s) and title(s)
- Any additional information required by your country