Your complete guide to planning a day trip from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah
Located to the north of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah is a sought-after adventure hub that has a lot to offer in terms of attractions and entertainment. It is one of the prime tourist destinations in the UAE, featuring majestic mountains, pristine beaches, historic sites and some of the best restaurants you can find. Let’s see how you can plan the perfect day trip from Dubai to RAK.
TRAVELLING FROM DUBAI TO RAS AL KHAIMAH
There are three ways to go from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah:
- Drive to the emirate
- Hire a taxi
- Use the bus service
The Ras Al Khaimah Shuttle Bus travels from Dubai Airport to Ras Al Khaimah. The trip duration is 45 to 50 minutes and costs AED 40 for a one-way trip. The bus leaves every two hours, so you should plan your trip accordingly.
If you drive your own car, you can either head on to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and drive northwards to Ras Al Khaimah or you can take the Emirates Road (E611). On the former, the distance from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah is 112 km and roughly takes an hour and 15 minutes, whereas the latter is 121 km and takes up to 1 hour 25 minutes.
The third option is to travel by taxi, which can also take up to 1 hour and 10 minutes. However, taking the taxi from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah is the costliest out of the three and can cost anywhere from AED 200 to AED 300 per side.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A DAY TRIP FROM DUBAI TO RAS AL KHAIMAH?
Since Ras Al Khaimah has a climate similar to Dubai, it will be easy for you to plan the trip according to the prevalent weather conditions. If you are travelling during the summer, you should remember to wear light clothing. Whereas, in winter, you should have something to keep you warm, like a jacket or a sweater.
Besides the clothing, these are the other essentials you need to carry:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Water bottles
- Phone charger
- Power bank
- Cash for shopping
PLACES TO VISIT IN RAS AL KHAIMAH
There are a lot of places that you can visit in Ras Al Khaimah and it is impossible to cover all of them in a single day. Therefore, it is best to make an itinerary, so that you have the exact list of the places you want to see in order to make the most of your day trip from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RAS AL KHAIMAH
The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah is located inside one of the oldest historical forts in RAK. Here you can explore fishing instruments, traditional weapons, ancient pottery and handicrafts. This particular fort served as the residence for the ruling family until it was converted into a museum in 1980.
- Ticket Price: AED 5 for adults | AED 2 for children
- Timings: 08:00 am to 06:00 pm | Friday 03:00 pm to 07:30 pm | Closed on Monday
- Location: Al Hisn Road, RAK City. Ras Al Khaimah
- Contact: +971-7-233-3411
JEBEL JAIS
One of the best things you can do on your day trip from Dubai to RAK is to scale the highest peak in the UAE, the Jebel Jais Mountain. Standing at a staggering 2,000 metres, it is a popular tourist destination and has many deep canyons, barren cliffs, carved landscapes and steep slopes that make it perfect for a range of activities and adventures.
- Viewing Deck Timings: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm | Weekends 08:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Viewing Deck Price: AED 5 for entry and tariff on parking is applicable (AED 5 for motorbikes, AED 20 for cars and AED 100 for buses or vans)
DESERT SAFARI
Another fun thing you can do on your day trip from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah is the desert safari. It takes you through the Bassata Desert Village and gives you a glimpse of the traditional Arab life. You can ride camels between the dunes, indulge in sand skiing and have a wonderful BBQ dinner in the evening.
HAJAR MOUNTAINS
The Hajar Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah are one of the best and most popular tourist destinations in Ras Al Khaimah. You can take the safari tour, which allows you to take an off-road adventure along the foothills of the mountain and stop at the scenic stops to take pictures. There are a lot of local tour operators that you can check with for the tour. You can also park your car near the foothills and do some exhilarating hiking.
DHAYAH FORT
One of the many historical sites in Ras Al Khaimah is the Dhayah Fort, an 18th century fortress that is known as the last outpost of resistance against the British army in 1819. It also provides stunning panoramic views from the top of a hill, which can be accessed by a zigzag staircase of more than 100 steps. The journey might be exhausting, but the views more than make up for it.
There are dozens of other beautiful and historical places that you can visit on your day trip from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah. Plus, you can also stop over at some of the best restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah to refuel yourself as you continue your day trip.
And that is the end of the blog, but the start of an amazing day trip for you! Here is a list of the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah. If you are a fan of adventure sports, do check out all about paramotoring in Ras Al Khaimah. You can also check out the best holiday destinations for solo travelers from Dubai.
