Dubai to Abu Dhabi: Complete 2026 Guide -- Bus, Taxi and Car
📅 Last updated: September 2026
✍️By PlanRouteAI Editorial Team — Researched, written and verified by our travel editors • About us
Dubai to Abu Dhabi is one of the UAE's most travelled intercity routes, covering approximately 140 km along the E11 Sheikh Zayed Road. The public intercity bus (E100, E101, or E102) costs just AED 25 ($7) and takes 1.5-2 hours -- roughly one tenth of the taxi fare. Taxis and private cars complete the journey in 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes under normal traffic conditions. There is currently no passenger train connection. This guide covers every option with verified September 2026 fares, exact routes, and practical tips for a smooth crossing.
All Ways to Travel Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Transport
Duration
Cost
Best for
Intercity bus (E100/E101/E102)
1.5-2.5 hours
AED 25 ($7)
Budget travellers -- 90% cheaper than taxi
Taxi / private car
1h 20m-1h 30m
AED 200-300 ($55-82)
Fastest, most flexible, door-to-door
Careem / Uber
1h 20m-1h 30m
AED 150-220 ($41-60)
Cheaper than taxi, app-based convenience
Driving (rental car)
1h 20m-1h 30m
Rental + AED 30 fuel
Groups or those exploring the UAE
Key tip -- Nol Card required for buses: The RTA intercity buses (E100, E101, E102) do not accept cash. You must pay with a Nol Card -- Dubai's transit smart card. Get a Silver Nol Card (AED 25 including AED 19 credit) at any Dubai Metro station. Load at least AED 50 for a return trip (AED 25 each way). The machines require a minimum AED 20 reload. Abu Dhabi local buses use a different card (Hafilat) -- plan accordingly if you need to take local buses in Abu Dhabi.
The Intercity Bus Routes in Detail (September 2026 Verified)
Three main RTA routes connect Dubai and Abu Dhabi, each serving different parts of Dubai:
E100 -- Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Best for: Travellers in Bur Dubai, Deira, and Old Dubai areas
Departure station: Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (adjacent to Al Ghubaiba Metro station, Green Line)
Frequency: Every 30-40 minutes, 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM
Journey time: Approximately 2 hours
Fare: AED 25 (some trips may show AED 30 in 2026)
24/7 availability: Yes -- the E100 runs around the clock making it ideal for early morning or late night journeys
E101 -- Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Best for: Travellers in Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Palm Jumeirah and the western Dubai areas
Departure station: Ibn Battuta Bus Station (next to Ibn Battuta Metro station, Red Line)
Frequency: Every 20-40 minutes peak hours, 6:00 AM to around 1:00 AM
Journey time: Approximately 1.5-2 hours
Fare: AED 25
Note: The E101 is the fastest intercity route at approximately 1.5 hours due to the shorter highway distance from western Dubai to Abu Dhabi
E102 -- Al Jafiliya to Mussafah (Abu Dhabi)
Best for: Workers and travellers heading to the Mussafah industrial area of Abu Dhabi; also connects to Abu Dhabi Airport (Terminal A) en route
Departure station: Al Jafiliya Bus Station (near Max Metro station, Red Line)
Frequency: Every 30-45 minutes
Journey time: Approximately 2 hours to Mussafah
Fare: AED 25
Airport connection: The E102 stops at Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport Terminal A -- useful if flying out of Abu Dhabi from Dubai
Getting from Abu Dhabi Bus Station to Your Destination
Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station is not walking distance from the main tourist attractions. After arriving:
Taxi or Careem: Most practical. Approximately AED 20-40 to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, AED 15-25 to the Corniche.
Abu Dhabi local buses: Cheap (AED 1-2) but require a Hafilat card, not a Nol card. Buy a Hafilat card at the bus station if planning to use local Abu Dhabi buses.
Taxi and Careem/Uber
Taking a taxi or ride-hailing app is the most convenient door-to-door option, ideal if you have luggage or need to reach a specific destination without bus station transfers:
Standard taxi (Dubai Roads RTA): AED 200-300 ($55-82) metered fare. Hail from the street in Dubai or book via the RTA Hala app.
Careem: AED 150-220 ($41-60) depending on service type (Go, Business, Comfort). App-based with transparent pricing. Most popular ride-hailing option in the UAE.
Uber: Similar to Careem, slightly different pricing on some journey types. Both apps work seamlessly across the UAE.
Journey time: 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic on the E11. Friday afternoon and Sunday evening can extend this to 2+ hours near Dubai.
Driving Dubai to Abu Dhabi
The drive is entirely on the E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road), a well-maintained multi-lane highway. Salik toll gates apply -- each costs AED 4, with typically 4-6 tolls each way. A Salik tag (AED 50 including AED 50 credit) is required if renting a car for more than a day in Dubai. Speed limit is 120-140 km/h on most E11 sections with radar enforcement throughout. Petrol stations are plentiful along the route.
Top Things to Do in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: One of the world's largest and most beautiful mosques, with white marble exterior, 82 domes and capacity for 41,000 worshippers. Free entry for non-Muslims (appropriate dress required -- abayas available to borrow at the entrance). Open Saturday-Thursday, closed Friday mornings. Best visited at opening time (9 AM) or during the blue hour after sunset when the exterior is beautifully lit.
Louvre Abu Dhabi: An extraordinary museum on Saadiyat Island designed by Jean Nouvel, with a perforated dome that creates a rain of light effect inside. Universal art history from prehistoric times to the 21st century. Admission AED 63. Allow 3-4 hours.
Yas Island: Abu Dhabi's entertainment hub with Ferrari World (the world's fastest roller coaster, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World all on one island. Day passes for each park from AED 295-395. Yas Marina Circuit also hosts the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix each November.
The Corniche: A 8 km waterfront promenade along the Arabian Gulf. Public beaches are clean, free, and well-maintained. Best at sunrise or sunset.
Qasr Al Watan (Presidential Palace): The UAE's Presidential Palace opened to visitors in 2019. Extraordinary Arabian architecture with extensive use of marble, gold, and traditional craftsmanship. Admission AED 60 adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
The E101 from Ibn Battuta is the fastest at approximately 1.5 hours. The E100 from Al Ghubaiba takes around 2 hours. The E102 takes 2-2.5 hours to Mussafah. All buses are air-conditioned with comfortable seating. Journey times can increase during peak traffic hours.
AED 25 ($7) one-way on all main routes (E100, E101, E102). Round trip costs AED 50. Payment is by Nol Card only -- cash is not accepted. A Silver Nol Card costs AED 25 from any Dubai Metro station (includes AED 19 credit). Load at least AED 50 for a return trip.
Not currently in 2026. Etihad Rail is under construction across the UAE but passenger services between Dubai and Abu Dhabi have not yet launched. Your options are the intercity bus (AED 25), taxi/Careem (AED 150-300), or driving. Check Etihad Rail (etihadrail.ae) for the latest timeline on passenger service launch.
Take the E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station -- the closest intercity bus stop to Dubai Marina, JBR, and JLT. Walk or take a short taxi to Ibn Battuta Mall, then follow signs to Ibn Battuta Metro station and bus platforms. The E101 departs every 20-40 minutes and takes approximately 1.5 hours to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station.
Yes. The E102 stops at Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport Terminal A en route to Mussafah. There is also a dedicated AUH Express shuttle from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Terminal A, running 24/7 with departures every hour. AUH Express fare is AED 35 ($10) -- slightly more than the standard intercity bus. Ideal if flying out of Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
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