Abu Dhabi → Dubai in 2025: fast, simple ways to get there

3 minute read

Two cities. One coast. You finish a meeting in Abu Dhabi and want Dubai without the guesswork. Here is the quick plan that works today.

Want door to door with a fixed pickup? Book a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and meet your driver at the time you choose.

How far and how long

Distance depends on your exact start and finish, but it is usually about 140–150 km via E11. The ride takes 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours. Peak traffic, rain, or road work can add time.

Your options at a glance

Prebooked private transfer. Fixed pickup, clean car class, child seats on request. No queue.
City taxi. Metered from Abu Dhabi if you start there. Pays road tolls when entering Dubai.
Intercity bus (RTA/NCTH). Budget choice with A/C coaches. Ends at metro or bus hubs in Dubai.
Self-drive. Highways are good. Toll gates in Dubai are cashless.

Intercity buses: E100, E101, E102

Three routes cover most needs:

E100: Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station ↔ Al Ghubaiba (Dubai).
E101: Abu Dhabi Central ↔ Ibn Battuta (connect to Dubai Metro).
E102: Abu Dhabi side (incl. Airport/Mussafah) ↔ Dubai (Jafiliya/Ibn Battuta as scheduled).

You can buy tickets online in advance. Seats are numbered, the coaches are air-conditioned, and luggage goes in the hold. Buses are reliable, but they are not door to door.

Taxi and private car: what to expect

Starting in Abu Dhabi, the meter uses the emirate’s official tariff. Day flagfall is small, and the per-km rate applies for most of the run. For a long cross-emirate trip you can estimate cost: distance (≈140–150 km) × per-km rate + flagfall + any waiting time + Dubai tolls.

Tolls (Salik) in Dubai are auto-added to taxi fares. In 2025 pricing is variable: AED 6 at weekday peaks and AED 4 off-peak. Late night 1:00–6:00 is free. Sundays are a flat AED 4 all day.
Travel time is fastest outside 6–10 am and 4–8 pm. Plan around those bands if you can.
Payment by card works in most taxis. Private transfers show the full price before pickup.

Prefer a guaranteed car class and a named driver? Compare options and book with Kiwitaxi.

Which option fits your trip

Back-to-back meetings. Private transfer. You control pickup, route, and drop-off.
Solo, light bag, mid-day. E101 to Ibn Battuta then Metro. Predictable and cheap.
Family with kids. Prebook a larger car. Add child seats, skip the bus change.
Late-night arrival. Taxi or transfer is the least stress. Toll window is free at night.

Route notes and quick tips

Highways: E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) is the classic line. E311 can help in heavy traffic.
Pick the drop-off you really need: Dubai Marina, Downtown, DXB, Expo City. It saves time.
Share location from Maps with your driver. English works, a pin works better.
Keep a buffer if you connect to a tour or a dinner booking. 20–30 minutes is enough.