- Etihad offers a new stopover package with free hotel access and discounts, making it an affordable option for exploring Abu Dhabi.
- Passengers can book one or two-night stays at premium hotels when adding a stopover during flight bookings.
- You can take advantage of discounts with your boarding pass and explore Abu Dhabi using the free shuttle bus service.
The Middle East has grown to be one of the most important connecting points between the East and the West. There are several airlines operate flights from the US to multiple points worldwide, including Etihad Airways. The airline offers flights to over 70 destinations from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH). The airline an attractive free stopover package for passengers who want to explore Abu Dhabi before proceeding to their final destinations. Let’s take a look at how you can use it.
Etihad’s new stopover package
Booking a stopover in a city like Abu Dhabi is a great way to break up a long journey and a unique opportunity to explore a new city before proceeding to your final destination. Some airlines partner with hotels to offer customers free accommodation and airport transfers, while other airlines let you bear all the costs yourself. Nonetheless, it is a much cheaper option than booking a separate trip to the same city.
Etihad previously offered customers stopping over in Abu Dhabi a complimentary hotel stay, but it has enhanced the program to offer a more comprehensive stopover package. Earlier this month, Etihad, together with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, announced the launch of Abu Dhabi Stopover. Through the program, all guests flying through the Emirati capital are invited to turn their free stopover hotel stay into the ultimate holiday.
When booking a flight with Etihad, passengers now have the option to add a stopover and select complimentary hotel access as part of the online booking process. Passengers can choose from a range of premium hotels for one or two nights.
Stopover packages are only available for booking on Etihad’s website. After booking a flight, customers are required to enter their booking reference or ticket number and last name on the website. After that, you can proceed to check hotel availability and view discounts for various activities.
Free hotel access for a few nights
The Stopover Accommodation service is only available for round-trip tickets with both flights on the same itinerary. You can use the complimentary hotel access only once, either on the outbound or inbound flight. Hotel reservations must be made at least 72 hours before arriving in Abu Dhabi.
All hotel reservations are booked and managed by Etihad Holidays. To access your room, you must present your valid Etihad Airways boarding pass and the hotel booking confirmation received from Etihad Holidays when checking in. Your hotel check-in dates must align with your flight’s arrival date in Abu Dhabi.
The duration of each stopover is capped at 24 hours, with a maximum of four nights available for booking. However, the hotel can charge you for any extra hours. Under the free stopover program, three and four-star hotels are available in standard rooms, but with no additional services like breakfast included. Some of the three and four-star hotels listed on Etihad’s website include:
- Traders Hotel – Al Maqta (4-star)
- Aloft Abu Dhabi – City Center (4-star)
- Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi – City Center (4-star)
- Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate – Al Maqta (3-star)
- Centro Capital Centre – City Center (3-star)
- Premier Inn AUH – Airport hotel (3-star)
Taking advantage of discounts
Abu Dhabi has a diverse landscape with admirable natural and architectural beauty. There are many things to do in the Emirati capital, and while activities are not free of charge, guests stopping over in the city can take advantage of discounts. Your Etihad Airways boarding pass doubles up as the Abu Dhabi pass, offering discounts at various attractions and restaurants.
All Etihad passengers qualify for the discount scheme. You must have traveled on an Etihad-operated flight within the calendar year and must hold a valid boarding pass and photo identification. It is important to note that Etihad boarding passes are valid only for 30 days. Discounts on theme parks and activities include:
- Airmaniax Yas Mall: Available daily with a 30% discount on Premium Access tickets.
- Yas Island Theme Park: Available daily with 15% off on entry tickets in Ferrari World, Warner Bros, and Yas Water World theme parks.
- Husaak Adventures Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi: 20% off on guided tours and boat cruises.
- Emirates Park Zoo: Available daily and on public holidays with a 20% discount on Zoo Entry tickets and several additional activities.
- Big bus tours: 20% on all tickets
There are also a number of restaurants and dining options that operate daily and can be accessed with your boarding pass. All discounts offered by suppliers are subject to availability and change and may also be withdrawn. While stopping over in Abu Dhabi, you can also visit some of the city’s top attractions and famous activities, including the Louvre, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and Ferrari World, as well as famous activities like the Desert Safari.
Getting around Abu Dhabi
There are many ways to get around Abu Dhabi during your stopover. The cheapest option is the new Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus Service. It is a free service available for both local and international passengers. It conveniently gets you around the city and offers comfortable seating, air conditioning, wheelchair accessibility, and WiFi access.
It operates on eight key routes, connecting Yas Island, Jubail Island, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi city center, and the Grand Canal area. You can also flag down a taxi on the roadside, hop on another city bus, rent a car, take a bike, or board a traditional abra (boat) cruise. Whether in Abu Dhabi for a day or two, the stopover package will help you get the most out of your stay.
