How to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

The distance between Dubai and Abu Dhabi isn’t that large. It’s just around 90 miles and 140 km, respectively, but the speed of reaching from one city to another largely depends on the type of transport you pick. For example, you can choose public transport, like a bus, or rent a luxury car without a deposit from Trinity Rental. In the first case, the trip will be cheaper, and in the second, it may take just an hour instead of two and a half.

In this guide, we will discuss all the best ways to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, as well as some places along the way you definitely don’t want to miss. Each option has its pros and cons, and we’ll mention all so that you can set your priorities and make a 100% informed choice.

Getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by Public Transport

If you aren’t considering luxury car rental this time and are seeking something more affordable, you’ll still be able to choose among quite good and comfortable options. So, how to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by public transport? Let’s take a look at the main ways to travel between the cities and also bust some myths.

Bus

If you’re going from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus, you can start your trip from one of the two city bus stations — Ibn Battuta or Al Ghubaiba Station. You’ll arrive at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. It will take you around 2-2.30 hours, and the best thing is that the trip will still be quite comfortable. Local buses feature air conditioners, comfortable seatings (including children’s seatings), onboard displays, etc.

The only thing you need to do is to choose the right route, and the options are as follows:

• E100. Departs from Al Ghubaiba and ends at Abu Dhabi, Central. The first bus departs at 4:20 AM and the last one — at 11:25 PM (the new one arrives at the station every 25-30 minutes). The ticket costs 25 AED (around $8).
• E101. Departs from Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop 4 and ends at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. The first bus departs at 4:30 AM and the last one — at 2:00 AM. The frequency is 20-30 minutes, and the cost is 25 AED (around $8).
• E102. Departs from Dubai Ibn Battuta and ends at Abu Dhabi Mussafah. The first bus departs at 6:20 AM and the last one — at 01:39 PM. The frequency is around an hour, and the cost is also 25 AED.

Note that the time of the trip will largely depend on the traffic. In this case, everyone is in equal conditions, but there’s no denying that those who rent Lamborghini, Porsche, or even a less fancy car will get to Abu Dhabi at least 1 hour faster. Still, it’s all about priorities. If you’re not in a rush, buses may work perfectly fine.

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Train

How to go to Abu Dhabi from Dubai by train? Unfortunately, that’s not possible at the moment. However, Etihad Rail (UAE's national railway network) has announced that it plans to build passenger stations connecting 11 regions and cities, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi are on the list.

Though it will allow reducing the trip time between the cities from around 2 hours by bus to 57 minutes by train, we’ll need to wait for this improvement. Bus rides still remain the main transportation option for UAE residents and tourists.

Plane

Can one travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by plane? For now, it’s not possible. There are no direct flights from Dubai to Abu Dhabi at the moment. Considering how close the cities are to one another, it makes sense. After all, the plane ticket would still be more expensive than, for example, renting a Ferrari from the Trinity service without any deposit, and the flight would take much longer than a one-hour smooth ride.

Taxi

You can order a taxi in Dubai with just a few clicks. There are five top services in the city, namely:

1. Careem;
2. Uber UAE;
3. Hala;
4. ‍Arabia Taxi LLC;
5. DTC Smart Taxi App.

If you decide to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by taxi, you’ll pay around 300 AED or $80. Of course, it will depend on the class of the car, the service, and the time of day.

Of course, a taxi will be cheaper than a car rental with a driver. However, the level of service and comfort is still incomparable. But again, it’s all about priorities. You can use a trusted taxi service and get to Abu Dhabi on time without any difficulty.

Car Rental

How to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi? Car rental is the best option in terms of flexibility and comfort. However, if you choose Trinity, you’ll get multiple other benefits, namely:

1. 80+ most modern cars. Our car fleet comprises top-notch vehicles, including 2024 models.
2. There’s no need to pay a deposit for a car to enjoy your time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
3. The price includes 300 km, VAT and access to toll roads.
4. You can pay with a card, in cash, or even in cryptocurrency.
5. The vehicle can be delivered to any location in Dubai.
6. You get a personal manager who’ll help you with everything at every stage of your journey.

So, traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi will be super comfortable, and you’ll be the one who makes decisions. Also, every customer gets a full fuel tank as a gift and can hire a private driver easily just by telling a manager they need one.

Airport Shuttle Services

Note that you can also use paid shuttle services and the options and conditions for those who want to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi are as follows:

Helicopter

If time is your top priority, you can travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by helicopter. In this case, you can get to the destination place in less than 30 minutes, but the cost of such a service will be rather high. It will depend on the number of passengers, the type of vehicle, and the company you choose, but the minimum price usually ranges from $5,000 to $10,000.

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Must-see places on the road

Getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi can be even more fun if you consider a few interesting stops:

• Dubai Parks and Resorts. This huge complex is located just off the Sheikh Zayed Road and features different themed parks — Legoland, Motiongate, and Bollywood Parks. If you’re traveling with a family, it’s a great place to visit.
• Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve. If you don’t mind a little detour, consider visiting the beautiful reserve to enjoy exceptional desert views. Your trip to Abu Dhabi will take an extra hour of driving, but for many travelers, that unique outdoor experience is 100% worth it.
• Yas Island. It’s right on your way from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, so why not enjoy top attractions like Warner Bros, Ferrari World, and Yas Waterworld? Just note that if you’re going to visit this hub, you’ll very unlikely spend just an hour or two there.

So, if you’re going to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, consider visiting at least one of these places. That definitely will be an unforgettable experience.