Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s vibrant capital city that needs no introduction, offers visitors a wealth of attractions and activities that make for a lovely city getaway. Adding to an even more pleasant experience is the city’s efficient public transportation system, which makes exploring the metropolis’s many tourist attractions and landmarks all the more effortless. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make the most of public transportation in Abu Dhabi for a fine time in the Gulf city.

Since Abu Dhabi’s public bus transportation service came into operation in 2008, tourists and locals alike have been using it to get around the metropolis reliably and effortlessly. All the buses are fully air-conditioned and equipped with features that make the buses accessible for people with special needs, and are operational all day and night, which combine to make the capital city’s public bus service not only just comfortable and convenient but also easily accessible. As if they were not doing enough of a service to the city, the elderly and senior citizens (60 and above) and the differently-abled can make use of the service for free.

Abu Dhabi Public Transport Card, commonly known as the Hafilat Card, is a smart card that makes paying for public transport, particularly for the public bus transport service, much easier. The government-issued smart card offers a number of different ways to pay bus fares. You can credit your card by adding money to the card digitally, which you can swipe on any bus on the network to pay the fare. Alternatively, you also have the option to purchase prepaid weekly or monthly travel passes, which on top of giving you a saving on travel costs, also adds to your convenience.

The public bus transport service in Abu Dhabi has two main branches: city and regional. They also have a simple notation system to help you find the right route. Buses that have an "A#" go to and from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. "X#" marked buses are express buses while buses with an "M" are small buses.

Besides the public bus transport service, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi also operates a ferry service that runs between the city of Abu Dhabi and Dalma Island. The ferry ride from mainland Abu Dhabi to the Emirati island, located in the Persian Gulf, typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and covers a distance of 42 kilometres. The ferry service caters to both people commuting and those transporting vehicles and other goods to and from the island. Multiple ferries depart from both mainland Abu Dhabi and Dalma Island every day, making it another convenient way of getting around the Gulf city.

For tourists to Abu Dhabi, all you need is your passport to get on the ferry while those wanting to transport vehicles would also need to have their vehicle registration card on them. Travelling by ferry, without a doubt, is one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi. Getting back from the charming Emirati island, retreat to one of the finest hotels or resorts in town. Your options include Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat.

To make getting around the city even more effortless and convenient, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of Abu Dhabi has also developed a mobile app to make transportation in this emirate easier. Darbi provides real-time traffic updates, public transportation information, route planning, parking information and much more that adds to a pleasant experience in the vibrant city.