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To go to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, you have 6 main options: the intercity bus, a taxi, a rental car, a private car, an airline transfer bus, or a guided day tour. The two cities sit about 140 km (87 miles) apart, and the trip takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours by road, depending on traffic and your route.
This guide covers the distance, every transport option with timings and costs, a comparison to pick the right one, travel tips, the best times to go, and answers to common questions. If your goal is sightseeing (the Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, or Yas Island), a guided with DXB Dune handles the transport and stops for you, so you skip the route planning entirely.
How Far Is Abu Dhabi from Dubai?
Abu Dhabi is about 140 km (87 miles) from Dubai, and the drive takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic and departure time. The two cities are the two largest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and thousands of residents and tourists travel between them every day.
The most direct route is Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), a smooth, well-marked motorway straight into the capital. Drivers coming from mid-city areas like Al Barsha or Motor City can use Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) instead. Both roads are well maintained.
Expect delays during rush hours, usually 6:30 to 9:30 AM and 4:30 to 7:30 PM, near tunnels, turn-offs, and major terminals.
Transportation Options Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
There are 6 ways to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi: public bus, taxi, car rental, private car, airline transfer bus, and guided tour. Each option serves a different priority, whether that is price, speed, privacy, or comfort.
Pick the one that matches your trip. Budget travelers take the bus, families with luggage take a taxi or private car, independent explorers rent a car, and sightseers join a guided day tour.
Public Transport: Intercity Bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
The intercity bus is the cheapest way to go to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, at AED 25 (about USD 7) one way. Buses run by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) leave every 20 to 30 minutes and take about 2 hours.
There are 3 main routes to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station:
- E100: from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai, best for Deira and Old Dubai
- E101: from Ibn Battuta Bus Station, best for Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, and JLT
- E102: from Ibn Battuta to Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station
Pay with a Nol card or cash at the counter. The buses have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, luggage space, and priority seating for women and children.
Bus From Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi
To reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai International Airport (DXB) by bus, take 3 connecting legs. The route starts at Terminal 3 and ends at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.
- Terminal 3, DXB → Gold Souq Bus Station, bus C01, about 33 minutes
- Gold Souq Bus Station → Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, bus X13, about 8 minutes
- Al Ghubaiba Bus Station → Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, bus E100, about 2 hours 20 minutes
This route is cheap but involves changes, so allow extra time with luggage.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus
The intercity bus runs in reverse from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station back to Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta in Dubai. The fare is the same AED 25 (about USD 7) one way, and the journey takes about 2 hours.
Buses start early, around 4:20 AM, with the last departure before midnight. There are no direct night services, so use a taxi or private car for late trips.
Connecting to Dubai International Airport DXB
From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, you can reach DXB in 4 ways:
- Take bus 33 or 42 to Terminal 1
- Take bus 31 to Terminal 2
- Take the Metro green line to BurJuman, then the red line to Terminal 3
- Take a short taxi, about AED 30
The Dubai Metro runs west only as far as Jebel Ali, so you finish the intercity leg by road.
Connecting to Zayed International Airport AUH
From Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, reach Zayed International Airport (AUH) in 2 ways:
- Take bus 2A to Terminal A, every 40 minutes, about AED 4
- Take a taxi, about 30 minutes and AED 50
A separate paid AUH Express coach runs from Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai directly to AUH for about AED 35, taking a little over 1 hour.
Looking to visit the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi from Dubai?
To reach Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque by public transport, take the intercity bus to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, then local Route 32 to the mosque for about AED 2. The connection works but is slow with children.
For a simpler trip, a guided with DXB Dune covers the Grand Mosque and other landmarks in one booking, with hotel pickup and no route changes. Popular Abu Dhabi sights sit far apart, so a guided tour or private car saves time and taxi costs when you want multiple stops.
Taxi
A taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi costs about AED 220 to AED 300 one way and takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Fares are the same in both directions, and taxis take you door to door.
Book through the Dubai Taxi app, call the taxi line, or hail one on the street. Taxis accept cash and cards, and drivers usually speak English. Note that a Dubai taxi cannot pick up a new fare in Abu Dhabi, so some drivers swap passengers at the emirate border.
Taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport
A taxi from DXB to Abu Dhabi runs on the meter, starting at AED 25 plus about AED 1.96 per km, over a distance of roughly 150 km. A luxury or limousine transfer can reach around AED 460.
A cab waits outside DXB arrivals, so you can travel straight from the airport without pre-booking.
Car Rentals
Renting a car costs from about AED 130 (USD 35) per day and gives you full route flexibility. The drive takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours, and you can stop at spots like Saadiyat Beach or Yas Island on the way.
Rental firms have pickup and drop-off points in both cities, so you can rent in Dubai and return the car in Abu Dhabi without driving back. Bring your passport, license, and a bank card; most visitors can drive on a national license on a tourist visa.
Keep 5 things in mind when renting in the UAE:
- The UAE drives on the right, with automatic cars standard.
- Freeway limits reach 140 km/h, and cameras enforce them.
- Tolls (Salik) charge about AED 4 per gate and get billed by the rental firm.
- Car seats are required by law for children up to 4 years old.
- One-way rentals between cities often add a fee.
Private Car Rental Option
A private car with a driver costs about AED 350 to AED 500 one way, depending on vehicle size. You pre-book the exact time and travel door to door, with extras like child seats on request.
This option suits families, business travelers, and anyone who wants a set pickup time without driving. For sightseeing across Abu Dhabi, a DXB Dune private pairs the private vehicle with a planned route, so you get transport and a full day of stops together. Every DXB Dune vehicle seats up to 6 guests.
Luxury Bus for Group Travel From Dubai to Abu Dhabi
A luxury coach suits groups of 20 to 50 people and costs about AED 700 to AED 1,500 for the trip. Split across the group, the per-person cost drops below a taxi fare.
These buses carry everyone together with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and luggage space, so no one manages directions or parking. Book ahead for weekends and public holidays.
FREE Airline buses from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Both UAE airlines run free transfer buses between the cities for their ticketed passengers. The bus stops are not at the airports, so plan the connection carefully.
The trip takes about 1 hour 25 minutes each way. First-class and business passengers on either airline can request a complimentary private chauffeur, confirmed at least 48 hours ahead.
Flying Emirates
If you fly Emirates and want to end in Abu Dhabi, add the free transit bus to your ticket and book the final destination as ZVJ instead of DXB. The Emirates bus stops at the Khalidiya office on the Corniche, not at AUH.
Transfer straight from DXB after landing, since there is no baggage storage at the bus stop.
Flying Etihad
If you fly Etihad but leave from Dubai, start at the Etihad Travel Mall in Downtown Dubai and book your flight with the code XNB instead of AUH. The coach connects you to Abu Dhabi’s airport on the same ticket.
FREE Airline buses from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
The same free airline coaches run in reverse for passengers starting in Abu Dhabi but departing from Dubai. Catch the bus only on your day of travel.
Flying Emirates
If you fly Emirates from Dubai, catch the complimentary bus from the Khalidiya office to DXB and book your departure as ZVJ. Expect to be booked on a service at least 1 hour after landing for arrivals, and about 4 hours before departure for onward flights.
Flying Etihad
If you arrive at AUH with Etihad and want to reach Dubai, take the Etihad Coach from AUH to the Etihad Travel Mall using code XNB. A taxi from the travel mall to DXB then costs about AED 40.
Paid Airport Transfers Dubai to AUH
The AUH Express is a paid coach from Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai directly to Zayed International Airport for about AED 35. It takes a little over 1 hour and runs without the local-bus connections.
Buy the ticket at the station or online in advance. Coming back, get the ticket inside AUH and ride to Ibn Battuta, then continue by Metro. Note that the Metro may be closed for late-night arrivals, so finish by taxi if needed.
Taxies and hired drivers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
A metered taxi takes you door to door for about AED 275 to AED 350 from DXB to downtown Abu Dhabi. A hired private driver for the same trip costs about AED 350 to AED 500, with the advantage of a pre-booked time and extras like car seats.
Taxis sometimes swap passengers at the first petrol station over the border, since a taxi cannot pick up a new fare outside its own emirate.
Join a Tour Group Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
A guided tour is the easiest way to see both cities’ highlights without planning transport or stops. Tour prices are usually per seat, so a private tour can work out cheaper for larger groups.
DXB Dune runs guided with hotel pickup, a set route, and up to 6 guests per vehicle. You book, the team confirms, and you pay after the tour.
Abu Dhabi Day Trips from Dubai
An Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai covers the capital’s main sights (the Grand Mosque, the Corniche, and Yas Island attractions) in one guided day with return transport. This suits first-time visitors who want to see a lot without driving.
Book the with DXB Dune to get pickup, a planned itinerary, and drop-off in a single package.
Dubai Day Trips from Abu Dhabi
A Dubai day trip from Abu Dhabi runs in reverse, taking you to Dubai’s landmarks and back in one day. If you are visiting Yas Island theme parks, the parks run their own free shuttle from several Dubai points.
Self-Drive – Hire a car in the UAE
Self-driving is the most flexible way to travel if you are a confident driver. Hire a car, take Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), and travel at your own pace with door-to-door freedom.
Most visitors need to hire a car, since a UAE license is required to be covered by a friend’s vehicle insurance. Book with an international or local rental firm, and compare prices online before you commit.
UAE Trains – Etihad Rail and the Hyperloop
There is no passenger train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi yet. Etihad Rail is building a high-speed line that will connect the emirates, with passenger service expected soon.
A Hyperloop link has been discussed for years but has gone quiet. For now, all travel between the cities is by road.
High-Speed Railway
The planned Etihad Rail high-speed service aims to cut the Dubai to Abu Dhabi trip to about 30 minutes at speeds up to 350 km/h. Passenger service is expected in the near future.
The line will include modern stations with cafés and shops. Until it opens, use the bus, taxi, car, or a guided tour.
Comparing Commute Options: Which One Is Right for You?
The right option depends on your budget, group size, and whether you want to sightsee. Solo budget travelers take the bus, families take a taxi or private car, and sightseers join a guided tour.
- Cheapest: intercity bus (AED 25)
- Fastest door-to-door: taxi (about 1 hour 15 minutes)
- Most flexible: rental car
- Best for sightseeing: guided Abu Dhabi day tour
- Best for groups: luxury coach or private car (up to 6 guests)
Comparison of Options
| Method | Travel Time | Cost (one way) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intercity Bus | About 2 hours | AED 25 | Budget travelers, flexible schedules |
| Taxi | 1 hr 15 min – 2 hrs | AED 220–300 | Families, luggage, door-to-door |
| Rental Car | 1 hr 15 min – 2 hrs | From AED 130/day | Independent, multi-stop trips |
| Private Car | 1 hr 15 min – 2 hrs | AED 350–500 | Pre-booked time, comfort |
| Guided Day Tour | Full day | Per seat (confirm) | Sightseeing without planning |
| High-Speed Rail (upcoming) | About 30 min | Not set | Time-conscious travelers |
Tips for a Smooth Trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Follow these 5 tips for an easy trip:
- Travel outside peak hours (6:30–9:30 AM, 4:30–7:30 PM) to cut delays.
- Check traffic on Google Maps or Waze before you leave.
- Pre-book private transport for weekends and public holidays.
- Top up your Nol card in advance if taking the bus.
- Budget for Salik tolls, about AED 4 per gate, if driving.
Best Times to Travel
The quietest times are weekday mid-mornings and early afternoons, with Wednesday afternoons usually the calmest. Weekday mornings carry business traffic toward Abu Dhabi, and Thursday and Friday evenings fill with weekend travelers.
Overnight trips move fastest, since the roads clear, but buses stop before midnight, so use a taxi or car at night. Plan around prayer times if you are visiting mosques or government offices.
What to Know Before You Go
Carry your passport or Emirates ID, since checkpoints between the emirates sometimes ask for identification. Keep proper documents with you at all times.
Fill up with fuel in Dubai if driving, since fuel is slightly cheaper there. Download offline maps as a backup in case the signal drops.
Making the Choice
Match the transport to your trip. Solo budget travelers take the bus, small groups use a taxi or ride-hailing, families rent a car or van for flexibility, and large groups save with a luxury coach.
If your reason for going is to see Abu Dhabi’s landmarks, skip the logistics and book a guided with DXB Dune, which handles pickup, the route, and drop-off in one package.
Main Recommendations
Follow these 5 recommendations for a stress-free trip:
- Allow extra time for rush-hour traffic, at least 30 minutes for meetings or flights.
- Buy and top up a Nol card in advance for bus travel.
- Choose a taxi, private car, or tour vehicle if you carry large luggage.
- Travel overnight by taxi or car when you want the fastest, clearest roads.
- Follow UAE traffic laws closely if driving, since cameras enforce fines.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Way to Travel
Going to Abu Dhabi from Dubai is straightforward once you pick the option that fits your budget and plans. The bus is cheapest at AED 25, a taxi is fastest door to door, a rental car is most flexible, and a guided day tour is best for sightseeing.
For travelers whose goal is the Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, or Yas Island, a DXB Dune covers the transport and the stops in one booking, with hotel pickup, up to 6 guests per vehicle, and pay-after-tour. Send your dates on WhatsApp or the to set it up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do people commute from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Yes, many UAE residents commute between the two cities for work, education, and family visits. The daily trip takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours by road.
2. How to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi daily?
For daily travel, use a private car, a rental car, or RTA buses like the E101, depending on your budget and schedule. Bus commuters should keep a Nol card topped up to save time.
3. Is it easy to drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Yes, the drive is easy via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) or E311, with well-maintained roads and clear signs. Plan around peak traffic hours to avoid delays.
4. How much is a private car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
A private car with a driver costs about AED 350 to AED 500 one way, depending on vehicle size. Ride-hailing apps price similar trips between roughly AED 350 and AED 730.
5. What is the cheapest mode of transport in Dubai?
The cheapest way to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is the RTA intercity bus, at AED 25 (about USD 7) one way. It takes about 2 hours and runs every 20 to 30 minutes.
