Know your options! How to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

• Taxi
• Bus
• Airport Shuttles
• Car Rentals
• Other Options
• FAQs

Residents and visitors often have to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai for work or to explore the various attractions in each emirate. If you are interested in scheduling an Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai, various modes of transportation are available to help you get to the capital. Wondering how to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi? Here are your options.

How to go to Dubai from Abu Dhabi?

If you are going from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, the journey would roughly take an hour and a half. Wondering how to reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai? You can do so via taxis, buses and airport shuttles. Remember, these choices vary in terms of routes, fare and other features.

How far is Dubai from Abu Dhabi?

The distance between the two emirates is approximately 140 km by road. However, the estimate depends on where you take the measurement from.

Let’s now explore the various ways to travel, including buses, taxis and car rentals, to help you determine the best option for your travel preferences and budget.

Taxi

Booking a Dubai to Abu Dhabi taxi is a good option for those looking for a faster commute. This journey is usually about an hour and 50 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

• Taxis can be found throughout Dubai, either hailed on the street or booked through a ride-hailing app. Dubai airport taxis are well-maintained and offer a comfortable and air-conditioned ride, but their rates for the complete journey may be higher than regular taxis.
• Those arriving at Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, 2 or 3 can use RTA Airport Taxis to reach the UAE capital. These taxis have a base fare of AED 25 and charge AED 2.19 for every km.
• A standard trip by taxi from Downtown Dubai costs between AED 250 and AED 300 one way. The ride begins at AED 5 if you are travelling during the day, with an additional AED 2.19 per kilometre charged after that. This may be expensive, but it is the easiest way to reach Abu Dhabi. If you travel at night (after 10:00 pm), the metre starts at AED 5.50.

Other options

Still wondering how to get to Dubai from Abu Dhabi? If you don’t prefer the mentioned options, you can always rely on transportation companies for private transfer. GetTransfer.com offers the following pricing packages for Economy, Comfort and Business.

Depending on your luggage and the number of people in your party, you can expect to pay anywhere from AED 258 to AED 1,300 for a private transfer. The obvious benefit is that you will be able to set your own time and request add-ons like car seats for kids.

Bus

For those looking for a cost-effective and convenient way to travel, Dubai to Abu Dhabi intercity bus service is a great option. This journey takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes and offers a comfortable, air-conditioned ride. Apart from being affordable, the bus service is convenient. For some it is the best way to go from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Two transportation services: E100 and E101, pick up residents from different locations in Dubai. The E100 bus departs from Al Ghubaiba bus station in Dubai and arrives at Abu Dhabi Central bus station, with multiple departure times throughout the day.

• E100: Operates between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (CBS)
• E101: Operates between Ibn Battuta Bus Station and Abu Dhabi CBS

NOL tickets can be purchased from the stations before boarding. The bus is equipped with soft and comfortable seats, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. Remember to check Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus timings on the RTA official website during Eid and other national holidays.

Which Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus should I choose?

If you are coming from Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, JBR, or JLT, then E101 is your best bet, arriving at and departing from Ibn Battuta Mall. The shopping centre also has a taxi stand and a metro station so you can easily continue to your next destinations.

However, Downtown Dubai or Old Dubai residents will find it easier to board the E100 at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai. These shuttles are air-conditioned.

Don’t forget to top up your Dubai RTA NOL card, an electronic bus pass system introduced by the Roads and Transport Authority(RTA) in the UAE. With this smart card, you can purchase a one-way ticket for the RTA bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for AED 25.

Airport Shuttles

Etihad Airways and Emirates offer complimentary Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport bus shuttles for economy-class passengers. They run multiple times a day.

Etihad Shuttles

If you are an Etihad passenger, you can get a coach from the pick-up point at the lower levels of Abu Dhabi International Airport Arrivals. The coach is air-conditioned and offers access to Wi-Fi. Al Wasl Centre is the pick-up/drop-off location in Dubai.

Please book a seat on Etihad Coach at least 24 hours in advance to avoid inconvenience.

Emirates Shuttles

The complimentary coach service for Emirates passengers can be availed from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. The Emirates bus from Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi is also air-conditioned to ensure a comfortable journey. This bus service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance to avoid inconveniences.

Additionally, some hotels may offer a free shuttle bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to their guests, so it is a good idea to check with your hotel in advance.

Rent-a-car 

For those who want the flexibility to explore both cities at their own pace, Dubai to Abu Dhabi car rental is a suitable option. This provides the convenience of door-to-door transportation, but one should familiarise themselves with the rental process and driving regulations in the UAE before beginning the journey.

If you want to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai alone, car rental services in Dubai can also assist you. An example is Avis.

Location and contact of Avis in Dubai

• Jumeirah Beach Residence: The Walk | +971-4-518-6822
• Sheikh Zayed Road: Near Financial Centre Metro Station | +971-4-518-6833
• Avis Circle Village: Circle Mall, JVC | +971-4-518-6755
• Radisson Red: Dubai Silicon Oasis | +971-4-518-6799

Opening hours of each branch vary.

Apart from Avis, Speedy Drive, One Click, Sixt, Al Emad Cars, and Thrifty UAE offer car hire facilities in the city. Another option is Hertz, which allows you to reserve a slot online.

Other Options

Those new to the capital have also been known to rely on ride hailing apps in Abu Dhabi — the most popular being Uber and Careem. The price depends on the type of ride selected, estimated length and traffic conditions.

Uber

Taking an Uber to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi may come with these charges:

• Green: AED 507
• Comfort: AED 507
• Family: From AED 417
• Black: AED 733

Careem

The Hala Taxi category in the Careem app is a good choice for those in search of a taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Just:

• Open the Careem App and select Hala Taxi
• Enter your desired destination
• Select where you want to be picked
• Tap Yalla and wait

A Hala Taxi can cost anywhere from AED 100 to AED 300 depending on your current location and where you need to go in Abu Dhabi.

FAQs about entering Abu Dhabi from Dubai

What is the best way to get from Dubai to Mussafah?

A convenient option is via bus, specifically the E102 from Al Jafiliyah to Mussafah.

What is the cheapest way to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

The cheapest way is via bus. Those on a budget may consider this the best way to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

How far is Abu Dhabi from Dubai?

The driving distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is more than 125 km. Are you moving to the capital permanently? Know what to do while moving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Is there a Dubai to Abu Dhabi train service?

Interestingly, Dubai to Abu Dhabi train will soon become a reality when Etihad Rail passenger trains are fully functional. The entire journey on the train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi will take less than an hour!

Another upcoming project in the works is the Dubai to Abu Dhabi Hyperloop. Once complete, travel between the two emirates will become faster than before.

How to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai quickly?

Wonder how to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai quickly? The best way to reach your desired location is by boarding a taxi or driving yourself. It will get you to your destination within one hour and ten minutes.

Want to go to other emirates from Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Consider the Inter–emirate bus services in the UAE.

How to reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai by Metro?

The Dubai Metro doesn’t directly connect to Abu Dhabi. However, you can use the Dubai Metro Red Line to reach Ibn Battuta Mall Metro Station and board the Abu Dhabi bus (E101) from the Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop.

How to go to Abu Dhabi from Dubai by bus?

If you want to return to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, you can take the E100 and E101 RTA buses. Check out the official bus routes for the Abu Dhabi to Dubai intercity buses.

Once you reach the capital city, don’t forget to check out the major tourist spots in Abu Dhabi. There are also plenty of Instagrammable destinations in Abu Dhabi to visit!

We hope this guide helps you plan your travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. No matter which mode of transportation you choose, you can make sure that your journey between these two cities is smooth and enjoyable by planning and choosing the option that best fits your needs.

Let us know in the comments section below if you know of other means of travelling between the two emirates.