Published on
March 11, 2026
Image generated with Ai
The Integrated Transport Centre of Abu Dhabi, which operates as a branch of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has expanded transportation services at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during Ramadan 2026 to accommodate the increased number of worshippers and pilgrims and international tourists who visit the mosque for its evening and late-night prayers. The measures aim to cut journey times, reduce congestion at peak prayer periods and offer visitors more predictable connections between key hubs such as Rabdan Bus Station, suburban neighbourhoods and the mosque.
ITC is positioning the mosque area as a model of integrated mobility during the holy month, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s wider vision for a smart, safe and visitor-friendly transport network that underpins the emirate’s status as a leading global tourism destination.
Smart traffic management around the mosque
Throughout Ramadan, ITC’s Traffic Control Room operates an integrated traffic management system in the area surrounding Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, monitoring signalised intersections and roads via surveillance cameras for early detection of congestion and incidents. Portable Variable Message Signs and fixed VMS across the precinct broadcast real-time advisory messages to guide drivers, including out-of-town visitors and tour buses unfamiliar with the road layout.
On-site inspectors are stationed at key traffic signals to support flow, while Road Service Patrols and towing units have been intensified to respond swiftly to accidents and stalled vehicles, especially around iftar, Taraweeh and the final ten nights of Ramadan when visitor numbers peak. Officials noted that these steps are intended to minimise delays for worshippers and tour groups, helping them reach prayer times comfortably and return to hotels or onward attractions with fewer disruptions.
Taxi services scaled up for Ramadan demand
To meet higher demand from worshippers and visitors, ITC has deployed around 100 taxis daily at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque throughout Ramadan, with additional vehicles set to join the fleet during the last ten days when nighttime prayers attract larger crowds. Dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas, identified in coordination with the mosque’s management, have been reserved to streamline movements for families, elderly pilgrims and tourists travelling from city hotels and the airport.
On-site inspectors and traffic coordinators are overseeing taxi operations in partnership with operating companies, with the goal of maintaining orderly queues and clear wayfinding for visitors who may be experiencing the mosque and Abu Dhabi’s public transport system for the first time. According to ITC, these arrangements support the wider hospitality ecosystem by ensuring that hotel guests and tour participants can fit mosque visits comfortably into evening itineraries that may also include Ramadan markets and city sightseeing.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Bus network upgrades to serve key routes
Public bus services have been reinforced to make it easier for residents and international travellers alike to reach Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque without needing a car. As part of the Ramadan plan, Route Q3 will now operate with larger buses carrying up to 85 passengers, replacing smaller vehicles and adding two extra buses on the route during evening hours to absorb peak prayer-time demand.
ITC is also adding around 60 additional trips between Rabdan Bus Station and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque bus stop, creating a higher-frequency connection that benefits visitors connecting from longer-distance intercity and airport services. Routes X5, 54, 44 and 23 have been adjusted to directly serve the mosque’s bus stop, providing a further 27 evening trips and giving tourists staying in different parts of the city more direct options without complex transfers. Three buses have been allocated to move passengers from Rabdan Bus Station to high-demand suburban areas after evening prayers, helping reduce waiting times and supporting residents who host relatives and guests for Ramadan stays.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Ramadan tourism experience
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic attractions, receiving visitors from across the world who come to experience its architecture, cultural programmes and spiritual atmosphere, particularly during Ramadan. The enhanced transport package complements broader preparations by the mosque’s management, including extended services, cultural initiatives and crowd management efforts during the last ten days of the month.
By coordinating closely with partners such as Mawaqif parking teams and Abu Dhabi Police, ITC is contributing to a more coherent visitor journey that starts from hotel or neighbourhood and continues through parking, public transport and pedestrian access to the mosque’s courtyards and prayer halls. These improvements are expected to support Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a Ramadan travel destination where pilgrims and tourists can balance worship with discovery of local heritage, markets and waterfront districts without facing excessive traffic stress.
Bottom Line
During Ramadan, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night creates a lasting memory for many pilgrims and travellers who visit Abu Dhabi. The transportation system improvements enable more visitors to reach their destinations on schedule while departing their locations without difficulty so they can enjoy the religious and cultural aspects of their visit. Visitors are encouraged to make use of the expanded bus network organized taxi ranks and carefully managed road system so that their Ramadan nights in the UAE capital can be spent savouring the serenity of the mosque sharing iftar with loved ones and exploring the citys vibrant offerings with confidence in how they will get around.
