Whilst Abu Dhabi has a vast array of exciting places to visit and beautiful beaches, no trip to the United Arab Emirates is complete without a day or two in glitzy and glamorous Dubai.
One of the most frequently asked questions from visitors to the UAE is how can I get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai on public transport?
Here’s our guide on how to travel between the UAE’s two biggest cities – using public transport as well as some private transfer options.
What Public Transport Options Are There In The UAE?
Whilst Dubai has an excellent public transport system, there are currently no rail or metro links between Abu Dhabi and Dubai (although this is set to change in the near future with the rapid development of Etihad Rail).
You can take a taxi (details outlined below) or a private hire car, or use the much cheaper public bus service. Here’s how:
How to Catch the Bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
There are three Intercity bus routes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai:
- Route 100 – Leaves Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (in the Al Wahda area of the city) every 10 to 20 minutes. This service terminates at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Dubai Metro Green Line ) in Bur Dubai. The journey takes approximately 135 minutes.
- Route 101 – Leaves Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda) every 15 to 20 minutes. This service terminates at Ibn Battuta Mall (Ibn Battuta Metro Station Red Line) and the bus ride takes around 90 minutes.
- Route 102 – Leaves Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station every 40 minutes and terminates at Ibn Battuta Mall (Ibn Battuta Metro Station Red Line). The journey takes approximately 105 minutes.
Bus services were suspended during COVID and took quite some time to return; however, as of June 2022, all the above bus services are back in operation. Use the RTA app or call 800 90 90 for the most up-to-date information.
What Does the Bus From Abu Dhabi to Dubai Cost?
A bus ticket is 25 AED one way. Customers can use a NOL card or pay cash at the bus station before embarking on the bus.
NB You cannot buy or top up the Dubai public transport card NOL from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.
What Should I Expect On Board the Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus?
These public buses are pretty luxurious in the scheme of things. They are all airconditioned, have information screens and priority seating for women, children and the disabled, as well as priority boarding lines.
The bus stops en route along the E11 Highway at Shahama Village and Samha, but is otherwise a fairly quick and direct service from the central station.
Note that wearing face masks is no longer compulsory on UAE transport.
Bus From Dubai to Abu Dhabi
All of the above routes also run in reverse from Dubai back to Abu Dhabi.
What does the bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost?
- All bus fares are 25 AED one way. Customers can use their Dubai NOL card or pay cash at the bus terminal in Dubai. Nol cards can be purchased at bus and metro stations, from RTA customer service centres or online.
- There is no pre-booking; you turn up on the day and pay as you board.
The intercity bus is the cheapest way and easiest way to get between the two cities if you’re travelling on a budget, without compromising on comfort, but not the quickest.
Alternative Ways to Get Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
If you don’t fancy the long bus journey or it doesn’t fit your timings, then you can also consider these options to get between Abu Dhabi and Dubai:
Free Airline Buses
Etihad Airways and Emirates both offer a complimentary bus service to get their customers between the major cities and their home airports. Inconveniently, neither runs an airport-to-airport service (this may change with a proposed new cooperation announced in 2023, though yet to be actioned).
Both operate only as far as their ticket office in the opposing city; you’d need to then pay for an onward connection by bus/metro or taxi to your final destination.
The service is free only to those who hold the appropriate airline ticket (ie, to take the Emirates coach Abu Dhabi to DXB you must have an Emirates flight that day, or flying Etihad and landing in Abu Dhabi with your final destination Dubai, you take the Etihad coach to their office in Dubai).
- You can see our complete guide here on how the FREE airline buses work, including the codes to use when booking your flights and the pickup points.
AUH Express
A very new service, Abu Dhabi International Airport has introduced this new shuttle service to assist passengers not flying with Etihad in making their onward connection to Dubai.
The AUH Express shuttle (Abu Dhabi Airport Express), will pick passengers up from outside AUH airport and drop them at Ibn Batutta Bus Station in Dubai, from where they can connect with the Metro system in Dubai or catch a local taxi or bus.
The AUH Express Service costs AED 35 one way and runs overnight.
Passengers travelling on WizzAir can use this as a free shuttle bus by showing their flight ticket or boarding pass.
Although it costs slightly more than the intercity bus, the fact it leaves from the airport makes this a better choice for many passengers.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai by Taxi or RideShare App
Travelling by public taxi is surprisingly more cost-effective than you might think compared to a booked car service. You can expect a public taxi from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to cost you around AED 350.
To book a taxi in Abu Dhabi, you should call the Centre for Integrated Transport on 600 53 53 53, download the Abu Dhabi Taxi App, or flag down a taxi on the street.
In our experience, Uber and Careem (ride-sharing services) cost more from Abu Dhabi to Dubai than a standard taxi, but it is always worth checking out pricing on these apps to see if you can get a better deal or don’t want to chance the meter running too high you’ll know your price is locked in.
You should note, though, that there is absolutely no problem using a metered taxi in the UAE; taxis are heavily regulated, and the correct use of the meter is necessary; you won’t get ripped off.
Airport Transfer Service from Abu Dhabi AUH and Dubai DXB airports
Pre-booked transfer services are handy if you land in one city but need to be at a specific location in the other. They work well when travelling in a larger group; you can split costs, and they provide the security and speed of a door-to-door service.
Some suggestions to try:
- Welcome pick-ups are a highly recommended transfer service for all group sizes
- Use GetTransfer to have private drivers bid on providing your journey to lock in the most competitive price
Note there is NO DIRECT public transport option between the UAE’s two major airports, making airport transfer services all the more appealing but also the most expensive of all your Abu Dhabi to Dubai transport options.
If you are travelling business class with Etihad, they still offer a luxury chauffer service from AUH to Dubai.
Hire a Car and Drive Abu Dhabi to Dubai
It’s easy to hire a car in Abu Dhabi and drive yourself, either directly from the airport or at depots around the city. What is slightly more challenging is the driving!
- We would recommend comparing car hire costs using discovercars.com
You need to be a confident driver in Abu Dhabi; it’s not quite as daunting in Abu Dhabi as it is driving in Dubai, but you need to be prepared for high freeway speeds and some inpatient driving techniques.
Plug your destinations in Google Maps, and navigation is straightforward – just be prepared for vast multi-lane freeways, the lack of proper indicator use, and you’ll be just fine!
Note if you are taking a car rental one way between the two cities, expect to pay a one-way drop-off fee.
Taking a Day Tour Abu Dhabi to Dubai
If you are seeking to visit Dubai on a day trip from Abu Dhabi, rather than a transfer, you can use the same public transport methods we’ve mentioned above.
Alternatively, you may find joining a day tour to Dubai convenient. It’ll cost you a little more than taking the bus, but you will get to all the most important attractions, and many offer guided commentary. Here are some Dubai day trip from Abu Dhabi options to consider:
Frequently Asked Questions on the Bus Service from Abu Dhabi to Dubai
The only thing that you can consume on public buses in the UAE is water. This rule also applies to public taxis.
No, pets are not allowed on the intercity bus.
Compared to most other places in the world, taxis are relatively cheap.
No, the intercity bus service works on a first-come basis and cannot be pre-booked.
A one-way journey on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai intercity bus is AED 25.
Yes, Hafilat bus card can be used to tap and pay for intercity bus journeys to other emirates.
What is There to Do in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
If this is your first time visiting the United Arab Emirates, you may well be wondering what is there to do in each city?
Each glamourous city sits on the Persian Gulf and has a string of luxury hotels and beautiful beaches but also exudes its own charm. Here are some of the most famous landmarks and the best places you’ll want on your UAE itinerary:
Best of Abu Dhabi
- Admire the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Wonder the Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Explore the splendour of Qasr Al Watan
- Observe the city from Observation 300
- Soak in the sun on Saadiyat island
- Kayak the Mangroves National Park
- Walk the Jubail Mangroves boardwalk
- Take a tour of tolerance around Abrahamic House
- Take on the thrills of the Yas Island theme parks
- Explore history at Qasr al Hosn
- Take a lap of the Yas Marina Circuit
- Admire marine life at the National Aquarium in Al Qana
Best of Dubai
- Scale the Burj Khalifa
- Shop ’til you drop at Dubai Mall
- Explore the historical side of the city of Dubai in Al Fahidi Historic Neighbourhood
- Take a traditional Abra over Diubai Creek
- Negotiate a bargain at the souks
- Dune bash in the Desert
- Imagine the future at the Museum of the Future
- Learn about religion at Jumeirah Mosque
- Splash into Aquaventue Water Park on Palm Jumeirah
- Admire the highrises of Dubai Marina and Media City
- Stroll Souk Madinat and see the Burj al Arab
Head over to our partner site dubaitravelplanner.com for a complete list of Dubai activities
Before you go… Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.
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