Plan a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

If you're spending a few days in bustling Dubai, you can combine your visit with a tour of the UAE's bustling capital, Abu Dhabi.

If you prepare well and arrive early in the UAE capital, you'll have enough time to visit most of the places on this list.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll find our tips and ideas on how to take a full-day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai.

You will also find information on how to get from Dubai to Ferrari World.

How to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

In this section, we will share a detailed description of the different options for getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Dubai roads and runways

The busy Sheikh Zayed Road leads from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

You can reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai by bus in about 1 hour and 35 minutes, by car or taxi in about 1 hour and 30 minutes (depending on traffic), or by taking a tour. If this is your first visit to the UAE, we recommend booking a tour for your convenience.

Travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus

For your day trip between the two cities, you can take the E101 bus from Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Station.

The bus leaves every 30 minutes.

Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes and the fare is AED 25 (EUR 6.40).

• Note

If you are travelling to the UAE for Expo 2020 Dubai, you can also take a free shuttle bus from the Mobility Expo Rider Gate to the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.

The 313 bus leaves every 30 minutes and takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to reach the UAE capital.

Continue reading with : What to do in Dubai in winter, 53 atypical activities and tours

Travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by taxi

Travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by taxi is fast and affordable.

Taxi fares in the UAE are relatively low compared to other tourist destinations around the world.

However, the distance between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is approximately 145km. For this reason, expect to pay around AED 250 (65.7 EURO); depending on your starting point in Dubai and your exact destination in Abu Dhabi.

The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Make sure your taxi has a working meter. Remember that traffic jams can slow you down and increase the price.

Besides taxis, you can also order Uber, Uber Black, Lyft, Careem or a limousine service to take you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. But we found them more expensive than regular taxis.

Visiting Abu Dhabi from Dubai on tours

Travelling to Abu Dhabi from Dubai on tours is the most convenient way to visit the UAE capital

Tours from Dubai to Abu Dhabi are generally tailored to different tastes and crowds.

Since Abu Dhabi offers a ton of activities and cool places to see, select the one that best suits your interests.

Here are our favourite options:

For city explorers

A day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi with visits to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Marina Mall, etc.

For the culture buffs

A day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai with a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Louvre.

For racing fans

An exciting day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi with entry and visit to Ferrari World.

The price includes pick-up and drop-off at the hotel. Read the descriptions carefully to understand what is excluded and what items you need to bring. You may need to purchase some of the entry tickets at an additional cost.

What to do on a Dubai to Abu Dhabi tour

The highlight of a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Now that you know the basics, let's dive into the exciting stuff!

The city of Abu Dhabi may be smaller than Dubai, but the emirate of Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven. It covers more than 80% of the total land area of the UAE.

This means there is a lot to see and do in Abu Dhabi. This section of our guide will show you the best places for your day trip.

• Note

It is almost impossible to visit all the landmarks we have listed below. Therefore, we recommend that you select only those that match your interests. Ultimately, if you enjoy Abu Dhabi on a day trip from Dubai, you can always come back.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Marvel at Middle Eastern splendour

Abu Dhabi is best known for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Named after the late President of the Emirates, the religious temple is the country's main mosque. Its beauty and splendour takes a few hours to marvel at.

Sheikh Zayed is the largest mosque in the UAE More than 1,000 pillars support the four 107m (351ft) minarets and 82 domes.

The massive columns are covered with various gemstones - amethyst, jasper, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and red agate. They add great contrast to the geometric ceramic details that decorate the interior of the domes.

To make the exterior truly breathtaking, the builders used marble from various parts of the world, including China, India, Italy and Northern Macedonia.

The interior of the mosque is no less spectacular. When you enter, you immediately notice two things:

• The magnificent carpet, whose wool came from New Zealand and Iran.

Measuring over 60,000 square feet (5,500 square metres), it is the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world.

• The opulent chandeliers are made of brass, gold, steel and Swarovski crystals.

The largest chandelier weighs 12 tonnes, including 88 pounds (40 kg) of pure 24-carat galvanised gold.

Note that when visiting mosques in the UAE, as in any other Islamic country, you will be expected to follow the dress code.

Emirates Palace - Beyond 5-star luxury

Luxury might be a severe understatement for the majestic Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The palatial resort has 394 rooms, including 92 suites and 22 residential suites. Most of them are richly furnished with marble and gold.

Emirates Palace boasts two spa facilities, a marina, a private beach, two helipads, a ballroom for up to 2,500 people and over 40 meeting rooms.

Within the complex, you can also find a variety of high-end shops and international restaurants.

At the Café, you can pamper yourself with the famous Palace Cappuccino - a coffee sprinkled with 24-carat gold flakes. You will have to pay around 23.5 EURO for this luxury. The price includes sweets, such as a special date and dark chocolate.

While the cappuccino can be ridiculously expensive, the good news is that there is no charge to enter the Emirates Palace. This makes it one of the best free activities to do in Abu Dhabi.

Heritage Village - Explore the roots of the UAE

At Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi, you can learn more about Emirati history.

Since the Emirates Palace is quite close to Heritage Village, we suggest this landmark as the next stop on your day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

The open-air museum allows you to discover the Arabian country's past by walking through a traditional oasis village. It is similar toHeritage Village in Dubai, which is one of the best things to do in Dubai.

At Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi, you can experience the traditional aspects of the desert lifestyle and dive into a time capsule. Inside, you can also discover:

• A mosque,

• A traditional souk (market),

• A historical camp,

• Various gift shops selling products from local artisans.

Don't miss the small spice shop in the village. It offers a variety of dried herbs, handmade soaps and other souvenirs that you can give to your friends and family.

Like Emirates Palace, Heritage Village is free to enter.

Ferrari World

Get your adrenaline pumping at the world's largest indoor theme park

Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi holds several world records.

It is also home to the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa. Another record-breaking roller coaster is Flying Aces, known for having the highest non-inverted loop in the world.

If you're not a big adrenaline junkie, many of the rides are also perfect for families and children.

When you've had enough fun on the roller coaster, you can satisfy your hunger in one of the many Italian restaurants. Or you can marvel at all the beautiful Ferrari cars on display inside the park.

Plan to spend at least two hours as the queues for some of the roller coasters can last up to 30 minutes.

If Ferrari World sounds like a must-see on your day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, we highly recommend this visit.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi - Discover the world's masterpieces in a futuristic setting

2017 marked the beginning of the cultural collaboration between France and the United Arab Emirates. It allowed over 2 million visitors to marvel at spectacular masterpieces at the Louvre, Abu Dhabi.

The futuristic art gallery is France's largest cultural project abroad. It is currently the most visited museum in the Arab world.

The spectacular structure includes a floating dome, composed of 7,850 aluminium stars, positioned in eight layers. Inside, timeless masterpieces await to mesmerise you.

The permanent collection is on loan from the Louvre in Paris and other French museums. You can explore everything from ancient sarcophagi and Renaissance paintings to post-modern art installations.

To make the most of your stay in Abu Dhabi, we recommend that you purchase your tickets to the Louvre in advance from this link.

Travel tips for visiting Abu Dhabi

• Getting around Abu Dhabi is easy

We do not recommend walking outside in the UAE capital for long periods. Temperatures in the desert city will melt your brain in all seasons except winter. Instead, use Abu Dhabi's convenient taxis, excellent public transport network or multi-stop tourist buses.

• Don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses

Apart from the desert sun, you can go blind from its reflection in the white marble of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Also, don't forget to drink plenty of water.

• Know how to dress properly if you visit the Grand Mosque

Men will not be allowed to enter the temple in shorts or a sleeveless shirt. Women should wear long, loose-fitting clothes covering their arms, legs and head. Some tours will provide an appropriate outfit to wear over your clothes, but don't rely on this alone.

To conclude,

You now know how to plan your perfect day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

The capital of the United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi - is an invigorating oasis in the middle of the desert. Its high-end museums, lavish palaces, thrilling roller coasters and breathtaking temples will make your stay unforgettable.

The city has plenty to do and see. A day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi won't be enough to explore it all, but you'll be able to feel the unique atmosphere of the capital.

Plus, with a little planning and this detailed guide, we think you can maximise your time and experience both cities in one trip.

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