How To Go From Dubai To Abu Dhabi And How much Does It Cost?

Are you planning to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi? Here you will find the all possible ways of transportation with prices.

Dubai is the most popular and visited Emirate in all seven Emirates. Abu Dhabi, however, is the capital city and is the second most visited. Many tourists visiting Dubai would like to know whether it is worth going to Abu Dhabi and if so, how to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and how much does it cost? 

It is definitely worth visiting Abu Dhabi as it is not that far and also Abu Dhabi has beautiful sights to see, for example, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

While the two cities are only about 140-160 kilometers apart, transportation options can vary and it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you have a smooth journey. For now, the possibility of going from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is by road only, but the train will be available in the future. 

In this blog post, I will go over all possible ways to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, including the pros and cons of each option, as well as how much you can expect to pay for each method of transportation.

As the owner of this website, I’ve included some recommendations for your trips. When you use the links to make a purchase, I may get a small commission. You will not get charged extra. Full disclosure.

 

How To Go From Dubai To Abu Dhabi, And How Much Does It Cost?

 

In front of Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

 

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 there are more people 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.  

So if you’re looking for the ultimate freedom and flexibility when traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, renting a car may be your best option. With your own wheels, you can set your own schedule, stop along the way, and avoid the hassle of navigating public transportation.

The cost of renting a car fall in the mid-range if more than one person is traveling and the journey should take you 1.5 hour.

➡️Choose and rent a car in advance HERE

 

BigBus tour Dubai

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 Mosques 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 tickets with both tour operators are about 100-200 USD, depending on the tour you choose. Lunches are normally not included in the price of the tours.

The advantage of going from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by organized tour is hassle-free. You choose the tour and everything is organized for you. It is comfortable, you have a guide, and entry tickets are included. The disadvantage is that you don’t have as much freedom to explore at your own pace.

➡️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 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.

There are three lines that operate between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, lines E100, E101, and E102. 

Line E100 departs from  Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, which is convenient for those staying in Downtown or old Dubai. This station is located in Bur Dubai. The journey takes about 2 hours and a one-way ticket will cost you 25 AED. The buses depart every 30 minutes.

The bus arrives at Al Wahda Bus Station in Abu Dhabi, which is in the center and many taxis are available here to take you to your final destination.

Line E101 and E102 depart from Ibn Battuta bus station, which is located next to the Ibn Battuta Mall. Also, a metro station is right there. If you are staying on the other side like Marina or Jumeirah, this station is closer to you.

Line E101 will take you to Al Wahda Bus Station in Abu Dhabi. The journey also costs 25 AED one way, takes about 2 hours, and departs every 20 minutes.

Line E102 will take you to Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi, which is not in the center but about a 15-minute drive from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The duration of the journey is also about 2 hours, costing 25 AED one way, but departing every hour.

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.

The advantage of traveling by bus is the low price. The disadvantage is the time spent going to and from bus stations, then taking taxis to your destination and if you don’t know the city, you may be also searching for the bus stations. However, I traveled by bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi early in the morning, was still dark and it was pretty easy.

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

 

Taxi in Dubai

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 just get on one of the streets. You can also use Uber.

The good thing about using a taxi is door-to-door service, no hassle, and it is fast. The disadvantage is the price, which will cost you around 300 AED one way.

 

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 it 24 or 48 hours in advance. Please always check the conditions with the airlines.

Pros of this transportation are that it is free if you are a passenger of one of the airlines. Cons are that there are only certain scheduled times that you have to adapt to. The same with the pick-up and drop-off points.

 

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 in a positive way.

Not only the railway but also the UAE is planning to construct a Hyperloop that would go 1200 km/h and shorten the time of journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to 15 minutes. Nevertheless, this is still in the air. Let’s wait and see in the future.

 

Conclusion: How To Go From Dubai To Abu Dhabi?

To conclude, traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is a simple and convenient journey. Whether you prefer to drive, take a guided tour, bus, taxi, or airline shuttle, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs and budget.

By following the tips and advice in this blog post, you can ensure that your journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is a smooth and hassle-free experience. So, pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready to explore this vibrant and exciting city. 

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2 Comments

  1. Nat you’ve shared all possible ways to get Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
    Bus is cheap but a bit slow means of transport and not convenient for all.

    1. Hi Imran,
      Yes, this is why I mentioned all sorts of transportation, so people can chose what is best for them.

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