Planning a trip to the capital — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi or Ferrari World? Here's every realistic way to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in 2026, compared by price, time and comfort, with real fares.
The two cities are about 140 km apart — roughly a 1 hour 20 minute drive via the E11 highway in normal traffic. It's one of the most popular trips in the UAE, and there are four main ways to do it. Here's the honest breakdown.
Typical 2026 fares; actual cost varies by pickup point, destination, time of day and traffic.
RTA buses E100, E101 and E102 connect the cities for just 25–30 AED, paid with a Nol card. They're air-conditioned with Wi-Fi and run every 20–30 minutes. E100 leaves from Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai; E101 from Ibn Battuta, which is handy if you're in Marina, JBR or JLT.
The trade-off: it drops you at Abu Dhabi's central bus station, not at the sights — and Abu Dhabi's attractions are spread far apart, so you'll need local taxis once there. The journey also takes longer, 1h40 to 2.5 hours. Best for solo, budget travellers who don't mind connections.
A metered taxi runs around 250–350 AED one way from Downtown Dubai, with the meter only settling at the end. Uber and Careem show an upfront price — roughly 300–450 AED — which many travellers prefer for budgeting. Both take you straight to the door in about 1h25.
Convenient and fast, but the cost adds up — especially if you want the taxi to wait or make several stops in Abu Dhabi, which most won't do. A pickup from Dubai Airport also adds a surcharge.
Here's the thing most guides skip: Abu Dhabi's highlights — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace and Yas Island (Ferrari World, Warner Bros) — are nowhere near each other. If you're doing a day trip and want to see more than one, you'll spend a fortune (and a lot of time) on separate taxis between them.
A private car with a driver — roughly 400–600 AED for the day — solves that. One fixed price, a driver who waits at each stop and takes you between sights, with no hailing, no language barrier and no meter anxiety. For families, groups and anyone wanting multiple stops, it's usually both more comfortable and better value than piecing together taxis.
We'll give you a car and a driver for the day — fixed price, door-to-door, waiting at every stop so you can see the Grand Mosque, Louvre and more without the hassle.
About 140 km by road, roughly a 1h20 drive in normal traffic via the E11. Allow up to 2 hours in rush hour (7–9am, 5–7pm).
The intercity bus (E100/E101/E102) at around 25–30 AED one way. Buses run every 20–30 minutes and take 1h40 to 2.5 hours.
A metered taxi is about 250–350 AED one way; Uber/Careem around 300–450 AED; a private transfer roughly 400–600 AED door-to-door.
The sights are far apart, so for several stops a private car with a driver is usually the most practical and time-efficient choice.