Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and it is emerging as an attractive investment destination. Moreover, it is a spectacular city to visit and enjoy so many ask about how they can reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai. In this blog, we will discuss the most popular ways and the advantages of each one so you can plan your trip in advance as suits you best.
Taking the bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and the other way around is relatively the most affordable and comfortable means of travelling. During the trip which lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours, you can sleep, relax, read, listen to music and more. Taking the bus is a perfect choice if you are a group of friends or a solo traveller. There are three main buses you can take, which are E100, E101, and E102. Purchase the tickets for either of them using an RTA Nol card. All buses have AC, WiFi, luggage room, and handicapped seating.
Route: The trip on this bus starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai, passes through various stops, including Al Jafiliya Metro Station and ends at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.
Duration: ranges between 1 hour, 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on the traffic.
Frequency: a bus every 10 to 20 minutes during peak hours.
Fare: AED 25 - 30
Route: The trip on this bus starts at Ibn Battuta Metro Station in Dubai with limited stops along the way and ends at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.
Duration: ranges between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the traffic.
Frequency: a bus every 20 to 30 minutes with more frequent services during peak hours.
Fare: AED 25 - 30
Route: The trip on this bus starts at Ibn Battuta Metro Station in Dubai, similar to the E101, but takes a different route through various residential and commercial areas to end at Musaffah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi.
Duration: usually longer, ranging between 2 and 2.5 hours.
Frequency: less frequent with a bus every 30 to 60 minutes.
Fare: AED 25 - 30
The most efficient and convenient option is driving a car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. With a car, you can have a flexible schedule and a more convenient trip, especially with kids. The distance between the two emirates ranges between 140 and 155 kilometres according to the road. If you are on a visit or don’t own a car, renting a car is the optimal option. Exford offers a fleet of the latest-model cars from different brands at competitive prices. Choose between SUVs, sedans, convertibles, coupes and sports cars according to your needs. Even if you are looking for a business car rental Dubai with a private driver, Exford will serve you.
The car rental option will come with a built-in GPS to help you navigate. However, it is advisable that you be aware of how to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and what route to pick.
Route: the most popular and direct route between the two emirates. It is parallel to the coast.
Distance: about 140 kilometres
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Route: the route is the best option if your starting point is Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City, or Mirdif.
Distance: about 150 kilometres
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes to 2 hours
Route: an inland route that connects the northern areas of Dubai and then continues towards Abu Dhabi.
Distance: about 155 kilometres
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes to 2.5 hours
Travelling on a plan is another option, rather expensive yet fast and luxurious. While not so common because of the short distance, some domestic flights take place occasionally from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
Another possible option is renting a private helicopter; many companies provide this service. It is, of course, expensive but luxurious, convenient and the fastest option. The flight usually takes between 40 to 50 minutes and should be booked several days in advance.
A taxi is the second most demanded public transportation after the bus. There are plenty of taxis that can drive you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and the other way around. While more expensive than the bus, taxis offer door-to-door service, more convenience, privacy and comfort.
A taxi will typically take one of the previously mentioned roads and it is worth mentioning that crossing a Toll gate or a Salik gate will cost around AED 5 which will be added to the fare.
This includes applications such as Uber and Careem. The fare of such services varies according to many factors including the type of the vehicle, the time of the trip, the demand, the jam, and any applicable surge pricing. This method is how to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi based on your budget; let’s take a look at the approximate fares of the ride-sharing service:
UberX: the fare typically ranges between AED 300 and AED 400.
Uber Comfort: the fare typically ranges between AED 400 and AED 500.
Uber Black: the fare typically ranges between AED 500 and AED 650.
Careem Economy: the fare typically ranges between AED 300 and AED 380.
Careem Business: the fare typically ranges between AED 400 and AED 500.
Careem Max: the fare typically ranges between AED 500 and AED 600.
Uber and Careem fare is very dynamic and can add from 20% to 100% to the base fare according to the circumstances.
The shortest drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back is around 280 kilometres which is more than the daily mileage limit of car rental and will charge you more.
The best option will be car rental with which you carry all of your luggage, feel relaxed and keep the safety of your kids. Other options include a taxi or an Uber which will be more expensive.
At the moment, there is no train between the two emirates. However, a construction is in place and we may be able to use it within a few years.
You can either take a taxi to the bus station or use the local subway network.
