Home › Routes › Abu Dhabi to Dubai
How to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
The fastest way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is by car or taxi along the E11, about 1 h 30 to 2 h depending on which parts of the two cities you start and finish in. The cheapest way is the intercity bus from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, about 2 h to 2 h 30 for a small fare.
Best option: Bus. The intercity buses are frequent, air-conditioned and cost a fraction of a taxi, and they end at Dubai Metro stations for onward travel.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus Intercity buses from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station to Dubai (route E100 to Al Ghubaiba; E101 to Ibn Battuta, by the Dubai Metro) | about 2 h to 2 h 30 | roughly every 30–60 minutes through the day | about AED 25–35 | Fares are paid with a transport card (Hafilat or Nol, depending on the service), not cash; check current payment rules before you travel. |
| car E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road on the Dubai side) | about 1 h 30 to 2 h | fuel plus small electronic road tolls (Darb in Abu Dhabi, Salik in Dubai) | Rental cars have toll tags; tolls are billed to you afterwards. Morning and evening rush hours slow the Dubai end considerably. | |
| taxi Metered taxi or ride-hailing app door to door | about 1 h 30 to 2 h | on demand | about AED 250–350 | Agree the route and any return-trip surcharge before leaving; ride-hailing apps show a fixed price upfront. |
| train Etihad Rail passenger service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai | announced at under 1 h | Passenger services have been announced for 2026; check whether they have actually started and where the stations are before planning around them. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Dress codes at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are strict: covered arms and legs, and a headscarf for women.
- Avoid driving into Dubai between about 7:00–9:30 and 17:00–20:00 if you can; traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road is heavy.
- Buy and top up a transport card before boarding the bus; drivers generally do not take cash.
- Speed cameras are everywhere on the E11; fines arrive on rental-car bills.
Common questions
Can I do Abu Dhabi to Dubai as a day trip?
Yes. The intercity bus takes about two hours each way and runs from early morning to late evening, and a car or taxi is a little faster outside rush hour. Leave Abu Dhabi by about 8:00 and you have a full day in Dubai, returning in the evening. Check the last bus time on the day, as timetables change.
Is there a train between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
A passenger service on the Etihad Rail network has been announced for 2026, but you should check whether it is actually running, and from which stations, before relying on it. Until then the realistic public transport option is the intercity bus from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station to Al Ghubaiba or Ibn Battuta in Dubai.
What is the cheapest way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
The intercity bus, at about AED 25–35 one way. It is far cheaper than a taxi, which typically costs about AED 250–350. You pay with a transport card rather than cash, so buy one at the bus station first. Both Dubai terminals connect to the Dubai Metro for onward travel.
Do I need to book the bus ahead?
Usually not. The buses run frequently and you board with a transport card on a first-come basis. On Friday evenings and public holidays queues can be long at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, so arrive early or allow time for a later departure. Taxis and ride-hailing cars can be ordered at short notice.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.