IDEX: Hotels & Where to Stay
25 Jan – 29 Jan 2027 ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi 206,000 attendees
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IDEX (International Defence Exhibition & Conference) is one of the world's most important tri-service defence and security exhibitions, held biennially in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Staged at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi alongside the naval-focused NAVDEX, it brings together government and military delegations, defence ministries, manufacturers and industry executives from dozens of countries; the 2025 edition filled the venue's full exhibition space with more than 1,500 exhibitors and drew well over 100,000 visitors. For a hotel-booking traveller, Abu Dhabi's ADNEC location is central and close to the corniche, business districts and Abu Dhabi International Airport, making transfers straightforward. The city has no metro, so proximity to the venue and reliable taxi or shuttle access are the key considerations. Choosing a hotel near ADNEC or along the main airport road keeps commutes short during an intense, high-security week when road access around the venue can be busy.
Popular areas for attendees: Capital Centre/ADNEC · Corniche · Al Maryah Island.
- Reserve early through EventEscapes to secure hotels near ADNEC before IDEX and NAVDEX delegations book out Abu Dhabi's supply of rooms during a major international event.
- Prioritise properties within a short taxi ride of the ADNEC Centre, since Abu Dhabi has no metro and venue-area traffic peaks during show hours.
- Compare transparent rates across the corniche, downtown and airport-road districts to balance price against how close you want to be to the exhibition.
- Book once and cover the whole visit conveniently, with easy access to both the airport (roughly 20-30 minutes away) and the ADNEC halls.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 25 Jan – 29 Jan 2027
- Venue
- ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
- City
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Airport
- AUH
- Attendance
- 206,000
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
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Hotels ranked by walking distance.
Flexible bookings
Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Sun, Jan 24 → Sat, Jan 30 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where to eat during IDEX
ADNEC sits in the Al Safarat district, a short drive from the Corniche, Al Maryah Island and Yas Island where most dining lives. Fridays and prayer times can affect hours, so confirm bookings.
Hakkasan
Modern Cantonese
Emirates Palace, West Corniche
Glamorous modern Cantonese inside the landmark Emirates Palace, a reliable high-end venue for entertaining clients.
Tip: Pair dinner with a walk through the Emirates Palace grounds beforehand.
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Butcher & Still
Steakhouse
Four Seasons, Al Maryah Island
A 1920s Chicago-styled steakhouse and cocktail room, one of the city's most polished business-dinner rooms.
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Al Fanar Restaurant & Café
Emirati
Al Bateen
Nostalgic 1960s Emirati setting serving traditional dishes like machboos and balaleet; the best way to give guests genuine local cuisine.
Tip: Try the harees and finish with luqaimat (date-syrup dumplings).
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COYA Abu Dhabi
Peruvian
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
Vibrant Latin American plates, ceviche and pisco cocktails; a livelier choice for a relaxed team dinner.
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Automatic Restaurant
Lebanese
Al Khalidiyah
A long-running casual Lebanese spot for fast, generous mezze, grills and fresh bread; easy for a quick, low-cost meal.
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Nolu's Café
Cafe / Afghan-Californian
The Galleria / Al Bandar, Al Maryah Island
A popular all-day café with strong coffee and a crowd-pleasing brunch menu, good for an informal morning meeting.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Abu Dhabi
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after IDEX — bookable experiences in Abu Dhabi, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi anchors its year on the season-closing F1 finale at Yas Marina, plus UFC, arena concerts and winter golf and tennis on Yas Island.
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The championship-deciding final round at Yas Marina Circuit, twinned with major after-race concerts.
Find ticketsUFC Abu Dhabi
The UFC returns regularly to Etihad Arena on Yas Island, a long-standing partner venue for the promotion.
Find ticketsEtihad Arena concerts
The Yas Island indoor arena is the emirate's main stage for international touring artists and shows.
Find ticketsAbu Dhabi Golf Championship
A DP World Tour event drawing top professionals to Abu Dhabi's championship courses.
Find ticketsMubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA)
A WTA women's tennis tournament held at the Zayed Sports City tennis complex.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Abu Dhabi International Airport is about a 20-30 minute drive from the ADNEC Centre and central Abu Dhabi, depending on traffic.
- Metered taxis are readily available outside the arrivals hall; ride-hailing apps such as Careem and Uber also operate from the airport.
- Public bus route A1 links the airport with the city and stops near ADNEC and the Al Zahiyah area for a low-cost option.
- Many hotels offer pre-arranged airport transfers or meet-and-greet services, which can be worth arranging for arrivals during busy event periods.
Arriving by road or from Dubai
- Abu Dhabi is well connected by highway to Dubai (roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours by car or intercity coach) and other Emirates.
- Intercity coaches run between Dubai and Abu Dhabi's main bus stations, from where local buses or taxis reach ADNEC.
- If flying into Dubai (DXB) instead, allow extra time for the road transfer to Abu Dhabi and factor it into hotel check-in timing.
- Ride-hailing and private car services operate between the cities and can be booked in advance for door-to-door convenience.
Getting around during IDEX
Public buses and getting between districts
- Abu Dhabi has no metro system; the city relies on an extensive public bus network operated across the island and mainland.
- ADNEC is served by local bus routes (including services stopping at the exhibition centre) and is close to Al Wahdah and the downtown area.
- Buses are inexpensive and use a rechargeable Hafilat travel card, but for event travel most visitors find taxis faster and more direct.
- Distances in Abu Dhabi can be deceptive, so plan journeys with extra time during peak exhibition hours.
Taxis, rideshare and shuttles
- Metered taxis are plentiful, affordable and the most practical way to reach ADNEC; they can be hailed on the street or booked via the Abu Dhabi Taxi app.
- Careem and Uber operate throughout the city, and event organisers sometimes arrange discounted ride codes or dedicated shuttles for ADNEC.
- Expect heavier traffic and longer taxi waits around ADNEC at opening and closing times during IDEX.
- For groups or repeated venue trips, a pre-booked car with driver can be more convenient than hailing rides each day.
Visa & entry
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival travellers
- Nationals of the GCC countries can enter the UAE freely with national ID or passport.
- Passport holders from many countries - including the UK, US, EU states, Canada, Australia and others - receive a visa on arrival for short stays, typically 30 or 90 days depending on nationality.
- Some nationalities can apply for a UAE eVisa online in advance instead of relying on visa on arrival.
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
Travellers needing a visa in advance
- Nationals not eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival must arrange a UAE visa before travelling.
- Visas are commonly sponsored by a hotel, airline (such as Etihad), tour operator or a UAE-based host, or applied for through official UAE government channels.
- Apply well ahead of your trip and keep confirmation of your hotel booking and event registration, which may be required to support the application.
- Business visitors attending IDEX may be able to obtain support letters through the event organiser or their exhibiting company.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the UAE embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at IDEX?
- Because Abu Dhabi has no metro, choose a hotel based on driving time to ADNEC and budget for taxis or rideshare each day.
- Download the Abu Dhabi Taxi app plus Careem or Uber before you arrive so you can book rides quickly during busy show hours.
- Dress modestly and respectfully in public and at official venues, in line with local UAE customs.
- Carry ID and your event pass at all times - IDEX is a high-security event and access controls around ADNEC are strict.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Staying along the airport road or near ADNEC keeps both your daily venue commute and your arrival/departure transfers short.
- Traffic around ADNEC peaks at opening and closing; leaving a little earlier or later avoids the worst queues at taxi ranks.
- Corniche and downtown hotels put you near dining and evening options while still within a reasonable taxi ride of the venue.
- Book restaurants and business dinners ahead - popular spots fill up when large defence delegations are in town.
IDEX travel FAQs
Where should I stay for IDEX?
Stay near the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi or along the main airport road to keep your daily commute short, since the city has no metro. Corniche and downtown hotels are a reasonable taxi ride away and offer more dining and leisure options in the evenings. Choose based on how close you want to be to the exhibition halls versus the waterfront.
How much do hotels cost during IDEX?
Hotel rates in Abu Dhabi rise during IDEX and NAVDEX as large international delegations fill the city. Prices vary widely by star rating, district and how far in advance you book, with venue-adjacent and luxury properties commanding the highest rates. Booking early through EventEscapes is the best way to secure good value before rooms sell out.
How early should I book hotels for IDEX?
Book several months ahead. IDEX draws government and military delegations from dozens of countries, and hotels near ADNEC are among the first to fill. Early booking secures both availability and better pricing before peak demand builds.
Which airport do I fly into for IDEX?
Fly into Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), which is about a 20-30 minute drive from the ADNEC Centre and central Abu Dhabi. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and hotel transfers are all available from the arrivals hall. Alternatively you can fly into Dubai (DXB) and transfer by road, allowing extra travel time.
Is IDEX held every year?
No - IDEX is a biennial event held in Abu Dhabi. The 2025 edition took place in February, and the next edition is scheduled for early 2027. Always confirm exact dates on the official IDEX website before booking travel.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with IDEX or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.