Is Abu Dhabi Safe in September 2026?

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) updated its UAE travel advice on 14 April 2026, advising against all but essential travel due to escalating regional tensions. The Iranian regime has publicly stated its intention to target locations associated with the United States and Israel. Further missile or drone attacks could occur at short notice. While Iranian strikes have decreased in frequency, the FCDO considers the underlying threat level unchanged.

How to avoid: Check the FCDO and US State Department advisory pages before and during travel. Register with your embassy on arrival. Know the location of your nearest shelter — if authorities issue a shelter-in-place order, move immediately to a secure interior room away from windows. Limit movements to essential journeys, travel during daylight where possible, and avoid large crowds.

Unlicensed drivers waiting inside or just outside Abu Dhabi airport arrivals halls offer rides at seemingly competitive prices. These drivers are unregulated and uninsured, and typically demand far more than the official metered rate once the journey is underway.

How to avoid: Use only official Abu Dhabi taxis (cream-colored) from the designated rank outside arrivals, or pre-book via Careem or Uber before landing. Ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride.

In certain informal markets, vendors sell fake designer handbags, watches, and sunglasses with convincing packaging, claiming they are export overruns or genuine seconds. Importing counterfeit goods can result in confiscation and fines at customs in many home countries.

How to avoid: Avoid purchasing luxury goods from markets or small shops at prices far below retail. If in doubt, do not buy. Customs authorities in many countries confiscate fakes and may impose penalties on the traveler.

Individuals near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entrance pose as official guides and offer personal tours for a fee. They provide inaccurate information and frequently lead tourists to souvenir shops where they collect commissions.

How to avoid: Official guided tours of the mosque are completely free and run by the mosque authority at scheduled times. Never pay any individual claiming to be an official guide at the entrance.

Street touts near the Iranian Souq and Al Meena Market approach tourists offering to show them a "family perfume shop" with supposedly authentic oud and attar oils. Once inside, shopkeepers apply oils directly to the visitor's wrists and clothing before quoting prices, making it socially awkward to leave without buying. Prices escalate rapidly and goods are often synthetic imitations of premium Arabian perfumes. Some shops issue deliberately confusing receipts to obscure the actual charge.

How to avoid: Never allow perfume to be applied to your skin or clothing before agreeing on a price. Verify prices are clearly labeled before entering any shop, and exit immediately if a tout approaches you on the street. Buy from established retailers in licensed malls if you want authentic products.