How to get from Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi
Shuttlix teamUpdated October 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Abu Dhabi city is about 140 km from Dubai International Airport (DXB), mostly along the E11 highway. There is no direct public transport from the airport itself, so the choice is between a car that takes you all the way and a cheaper journey with one or two changes.
The options at a glance
| Option | Journey time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | about 100 minutes, door to door | Fixed price per car |
| Metered taxi | about 100 minutes, door to door | Roughly AED 320 to 360 on the meter |
| Metro and intercity bus | 3.5 to 4 hours | AED 25 for the bus, plus the metro and a taxi at the end |
| Airline coach | about 2 hours | Depends on your airline and ticket |
Prices were checked in October 2026 and can change.
Private transfer
A driver meets you in arrivals and takes you straight to your hotel in Abu Dhabi, on Yas Island or on Saadiyat. The price is fixed when you book, covers the whole vehicle and includes tolls. It suits families, groups and anyone landing late at night. See prices for every vehicle on our Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi page.
Taxi
Official taxis wait outside every terminal and will drive to Abu Dhabi on the meter. The fare is built from a AED 25 airport starting fare plus AED 2.19 per km, which comes to roughly AED 320 to 360, with road tolls on top. The amount is not known until you arrive, and it rises if traffic is slow.
Metro and bus
This is the cheapest route, and the slowest. Buses to Abu Dhabi do not leave from the airport, so you first take the Dubai Metro Red Line from Terminal 1 or 3 to a bus station.
- E101 leaves from Ibn Battuta Bus Station, which is on the Red Line.
- E100 leaves from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai.
Both run to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. The fare is AED 25 and you pay with a Nol card, not cash. The bus ride takes about two hours, and you then need a local taxi to your hotel. With luggage and changes, plan for three and a half to four hours in total. Check the RTA timetable on the day you travel.
Airline coach
Some airlines, including Emirates and Etihad, run coaches between Dubai and Abu Dhabi for their own passengers. Seats usually have to be reserved in advance, and the coach runs between fixed points, not to your hotel. Ask your airline whether your ticket qualifies.
Which is best?
- Travelling alone on a budget, in the daytime: the metro and bus.
- Two or more people, or a lot of luggage: a private transfer or a taxi, since the cost is shared.
- Landing at night: a private transfer or a taxi. The metro does not run through the night.
- Going to Yas Island or Abu Dhabi Airport: a car is the only direct option, and both are about 20 minutes closer than the city centre.
Travelling the other way
From Abu Dhabi back to Dubai the choices are the same in reverse. If you are flying into Abu Dhabi and staying in Dubai, see Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai.