--- title: "Saadiyat Island vs Yas Island" canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/saadiyat-island-vs-yas-island markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/compare/areas/saadiyat-island-vs-yas-island.md type: area-comparison description: "Saadiyat Island and Yas Island compared on published prices, rental yields, new developments and drive times." last_verified: 2026-11-12 publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)" language: en-GB usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting." --- # Saadiyat Island or Yas Island? ## Side by side | | [Saadiyat Island](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island) | [Yas Island](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island) | | --- | --- | --- | | Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | | Tenure | freehold | freehold | | Price per sq ft | AED 3,003, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/property-market-analysis/index/sale/properties/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/), October 2026 | AED 2,216, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/property-market-analysis/index/sale/properties/abu-dhabi/yas-island/), October 2026 | | Gross rental yield | 4.60%, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/abu-dhabi-sales-market-report-q3-2026/), Q3 2026 | 5.60%, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/abu-dhabi-sales-market-report-q3-2026/), Q3 2026 | | Developments we list | 7 | 5 | | Drive to Zayed International Airport | about 20 minutes | about 15 minutes | Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers; a row appears only where both areas have a figure. ## Where each one leads - **Lower price per sq ft**: Yas Island averages AED 2,216 per sq ft against AED 3,003 in Saadiyat Island, about 26% less (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026). - **Higher gross yield**: Yas Island shows a gross yield of 5.60% against 4.60% in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from registered tenancy contracts, Q3 2026). Gross yield is before service charges and empty months. - **Lower entry price**: The lowest developer price we list in Yas Island is AED 1,390,000 at Yas Park Place, against AED 2,950,000 at Sei Saadiyat in Saadiyat Island. - **Closer to Zayed International Airport**: Yas Island is about 15 minutes from Zayed International Airport by car, against about 20 minutes from Saadiyat Island. ## Developments in Saadiyat Island - [Sei Saadiyat](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/sei-saadiyat): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q3 2031; from AED 2,950,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural District](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/mandarin-oriental-residences-saadiyat): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q3 2028; from AED 7,285,952 (as of 2026-11-13) - [The Row Saadiyat](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/the-row-saadiyat): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q1 2030; from AED 7,648,800 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Mamsha Garden](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/mamsha-garden): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q1 2029; from AED 8,117,568 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Talay](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/talay): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; launched; handover Q4 2029; from AED 13,500,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Baccarat Residences Saadiyat](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/baccarat-residences-saadiyat): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q3 2029; from AED 16,000,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Mamsha Palm](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/mamsha-palm): Aldar; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q1 2028; from AED 48,323,300 (as of 2026-11-13) ## Developments in Yas Island - [Yas Park Place](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/yas-park-place): Aldar; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q1 2030; from AED 1,390,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [The Canopies at Yas Point](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/the-canopies-at-yas-point): Aldar; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q3 2030; from AED 1,650,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [The Orchids at Yas Acres](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/yas-acres-the-orchids): Aldar; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q1 2031; from AED 3,350,000 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Sama Yas](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/sama-yas): Aldar; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q2 2028; from AED 5,905,725 (as of 2026-11-13) - [Yas Riva Reserve](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/yas-riva-reserve): Aldar; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; under construction; handover Q3 2030; from AED 7,900,000 (as of 2026-11-13) ## What Saadiyat Island is like > Abu Dhabi's most expensive residential address: a natural island of beaches, museums and schools just off the city. Suits buyers paying a premium for culture, coastline and scarcity. Who it suits: Buyers who want beach and museums within walking distance; Families using Cranleigh, NYU Abu Dhabi and other island schools; Second-home owners with larger budgets; Long-term holders who value scarcity over yield. In its favour: - Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals - Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum and teamLab Phenomena are all open - AED 13.3 billion of residential sales in H1 2026 (ADREC) Worth weighing: - Premium pricing: entry prices are several times those on Al Reem Island or Yas Island, which compresses rental yields - Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned for more than 58,000 residents. It is a multi-year construction programme and a large future supply of homes Full guide: [Saadiyat Island](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island) ## What Yas Island is like > Abu Dhabi's leisure island: theme parks, the Formula 1 circuit and Yas Mall, with a growing stock of Aldar villas and mid-rise apartments. Suits families and buyers who want to be near the airport. Who it suits: Families who want villas near schools and leisure; Buyers who travel often through Zayed International Airport; Investors targeting short-stay and leisure-led rental demand; Commuters splitting time between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In its favour: - Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals - Four theme parks, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Mall and Etihad Arena on the island - Disney Abu Dhabi announced in May 2025; Sphere Abu Dhabi confirmed Worth weighing: - A large off-plan pipeline: Aldar alone lists apartment and villa schemes completing between 2028 and 2031, which will add resale and rental competition - One developer dominates. Pricing, service charges and community management are largely set by Aldar Full guide: [Yas Island](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island) ## Questions and answers ### Is Saadiyat Island or Yas Island cheaper per square foot? Yas Island is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,216 per sq ft against AED 3,003 in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap. ### Which has the higher rental yield, Saadiyat Island or Yas Island? Yas Island, on the published figures: a gross yield of 5.60% against 4.60% in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from registered tenancy contracts, Q3 2026). Gross yield is before service charges, empty months and fees, so the net return is lower. ### Which is closer to Zayed International Airport, Saadiyat Island or Yas Island? Yas Island, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Saadiyat Island. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic. ### Can foreigners buy property in Saadiyat Island and Yas Island? Saadiyat Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Yas Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Abu Dhabi are registered with the ADREC. ### Which new developments can I buy in Saadiyat Island and Yas Island? In Saadiyat Island: [Sei Saadiyat](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/sei-saadiyat) from AED 2,950,000, [Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural District](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/mandarin-oriental-residences-saadiyat) from AED 7,285,952, [The Row Saadiyat](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/the-row-saadiyat) from AED 7,648,800 and [Mamsha Garden](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/saadiyat-island/mamsha-garden) from AED 8,117,568. In Yas Island: [Yas Park Place](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/yas-park-place) from AED 1,390,000, [The Canopies at Yas Point](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/the-canopies-at-yas-point) from AED 1,650,000, [The Orchids at Yas Acres](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/yas-acres-the-orchids) from AED 3,350,000 and [Sama Yas](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/yas-island/sama-yas) from AED 5,905,725. --- Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/saadiyat-island-vs-yas-island. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.