Yas Marina Circuit sits on Yas Island, with ten hotels around it. We compare staying on the island with Al Raha Beach, Saadiyat Island, central Abu Dhabi and Dubai, using the official shuttle, bus and airport facts.
**The Immediate Answer:** Stay on **Yas Island** if you can. The circuit is on the island, Yas Island's official site lists ten hotels there, and in 2024 free shuttles ran between the grandstands every 15 minutes until 1:00 a.m. **W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island** sits over the track itself. If Yas Island is full or over budget, **Al Raha Beach** is the closest base on the mainland. **Saadiyat Island** suits a beach-resort trip, and **central Abu Dhabi** (the Corniche and Al Maryah Island) has the most rooms but is furthest out. Stay in **Dubai** only if you accept a long road trip every race day.
The [2027 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix](/f1/abu-dhabi-grand-prix) runs **Friday 10 to Sunday 12 December 2027**, Round 24 of 24 and the season finale, at Yas Marina Circuit (5.281 km). It's Abu Dhabi's first **Sprint weekend**: Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying on Friday, the Sprint and Qualifying on Saturday, the race on Sunday. Formula 1 hasn't published 2027 session times yet. In 2026 the race started at 5:00 p.m. local time.
1. Why Staying on Yas Island Matters
Yas Island is close to Zayed International Airport (AUH): Yas Island's official site puts the airport 15 minutes from the island by road and 30 minutes from the Corniche and city center, so the city is further from the circuit than the airport is. Yas Island's site says there are ten hotels on the island. (Formula 1's race page still says seven, an older count.)
For the 2024 race, Formula 1 described two free shuttles for ticket holders:
- **Circuit Circular Shuttle:** every 15 minutes, Thursday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., stopping at the South, Marina, West and North Grandstands.
- **Yas Courtesy Shuttle:** every 15 minutes, Thursday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., stopping at the Main, North and West Grandstands.
- **Taxis and ride-hailing** can drop close to the entrance gates; after the sessions, pick-up points were near Ferrari World and Yas Mall. Formula 1 warned that some congestion should be expected as fans leave.
Formula 1 also noted that if you're staying on Yas Island, walking to the track may be the better option, with care in the heat of the day. 2027 transport arrangements haven't been published yet. Yas Marina Circuit also lists the island's free Yas Express shuttle, running daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; it doesn't say how it runs on race days.
2. Yas Island: W Abu Dhabi, Hilton and the Hotels by the Theme Parks
**W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island** is, in the words of Yas Island's site, "the only hotel in the world located on top of a Formula 1 race track". Agoda lists it 300 m from Yas Marina Circuit. Every room category on the official page is 54 m² with a balcony: Premier rooms have direct race-track views, Superior rooms overlook the track or Yas Marina, and Deluxe rooms face the grid shell and the marina. Pick the room type with care if you want to watch from your balcony.
**Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island** has 545 rooms on the Yas Bay Waterfront promenade, on the south side of the island. Agoda lists it 1.34 km from the circuit. [Check Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island on Agoda](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&hid=18793664).
**The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton** and **DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences** stand next to Warner Bros. World, about 1.1 km from Yas Mall and Ferrari World and 2.3 km from the circuit on Agoda's figures. The DoubleTree has 156 serviced apartments, from studios to three-bedroom units sleeping up to eight, each with a kitchen and washer-dryer, which suits a group splitting one booking. [The WB Abu Dhabi](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&hid=28344042) and [DoubleTree Yas Island Residences](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&hid=28344043) on Agoda.
The other six hotels form the **Yas World Resort** cluster at Yas Plaza. Yas Island's hotel pages now use new names (Haven, Fairway, Horizon, Pulse, Verde and Vista), while its FAQ and Agoda still list several under their older names: Crowne Plaza, Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson, Yas Island Rotana, Centro Yas Island and Staybridge Suites. Because the names are changing, check what a listing is called today before you book. Agoda lists [Crowne Plaza Yas Island](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&hid=169586) 920 m from the circuit.
3. Al Raha Beach: the Closest Mainland Base
Al Raha Beach is on the mainland, close to Yas Island. **Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa** (Channel Street, Al Raha Boulevard) is next to Al Raha Mall, and Agoda lists it 4.85 km from Yas Marina Circuit and 7.86 km from the airport. With no official race-day shuttle from this side, plan on a taxi or ride-hailing car to the circuit.
Or compare [all hotels in Agoda's Al Raha Beach area](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&area=484443).
4. Saadiyat Island: Beach Resorts About 20 km Out
Saadiyat Island is the beach-resort option. Agoda lists **The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort** 19.9 km and **Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi** 19.1 km from Yas Marina Circuit, so you'll need a taxi or ride-hailing car each race day. Louvre Abu Dhabi is 2.8 km from the St. Regis on Agoda's figures, and in 2026, 3-day and 4-day race tickets included entry to it, so a Saadiyat stay pairs well with an extra day.
Two options there: [The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&hid=6357553) and [Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&hid=295478).
5. Central Abu Dhabi: the Corniche and Al Maryah Island
The city has the widest choice of hotels but is the furthest Abu Dhabi base: Agoda lists Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island 22.3 km from the circuit, and Emirates Palace on the West Corniche 29.2 km. How to get to Yas Island from here:
- **Taxi or ride-hailing:** Abu Dhabi Taxi (the official app), Careem, Uber and Yango all operate, according to Yas Island's travel guide.
- **Public bus:** Formula 1's 2024 guide says buses 102 and 190 run between the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal and Yas Island in around an hour. Yas Marina Circuit names route 190 from the bus station next to Al Wahda Mall. Buses need a Hafilat card.
- **Yas Neighbour Hotels:** Yas Island's site lists 30 hotels around Abu Dhabi in this program, with free Yas Express shuttle service as a benefit of a Yas Island vacation package. It doesn't say whether the shuttle runs on race days, so ask before you book on that basis.
Compare hotels in Agoda's [Abu Dhabi Corniche area](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&area=19192) and [Al Maryah Island area](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1961797&area=482723).
6. Dubai: Only If You Accept the Drive
Yas Island's site says Dubai is less than an hour by road from Zayed International Airport, and that's before any race-day traffic onto the island. Two official public options:
- **Free shuttle:** Yas Island's site advertises free daily return trips from Dubai to Yas Island, and notes that "Timetables may change". It doesn't say whether the service runs on race days or how late it returns, so check before you rely on it for the evening sessions.
- **Bus:** Yas Marina Circuit's directions are a bus from Dubai's Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to the Abu Dhabi Bus Station, then route 190 to Yas Island.
Otherwise you'll drive or book a car each day. The 2026 race started at 5:00 p.m. and the after-race concert gates opened at 6:00 p.m., so a Dubai base means late returns if you stay for the evening.
7. Which Base Is Right for You?
| Base | Distance to the circuit (Agoda) | How you get in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island | 300 m | On foot | Watching from your room, no transfers |
| Other Yas Island hotels (Hilton, Crowne Plaza, The WB, DoubleTree) | 920 m to 2.3 km | On foot or a short taxi ride | Most fans: short trips, concerts on the island |
| Al Raha Beach | 4.85 km | Taxi or ride-hailing | Closest mainland base, near the airport |
| Saadiyat Island | About 19 to 20 km | Taxi or ride-hailing | A beach-resort trip with race days |
| Corniche and Al Maryah Island | About 22 to 29 km | Taxi, ride-hailing or bus 102/190 | The widest hotel choice in the city |
| Dubai | Not listed | Car, bus via Abu Dhabi, or the Yas Island shuttle if it runs | A longer UAE trip; accept long days |
8. Getting From the Airport
Zayed International Airport (AUH) is the closest: Yas Island's site puts it 15 minutes from the island. As listed on the airport's and Yas Island's sites in November 2026:
- **Official airport taxis:** 24 hours a day, metered, paid by cash or card at your destination.
- **Yas Island shuttle:** Yas Island's site advertises a complimentary Airport Luxury Shuttle Service to the island, first come, first served; be at the pick-up point at least 15 minutes before departure.
- **Public bus to the city:** the A-series buses run 24/7 from outside Arrivals. A1 goes to Al Zahiyah (city center), A2 to Khalifa Street. A one-way fare is typically around AED 4, paid with a Hafilat card bought at the machines by the stops; no cash on board. The airport doesn't list a bus to Yas Island.
Flying into Dubai (DXB) means a road transfer of its own; see section 6.
9. How Many Nights to Book
- **Track days are Friday to Sunday,** 10 to 12 December 2027. In 2026, 4-day tickets also covered Thursday, with fan zones open and a Thursday after-race concert for 3-day and 4-day ticket holders. Check in on Thursday 9 December if your ticket covers it.
- **The race is late on Sunday.** It started at 5:00 p.m. in 2026, and the concert follows, so book Sunday night and leave on Monday 13 December.
- **Pick a refundable rate.** 2027 race tickets aren't on sale yet (the official site is still selling 2026), and the UK government's travel advice for the UAE (updated 27 October 2026) tells travelers in the region to prepare for possible flight cancellations and airspace closures.
10. Concerts, Tickets and What to Leave at the Hotel
In 2026 every race ticket included general admission to the after-race concerts at **Etihad Live** (formerly Etihad Park) on the days the ticket was valid, first come, first served. Gates opened at 6:00 p.m. From the circuit you can walk via the North Oasis, which has its own entry gate, take the free circuit shuttles, or take a taxi. Line-ups are in our [Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts guide](/guides/abu-dhabi-grand-prix-concerts-2026) (2026).
Tickets are digital and only open in the **Abu Dhabi GP app**: screenshots and printouts are refused, and the concert has its own barcode in the app. If you can't log in, the promoter says to set your Ticketmaster account region to UAE. The official list of prohibited items includes large backpacks, anything that won't fit under a seat, your own food and drink (except baby food or food needed for medical reasons), bottles and cans other than refillable water containers, and umbrellas. On check-out day, leave your luggage at the hotel.
For routes and parking, see our [Abu Dhabi F1 access guide](/guides/abu-dhabi-f1-access); for lounges and the Paddock Club, our [Abu Dhabi VIP hospitality guide](/guides/abu-dhabi-vip-hospitality); and for gear, our [F1 race weekend packing list](/collectors-gear/f1-race-weekend-packing-list-2026). The [Yas Marina trip cost calculator](/tools/f1-trip-cost-calculator/yas-marina) adds up tickets, travel and hotel in one place.
Where is the best place to stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
On Yas Island, where the circuit is. W Abu Dhabi sits over the track, and the other Yas Island hotels we checked are 920 m to 2.3 km away on Agoda's figures. Next best is Al Raha Beach, the closest mainland base.
When is the 2027 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 December 2027, Round 24 of 24 and the season finale. It's a Sprint weekend. Session times haven't been published yet.
Which hotel is on the Abu Dhabi F1 track?
W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island (Agoda's page address still uses its old name, Yas Hotel). Premier rooms have direct race-track views from the balcony.
How many hotels are on Yas Island?
Ten, according to Yas Island's official site: W Abu Dhabi, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB Abu Dhabi, DoubleTree by Hilton Yas Island Residences and the six Yas World Resort hotels at Yas Plaza.
Should I stay in Dubai or Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix?
Abu Dhabi, if the race is the reason for the trip. Dubai is less than an hour from Abu Dhabi's airport by road before race traffic, and Yas Island's free Dubai shuttle doesn't say whether it runs on race days.
Are there free shuttles at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
In 2024 two free shuttles for ticket holders ran every 15 minutes until 1:00 a.m. between the grandstands. 2027 details aren't published yet.
How do I get from Abu Dhabi airport to Yas Island?
By official metered taxi, or Yas Island's complimentary Airport Luxury Shuttle Service, first come, first served. Yas Island's site puts the airport 15 minutes away.
Can I bring a backpack to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Large backpacks and anything that won't fit under a seat are prohibited, as are your own food and drink. Refillable water containers are allowed.
How We Researched This Guide
Race dates, the round, the Sprint format and the circuit length come from [formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2027/united-arab-emirates) and its 2027 Sprint announcement; the 2026 race start time from formula1.com's 2026 Abu Dhabi page. Shuttle times come from Formula 1's [guide to getting to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/how-to-get-to-and-from-the-abu-dhabi-grand-prix.7Me4KTHzf8We5rqFXZ1qOP), written for the 2024 race. Ticket rules, concerts and prohibited items come from the promoter's [FAQ](https://www.abudhabigp.com/en/faq) for the 2026 race. Hotel facts, airport times and the Dubai and airport shuttles come from [Yas Island's official site](https://www.yasisland.com/en), bus directions from [Yas Marina Circuit](https://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/faq), and airport taxis and buses from [Zayed International Airport](https://www.zayedinternationalairport.ae/en/parking-and-transport/transport/city-bus-routes-and-timetables). Distances to the circuit and hotel addresses come from Agoda's listings. All checked on 8 November 2026. Most transport details are from 2024 to 2026, so confirm on the official sites before you travel.