Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip by car: a one-day plan
Shuttlix teamUpdated October 7, 2026 · 2 min read
Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai, close enough for a day trip. The sights are spread across the city, so the plan below groups them in the order you reach them when driving in from Dubai.
A one-day timetable
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Leave your hotel in Dubai |
| 9:30 am | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque |
| 11:30 am | Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch near the Corniche |
| 2:30 pm | Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island |
| 4:30 pm | Leave for Dubai |
| 6:00 pm | Back at your hotel |
That is ten hours door to door. Opening times change, so check each attraction before you go.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The mosque is the first major sight on the way in from Dubai and the reason most people make the trip. Entry is free, but visitors are asked to register in advance. Dress modestly: long, loose clothing for everyone, and a head covering for women. The mosque closes to visitors around Friday midday prayers.
The Corniche and the palace
From the mosque it is about 20 minutes to the western end of the city, where Qasr Al Watan and the Corniche waterfront are close together. This is the easiest area to stop for lunch.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
The museum is on Saadiyat Island, on the way back towards Dubai. Allow about two hours. It is usually closed on Mondays.
Prefer theme parks?
Yas Island, with Ferrari World and the other parks, is on the Dubai side of Abu Dhabi. A park takes most of a day, so treat it as a separate trip or swap it for the afternoon in the plan above.
How to get there
- Car with a driver: the simplest way to follow a plan like this. The driver waits at each stop and your things stay in the car. Ten hours covers the whole day. See car with driver in Dubai for fixed prices.
- One-way private car: if you are staying overnight, ask for a fixed quote on our Dubai to Abu Dhabi taxi page.
- Bus: intercity buses run between the two cities, but you then need taxis between the sights, which are far apart.
If you are travelling straight from the airport, our guide on how to get from Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi compares every option.
Tips for the day
- Start early. The mosque is quieter in the morning and the drive back is easier before the evening rush.
- Carry a scarf and a layer for the mosque and for air-conditioned museums.
- For a group of more than three, book an SUV, a minivan or a minibus so everyone travels together.