How to Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

In the UAE, many residents travel from one emirate to another, either to work, visit their family, or simply explore new places. In this article, we will cover all the available transportation means for you to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi easily and smoothly. 

This is because both emirates are where most expats live and commuting between them is the most common. 

Means of Transportation to Travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

If you are wondering how to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, then don’t worry as there are plenty of options available, such as buses, taxis, rental cars, or shuttles. 

These services’ prices depend on many factors, such as: 

  • how many kilometres from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
  • Level of comfort
  • Number of passengers. 

1. Bus Service from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

First of all, bus services are considered the cheapest means of transportation in the UAE to get you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. In addition to being affordable and convenient, they have fixed schedules as well. 

Buses take trips from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and vice versa multiple times a day, so no matter when you want to travel, a bus will always be there at your convenience. 

In addition, if you are wondering where to get the bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, then there are three main itineraries that get you to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station 1 from Dubai: 

  • From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station 9
  • From Ibn Battuta Metro Station
  • From Ibn Battuta Bus Station 8

These bus transportation from Dubai to Abu Dhabi services take place every 20 minutes, and they both cost AED 30 for a one-way ticket. Furthermore, those trips take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Dubai bus

Bus From Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi

If you are headed straight from Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi, then you most probably will take the detailed route in the table below; it starts at terminal 3 Dubai Airport and reaches Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station: 

From To Duration Bus Line 
Terminal 3, DXB Gold Souq Bus Station External
33 minutes C01 
Gold Souq Bus Station ExternalAl Ghubaiba Bus Station 7
8 minutes X13
Al Ghubaiba Bus Station 9Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station 12h 20min
E100

Finally, if you think that riding is not comfortable, then you might reconsider after knowing about the great qualities those busses offer: 

  • Air conditioning 
  • Wifi
  • Comfortable seating 
  • Priority seating for women, kids, and handicaps
  • Luggage room 
  • Designated section for women, children, and families
  • Cafeteria & vending machines at all bus stops 

2. Taxi

This is the second available public transport from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Whether you are taking a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Dubai or the other way around, the fares will still be the same. 

Although taking a taxi to Abu Dhabi from Dubai isn’t cheap, a lot of people prefer this option for their convenience, comfort, and privacy.

Besides, a taxi ride from Dubai to Abu Dhabi would take around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and it will cost approximately AED 220.36AED 275.50.

taxi dubai

Taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport

Furthermore, if you want your own taxi ride from DXB (Dubai International Airport) to Abu Dhabi, a taxi car will be waiting for you right outside the airport. 

Here are more details on the journey: 

From To Duration Distance Price 
Dubai Airport (DXB)Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station1h – 25 minutes151.5 kmOpening fare of AED 25(AED1.75/km)

3. Airport Shuttle Services 

There are many transportation companies that provide airport shuttles to take you from the airport to any location you want. 

For example, GetTransfer.com provides this service for those going to Abu Dhabi from Dubai or the other way around. Moreover, their fleet varies between many types of ride, as shown below in more detail: 

Ride Type Number of Passengers Allowed Luggage Price 
Economy 3 passengers 3 suitcases AED 253.42
Comfort 3 passengers 3 suitcases AED 304.83
Business3 passengers 3 suitcases AED 367.27
Premium 3 passengers 3 suitcases AED 385.63
VIP 3 passengers 3 suitcases AED 628.03
SUV5 passengers 5 suitcases AED 301.16
VAN 8 passengers 6 suitcases AED 396.65
Minibus 16 passengers 16 suitcases AED 771.27
Bus 50 passengers 50 suitcases AED 1,531.52

4. Car Rentals

On the other hand, some people prefer renting a car to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. For instance, many people take road trips from Dubai to Louvre Abu Dhabi to explore this amazing museum. 

A trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi’s Louvre would take around 1 hour and 15 minutes, which is approximately 134.9 km.

In addition, most car rental services have pick-up and drop-off locations for cars. Meaning that you can rent a car in Dubai and drop it off in the designated location in Abu Dhabi, so there is no need to drive it back to Dubai. 

This service comes in real handy for many people travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. 

Options for Car Rentals from Dubai to Abu Dhabi 

Avis UAE 

Avis is a worldwide car-renting service. They have a varied fleet to suit all their customers’ needs. Not only are their services convenient and luxurious, but they are also very reliable as well. 

Moreover, they offer 24-hour road assistance for emergencies in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

Avis Dubai Locations 

  1. Sheikh Marwan building, Sheikh Zayed road, near the Financial Centre metro station
  2. Office no G09, Murjan 1, Jumeirah Beach Residence
  3. Dubai International Airport, at Terminal 1, 2, and 3 arrivals as well as Terminal 1 departures. 

Avis Abu Dhabi Locations 

  1. Al Otaiba building, Hamdan Bin Mohammed street, beside World Trade Centre offices (main office)
  2. Parking level 4, Skypark Plaza building, Abu Dhabi International Airport

Contact Details

  • +971 (0)4 3307272
  • +971 (0)2 6218400

Opening Hours 

  • Monday – Friday: 8 am – 8 pm
  • Saturday – Sunday: 8 am – 5 pm 

5. Other Transportation Services

There are plenty of other transportation services if you want a private trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by car at any time. 

Many people love taking Uber or Careem because of their wonderful service, premium cars, and great convenience. Find below the prices for these car services depending on which ride type you choose. 

Uber 

These are the average prices for a car lift from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if you are considering taking Uber: 

  • Comfort: AED 507.22
  • UberXL: AED 539AED 554
  • Black: AED 733.59
  • Family: AED 474AED 490 
  • Green: AED 507.22

Careem 

Recently, Careem added an option for intercity travelling which takes you from any emirate you want to another. Here are their average prices also based on the ride type: 

  • Economy: AED 352 
  • Business: AED 370 
  • Max: AED 404 
  • Careem Kids: AED 348 
  • A 5-hour personal captain: AED 580 
  • A 10-hour personal caption: AED 805 
man with his car

This guide answers all your questions on how to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and the other way around. Commuting from Dubai to Sharjah is also common for many expats who seek affordable living in Sharjah.

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