In terms of tourism, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most famous cities in the UAE. Both of them hold great importance. In recent years, it has become easier to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There is a lot of attraction and a good level of development in both cities as far as modern architecture is concerned. Dubai is a luxurious city, whereas Abu Dhabi is a little bit more traditional and has an Arabic touch. According to their reasoning, both cities are important. Both cities have international airports: Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport (DXB). Both cities are busiest for businesses and tourism.
When it comes to planning a trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, tourists need to take into account a number of factors, as well as the various transportation options available for their visit.
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How Far is Dubai from Abu Dhabi?
Depending on your departure and arrival locations, the amount of time you will need to travel varies greatly. On a general scale, it could be said that Dubai and Abu Dhabi are approximately 150 kilometers apart in terms of distance. A well-developed, well-maintained, and well-maintained road system exists throughout the Emirates at all times, making it easier for people to travel through these roads.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi By Bus
It has now become more comfortable and affordable to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus. Buses in the UAE are quiet, clean, air-conditioned, and have comfortable seats for all ages. Generally, buses trip from the Ibn Batutua bus terminal to the Abu Dhabi bus station last around two hours and ten minutes. Unfortunately, bus service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi isn’t available at night; therefore, if you’re planning on travelling to Abu Dhabi in the morning, then you’ll need to wait until the next morning. The cost of a bus ticket for a trip to Abu Dhabi can normally range from $8.6 to 10 USD (25 to 35 AED), depending on the bus station location. During the day, buses leave every 30 minutes, while during non-traffic hours, the journey will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus Stations
There are only two bus stations in Dubai that provide direct services from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and these bus stations are listed below.
Al Ghubaiba
Traveling on the bus from Al Ghubaiba bus station to the Abu Dhabi central bus station is the most convenient way to get to Abu Dhabi if you are staying in Bur Dub and Deira etc. When you get to the Abu Dhabi central bus station, you can take any bus anywhere you want to go. It takes two hours and ten minutes for the bus to get to the Abu Dhabi central bus station from the Al Ghubaiba bus station.
It is easily accessible by bus or metro from anywhere in Dubai, making Ghubaiba a popular spot to catch a bus to Abu Dhabi. If you are traveling to Al Ghubaiba bus station by metro, you will need to take the Green Line.
Ibn Battuta
This is also another bus station serving the Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus line It is located between the Dubai and Abu Dhabi near the border. It is either possible to purchase your ticket online or pay at the time; it is your choice, but it is recommended that you arrive before the departure time to avoid any problems. The bus journey from here to Abu Dhabi central station takes one hour and fifty minutes, with the cost of the ticket coming to 25 AED.
You can reach the Ibn Battuta metro station by metro, and then take the bus from there.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus Timings
- From Sunday to Wednesday, bus E100 runs from 4.30 AM to midnight, while on weekends, the last bus departs at 1 AM. Every 15 minutes, it runs.
- E101 operates Sunday through Wednesday from 4.45 AM to 11.15 PM, Thursday from 4.15 AM to 1.15 AM, Friday from 5.15 AM to 1.45 AM, and Saturday from 5.45 AM to 0.15 AM. There is approximately a 20 minute interval between runs.
- On Sunday through Thursday, bus number E102 runs from 5.30 AM to 10.30 PM, while on Friday it operates from 6.30 AM to 11.30 PM, and on Saturday it operates from 5.30 AM to 10.30 PM. Runs every hour.
What Bus Should You Take?
There are three bus options to choose from; E100, E101 and E102.
- E101 is the most convenient service for those travelling from the Palm, Jumeirah, Marina, JBR, or JLT areas in Dubai.
- E100 is perfect for Downtown passengers, and it’s can be grabbed at Ghubaiba bus station and is also useful for visiting Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Jumeirah, or the Dubai creek area
- The E102 bus runs between Ibn Battuta Bus Station and Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi, along with stops at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The ride is approximately less than two and a half hours long.
Are Dubai to Abu Dhabi Buses Comfortable?
These buses from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, like the rest of the RTA buses found throughout Dubai, are comfortable, clean, and neat, and every bus is equipped with at least two cameras for security. Dubai’s rules and regulations are strict, and women’s safety is one of the top priorities. So much like the Metro system in Dubai, the first compartment of the bus is exclusively dedicated to females, families, and couples. In that compartment, single males are not permitted to sit. If you are caught by the police, you will be fined.
While there isn’t a specific luggage compartment, you will still be able to carry around your luggage with ease, even if there isn’t a specific luggage space.
How to get from Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi?
From the airport (terminal 2) you can take a taxi to Al Ghubaiba bus station, where you can take a bus or a metro from there to reach your destination, or you can use any of the shuttle services listed below.
Free Dubai to Abu Dhabi Shuttle Buses
Since tourism is a major source of revenue for Abu Dhabi, there has been a push in recent years to make it as convenient and affordable as possible to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus. Over the past few years, several shutter services have also been launched that provide free transportation between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Free Bus Shuttle
Etihad and Emirates both offer free transfers for economy class passengers. You can find the relevant schedules for both facilities on their websites. The pickup and drop-off points for Etihad passengers are at the Etihad Travel Mall in downtown Dubai.
Emirates Free Bus Shuttle
For Emirates passengers, the pickup and drop point is at the Emirates downtown office in Khalidiya. These shuttles run 6-10 times a day. They are usually on time, so make sure you are on time. It’s better to be 10 minutes early at the shuttle point. The duration of the course is up to two hours. There is a separate luggage area, but it’s better to keep essential documents and personal financial documents in your hands. These shuttles are air-conditioned, clean, safe, and comfortable.
Other Ways to get Abu Dhabi from Dubai
In addition to bus, there are different types of transportation available for travelers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which makes it easier for them to travel through the streets and save them time. It is worth noting that Abu Dhabi has more traffic accidents than Dubai, so be cautious unless you are familiar with the highway if you are driving during fog sessions. There was a 44-car pile-up a few years ago because of heavy fog, and you need to be a pro at driving and familiar with UAE rules before you drive here.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi By Taxi
Even though it is an expensive way to travel, taxis are the fastest and easiest way to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Depending on which part of the city you choose, you can find several taxis available for your use in both cities, and the standard cost of a taxi will be between DH 250 and DH 350. As the distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is approximately two hours, taxis are an extremely convenient way to travel with multiple people at once as the rates can be split between all of them.
Sharing Taxi
Definitely, this is one of the cheapest and most comfortable ways to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if you are traveling alone and do not mind sharing a taxi with someone else. These taxis are available at bus stations throughout the city where taxi drivers look for single passengers to share a taxi with. Depending on the number of passengers, the prices for this form of transportation can vary. Of course, one of the drawbacks of this mode of transport is the fact that there is only one drop-off location like in the case of buses. However, you will be able to get to your destination much quicker.
It is best to hire a private taxi if you are traveling in a group. If you are travelling with three or four passengers, then you can choose from VW Passat, Toyota Camry, Toyota Fortuner, or Chevrolet Suburban. They are quite ideal for family trips and are quite affordable. Mercedes E-class, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS, and many more are considered to be ideal for luxury trips and are suitable for luxury travellers. These vehicles are suitable for long journeys, for taking 3-4 bags, or for 4-7 passengers, such as the VW Multivan, the Toyota Hiace, and the Opel Vivaro. The rates are around 200 USD.
Rent a car
You can also rent a car for your transportation from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. There are many rental agencies available at the airport, or you can also hire a car through the hotel. They will help you find a suitable vehicle. You need to provide your local and international driving license and other documents to rent a car. You should be proficientat driving a vehicle and followall instructions. Plan out your route beforehand and take all the necessary measures before starting the journey. Just fill up the car with fuel and you’re ready to go.
It’s better to take Highway E-11 or Sheikh Zayed Road for less traffic or hustle. The route is about two hours if all instructions are followed carefully. This type of transport is cheaper and faster.
Hire a Helicopter
You can also travel by helicopter. Various private helicopter transit companies could help schedule your trip. You can go through their websites and choose one according to your choice. It is expensive to travel by helicopter as it costs 14,900 AED for five people. Most companies provide pick-up and drop-off services, and others can drop at a particular location. The scenery is beautiful and attractive. You will go through many beautiful landscapes, and it’s better to carry a camera to capture the beauty. The journey lasts around 45 minutes.
(Hyperloop – 10 Minutes Travel Duration)
There is a new system called the Hyperloop that will launch in Dubai and will enable people to travel between these two cities much quicker and easier than they have ever done before. The distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be reduced to 15 minutes only. The extraordinary system will be able to run at 1200 km per hour and will be cheaper than the commercial rail. It will be fast enough to reach a given destination at a given time, and it will be able to run at 1200 km per hour. This project is still in the development stage and will be launched soon.
Safety and rules
It’s better to follow all the rules and instructions given by the police and the law. It is essential to follow directions to avoid accidents. The roads are clean and nicely constructed. However, otherwise, it is entirely safe if you take all precautionary measures. Travelling between these two cities is essential due to businesses, jobs, or tourism purposes, and these transportations will help you reach the destination without chaos. I hope this article helps you choose the right option.
Updated on 18 Sept 2023.
