Regional Bus A10: The Southbound Airport Lifeline

How to travel from Terminal A to MBZ City and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for just AED 4

For years, residents of Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) City and Mussafah faced an expensive or inconvenient choice when traveling to Abu Dhabi Airport. Either pay AED 100 or more for a taxi, or endure a long, indirect bus journey through the city center just to loop back south.

The Regional Bus A10 quietly changed that. Today, it serves as the most practical airport connection for Abu Dhabi’s southern suburbs, offering a direct, affordable route that avoids downtown congestion entirely.

What the A10 Is Really Like to Use

Boarding the A10 at Zayed International Airport (Terminal A) feels different from stepping onto a regular city bus. This route uses regional-spec buses, typically larger Volvo coaches designed for longer distances.

Here’s what stands out immediately:

• Dedicated luggage racks near the doors, so suitcases stay out of the aisle
• High-backed, cushioned seats, much more comfortable for highway travel
• A mixed crowd of airport staff heading home, budget-conscious tourists, and MBZ residents returning from trips

It’s functional, calm, and clearly built for airport travel rather than short city hops.

Route Overview and Key Stops

The A10 follows a mostly straight southbound path, relying on major highways rather than city streets.

Zayed International Airport (Terminal A) Pick-up is directly outside the arrivals level, making transfers simple even with luggage.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (via Wahat Al Karama) This is the route’s hidden advantage. The bus drops passengers near Wahat Al Karama, from where a footbridge leads directly to the Grand Mosque. For tourists on a layover, this is the cheapest possible way to visit one of Abu Dhabi’s top landmarks.

Capital Mall and Mazyad Mall Important stops for Mussafah residents and workers.

MBZ City Bus Station The final terminus and a major interchange point for local feeder routes serving deeper MBZ neighborhoods.

2025 Updates That Matter

Terminal A relocation The A10 now operates exclusively from the new Terminal A, no longer serving Terminals 1 or 3.

Better reliability Because most of the route runs along highways such as E20 and E22, it avoids city-center traffic. In 2025, this has made the A10 one of the more punctual airport routes.

Practical Tips from Regular Riders

Watch the clock The A10 runs approximately once every 60 minutes. This is its biggest drawback. Missing the bus by a few minutes can mean a long wait. Always check the Darbi app or Google Maps before heading to the stop.

The mosque layover trick If you have a 6-hour layover, take the A10 to the Grand Mosque, spend about two hours visiting, then return on the same route. Total transport cost: AED 8 round trip.

Last-mile connections in MBZ If you live deeper in MBZ, such as Zone 20 or Shabiya, ride the A10 to MBZ City Bus Station, then transfer to a local minibus like M01 or M02 to reach your neighborhood.

Why the A10 Matters

The Regional Bus A10 fills a gap that taxis and city buses never addressed properly. It gives southern Abu Dhabi residents and budget travelers a direct, affordable airport connection that avoids unnecessary detours and high fares.

At AED 4 per ride, it’s not just cheaper—it’s often the smartest way south.