Emirate of Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
Where to stay in Al Ain
Al Ain is a city in Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, home to about 767,000 people.
- Best months
- December to February
- Nearest airport
- AAN15 km · Al Ain International Airport
- Currency
- AEDUnited Arab Emirates dirham
- Time zone
- Asia/Dubai
- Language
- Arabic
About
About Al Ain
Al Ain (Arabic: ٱلْعَيْن, romanized: Al-ʿAyn, lit. 'The Spring') is a city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the seat of the administrative division of the Al Ain Region.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Al Ain
See
- Jebel Hafeet
- Camel Souq
- Al Ain Museum and Fort
- Al Ain Oasis
- Hili Archaeological Park
Do
There is also a large zoo and safari park in Al Ain that is quite popular with visiting tourists.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Al Ain
12 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Al Bada Hotel and Resort | 18.5 km | |
| Aloft Al Ain | 5.0 km | |
| Asfar Resorts Al Ain | 6.9 km | |
| Ayla Bawadi Hotel | 8.1 km | |
| Ayla Grand Hotel | 4.3 km | |
| Ayla Hotel | 2.4 km | |
| Danat Al Ain Resort | 6.1 km | |
| Green Mubazzarah Chalets | 11.1 km | |
| Hili Rayhaan by Rotana | 8.2 km | |
| Hilton Al Ain | 4.1 km | |
| Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel | 14.6 km | |
| Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Al Ain | 4.1 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Al Ain
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Al Ain are December to February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 44 °C; March is the wettest, with about 23 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Al Ain: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Al Ain International Airport (AAN), about 15 km from the city centre in a straight line; Suhar International Airport (OHS, 91 km) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC, 97 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
There are 3 border posts in Al Ain: Al Madheef Border post is reserved exclusively for GCC Nationals. Hilli Border post is also exclusively for GCC Nationals. It means, if you are not a GCC National, you MUST cross at Khatam Al Shukla border post, which is 20 km away from the bus station of Al Ain and also 20 km away from the bus station of the neighboring Omani town Buraimi. From Buraimi there is a daily bus operated by Omani state-owned company Mwasalat. The price is 7 rials or 66.5 dirham (Jan 2026). The same bus company offers daily rides from Sohar and Muscat.
Getting around
Taxis are very easy to find and cheap (in the older, brown taxis, 10. dirham plus 1.00/km; silver taxis are more expensive, but have better air conditioning and, usually, English-speaking drivers). Women traveling alone should sit in the back and not make conversation with the cabbies, as drivers may misinterpret friendliness. There is also a local bus service.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
AAN · Al Ain International Airport
OHS · Suhar International Airport
DWC · Al Maktoum International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Al Ain
Eat
Al Ain is host to a wide range of palates and ethnicities when it comes to cuisine. Lebanese/Arabic food is usually cheapest; hotel restaurants usually the most expensive. The city is home to all manner of fast food like McDonald's and Hardees, but there is little for most people to eat at those places. Some of the best and cheapest food in the city can be found at its many Indian restaurants. Portions are almost always generous, prices low, and quality excellent. Chinese food is at its best in the many Chinese restaurants. Residents find Al Ain's selection to be more than adequate. Most restaurants and cafes deliver to anywhere in the city.
Drink
Alcohol is available in the main hotel restaurants. However, it is advised to drink in moderation as in common with the rest of the UAE; it is illegal to be intoxicated in public places.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Al Ain: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Al Ain?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Al Ain are December to February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 44 °C; March is the wettest, with about 23 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Al Ain?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Al Ain International Airport (AAN), about 15 km from the city centre in a straight line; Suhar International Airport (OHS, 91 km) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC, 97 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Al Ain?
United Arab Emirates dirham (AED).
Nearby
Destinations near Al Ain
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.