Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital: Ticket prices, getting there & tours

Discover the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital in this essential visitor guide. Updated in January 2026, it includes tour prices, opening hours, and practical tips for this unique avian medical centre.

Inside the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The doctor picks up his patient, puts a conical chamber over its head and releases the gas until it goes to sleep. Better this way than dealing with the flapping and squawking that would ensue with the talon-clipping and filing otherwise.

This happens every day at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, a delightfully bizarre place that gives an insight into the Emirati love of falconry. In the United Arab Emirates, falcons are treated as family members rather than pets – they have their own passports and are often flown in their own first class plane seats. But the hospital is where they all come to for their annual check up.

The waiting room is full of men in traditional dress stroking the wings of their loved ones and scooping up droppings that will be analysed as part of the examination. And inside the operating theatre, dozens of the birds are perched on little green benches with hoods over their eyes to keep them calm.

The doctor runs us through some of the procedures. Fixing a broken wing is usually a case of taking a wooden stick bought from a supermarket and gluing replacement feathers to it.

But for most, it’s a case of a quick once over and a trim of the sharp bits. Post-snip, the groggy falcon wakes up and begins to stomp around with possibly justifiable grumpiness. But she’s passed the check, and can go off hunting with her doting owner soon…

How much do Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital tour tickets cost?

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is open to visitors on two hour tours. Tour tickets cost AED178.50 as of January 2026, when I last checked, and can be booked via the hospital website. However, there is the issue of getting there in the first place – it is not conveniently located.

Where is the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital?

The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital lies to the south-east of Abu Dhabi International Airport. In fine Emirati tradition, the hospital doesn’t give an exact address – just that it’s to the right on the Abu Dhabi-Sweihan Road, 3km after the Sweihan Bridge.

This is a 46km drive from the Corniche, and should take around 35 minutes in a taxi.

Booking an Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital tour

Unless you’ve got your own car, the cheapest way of visiting the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is on an organised tour. There are several Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital tours available, with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.

Prices for these Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital tours cost from around $US75. Take a look around the options here.

Things to do near Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The hospital sits in a quiet desert area near the airport. You will need a car or taxi to reach other attractions, but the drive is generally short.

Emirates Park Zoo (17km, 20-minute drive) – A family-friendly zoo in Al Bahia that allows close encounters with animals. It feels more intimate than vast wildlife parks.

Masdar City (12km, 15-minute drive) – A pioneering sustainable urban community featuring driverless pods and futuristic architecture. It is an interesting contrast to the traditional falconry heritage.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (15km, 18-minute drive) – Home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster. It is located on Yas Island, making it an easy add-on if you have a car. Sunday is a good day to visit, and the Yas Waterworld water park is next door.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (23km, 25-minute drive) – The country’s architectural masterpiece is a manageable drive down the highway. It is best visited in the late afternoon for sunset views.

Al Wathba Wetland Reserve (40km, 30-minute drive) – A protected area known for its fossil dunes and flamingo population. Note that it is often only open during cooler winter months.

Practical tips for visiting

• Location: The hospital is located on Sweihan Road in Al Shamkha. It is near the Abu Dhabi International Airport but not walkable from the terminals.
• Getting there: Taxis are the most reliable option. Public buses do not stop directly at the hospital gate, and walking from the highway is dangerous.
• Time needed: Allow two hours for the standard tour. The pace is relaxed, but there is a lot of information to absorb.
• Photography rules: You can take photos freely, including a posed shot with a falcon. However, flash photography is strictly prohibited to avoid startling the birds.
• Dress code: Wear modest clothing. Shoulders and knees should be covered out of respect for local customs.
• Accessibility: The facility is wheelchair accessible. The tour covers a single level with wide corridors suitable for mobility aids.
• Crowds: Tours are small and group sizes are strictly managed. It rarely feels overcrowded, but you must stick with your guide.

FAQs

More UAE travel

Other UAE travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• What to expect at Aya Universe in Dubai.
• Guide to the View at the Palm observation deck.
• Aquaventure World in Dubai – visiting the world’s largest water park.
• Visitor guide for the Lost World aquarium in Dubai.
• Watching camels in training for races in Dubai.

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