Options compared
| Option | Time | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etihad Rail (Comfort) | ~1 h | From AED 39 | Speed, comfort, value |
| Etihad Rail (Premium) | ~1 h | From AED 109 | Extra space |
| E101 bus | ~2 h | About AED 25–35 | Budget |
| Taxi / ride-hailing | ~1.5 h | About AED 250–350 | Groups, door to door |
| Guided day tour | Full day | Varies | Seeing everything in one day |
Etihad Rail passenger train
The UAE’s first intercity passenger train began running between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah in autumn 2026. In Dubai, the station is at Al Yalayis, linked by a footbridge to Jumeirah Golf Estates station on the Dubai Metro Red Line. In Abu Dhabi, trains arrive at a station in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, a taxi ride (about 20–30 minutes) from the Grand Mosque and the Corniche. Book on the official Etihad Rail app or website, or at station machines. Schedules are still expanding, so check the timetable before you plan.
E101 bus
RTA bus E101 runs from Ibn Battuta Metro bus station in Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, roughly every 30–60 minutes. Pay with a Nol card. It’s cheap and comfortable, but you’ll need a taxi from the bus station to most sights.
Find tours & tickets in Abu DhabiTaxi and ride-hailing
Dubai taxis, Uber and Careem can take you to Abu Dhabi for roughly AED 250–350, depending on your start point and traffic. Agree on the drop-off point; extra charges may apply when crossing emirates.
Day trip plan
- Morning train or bus to Abu Dhabi.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island.
- Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunset.
- Evening return to Dubai.
More ideas in our Abu Dhabi itinerary and Dubai travel guide.
More Abu Dhabi guides
- Abu Dhabi travel guide
- 15 best things to do in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
- Where to stay in Abu Dhabi
- Best time to visit Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visitor guide
- Abu Dhabi airport to the city
FAQ: Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Is there a train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Etihad Rail passenger services started in autumn 2026, taking about an hour between the two cities.
How far is Abu Dhabi from Dubai?
About 140 km between the city centres.
Is Abu Dhabi worth a day trip from Dubai?
Yes. The Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi are two of the UAE’s highlights.
Plan your trip to Abu Dhabi
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
