Abu Dhabi car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Abu Dhabi
The best car rental companies in Abu Dhabi are Hertz, Avis, Sixt. Prices start from AED 80/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Abu Dhabi
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Hertz
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 85/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#2
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 82/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#3
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 88/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#4
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 83/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#5
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 80/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 78/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 22Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 90/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#8
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 82/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#9
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 77/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
#10
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 77/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-05 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Abu Dhabi
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | AED 80 | Toyota Yaris | 5 |
| Compact | AED 98 | Honda Civic | 5 |
| SUV | AED 150 | Toyota Land Cruiser | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | AED 200 | Toyota Hiace | 7 |
| Luxury | AED 350 | BMW 7 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Abu Dhabi
Airport — Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Rental desks are in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 (Terminals A/B) and Terminal 3. A short walk from baggage claim.
Downtown — Abu Dhabi City Centre / Corniche
Multiple agencies on the Corniche Road and near Al Wahda Mall. Hotel delivery is available from most suppliers.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge (Municipality fee) | ~10% of base rate | Airport pickups at AUH |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | AED 50–80/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | AED 25–40/day | Per extra driver |
| Salik toll (Abu Dhabi–Dubai) | AED 4 per crossing | Dubai Salik gates if driving to/from Dubai |
| One-way fee (to Dubai) | AED 100–300 | Dropping the car in Dubai from Abu Dhabi |
| Optional GPS/nav | AED 25–35/day | Most visitors use Google Maps on smartphones |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Abu Dhabi
- UAE traffic drives on the right. Roads are excellent — wide, well-lit, and signed in Arabic and English. Speed limits are strictly enforced with cameras everywhere.
- UAE speed limits: 120 km/h on Abu Dhabi outer highways (with some 140 km/h sections), 80–100 in urban areas. Radar cameras are very common.
- Abu Dhabi to Dubai is only 1.5 hours on the E11 or E22 highways. Many visitors combine both cities in one trip.
- A credit card with sufficient limit for the security deposit (typically AED 1,500+) is essential. Debit cards are not accepted by most suppliers.
- Minimum age is 21 for most suppliers; some luxury brands require 25. Young-driver surcharge applies under 25.
- Summer temperatures exceed 45°C (113°F) — never leave items in a parked car in direct sunlight; tinted windows and underground parking are the norm.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Abu Dhabi
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Abu Dhabi?
Most suppliers require 21. Drivers 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of AED 50–80/day. Luxury and supercar categories typically require 25+.
Can I drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
Yes — the E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) and E22 (Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road) both connect the two cities. The journey is about 1.5 hours. Most rental contracts include Dubai; confirm before renting.
Do I need to pay any road tolls in the UAE?
Dubai uses the Salik toll system (AED 4 per gate). Abu Dhabi itself has no tolls. If you drive to Dubai, tolls are charged via the vehicle's Salik tag — the rental company will bill you per crossing.
Is an International Driving Permit required in the UAE?
Visitors from many countries (EU, USA, UK, Australia, Canada) can drive on their home licence. Some nationalities (e.g. certain Asian and African countries) require an IDP. Check with your embassy or the supplier.
What is the cheapest car type in Abu Dhabi?
Economy cars (e.g. Toyota Yaris) start around AED 80/day (~$22/day). Luxury cars (BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class) start around AED 350/day — Abu Dhabi is one of the Gulf's best markets for premium car deals.
Nearby trips
