How to get to Yas Island and its theme parks

How to get to Yas Island from Abu Dhabi city

A taxi from central Abu Dhabi takes about 25 minutes. You can hail one on the street, book through the Abu Dhabi Taxi app, or use Uber or Careem.

Buses cost less. Theme park ticket holders can use free return buses from Abu Dhabi city; show your e-ticket and be at the stop 5 minutes before the scheduled time. The Experience Abu Dhabi buses are also free for tourists and link main hotels and attractions. Public buses are paid with a Hafilat smart card. Check the current timetable on the Yas Island website before you set off.

Dubai to Yas Island: shuttle bus, taxi or car

Free return buses run daily from Dubai to Yas Island for theme park ticket holders, and the parks also list routes from Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. You need a valid e-ticket to board and should be at the pick-up point 5 minutes early. The buses have free Wi-Fi, and times are approximate because of traffic. Pick-up points and departure times are in the Yas Island shuttle timetable, so check it before you travel.

By car or taxi the drive takes about 55 minutes, though Yas Island estimates 75 minutes from Dubai Airport. Allow extra time at rush hour.

From Abu Dhabi International Airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport is about 10 minutes away by taxi. Yas Island runs a free airport shuttle on a first-come, first-served basis; be at the pick-up point at least 15 minutes before departure. Car rental desks at the airport are open 24 hours.

Parking at Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World

Three of the four parks publish free parking for guests, and paid valet is also available.

• Ferrari World: free parking at Yas Mall's Grand Prix Parking or Fashion Parking. Validate your number plate at the ticketing counter, the Ferrari Store or the information counter. Valet costs AED 52, or AED 100 for VIP valet.
• Yas Waterworld: free parking for all guests, plus valet. The park's FAQ says guest parking has moved to a temporary car park with signs to follow.
• Warner Bros. World: free parking close to the park entrance, plus valet.
• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: check parking arrangements with the park before you drive.

Getting between the parks on Yas Island

The free Yas Express route Y1, the theme parks circular, stops at the Yas Plaza hotels, Ferrari World, Yas Mall, CLYMB, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World. Route Y3 links the Yas Plaza hotels with W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Beach, Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit. Buses generally run every 20 to 30 minutes. Show your ticket when you board; no reservation is needed.

Where to stay near the Yas Island theme parks

Staying on the island saves the daily drive and puts you on the Yas Express network. Hotels on Yas Island include The WB Abu Dhabi, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, DoubleTree by Hilton, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Staybridge Suites and the four Yas Plaza hotels by IHG: Marina, Circuit, Mangroves and Bay. Some hotel packages on the official Yas Island site include park access, and the conditions vary by hotel.

Nearby you can add Yas Mall, the largest shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, CLYMB with the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Beach, Yas Bay, Etihad Arena, and Etihad Live, the outdoor concert venue formerly called Etihad Park.