Day trips · Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
6 best day trips from Abu Dhabi
Where to go when you want a day away from Abu Dhabi, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Peturrunar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Abu Dhabi is Al Ain (About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus). The closest option is Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, about 45 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 6
- Closest
- Al Wathba Wetland Reserve (45 km)
- Most popular
- Al Ain
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Ain | 160 km | About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus | Car, tour or intercity bus | Culture, Families, Quiet stays |
| Dubai | 140 km | About 1.5 hours by car or bus | Car, intercity bus or tour | First-timers, Shopping, Families |
| Liwa Oasis and Moreeb Dune | 220 km | About 2.5–3 hours by car | Car or 4x4 tour | Quiet stays, Couples |
| Desert safari | 60 km | About 1 hour each way by 4x4 | Organised tour with hotel pickup | First-timers, Families, Couples |
| Al Wathba Wetland Reserve | 45 km | About 45 minutes by car | Car or taxi | Quiet stays, Families |
| Sir Bani Yas Island | 250 km | About 2.5–3 hours by car plus a short boat ride | Car to Jebel Dhanna, then boat | Couples, Families, Luxury |
The day trips
160 km · About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus
1.Al Ain
The UAE's garden city has UNESCO-listed oases where falaj channels water thousands of date palms, Al Jahili Fort, the Al Ain Palace Museum in Sheikh Zayed's former home and the winding mountain road up Jebel Hafeet. The livestock and camel market on the edge of town is a lively morning stop.
- Getting there
- Car, tour or intercity bus
- Best for
- Culture, Families, Quiet stays
140 km · About 1.5 hours by car or bus
2.Dubai
The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and its fountain shows, the old Al Fahidi district and the abra boats across Dubai Creek make a long but easy day trip. Leave early to avoid motorway traffic on the way back in the evening.
- Getting there
- Car, intercity bus or tour
- Best for
- First-timers, Shopping, Families
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220 km · About 2.5–3 hours by car
3.Liwa Oasis and Moreeb Dune
Liwa's crescent of date-farm villages sits at the edge of the Rub' al Khali, the Empty Quarter, among some of the largest dunes in Arabia. Moreeb Dune, south of Liwa, is one of the tallest. It is best done as an overnight trip with a stay at a desert resort.
- Getting there
- Car or 4x4 tour
- Best for
- Quiet stays, Couples
60 km · About 1 hour each way by 4x4
4.Desert safari
Afternoon tours drive into the dunes inland from the city for dune bashing, sandboarding and a short camel ride, then finish at a camp with a barbecue dinner and henna. Choose an operator with a good safety record and ask for a gentler drive if travelling with children.
- Getting there
- Organised tour with hotel pickup
- Best for
- First-timers, Families, Couples
45 km · About 45 minutes by car
5.Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
A protected wetland south-east of the city where greater flamingos gather and breed, along with more than 200 other bird species recorded. The reserve usually opens to visitors only in the cooler months, and a short trail leads to bird hides.
- Getting there
- Car or taxi
- Best for
- Quiet stays, Families
250 km · About 2.5–3 hours by car plus a short boat ride
6.Sir Bani Yas Island
A nature-reserve island in the western region, Sir Bani Yas is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, where Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes and cheetahs roam. Visits are usually combined with a stay at one of the island's resorts and include game drives, kayaking and an ancient Christian monastery site.
- Getting there
- Car to Jebel Dhanna, then boat
- Best for
- Couples, Families, Luxury
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- Bus shelters on the main island are air-conditioned, which helps in summer.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Abu Dhabi?
Al Ain. The UAE's garden city has UNESCO-listed oases where falaj channels water thousands of date palms, Al Jahili Fort, the Al Ain Palace Museum in Sheikh Zayed's former home and the winding mountain road up Jebel Hafeet.
+How long does it take to get from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain?
About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus — Car, tour or intercity bus, about 160 km.
+How long does it take to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
About 1.5 hours by car or bus — Car, intercity bus or tour, about 140 km.