Day trips · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
5 best day trips from Dubai
Where to go when you want a day away from Dubai, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: imran shahabuddin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
The classic day trip from Dubai is Abu Dhabi (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus). The closest option is Sharjah, about 30 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Sharjah (30 km)
- Most popular
- Abu Dhabi
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 140 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus | Car, taxi or intercity bus | Culture, First-timers, Families |
| Sharjah | 30 km | About 30–60 minutes by taxi | Taxi or ride-hailing; traffic is heavy at rush hour | Culture, Budget, Quiet stays |
| Hatta | 130 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car or RTA bus | Families, Couples, Quiet stays |
| Al Ain | 150 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car or intercity bus | Culture, Families, Quiet stays |
| Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais | 120 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car or private transfer | Couples, Families, Quiet stays |
The day trips
140 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus
1.Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital's highlights are the white-marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, open to respectfully dressed visitors, the Louvre Abu Dhabi beneath its latticed dome on Saadiyat Island, and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.
- Getting there
- Car, taxi or intercity bus
- Best for
- Culture, First-timers, Families
30 km · About 30–60 minutes by taxi
2.Sharjah
The neighbouring emirate is known as the UAE's cultural capital, with the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the restored Heart of Sharjah heritage area and the Blue Souk. Alcohol is not sold in Sharjah, and dress codes are stricter than in Dubai.
- Getting there
- Taxi or ride-hailing; traffic is heavy at rush hour
- Best for
- Culture, Budget, Quiet stays
130 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
3.Hatta
Dubai's mountain enclave in the Hajar Mountains offers kayaking on the turquoise Hatta Dam, mountain-bike trails, a heritage village and lodges for overnight stays, with cooler air than the coast in winter.
- Getting there
- Car or RTA bus
- Best for
- Families, Couples, Quiet stays
150 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
4.Al Ain
The UAE's garden city has a UNESCO-listed palm oasis threaded with ancient falaj irrigation channels, Al Jahili Fort and a winding road up Jebel Hafeet with views over the desert.
- Getting there
- Car or intercity bus
- Best for
- Culture, Families, Quiet stays
120 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
5.Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais
The northernmost emirate has quieter beaches and the mountain road up Jebel Jais, where a long zipline sends riders soaring above the valleys and temperatures are noticeably cooler than on the coast.
- Getting there
- Car or private transfer
- Best for
- Couples, Families, Quiet stays
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- RTA buses reach areas the Metro does not, using the same Nol card, and many bus shelters are air-conditioned.
- 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 Dubai?
Abu Dhabi. The UAE capital's highlights are the white-marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, open to respectfully dressed visitors, the Louvre Abu Dhabi beneath its latticed dome on Saadiyat Island, and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.
+How long does it take to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car or bus — Car, taxi or intercity bus, about 140 km.
+How long does it take to get from Dubai to Sharjah?
About 30–60 minutes by taxi — Taxi or ride-hailing; traffic is heavy at rush hour, about 30 km.