Traveling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is quick and affordable thanks to transportation options, including an airport bus, public bus, taxi, and rental car. With both cities located only 90 minutes apart, you have no reason not to make the trip between Dubai and Abu Dhabi which are connected by convenient modes of transportation.
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Public Bus
The cheapest way of traveling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi by public transportation is by taking the public bus.
The two-hour journey costs only AED 25 (about $6.81).
Bus E100 arrives and departs from Dubai from the Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. The bus arrives in and departs from Abu Dhabi from the Abu Dhabi Bus Station.
Buses between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Abu Dhabi Bus Station depart multiple times per hour. The times vary by hour and day, but the average departure is every 15 minutes. If you miss one bus, the next bus will only be a short wait.
Bus E100 schedule from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
The first bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station will be from Saturday to Thursday at 5:00 AM and on Friday at 4:15 AM.
Last bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station: Sunday-Wednesday at 12:25 AM, Thursday at 11:40 PM, Friday at 12:54 AM, and Saturday at 12:30 AM.
The Al Ghubaiba Bus Station is located within walking distance of Al Ghubaiba Metro Station 2. Those arriving at Dubai International Airport can travel to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station 2 in about 20 minutes.
Bus E100 schedule from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
First bus from Abu Dhabi Bus Station: Saturday-Wednesday at 4:30AM and Thursday-Friday at 5:00AM.
Last bus from Abu Dhabi Bus Station: Sunday-Wednesday at 12:05AM, Thursday at 12:20AM, and Friday-Saturday at 12:00AM.
Emirates Bus
Are you a passenger holding an economy class flight ticket on Emirates?
If so, you can use a complimentary shuttle service between Dubai and Abu Dhabi offered by Emirates (through a 3rd party provider).
This free service is offered exclusively to economy class passengers flying on Emirates in and out of Dubai International Airport (DXB). Unfortunately, this bus is only available for passengers arriving and departing at Dubai International Airport.
How to book
To book a reservation for the Emirates bus between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, contact your local travel agent or local Emirates office at least 48 hours before your flight departure. Requests made less than 48 hours before your flight departure are not guaranteed.
The schedule for the Emirates bus between Dubai and Abu Dhabi can be found below.
From Dubai (outside Terminal 3 arrivals) to Abu Dhabi (Emirates downtown office, Khalidiya, Corniche)
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|
| 00:00 | 01:45 |
| 02:00 | 03:45 |
| 07:15 | 09:00 |
| 10:00 | 11:45 |
| 14:00 | 15:45 |
| 19:00 | 20:45 |
From Abu Dhabi (Emirates downtown office, Khalidiya, Corniche) to Dubai (Terminal 3 departures)
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|
| 04:00 | 05:45 |
| 06:00 | 07:45 |
| 09:30 | 11:15 |
| 11:30 | 13:15 |
| 16:30 | 18:15 |
| 22:00 | 23:45 |
Emirates also offers a complimentary shuttle service between Dubai and Al Ain.
Etihad Airways Bus
Like Emirates, Etihad Airways also offers a complimentary shuttle service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Economy class passengers flying in and out of Abu Dhabi International Airport have access to the free Etihad Luxury Coach bus service between Abu Dhabi and Dubai along with Al Ain.
How to book
The Etihad Luxury Coach bus between Abu Dhabi and Dubai can be booked by visiting https://www.etihad.com/en-us/plan-and-book/book-etihad-express/. Just make sure you have your Etihad Airways booking reference number in hand. Online requests must be made within 24 hours prior to your flight.
Alternatively, the bus may also be booked by contacting an Etihad Global Contact Centre or local office or through your local travel agent.
A few things to note:
The bus is only available for free for passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi International on the same day of arrival.
Passengers who want to use the bus on other days or passengers who are traveling on flights operated by other airlines may still travel on the Etihad Luxury Coach bus for a fee of AED 80 per way, or about $21.78. To book, contact an Etihad Global Contact Centre or local office within 24 hours of your flight departure.
The schedule for the Etihad bus between Abu Dhabi and Dubai can be found below.
From Abu Dhabi International Airport (lower level arrivals hall) to Etihad Travel Mall (Dubai)
| Coach Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| EY 5412 | 01:00 | 02:20 |
| EY 5414 | 01:55 | 03:15 |
| EY 5416 | 03:00 | 04:20 |
| EY 5418 | 07:30 | 08:50 |
| EY 5420 | 08:45 | 10:05 |
| EY 5422 | 10:35 | 11:55 |
| EY 5424 | 14:00 | 15:20 |
| EY 5426 | 20:15 | 21:35 |
| EY 5428 | 20:45 | 22:05 |
| EY 5430 | 21:45 | 23:05 |
| EY 5432 | 23:55 | 01:15 |
From Etihad Travel Mall (Dubai) to Abu Dhabi International Airport
| Coach Number | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|
| EY 5411 | 04:55 | 06:15 |
| EY 5413 | 06:00 | 07:20 |
| EY 5415 | 07:00 | 08:20 |
| EY 5417 | 10:00 | 11:20 |
| EY 5419 | 12:00 | 13:20 |
| EY 5421 | 18:00 | 19:20 |
| EY 5423 | 19:00 | 20:20 |
| EY 5425 | 19:30 | 20:50 |
| EY 5427 | 22:00 | 23:20 |
| EY 5429 | 23:59 | 01:19 |
Taxi
If you want to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi quickly and stress-free, then your best option would be to hire a private taxi.
Though driving in a taxi in the United Arab Emirates can sometimes be an adventure, taxi drivers are usually safe and main roads are in good condition.
Taxis in the UAE are metered, spotlessly clean, comfortable, and best of all, air conditioned. What’s the catch? You will have to pay considerably more compared to public transportation.
The cost of a taxi between Dubai International Airport or anywhere in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is roughly around AED 300, or around $81.68. Just be aware that the rate can vary depending on traffic.
The journey is about 150 km (93 miles) and takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
Taxis can be flagged down anywhere in Dubai and will take you to Abu Dhabi (or vice versa). If you will be flagging down a taxi, make sure you notify the driver of your destination before getting into the vehicle. Most drivers are friendly and will gladly take you between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Car Rental
Another option for traveling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is by renting your own car.
Car rentals in UAE are often very cheap, even as low as $15 a day. In addition, fuel is cheap and free parking is available almost everywhere including hotels and shopping centers.
You will find the major car rental companies at the airports and in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi including Avis, Alamo, Thrifty, Budget, Dollar, Sixt, and more. The best way to book a car rental is online though one of the major booking sites such as Hotwire, Priceline, of Expedia.
If you have driven in the United States or Europe, then driving in the United Arab Emirates should not be that much different. Roads in UAE were designed similar to those found in the United States: well maintained, wide roads with many lanes, and large junctions.
Also be aware that some roads between Dubai and Abu Dhabi are toll roads. Tolls are usually charged automatically to your credit card by your rental car company.
In the unlikely case that you are involved in a traffic accident or another emergency, call 999 to be connected with an ambulance or the police.
Last Updated on April 3, 2024
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