Midnight to Dawn in Abu Dhabi, what to do?

[theblank]

I am looking at flights from BNE to PER to AUH to DUB on Etihad ( velocity points) and might opt for a stopover from 0025 to 0925 in AUH
I have no idea what my body clock will be thinking at that time. Have never flown that far west before

I might get a J ticket and try sleep away the flight on the flat bed, and take photos of the dark in Abu Dhabi, and try to get mugged . Or fly Y, and get the airport hotel for 80 bucks for a quick kip..
I can still access lounges with priority pass if I don't fly J, but I don't know if they are open or usable during those hours.

Any suggestions for what to do during these hours? I can opt for a short stopover for 2hrs but I would prefer a longer break

 

[RooFlyer]

The gulf carriers usually have some 'long transit' type programs - such as use of (one of their) hotel rooms at good rates, but I don't know if you'll get it using points. Check EY site to see what they offer.

 

[bam71]

I live here. Really there is nothing to do between those hours. You certainly won't get mugged if you leave ( there is almost zero crime - as the penalties are swift and severe :shock.......

 

[drewbles]

Why not look at BNE-MEL-AUH? Gets you into AUH in the morning, but I don't know what time your AUH-DUB flight would be (assuming you're out at 0925, that should connect nicely as the late PM flight out of MEL to AUH arrives at 0635). That's an A380 flight ex-MEL too, so a superior hard product to the 777.

 

[drewbles]

I live here. Really there is nothing to do between those hours. You certainly won't get mugged if you leave ( there is almost zero crime - as the penalties are swift and severe :shock.......

Going to hijack this thread a little then Can you tell me if anything/everything is open as usual on December 26? I would assume it was as it's typically a Christian-esque holiday.

 

[get me outta here]

I was just there at Easter, and apart from a few eggs here and there for the tourists, nothing unusual, normal operating hours.

Going to hijack this thread a little then Can you tell me if anything/everything is open as usual on December 26? I would assume it was as it's typically a Christian-esque holiday.

 

[drewbles]

I was just there at Easter, and apart from a few eggs here and there for the tourists, nothing unusual, normal operating hours.

Hopefully that's the case in December, was hoping to go to the Falcon Hospital or maybe the Grand Mosque with my 9 hour layover.

 

[bam71]

Everything will be open...

 

[get me outta here]

That's exactly what I did. Went to the 2pm Falcon Hospital tour and then when that finished, cabbed it over to the Grand Mosque fairly close by and did the 5pm tour. Just make sure it's a day that the FH is operating a tour. http://www.falconhospital.com/

If you hang around a bit after the Mosque tour, you can listen to the call to prayer and see the Mosque evening lights come on. I found it all fabulous, but DO the tour. Both of these are fairly close to the airport. Things are so spread out there.

Hopefully that's the case in December, was hoping to go to the Falcon Hospital or maybe the Grand Mosque with my 9 hour layover.

 

[UP4014]

That's exactly what I did. Went to the 2pm Falcon Hospital tour and then when that finished, cabbed it over to the Grand Mosque fairly close by and did the 5pm tour. Just make sure it's a day that the FH is operating a tour. http://www.falconhospital.com/

If you hang around a bit after the Mosque tour, you can listen to the call to prayer and see the Mosque evening lights come on. I found it all fabulous, but DO the tour. Both of these are fairly close to the airport. Things are so spread out there.

The Falcon Hospital looks like a high point of the place.

 

[get me outta here]

The falcons have their own passports.

The Falcon Hospital looks like a high point of the place.

 

[drewbles]

That's exactly what I did. Went to the 2pm Falcon Hospital tour and then when that finished, cabbed it over to the Grand Mosque fairly close by and did the 5pm tour. Just make sure it's a day that the FH is operating a tour. http://www.falconhospital.com/

If you hang around a bit after the Mosque tour, you can listen to the call to prayer and see the Mosque evening lights come on. I found it all fabulous, but DO the tour. Both of these are fairly close to the airport. Things are so spread out there.

Did you book the Falcon Hospital online? Had issues getting the site to work (it's terrible!) I may run into time issues as I arrive early AM and depart early PM. May be forced to hang around the airport

 

[get me outta here]

Yep, I booked and paid on line. But, I noticed when checking in at the FH that very few had paid. So, just book and don't pay. What time is yr flight out of AUH?

Actually just checking back, I emailed them: M Paez <[email protected]>. That way I ensured that I was def going on a tour day.

Did you book the Falcon Hospital online? Had issues getting the site to work (it's terrible!) I may run into time issues as I arrive early AM and depart early PM. May be forced to hang around the airport

 

[theblank]

Really there is nothing to do between those hours. You certainly won't get mugged if you leave ( there is almost zero crime - as the penalties are swift and severe :shock.......

oh, thats sad. place sounds like no fun at all.

The gulf carriers usually have some 'long transit' type programs - such as use of (one of their) hotel rooms at good rates, but I don't know if you'll get it using points. Check EY site to see what they offer.

2nd night free if staying for 2 nights. However I am only looking at 9 hours including checkin/out.

Why not look at BNE-MEL-AUH? Gets you into AUH in the morning, but I don't know what time your AUH-DUB flight would be (assuming you're out at 0925, that should connect nicely as the late PM flight out of MEL to AUH arrives at 0635). That's an A380 flight ex-MEL too, so a superior hard product to the 777.

You are right, flights from MEL or BNE connect nicely, but No reward flights out of MEL or BRI on the days I want to go. I am starting to consider a BNE-SIN leg followed by a SIN-AUH-DUB leg.
Flight times seem to line up nicer, especially departing from home at 10.30pm, and no 10+ hour flights. (or even better take a stopover in BKK, no extra points over SIN, and 10x the chance of getting mugged ), and most of all, there is no gaps in reward seat availability on any day.

 

[drewbles]

Yep, I booked and paid on line. But, I noticed when checking in at the FH that very few had paid. So, just book and don't pay. What time is yr flight out of AUH?

Actually just checking back, I emailed them: M Paez <[email protected]>. That way I ensured that I was def going on a tour day.

Looks like i'm departing AUH around 1330, but i'm in F so perhaps that helps. The hospital shows tours from 10am (but has not got December loaded into their booking site yet). 10-12, 15 minutes back to airport. It's tight, but possible.

 

[get me outta here]

They had taxis waiting at the end. Tell them a very fast getaway is needed and your timings below would be about right.

Looks like i'm departing AUH around 1330, but i'm in F so perhaps that helps. The hospital shows tours from 10am (but has not got December loaded into their booking site yet). 10-12, 15 minutes back to airport. It's tight, but possible.

 

[Franky]

Why not look at BNE-MEL-AUH? Gets you into AUH in the morning, but I don't know what time your AUH-DUB flight would be (assuming you're out at 0925, that should connect nicely as the late PM flight out of MEL to AUH arrives at 0635). That's an A380 flight ex-MEL too, so a superior hard product to the 777.

If he is talking about being there over Christmas and going via Perth, I believe the new Dreamliner will be operating then.

 

[theblank]

If he is talking about being there over Christmas and going via Perth, I believe the new Dreamliner will be operating then.

nah, he is talking about July.

Anyway i have decided against spending 9 hours in AUH, seems like no fun at all, I decided to stopover in Asia instead, much better scheduling, more flight availabilty, cheaper, and more booze.

Flying BNE- BKK on SQ, 2 nights hotel next to the airport/MRT, just enough time to recover from the hangover, and then BKK-AUH-DUB, with a 3 hr transit
Total outlay is 78500 points (y) and $51 taxes, $60 for 2 nights hotel
On the way back I go via CGK, because its my favourite place in the world, but its 6000 pts more

If I was to go BNE-AUH, AUH-DUB it would be 75900 points, $114 tax, $30 booking fee, plus $160 for airport hotel 2 nights.

 

[Boca68]

oh, thats sad. place sounds like no fun at all.


2nd night free if staying for 2 nights. However I am only looking at 9 hours including checkin/out.



You are right, flights from MEL or BNE connect nicely, but No reward flights out of MEL or BRI on the days I want to go. I am starting to consider a BNE-SIN leg followed by a SIN-AUH-DUB leg.
Flight times seem to line up nicer, especially departing from home at 10.30pm, and no 10+ hour flights. (or even better take a stopover in BKK, no extra points over SIN, and 10x the chance of getting mugged ), and most of all, there is no gaps in reward seat availability on any day.

theblank? What's the obsession with getting mugged? Could save some points and just head out to King St in the city on Saturday night.

 

[theblank]

theblank? What's the obsession with getting mugged? Could save some points and just head out to King St in the city on Saturday night.

The more fun a city is the higher % chance of getting mugged
I got mugged in Amsterdam. Enough said.