Flying to Abu Dhabi
Routes we sell to Abu Dhabi. Search your dates for live fares.
Johannesburg (JNB)
about 8 hours · Non-stop or one stop
Best time to fly
Weather, crowds and fares move together in Abu Dhabi. These are the trade-offs.
November to March
The comfortable season — warm and dry.
April to May and October
Hot shoulder months with better value.
June to September
Extreme heat and high humidity along the coast.
Before you go
Mosque dress code
The Grand Mosque enforces a strict dress code for all visitors. Check the requirements before you go — abayas are available on site.
Combining with Dubai
About 90 minutes apart by road, which makes a two-city trip straightforward.
Summer humidity
Coastal humidity makes the summer heat harder going than Dubai's.
About Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the UAE's capital and a quieter, more deliberate counterpart to Dubai. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the standout sight, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island has given the city serious cultural weight.
It is about 90 minutes from Dubai by road, so the two are often combined into a single trip.
Getting in from the airport
Zayed International (AUH) is about 30 km from the city centre, roughly half an hour. Taxis are metered and plentiful; coach services connect to Dubai in around two hours.
Entry requirements for South African passport holders
The United Arab Emirates requires South African passport holders to hold a visa, commonly arranged in advance and often sponsored by an airline or hotel. Confirm the current process with the UAE embassy or your airline before travelling.
Entry rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the destination's embassy or consulate before you travel — this page is a guide, not an authority.
Flying to Abu Dhabi, answered
Still unsure about something? Talk to our team.
Also worth a look
Flexible payment. Fully secured.
Pay with names you already trust, on a platform built to keep your booking and details safe.
IATA-accredited
A recognised travel agent
SSL-secured checkout
Encrypted end to end
POPIA compliant
Your data stays protected
Instant approval
A decision in seconds
Last reviewed by Fly n Pay Later editorial team.