Zayed Port is Abu Dhabi’s cruise terminal, on the northern tip of the island, about 5km from the city centre. Ships tie up at Terminal 1 or the newer Terminal 2, with a free shuttle covering the short stretch to the gate where taxis and the hop-on hop-off bus wait. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a 20-minute drive away.
Zayed Port location
The terminal sits close enough to the city’s hotels, malls and the Corniche that getting your bearings isn’t hard. And since the two cities get mixed up more than they should, Zayed Port is in Abu Dhabi, not Dubai; ships calling at Dubai dock further up the coast, at Dubai Harbour cruise port guide or Port Rashid cruise ship port guide.
How long the airport run takes depends on which airport you land at: give it anywhere from half an hour to the best part of an hour to reach the terminal. Most hotels in the city are only 10 to 15 minutes from the gate.
If your itinerary covers more than one UAE stop, the United Arab Emirates cruise ship port guide has the full rundown, including Fujairah cruise ship port guide over on the other coast.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Zayed Port
Which terminal you get is decided by the port rather than announced in advance. Check your cruise line’s shore information once you’re aboard and it’ll tell you which gate to head for. Terminal 1 was Abu Dhabi’s first permanent cruise terminal; Terminal 2 came later, once more ships started calling each season.
| Terminal | What’s there |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Passenger and luggage halls, Etihad Airways check-in for flights home, currency exchange and retail next door at Marsa Mina |
| Terminal 2 | Newer and larger, with its own passenger and luggage halls, a cafeteria, prayer rooms, a kids’ play area and a lost luggage office |
Both terminals have free Wi-Fi and an ATM, so you don’t need to turn up with a pocket full of dirhams already sorted. On the days when two or three big ships are all in port together, the terminals between them can handle up to 15,000 passengers, which is why the queues still move even when everyone’s trying to get off at once.
Getting from Zayed Port into Abu Dhabi
Getting from Zayed Port into Abu Dhabi starts with a free shuttle bus. You can’t walk out of the port on foot, and public buses can’t get in to meet you either, so the shuttle is the only way through.
- Taxis: metered, queued right outside the gate, and the easiest option if you just want into the city without any faff.
- Big Bus hop-on hop-off: stops at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island and downtown, with a bus along roughly every 30 minutes.
- Marina Mall shuttle: some cruise lines run a paid shuttle along the Corniche to Marina Mall, taking about 20 minutes.
- Yas Island: reachable by taxi or tour bus; once there, the Yas Express shuttle gets you around for free.
Top sights within reach of Zayed Port
Top sights within reach of Zayed Port on a single day ashore include the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi out on Saadiyat Island, and Heritage Village on the Corniche.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: the stop nearly every shore tour makes first. The dress code at the door is strictly enforced.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi: out on Saadiyat, the city’s cultural district, a taxi ride from the port.
- Heritage Village: an outdoor museum of Bedouin life on the waterfront, walkable from Marina Mall along the seafront.
- Emirates Palace: keep walking past Heritage Village and you’ll reach the grand hotel’s entrance and gardens.
A few tours also swing by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, though that’s more of a longer-excursion stop than something you’d fit into a short call.
Where to eat near Zayed Port cruise port
Where to eat near Zayed Port cruise port starts right at the terminal: Marsa Mina has a handful of cafes just a few minutes’ walk from the ship, and there’s more choice a short taxi ride away along the Corniche.
- Shawarma: thin slices of marinated meat wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles, sold from stalls all over the city centre.
- Gahwa: Arabic coffee brewed with cardamom and saffron, poured from a traditional dallah pot and served with dates, found in the souks and at Heritage Village.
- Luqaimat: small fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup, a classic snack alongside karak tea at cafes around the Corniche.
- Karak tea: a spiced, milky tea sold everywhere from roadside stalls to heritage cafes.
What to wear in Abu Dhabi: outfit ideas for a port day
What to wear in Abu Dhabi for a port day comes down to one thing mostly: whether the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is on your itinerary, because its dress code gets checked at a gate before you even reach the courtyard.
- Cover shoulders and knees: no sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee, for anyone. Women also need a headscarf. Turn up dressed for it rather than counting on a loan robe at the entrance, since free abayas aren’t always available.
- Closed shoes aren’t required at the mosque, so sandals are fine there, but comfortable walking shoes for long days ashore make more sense once you’re on the uneven ground at Heritage Village or pacing out the Corniche.
- Sun cover matters everywhere else too. Pack a hat and some reef-safe sunscreen for a day outdoors, since most of the day ashore happens in the open air.
For more ideas, have a look at these casual cruise outfit ideas for women and cruise outfit ideas for men.
Best photo spots in Abu Dhabi
Best photo spots in Abu Dhabi for a port day are all a short drive or shuttle ride from Zayed Port, starting with the mosque most tours visit first.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: the marble courtyard and reflecting pools around its domes are the most photographed scene in the city.
- Heritage Village: traditional Bedouin-style buildings and a tall flag mark this waterfront spot.
- Marina Mall viewpoint: at the far end of Corniche Road, with a wide view back over the city skyline.
- Emirates Palace: the approach to the hotel makes a grand backdrop.
How to spend a port day at Zayed Port Abu Dhabi
A port day at Zayed Port works best built around the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with Heritage Village or the Louvre filling the rest of your time ashore.
Before you sail
- Check your cruise line's shore information for which terminal gate to use.
- Dress for the mosque's strict code rather than relying on a loan abaya.
- Book Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets online to skip the queue.
Short port day: under 6 hours
- On dockingTake the free port shuttleNo walking outYou can't walk out of Zayed Port on foot; the shuttle covers the short stretch to the gate where taxis wait.
- +20 minTaxi to Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueDress code checkedA 20 minute drive to the mosque; cover shoulders and knees before the entrance gate checks you.
- +1 hr 30 minExplore the mosque courtyardAllow about an hour to see the marble courtyard, reflecting pools and domes.
- +2 hr 30 minTaxi to Heritage VillageAbout 20 minutes by taxi along the Corniche to Marina Mall, then a short walk to Heritage Village.
- +3 hrLunch near Heritage VillageTry luqaimatFind luqaimat and karak tea at a cafe near the waterfront museum.
- +4 hrWalk to Emirates PalaceContinue along the seafront past Heritage Village to the grand hotel's gardens.
- All-aboard minus 1 hrBack at the shuttle stopTake a taxi back to the terminal gate and catch the free shuttle to the ship.
The times on the map are for the whole journey there by train and bus.
Get train and bus times in Google Maps
If plans change: If the mosque is busy or closed, head straight to Heritage Village and Marina Mall instead.
Long port day: 8 hours or more
- On dockingTake the free port shuttleGo earlyHead out on one of the first shuttles to beat the queues at the terminal gate.
- +30 minTaxi to Sheikh Zayed Grand MosqueDress code checkedA 20 minute drive; cover shoulders and knees, as the dress code is checked before the courtyard.
- +1 hr 30 minExplore the mosque courtyardSpend an hour admiring the marble courtyard, reflecting pools and chandeliers.
- +2 hr 30 minTaxi to Louvre Abu DhabiBook aheadAbout 30 minutes to Saadiyat Island; book timed-entry tickets online to skip the queue.
- +4 hrLunch near SaadiyatTry shawarmaGrab shawarma from a cafe near the museum before heading back towards the Corniche.
- +5 hr 30 minHeritage Village and Emirates PalaceTaxi back along the Corniche to Marina Mall, then walk to Heritage Village and on to Emirates Palace.
- All-aboard minus 90 minBack at the shuttle stopTake a taxi back to the terminal gate; allow extra time if traffic is heavy.
The times on the map are for the whole journey there by train and bus.
Get train and bus times in Google Maps
If plans change: If Louvre tickets are sold out, spend longer at Heritage Village and the Corniche instead.
Zayed Port cruise port FAQs
Where do cruise ships dock in Abu Dhabi?
Cruise ships dock at Zayed Port, on the northern tip of Abu Dhabi island, using either Cruise Terminal 1 or the newer Terminal 2.
Is Port Zayed the same place as Zayed Port?
Port Zayed and Zayed Port are the same terminal. Both names, plus Mina Zayed, all point to the same cruise facility in Abu Dhabi.
Is Zayed Port in Dubai?
Zayed Port is in Abu Dhabi, not Dubai. Ships docking in Dubai use Dubai Harbour or Port Rashid instead.
What is the difference between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Zayed Port?
Terminal 1 is the original, smaller building; Terminal 2 is newer and larger, with its own passenger hall, cafeteria and lost luggage office.
Can I walk out of Zayed Port to find a taxi?
Walking out of Zayed Port on your own steam isn’t permitted. A free shuttle bus covers the short distance between the ship and the terminal gate instead.
Is there a shuttle to Marina Mall from the ship?
A shuttle to Marina Mall is run by some cruise lines for an added cost, taking around 20 minutes along the Corniche.
Do I need to cover my hair to enter the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Covering hair is required for women entering the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, along with covered shoulders and knees for everyone.
Is there Wi-Fi at the Zayed Port terminal?
Free Wi-Fi is available at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, along with an ATM and currency exchange.
Last Updated: 19 October 2026