Do you need a car for a 7-day UAE road trip?

Yes. Public transport connects Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah via intercity buses, but Al Ain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah are impractical without a car. Renting from Dubai International Airport and returning to the same location avoids drop-off fees.

How much does a 7-day UAE road trip cost?

Budget travellers can expect approximately AED 5,500–7,500 for the week all-in (excluding international flights), covering car rental, accommodation, food, and key attraction entry fees. Mid-range visitors should plan for AED 10,000–16,000. Estimates are for one person as of 2026.

Is Al Ain worth visiting on a UAE itinerary?

Yes. Al Ain is a UNESCO World Heritage city with an entirely different character from the coast. The oasis, palace museum, and Jebel Hafeet mountain offer experiences unavailable in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It is also one of the most walkable and least touristy places in the UAE.

How long does it take to drive between emirates?

Dubai to Abu Dhabi is approximately 135km, 1.5 hours. Abu Dhabi to Al Ain is approximately 160km, 1.5 hours. Al Ain to Fujairah is approximately 180km, 2 hours. Fujairah to Sharjah is approximately 170km, 1.5 hours. Sharjah to Ras Al Khaimah is approximately 80km, 1 hour. Total driving across the week is manageable.

What is the driving route for the UAE road trip?

The standard loop from Dubai goes south and west to Abu Dhabi, then east to Al Ain (across the Hajar foothills), north to Fujairah on the Indian Ocean coast, west back through Sharjah, and north to Ras Al Khaimah before returning to Dubai. The full loop is approximately 725km.

7-Day UAE Itinerary | The UAE Guides

Seven days is the right amount of time to drive through the UAE and experience all seven emirates in their full variety. The route goes south to Abu Dhabi, pivots east across the mountains to Al Ain, drops down to the Indian Ocean coast at Fujairah, cuts west through Sharjah’s cultural district, and finishes at Ras Al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais mountain before returning to Dubai. It is a complete circuit covering desert, coast, mountain, oasis, and urban skyline.

For guided activities across the UAE — desert safaris, Burj Khalifa entry, dhow cruises in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Mosque tours in Abu Dhabi, and adventure experiences at Jebel Jais — browse tours in the UAE on GetYourGuide to compare operators and book before arrival. City-specific options: Dubai tours | Abu Dhabi tours | Ras Al Khaimah tours.

Car Rental

Rent from Dubai International Airport for the most competitive rates and simplest pickup. Economy cars (Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio) cost approximately AED 120–180 per day with basic insurance; compact SUVs (Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Hyundai Tucson) run approximately AED 220–350 per day with full coverage. Full coverage insurance is recommended for mountain roads in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

Petrol is inexpensive — approximately AED 2.70 per litre as of 2026. Fill up at ENOC or ADNOC stations along the route.

Driving notes: Tolls operate on Dubai’s highways (Salik gates, approximately AED 4 per crossing). Speed cameras are active on all major roads. The speed limit on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) is 120km/h. GPS works reliably; Google Maps and Waze are both used widely.

Budget Overview

Tier	Estimated 7-Day Spend (per person, excl. flights)
Budget	AED 5,500–7,500
Mid-range	AED 10,000–16,000
Luxury	AED 25,000–50,000+

Includes car rental, accommodation, food, attractions, and fuel.

Day 1–2: Dubai (2 nights)

Fly in, pick up the rental car, and spend two days covering Dubai’s highlights before the drive begins. Parking in Dubai is easy at most hotels and tourist sites.

Where to stay in Dubai

Search hotels in Dubai, UAE on Booking.com

Budget: Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira (~AED 250–380/night) — well-located on Al Diyafah Road, walking distance from Al Fahidi and a short drive to Downtown.
Mid-range: Novotel Dubai Al Barsha (~AED 500–720/night) — near Mall of the Emirates metro, good pool, easy access to the metro and Sheikh Zayed Road.
Luxury: Address Downtown (~AED 1,400–2,200/night) — directly above the Burj Khalifa metro station, pool terrace with fountain views.

What to do in Dubai (Days 1–2)

Day 1 focuses on Downtown: Burj Khalifa At the Top (AED 149 non-prime, book at burjkhalifa.ae), the Dubai Fountain evening show (free), and dinner in the Downtown area. Zuma (AED 350–500/person) or Armani/Amal (AED 180–280/person) are the two strongest options.

Day 2 covers Old Dubai: cross Dubai Creek by abra (AED 1), explore Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (free), the Dubai Museum (AED 3), the Gold Souk and Spice Souk in Deira (both free). Lunch at Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi (AED 55–90/person).

Evening in the Dubai Marina or at Ain Dubai on Bluewaters Island (AED 130 for the observation wheel) before an early dinner ahead of the drive to Abu Dhabi next morning.

Restaurant reference for Dubai

Meal	Option	Price per person
Breakfast	Café Bateel, Dubai Mall	AED 30–55
Lunch	Reem Al Bawadi, Financial Centre Road	AED 60–100
Dinner	Armani/Amal, Burj Khalifa tower	AED 180–280
Dinner (upscale)	Zuma, Gate Village DIFC	AED 350–500

Day 3: Abu Dhabi (1 night, drive ~135km, 1.5 hours)

Leave Dubai via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) heading west. The drive to Abu Dhabi takes approximately 1.5 hours in normal traffic. Intercity bus (E101) runs from Dubai’s Union Square bus station to Abu Dhabi for approximately AED 25 if you prefer not to drive this leg.

Where to stay in Abu Dhabi

Budget: Centro Capital Centre by Rotana (~AED 320–480/night) — near the airport and Yas Island, reliable chain hotel.
Mid-range: Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri (~AED 580–820/night) — on the waterway between Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, excellent position.
Luxury: Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (~AED 1,300–2,200/night) — on the Corniche with beach club and panoramic Gulf views.

What to do in Abu Dhabi (Day 3)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — the UAE’s most significant religious site. Free entry; advance booking required at grandmosque.gov.ae. Open to visitors from 9am–10pm (closed Friday mornings). Allow 1.5–2 hours. Modest dress required; abaya rental available at the entrance for approximately AED 25.

Emirates Palace lobby — the grand Kempinski hotel on the Corniche is open to day visitors. The lobby café serves gold-dusted cappuccinos (approximately AED 55) and is worth a look.

Abu Dhabi Corniche — the 8km waterfront promenade runs along the western edge of the city. Walking it at sunset is one of the best free experiences in the UAE.

Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island — designed by Jean Nouvel, the museum holds an international permanent collection alongside visiting exhibitions (AED 63/adult; book at louvreabudhabi.ae). Allow 2–3 hours.

Dinner in Abu Dhabi: Li Beirut at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers (Lebanese, AED 150–250/person) or Roberto’s in ADGM Square (Italian, AED 200–350/person).

Day 4: Al Ain (1 night, drive ~160km from Abu Dhabi, 1.5 hours)

Drive east on the E22 highway toward Al Ain — the UAE’s only inland city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its oasis, falaj irrigation system, and archaeological sites.

Where to stay in Al Ain

Budget: Ayla Hotel Al Ain (~AED 270–430/night) — centrally located, clean, good base for exploring the city.
Mid-range: Al Ain Rotana (~AED 480–720/night) — well-established hotel with a good pool, close to Al Ain Oasis.
Luxury: Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet (~AED 700–1,100/night) — perched on the Jebel Hafeet mountain at 1,240m with dramatic views across Al Ain and the Oman border.

What to do in Al Ain (Day 4)

Al Ain Oasis — a 1,200-hectare UNESCO-listed date palm plantation with 147,000 palms crossed by 3,000-year-old falaj irrigation channels. Entry is free. The shaded walking paths are quiet and pleasant even in summer.

Al Ain Palace Museum (AED 15/adult) — the former ruling family palace, now a museum of Emirati life and royal history. Well-maintained and rarely crowded.

Jebel Hafeet — drive up the 12km mountain road (free) to the 1,934m peak on the UAE-Oman border. The road is one of the most scenic drives in the country with hairpin bends and views across the desert. Allow 45 minutes for the drive up plus time at the top.

Al Ain Zoo (AED 22/adult, AED 10/child) — one of the largest zoos in the Arabian Peninsula, with cheetah, Arabian oryx, and bird of prey sections.

Dinner in Al Ain: The Wok at Al Ain Rotana (Asian, AED 80–140/person) or Al Diwan at the Ayla Hotel (Arabic, AED 60–100/person).

Day 5: Fujairah and the East Coast (1 night, drive ~180km from Al Ain, 2 hours)

The drive from Al Ain to Fujairah crosses the Hajar Mountains via the Madam Road (E55). The mountain section takes approximately 45 minutes and involves dramatic gorge scenery. This is one of the best drives in the UAE.

Where to stay on the East Coast

Budget: Mirage Hotel Fujairah (~AED 220–380/night) — basic but clean, central to Fujairah city.
Mid-range: Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort (~AED 480–720/night) — on the Indian Ocean beach at Al Aqah, 30 minutes north of Fujairah city. The location is the main draw.
Luxury: Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort (~AED 850–1,400/night) — directly on the beach, coral reef access for snorkelling.

What to do in Fujairah (Day 5)

Al Bidyah Mosque — the oldest mosque in the UAE, dating to approximately the 15th century. Free to visit outside prayer times. Located on the coastal road between Fujairah city and Al Aqah.

Snoopy Island — a small offshore island near the Sandy Beach Hotel at Al Aqah, popular for snorkelling. Boat transfers cost approximately AED 30–50 return; snorkel gear hire approximately AED 40–60. The coral and fish life is the best accessible snorkelling in the UAE.

Fujairah Fort (AED 5/adult) — a 16th-century fort at the base of the Hajar Mountains overlooking Fujairah city. The panoramic views from the top are worth the short climb.

Wadi Wurayah National Park (free entry) — a protected wadi inland from Fujairah with a natural waterfall fed by springs. The approach road can require a 4WD in wet conditions; check conditions before entering.

Friday Market (Al Masafi) — a permanent roadside market on the mountain road selling fresh produce, pottery, and local honey. Worth a stop if you pass through on a Friday or weekend.

Dinner on the East Coast: The Beach Restaurant at Le Meridien Al Aqah (seafood, AED 130–220/person) or the hotel restaurants at Miramar (Arabic buffet dinner approximately AED 90–130/person).

Day 6: Sharjah (1 night, drive ~170km from Fujairah, 1.5 hours)

Drive west on the E99 coastal road, then join E11 or E88 toward Sharjah. Sharjah is geographically bordered by Dubai and is the UAE’s designated cultural capital.

Where to stay in Sharjah

Budget: Citymax Hotel Sharjah (~AED 200–350/night) — good value, central location.
Mid-range: Radisson Blu Sharjah (~AED 400–620/night) — on the Corniche waterfront with Gulf views.
Luxury: Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa (~AED 600–950/night) — on the beach at the north end of the Sharjah waterfront.

What to do in Sharjah (Day 6)

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (AED 15/adult) — housed in a restored souq building on Corniche Road, one of the best Islamic art museums in the region. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

Blue Souk (Central Market) — free to enter. Two large blue-tiled buildings selling gold, textiles, carpets, and antiques. More relaxed than Dubai’s souqs and better for browsing without pressure.

Al-Noor Island (AED 35/adult) — a small landscaped island in Khalid Lagoon with butterfly garden, art installations, and water views. The covered butterfly garden (included in ticket) is one of the nicest surprises in the northern emirates.

Sharjah Heritage Area — a pedestrianised district of restored coral-stone buildings around Heart of Sharjah. Free to walk; includes the Al Arsah Souk (one of the oldest souqs in the UAE), cafés, and small galleries.

Note on alcohol: Sharjah is a dry emirate — no alcohol is available in hotels or restaurants. Plan accordingly; Dubai is a 20-minute drive if needed.

Dinner in Sharjah: Al Hambra at the Sheraton (Mediterranean, AED 120–200/person) or Mawal Lebanese restaurant in the city centre (AED 70–120/person).

Day 7: Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais (return to Dubai, drive ~80km from Sharjah, 1 hour)

Drive north on E11 toward Ras Al Khaimah — the northernmost emirate, known for the Hajar Mountains, mangroves, and the UAE’s highest peak.

Where to stay in Ras Al Khaimah (optional overnight before return)

Budget: Compass Hotel by Rove RAK (~AED 280–430/night) — good value, newer property.
Mid-range: DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah (~AED 480–750/night) — on the beach, reliable chain standard.
Luxury: Banyan Tree Al Wadi Desert (~AED 1,600–2,800/night) — desert resort in the Al Wadi Nature Reserve, standalone villas with private pools.

What to do in Ras Al Khaimah (Day 7)

Jebel Jais — the UAE’s highest peak at 1,934m, reached by a 36km mountain road from the RAK-Musandam highway. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes each way. Entry to the mountain road is free; there are viewpoints, picnic areas, and mountain cafés at the summit. The road surface is excellent.

Jebel Jais Flight — the world’s longest zipline at 2.83km, run by Toroverde. Tickets cost approximately AED 1,250 per person as of 2026; book at toroverde.ae in advance. An alternative is the Via Ferrata (iron climbing route, AED 375–650 depending on route difficulty).

Ras Al Khaimah National Museum (AED 5/adult) — in a 19th-century fort, covering the history of the emirate with a good archaeological section.

Mangroves kayaking — several operators around the RAK Corniche offer guided kayak tours through the mangrove channels (approximately AED 150–250 per person for a 2-hour tour).

Return to Dubai: From RAK, the drive back to Dubai International Airport or Downtown takes approximately 75–90 minutes via E11.

Full Route Summary

Day	Location	Drive from previous
1–2	Dubai	— (fly in)
3	Abu Dhabi	135km / 1.5 hours
4	Al Ain	160km / 1.5 hours
5	Fujairah / East Coast	180km / 2 hours
6	Sharjah	170km / 1.5 hours
7	Ras Al Khaimah + return to Dubai	80km + 80km back

Total driving distance: approximately 725km across the week.

Practical Notes

Fuel: Fill up before leaving each city — petrol stations are sparse on the mountain roads to Jebel Hafeet and Jebel Jais.

Timing: October to April is the best period for this road trip. Summer temperatures (May–September) exceed 40°C on the coast; mountain locations are cooler but car conditions in the desert are challenging.

Oman border: Al Ain sits on the UAE-Oman border and you will pass Oman checkpoints near Jebel Hafeet. UAE rental cars cannot enter Oman without a specific cross-border insurance endorsement — arrange this in advance with the rental company if you plan to cross.

Cash: Most hotels, restaurants, and attraction entry booths accept cards; smaller souq stalls and abra boats are cash only. Keep AED 200–300 in cash accessible.

7-Day UAE Itinerary: Road Trip Through All Emirates

Itineraries in the area