Getting here
Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport both serve the emirate well, with the venue a manageable taxi or ride-share distance from either. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or apply online in advance — check current requirements for your passport well ahead of travel, since rules vary by country.
Where to stay
We publish a list of partner hotels near the venue with festival-week rates ahead of each edition; booking early is worth it; the Festival week can coincide with other events in the city that push up demand.
Between rounds
With a full day between morning and evening rounds in some sections, many visiting families use the time to see the city — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Corniche waterfront are both popular half-day options that are easy to combine with an afternoon round elsewhere.
Climate and what to pack
Festival editions are scheduled with the cooler months of the year in mind, but daytime temperatures can still be warm by many visitors' standards — light, comfortable clothing for the city and a light jacket for air-conditioned playing halls both tend to be useful.