3 Hour Layover in Abu Dhabi Airport.

cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 11:15

As good OZBargainer, I got some decent priced tickets to Europe, via Abu Dhabi. My Family 2 adults 2 kids have about 4 hour of time between flight.

I/we are not members in any Lounge program, or Abassador/Platinum/Gold/Silver frequent flyer program.

I looked into several options, to make this break a bit more pleasant than spending 3 hours at the airport Burger King, or some chair at the gates.

One of the best option is US$ 210 for 6 hours in the Airport Hotel, which gives 1 H access to one of the lounges.

The other Option would be Buying a Membership $99 to a lounge e program and pay 4 x $27 entries to the lounges.

Any one here have a cheaper option, workaround on how to get into the lounges at a cheaper price.

Travel

Comments

  • try2bhelpful on 27/11/2017 - 11:30
    +10

    3 hours is not a lot of time to fill in at airports. By the time you get something to eat, look at the airport duty free shops and spend some quality time with the electronic tablets, etc the time will probably fly past. The main reason we like the lounges is you can get a shower and freshen up. To me, the second option sounds better as you might be able to use the lounge eprogram for other airports.

  • Randxyz123 on 27/11/2017 - 11:38

    Your heading says 3 hours but your post says 4… Which is it?

    You’ll get off the plane , have to go to through security again, walk to your gate , maybe get food on the way.

    That’ll take a decent 2 hours I reckon especially with kids.

    Membership sounds better to me. You can use it both ways

  • GG57 on 27/11/2017 - 11:41
    +1

    I've transited through Abu Dhabi a few times over the last couple of years. Three hours is not that long by the time you factor in changing terminals and preparing to board for the next flight.
    It is not a huge airport, and the duty free is pretty ordinary IMO, but it still takes time to move from your arrival gate through the terminal.
    We have usually had a coffee / snack at the CNN cafe; live news, free wifi, clean, good service, not bad food.
    And then an amble to the next departure gate, usually need to be there about 1 hour before departure.

  • cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 11:45

    Addendum: We arrive at terminal 3 and depart from terminal 3. Time between EAT and EDT is 3H 45min.

  • HardQuiz on 27/11/2017 - 11:56
    +2

    4 hours is nothing when you factor security lines and what not.

    Save your money and spend it at your destination.

  • p1 ama on 27/11/2017 - 12:11
    +2

    I looked into several options, to make this break a bit more pleasant than spending 3 hours at the airport Burger King, or some chair at the gates.

    What's so unpleasant about spending 3 hours at the Burger King or some chair at the gates? Just grab something to eat, sit down and read the newspaper and reply to some emails and you'll be off and going again.

    • cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 12:45

      What's so unpleasant about spending 3 hours at the Burger King

      After being squeezed in a tin for 15 Hours, and before being squeezed in another tin for another 8 hours, a shower, a massage chair, clean environment, nice A/C and a quieter environment, would be nice. BK is not as comfortable, is smelly, the tables probably not cleaned for ages, queue to get anything to eat and drink, noisy and the smell of fries. And I've trained my kids to be quite.

      • p1 ama on 27/11/2017 - 13:04
        +2

        I'm being serious too - if it's a 3 hour layover, once you get out, go through security, have a walk around to freshen up, explore the airport a bit…etc. you'll probably only have around 1.5 hours left. Given that you have to be at the gates 30 mins early, you only really have around an hour to 90 mins max to waste. Enough time to grab some food, let the kids run around, gaze at some planes through the window, have a read of the newspaper, reply to some emails, watch an episode of your favourite TV show on your tablet, you'll be back on a plane.

        You're right though, you've spent 15 hours on a tin, and you'll be spending another 8 hours on a tin, what difference will 1.5 hours of 'comfort' make anyway? Paying $210 US (i.e. almost $300!) to get 1 hour (!) access to a lounge just sounds absolutely ludicrous. Fair enough if you're actually there for 6 hours and want to take a nap, but to pay $300 per hour is nuts. You really saying that if someone paid you $300 to sit at Burger King and play on your phone for an hour you'd say no?

        • cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 14:03

          Paying $210 US (i.e. almost $300!) to get 1 hour (!) access to a lounge just sounds absolutely ludicrous.

          Exactly. That is why my post. Any way of getting a break form the crowd, noise and junk-food at a cheaper price ?

          You don't have to go through security leaving the plane, so 30 mins after landing you are staring at the shops !

          Assume 60 minutes for security check and boarding ( same terminal ). We still have 2 hours to kill.

          I think I'll go to the CNN bar, if no cheap option appears.

        • p1 ama on 27/11/2017 - 16:03

          @cameldownunder:

          Exactly. That is why my post. Any way of getting a break form the crowd, noise and junk-food at a cheaper price ?

          Yeah, I'm sure there will be nicer restaurants around that aren't just fast food. Take a bit of time to walk around and explore the airport and have a look at the planes…etc. I always find that a walk is a great way of feeling less tired on long flights especially when there's a layover.

          We still have 2 hours to kill.

          I guess what I mean by my response earlier is that you're worrying an awful lot about 2 hours of your holiday. Even if you're going for just 14 days, this comprises less than 1% of your trip, so I just think it's a disproportionate thing to be worrying/spending on. Like many others have said, worry more about what to do when you get to your destination and spend there.

          Travel perks are usually paid for by companies and are priced accordingly.

        • cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 16:15

          @psterio: I guess what I mean by my response earlier is that you're worrying an awful lot about 2 hours of your holiday.

          You should see the preparation for the flight ! Netflix Series Download to watch offline.

      • singlemalt72 on 27/11/2017 - 13:30
        +3

        There are free showers next to gate 32 and 37 in terminal 3 - if you don't feel like packing a towel, you can get a shower kit for 13USD.

        You are looking at about 30 GBP pp. to use a lounge with a shower, and you will not have a lot of time which makes it a damn expensive shower. FWIW I find if you throw a brick of wet-wipes in a bag with a change of clothes (or at least fresh underwear) you can have a quick freshen up that leaves you feeling remarkably clean and ready for your next leg.

        Hope this helps

        • cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 14:05

          1 towel for the whole family. Sounds good. Wife first, then kids, then me. Dont mind wet towel. Thanks for the info.
          Where do I get the towel from? is there like a kiosk that you can rent from ?

        • dasher86 on 27/11/2017 - 15:31
          +1

          @cameldownunder:
          Get a couple of 'travel towels / gym towels'.
          They always come in handy - clean them when you can as they also double up as a blanket for long plane / bus journeys.
          I remember having a shower at Abu Dhabi off a flight from Changi to Heathrow after to the airport from a night out clubbing.
          A shower after being stuck in a tin can for 15 hours then another 8 is a luxury and well worth it.

        • singlemalt72 on 27/11/2017 - 17:13

          @cameldownunder: The shower packs can be bought from where the sleeping pods are - check the terminal map - And 4x shower packs = cheaper than 4 x lounge passes.
          Otherwise as said, take your own travel towels that pack down super small.

  • donga100 on 27/11/2017 - 14:04

    Just spend the $210 at the duty free shops instead. That should take up the remainder of your spare time after dealing with disembarking, finding next gate, etc.

    • cameldownunder on 27/11/2017 - 14:06

      That's on my next thread: Any good value / discount to be had at Abu Dhabi Airport Duty free ?

      • donga100 on 27/11/2017 - 14:09

        Was there earlier this year but can't remember any standouts. I think my wife bought some cosmetics for an acceptable price.

  • 88mph on 29/11/2017 - 08:49
    +1

    As many have said, 3hrs will go by pronto. Bus to terminal (usually), long security, and possible long inter terminal walk, and you may have an hour to spare. I've had 6-7hour transits, used both priority pass lounges on different trips and found them to be sub par, compared to lounges elsewhere, hence wouldn't recommend paying for them.

    Duty free is your classic middle Eastern type glitzy shiny type, inflated prices.

  • suchis on 04/12/2017 - 06:34

    FLIO will give u most info on airport
    https://itunes.apple.com/app/id963836358?mt=8
    It's an app that allows u to see prices, services etc of airports around the globe.
    And when walking around Abu Dhabi stay away from glass boxes…. smokers packed in getting their fix and when they open the door🔨
    Plus u will need to buy water… the free bubblers are sloppy and water comes out at 33C I reckon!

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