ADIPEC is one of the largest energy events in the world, and for four days the ADNEC exhibition center in Abu Dhabi is one of the busiest places in the UAE. If you are exhibiting, presenting or walking the halls, a working phone connection is part of the job. Here is what to know.
Dates and venue
| Dates | November 2 to 5, 2026 |
| City | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Venue | ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre) |
| Official site | adipec.com |
Dates and venue are from the official ADIPEC site, checked in October 2026. Opening hours and the floor plan are published there.
Before you book: flights to the UAE
Several foreign airlines have suspended their UAE flights into November 2026 or later, and UK and US travel advice warns that airspace in the region can close at short notice. Emirates and Etihad had announced no general suspension as of 8 October 2026. Confirm your flight with your airline shortly before you travel, and check the official ADIPEC site for any change to the event. Our guide to flying to Dubai or Abu Dhabi in late 2026 lists the airline notices we checked.
From the airport to the venue
Most international visitors arrive at Zayed International Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi's main airport. ADNEC is on the mainland side of the city, between the airport and downtown.
- Taxi. Official taxis wait outside arrivals. The ride to ADNEC is usually about 25 to 35 minutes, longer at rush hour.
- Ride-hailing. Uber and Careem both operate in Abu Dhabi. You will need mobile data to book one, so have your eSIM working when you land.
- Hotel shuttles. Many hotels near ADNEC and on Yas Island run shuttles during big shows. Ask your hotel before you arrive.
- From Dubai. Some visitors fly into Dubai (DXB) and drive down. Allow about an hour and a half or more by road, and more in heavy traffic.
Traffic around ADNEC is heavy at opening time on show days. Leaving a little earlier than you think you need to is usually worth it.
Staying connected
The local networks
The UAE has two main mobile operators: e& (formerly Etisalat) and du. Both cover Abu Dhabi well, including ADNEC and the main roads. A travel eSIM connects to one of them as a partner network.
App calls: check before you rely on them
Voice and video calls over some internet apps have long been restricted in the UAE. WhatsApp voice and video calls, for example, have historically not worked there, while WhatsApp messaging does. The list of allowed apps has changed over time, so check the current rules before you travel, and do not plan an important call around an app you have not tested in the country. Messaging, email, maps and ride-hailing apps work normally. A travel eSIM does not change these rules: they apply to every network in the country. More on this in our UAE guide.
Venue Wi-Fi will be busy
With crowds this size, venue Wi-Fi slows down at peak times, and so can mobile networks right around the halls. Your own data plan is still the most reliable way to load your badge, reply to a client or check a meeting point. A spot near a hall entrance often gets a better signal than the middle of a large hall.
Hotspotting a laptop
If you need to send a deck or join a call from your stand, hotspot your laptop from your phone. Turn off cloud backups and automatic updates on the laptop first, and keep the phone on a charger while it shares. Choose a plan with enough data for that: see fixed, daily or unlimited data.
Bring a power bank
Long show days, maps, messaging and a phone acting as a hotspot will drain a battery by mid-afternoon. A charged power bank is the simplest fix.
Install before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked: the 30-second check.
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi: iPhone or Android.
- When you land at AUH, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line only, and keep it off on your home SIM.
Which coverage fits
The UAE has its own country plans in our catalogue, so an ADIPEC trip needs only a UAE plan. If you are also going to Dubai Design Week or a meeting in Dubai the same week, the same UAE plan covers it: both cities are in the same country.
If your trip continues to Saudi Arabia, for Cityscape Global or another meeting in Riyadh, you will need a separate Saudi plan for that leg. See our Riyadh guide.
Compare our UAE eSIM plans and install one before you fly.
FAQ
Do WhatsApp calls work in Abu Dhabi?
Historically, WhatsApp voice and video calls have been restricted in the UAE, while messaging works. Rules have changed over time, so check the current situation before you travel.
Is Uber available in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, along with Careem and official taxis. You will need mobile data to book a ride-hailing car from the airport.
Can I use one eSIM for Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
Yes. Both are in the UAE, so one UAE plan covers both.
How much data do I need for ADIPEC?
Messaging, maps and email use little. If you will hotspot a laptop or make video calls, pick a larger plan or an unlimited one.
Event details checked on the official site in October 2026. Check the official site for any later changes.