Day Trips from Dubai

Dubai’s central location in the UAE means six other emirates and several compelling landscapes are within 90–120 minutes by car. Below are the most practical day trip options with realistic assessments of what you can cover.

Abu Dhabi (140 km, ~90 min each way)

The capital is the most popular day trip from Dubai. The E11 highway connects the cities directly.

What to cover in a day: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (free, allow 2 hours), Louvre Abu Dhabi (approximately AED 63, allow 2 hours), the Corniche for a walk and lunch. Alternatively, swap Louvre for Yas Island if theme parks are your preference.

Getting there: Renting a car from Dubai is the most flexible option. Shared taxis from Al Ghubaiba station run for approximately AED 60–70 per seat when full. Bus E101 costs approximately AED 25 but takes 2+ hours.

Tip: Leave Dubai before 08:00 to avoid the morning rush on the E11 and arrive at the mosque before the tour groups.

Sharjah (15 km, 20–40 min, traffic-dependent)

The closest emirate to Dubai but the most traffic-affected. Morning visits on weekdays are significantly more pleasant than evenings or weekends.

What to cover: Sharjah Heritage Area (free), Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (AED 15), Blue Souk for carpets and silver, Al Noor Island (AED 35).

Tip: Sharjah is dry — no alcohol available anywhere in the emirate. Worth combining with the Ajman dhow yards for a full cultural circuit.

Ras Al Khaimah (100 km, ~75 min each way)

RAK is the adventure emirate — mountains, the world’s longest zipline, and excellent beach resorts.

What to cover: Jebel Jais Flight zipline (approximately AED 600 — book ahead), or drive to the summit viewpoint (free), Dhayah Fort (free), National Museum of RAK (AED 5).

Alternative: Beach day at a RAK resort. The DoubleTree by Hilton or Waldorf Astoria both offer day-use passes (approximately AED 200–300 including food credit).

Fujairah (130 km, ~90 min each way)

The east coast emirate on the Gulf of Oman with clear water, coral reefs, and a dramatically different landscape from the Gulf coast.

What to cover: Fujairah Fort (AED 5), Al Bidyah Mosque (free), snorkelling at Snoopy Island (bring your own equipment or hire at Sandy Beach Hotel, approximately AED 50), Khor Kalba mangroves.

Tip: The road through the Hajar Mountains via the E88 is more scenic than the longer Sharjah-Fujairah route and roughly the same time. See our Fujairah guide and diving in Fujairah.

Al Ain (160 km, ~90 min each way)

The UNESCO World Heritage city with oases, ancient forts, and the UAE’s best zoo.

What to cover: Al Ain Oasis (free, 1.5 hours), Al Ain Zoo (AED 50, 2 hours), camel market (free, best before 10:00), drive up Jebel Hafeet (free).

Tip: Al Ain’s distance means an early start is needed to get full value from the day. Leaving Dubai by 07:30 allows you to reach the camel market at opening. See our Al Ain guide.

Hatta (130 km, ~90 min each way)

Hatta is a small mountain enclave of Dubai emirate near the Oman border. Unlike the rest of Dubai, it has genuinely rugged terrain, a dam lake, and cooler temperatures.

What to cover: Hatta Heritage Village (AED 3), kayaking or pedal boating on the Hatta Dam reservoir (from AED 60), mountain bike trails (hire from approximately AED 60/hour). The Hatta Wadi Hub runs adventure activities from approximately AED 100.

Tip: Hatta is increasingly popular with Dubai residents — arrive early on weekends. See our dedicated Hatta day trip guide.

Practical Advice

• Car rental is strongly recommended for any of these trips — public transport options exist but add significant time
• Carry cash — not all attractions and smaller restaurants accept cards
• Download offline Google Maps before leaving — signal can drop in mountain areas
• For guided day trips covering Abu Dhabi or the desert, browse available tours from Dubai