6 Easy Ways To Travel From Dubai To Abu Dhabi (And What They Cost)

Would you like to visit Abu Dhabi while staying in Dubai or vice versa? Here are the 6 ways to travel between these two Emirates with prices.

Dubai is one of the top Emirates to visit, while Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, is the second most popular.

I’ve visited Abu Dhabi twice during my stay in Dubai and highly recommend checking it out. I’ve put together this guide to show you all the ways to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, how much each option costs, and the pros and cons of each.

From Dubai To Abu Dhabi

Many tourists visiting Dubai are asking whether it is worth it to visit Abu Dhabi and how to get there. It is definitely worth visiting Abu Dhabi where you can see Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and other important sights, as well as visit amusement and water parks.

Even though Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only about 140-160 kilometers apart, it’s important to plan your transportation ahead of time for a smooth journey. Currently, you can travel between the two cities by road, but a train option will be available in the future.

1. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi by car

If you are a confident driver one of the easiest and not that expensive way is to rent a car. It is especially convenient if more people are traveling with you as you can share the cost. Don’t forget, you will need an international driving license to drive in the UAE.

Driving in Dubai may be hectic, but going on a highway to Abu Dhabi is pretty easy. Staying on the right side to let the fast cars go is a safer option. The speed limit here is 120 km/h. 

You can download the Smart Roads application to your phone from Dubai Roads and Transportation Authority to navigate you out of the city. 

Renting a car costs you from 80 USD, depending on the car, plus the petrol, which is cheap in the UAE. You will need to pay extra if you need navigation or a car seat. The journey should take 1.5 hours.

Advantages:

• Flexibility
• More sights to see
• Cost-efficient if you are a group

Disadvantages:

• Responsibility to drive
• More costly if you are alone

➡️See options to rent a car HERE

2. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi with a tour

If you are not comfortable driving and you would like to visit Abu Dhabi for one day to see the most important sights, an organized tour would be a good option for you.

The tours include pick up and drop off from your hotel or apartment. There are several tours available, depending on your preferences, but mostly Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is included, as well as Heritage Village, passing by the Emirates Palace, and some tours also include entry to Ferrari World. 

Another organized tour can be with the BigBus tour operator when buying a combo ticket Dubai+Abu Dhabi. In this way, you can see Abu Dhabi from a higher perspective when sitting on the top of the bus.

Also here the most important sights are included. We used BigBus and bought the combo ticket when we visited Dubai for the first time and we really enjoyed it.

Bear in mind that the shuttle with the BigBus tour operates between Dubai and Abu Dhabi only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The pickup point in this case is Dubai Mall. Always check the details of the tickets and the sights included.

In both cases, when you book an organized tour, transportation with comfortable air-conditioned buses or minibusses from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back is included.  The journey takes approximately 2 hours. 

The ticket per person is between $50-$200 depending on the tour. Lunches are normally not included in the price of the tours.

Advantages:

• Hassle-free
• Comfortable
• Good price for value

Disadvantages:

• No freedom to choose the sights and time spent there

➡️Check and book your organized tour HERE

➡️Book your combo ticket Dubai+Abu Dhabi with BigBus HERE

3. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus

Going from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus is the cheapest way of transportation. The buses are operated by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). These buses run on time, they are clean and air-conditioned. Don’t forget to take a jumper with you as the AC can be very strong.

Three lines operate between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, lines E100, E101, and E102. 

Line E100

• Depart from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai
• The station is located in Bur Dubai
• Takes about 2 hours or more depending on the traffic
• Cost 25 AED one way
• Arrives at Al Wahda Bus Station in Abu Dhabi
• It is located in the city center
• Taxis are available to take you to your final destination

Line E101

• Depart from Ibn Battuta bus station
• Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall
• Great location for those staying in Marina or JBR
• Takes about 2 hours or more depending on the traffic
• Cost 25 AED one way
• Arrives at Al Wahda Bus Station in Abu Dhabi
• It is located in the city center
• Taxis are available to take you to your final destination

Line E102

• Depart from Ibn Battuta bus station
• Located next to Ibn Battuta Mall
• Great location for those staying in Marina or JBR
• Takes about 2 hours or more depending on the traffic
• Cost 25 AED one way
• Arrives at Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi, about a 15-minute drive from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

You can buy your tickets either at the station, or you can use a Nol card with top-up credit. Nol Card is used for all public transportation in Dubai.

Advantages:

• Cheap way of transportation

Disadvantages:

• Not comfortable – need to get to the bus station and from bust station by taxi or metro.
• Longer journey
• Takes time to search for your way if you don’t know the city

To plan your journey, check the official RTA website with the timetable here.

4. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi by taxi

Taxi is the most expensive way to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, however, is very efficient. You can book a taxi from your hotel, or get one of the streets. You can also use Uber. Taxi will cost you around 300 AED one-way.

Advantages:

• Hassle-free
• Door-to-door service
• Time efficient

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost

5. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi by airport shuttle

In case you are a passenger of Emirates Airlines or Etihad Airways you have a complimentary airport shuttle available. However, the shuttle is not going from the airport to the airport. 

If you are traveling with Emirates, Dubai pick-up or drop-off is at the airport, but Abu Dhabi is in front of the Emirates downtown office ‑ Khalidiya ‑ Corniche. Check the timetables here.

If you are traveling with Etihad, Abu Dhabi pick-up and drop-off is at the airport, but Dubai is Al Wasl Centre, which is behind the Safestway Supermarket’s Sheikh Zayed Road entrance. Check the timetables here.

You need to book a shuttle with Emirates at least 48 hours in Advance. You must book a shuttle with Etihad at the same time you are booking your flight ticket. Please always check the conditions with the airlines.

Advantages:

• Free of charge when traveling with the airlines

Disadvantages:

• Not flexible as you have to choose from the available times

6. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi by train and Hyperloop in the future

For now, the transportation between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is by road only. However, we can look forward to the future as the UAE is constructing a 1200 km long railway that will connect Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This will change the travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi positively.

In addition to the railway, the UAE plans to build a Hyperloop system that could reach speeds of 1200 km/h, reducing the travel time from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to just 15 minutes. Nevertheless, this is still in the air. Let’s wait and see in the future.

Final Thoughts: How To Travel From Dubai To Abu Dhabi

Traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is easy and convenient. Whether you prefer driving, taking a guided tour, hopping on a bus, grabbing a taxi, or using an airline shuttle, there are plenty of options to fit your needs and budget.