By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
When are IDEX and NAVDEX 2027?
The two shows run together every two years in odd-numbered years at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. For 2027 the sources disagree:
| Source | Dates |
|---|---|
| idexuae.ae and navdex.ae | 25 to 29 January 2027 |
| ADNEC Group release, 21 February 2025 | 21 to 25 January 2027 |
We could not tell which is current on 17 October 2026. Ask the organiser before you commit to flights, and note that 25 January also opens WHX Dubai, so a Dubai-based team has a clash to resolve. Our events calendar will be updated once the dates are settled.
Who can attend, and what does that mean for transport?
The IDEX site describes officials, decision-makers and industry leaders from over 65 countries, and links to visitor and media registration. It does not publish eligibility rules in the text we could read, so we do not state them here. What matters for transport is the category you register in, because it shapes your hotel, your programme and how many cars you need.

Where is the NAVDEX water display held?
NAVDEX is the naval show. Its site mentions live naval demonstrations at the 2025 edition but gives no location for the 2027 display in the text we could read. Ask the organiser, because a waterside display can mean a separate trip from ADNEC. We will not guess a port or marina.

Parking and drop-off at ADNEC
By road, the Corniche is about 9 km from ADNEC, which is on Abu Dhabi island. It has car parks A and B, bookable online with a QR code, and D and E by Marina Hall. The IDEX site had not published a 2027 visitor parking plan when we checked. Our ADNEC parking and drop-off guide covers each entrance, and a chauffeur drops you at the one nearest your hall.

Planning cars for an official delegation
Our delegation transport guide covers the general method. For IDEX, send us:
- Arrival flight number, or tail number for a private jet.
- Principals, support staff and luggage count.
- Hotel and the programme for each day.
- Which people need their own car.
Executive sedans from the Assure fleet seat up to 3 passengers, and vans or minibuses cover staff. Pickups that start in Abu Dhabi are on request through our partner network. Corporate and government-linked bookings can go through corporate accounts.
Arriving at Zayed International or Al Bateen Executive Airport
| From | To ADNEC | Without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Zayed International (AUH) | about 34 km | about 30 min |
| Yas Island | about 25 km | about 20 min |
| Saadiyat Island | about 20 km | about 20 min |
Figures from OSRM, checked 17 October 2026. Commercial flights at AUH use Terminal A, and our AUH airport transfers page covers the pickup. Private flights can use Al Bateen Executive Airport on Abu Dhabi island, where Jetex runs its terminal around the clock. Read the Al Bateen guide for the detail.
Staying in Dubai for IDEX: the daily commute
From Downtown Dubai, ADNEC is about 132 km and 1 hour 25 minutes without traffic. The round trip is close to 3 hours of driving a day. From Dubai Marina it is about 113 km and 1 hour 10 minutes. It suits one or two days. Longer stays work better from Abu Dhabi, where the chauffeur service in Abu Dhabi is based on request. Similar planning applies to the Dubai Airshow in November 2027, and the Dubai Tennis Championships guide shows a shorter commute pattern.
Delegation transport checklist
- Confirm the show dates with the organiser.
- Register in the right category.
- Send flight or tail numbers for every arrival.
- Choose Abu Dhabi hotels for stays over two days.
- Ask the organiser about the NAVDEX display location.
- Agree one pickup point and time for the end of each day.
Our limousine service and events page cover the car side.
Photos in this guide

The Welcome to ADNEC sign outside the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company centreAravind Sivaraj / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

A NIMR JAIS armoured vehicle on display inside a hall at IDEX 2017 in Abu DhabiWikiemirati / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The patrol vessel P5002 Misbar moored at NAVDEX 2023 in Abu DhabiMztourist / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The leaning Capital Gate tower at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, seen from the waterTim Hurst / Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0



