πŸš— How Far is Abu Dhabi from Dubai? Complete Travel Best Guide

πŸš— How Far is Abu Dhabi from Dubai? Complete Travel Best Guide

How Far is Abu Dhabi from Dubai? Complete Travel Guide

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the most well-known cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), attracting both residents and tourists. Whether you are traveling for business, leisure, or commuting daily, knowing the distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the best travel options is essential.

This article provides a complete guide on:
βœ… Exact distance & travel time πŸ“β³
βœ… Best travel options: Car, Bus, Flight, and Train πŸš—πŸšŒβœˆοΈπŸš†
βœ… Cost breakdown for each transport mode πŸ’°
βœ… Upcoming transport projects like Etihad Rail πŸš„


πŸ“Œ Abu Dhabi to Dubai Distance & Travel Time Overview

πŸš€ Travel ModeπŸ“ Distance (KM)⏳ Approx. Travel TimeπŸ’° Cost (AED)
🚘 By Car139 KM1 hr 20 min – 2 hrsFuel: 25-40 AED
🚌 By Bus139 KM2-2.5 hrs25 AED (one way)
✈️ By Flight123 KM (air)45 min (incl. check-in)200-500 AED
πŸš„ By Future Rail (Etihad Rail)139 KM50 min (expected 2026)TBA

πŸ“ Exact Distance Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai

The distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai depends on how you travel:

πŸ”Ή Air Distance (Straight Line): 123 KM (76 miles)
πŸ”Ή Road Distance (Via E11 Highway): 139 KM (86 miles)

πŸ’‘ Travel Tip: Travel time depends on traffic conditions and your starting and ending locations in both cities.


πŸš— Driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai

🚘 Driving is the most convenient way to travel between Abu ‘Dhabi and Dubai, especially if you prefer flexibility and privacy.

βœ… Best Driving Routes

1️⃣ E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) – The fastest and most direct route (139 KM)
2️⃣ E311 (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road) – Alternative route, slightly longer but avoids congestion
3️⃣ E611 (Emirates Road) – Longer but less traffic

⏳ Travel Time by Car

  • πŸ•’ Non-Peak Hours: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • 🚦 Peak Traffic: Up to 2 hours

πŸ’° Fuel Cost Breakdown

πŸš— Car Typeβ›½ Fuel Consumption (L per 100 KM)πŸ’° Fuel Cost (One Way)
🚘 Sedan (Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic)6-7L25-30 AED
πŸš™ SUV (Nissan Patrol, Toyota Land Cruiser)10-12L35-45 AED
🏎️ Luxury Car (BMW, Mercedes, Sports Cars)12-15L40-50 AED

πŸš— Need a Rental Car?
Visitors can rent a car for as low as 100 AED per day.


🚌 Abu Dhabi to Dubai by Bus – Cheapest Option

If you’re looking for an affordable way to travel, buses are a great choice.

🚌 Abu Dhabi to Dubai by Bus – Cheapest Option

🚍 Bus Routes & Timings

🚌 Bus NumberDeparture LocationArrival LocationπŸ•’ Travel TimeπŸ’° Cost (One Way)
E100Abu’ Dhabi Central Bus StationAl Ghubaiba Bus Station, Dubai2 hours25 AED
E101Abu Dhabi Central Bus StationIbn Battuta Metro Station, Dubai1 hr 45 min25 AED
E102Mussafah Shabiya Bus StationAl Jafiliya Metro Station, Dubai2 hours25 AED

πŸ•’ Bus Timings

  • First Bus: 4:30 AM
  • Last Bus: 11:30 PM
  • Frequency: Every 30 minutes

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: You can pay with an NOL card and enjoy Wi-Fi & AC on buses.


✈️ Flights from Abu Dhabi to Dubai – Fastest Option

Though flights exist, they aren’t commonly used due to the short distance.

πŸš€ Flight Details

  • Air Distance: 123 KM
  • Flight Duration: 45 minutes (including check-in & security: ~1.5 hours)
  • Airlines: Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai

πŸ’° Flight Cost

  • One-way ticket: 200-500 AED

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: International travelers can fly into Abu’ Dhabi Airport (AUH) and take a shuttle to Dubai.


πŸš„ Future Travel: Etihad Rail (Abu Dhabi to Dubai by Train)

A high-speed rail link is currently under development! πŸš†

🌟 Etihad Rail Features

  • Route: Abu Dhabi ↔ Dubai
  • Expected Travel Time: 50 minutes
  • Launch Date: Expected by 2026
  • Ticket Price: TBA

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip: Once launched, this will be the fastest and most efficient way to travel!


πŸ† Best Travel Option Based on Needs

πŸš€ Travel Need🚘 Best Option
Fastest Travel ⏳Flight (45 min)
Cheapest Travel πŸ’°Bus (25 AED)
Most Comfortable 😌Car (Private Trip)
Future Fastest πŸš†Etihad Rail (50 min, expected 2026)

πŸ“Œ Which is Closer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai or Dubai to Sharjah?

RouteDistance (KM)Approx. Travel Time
Abu’ Dhabi to Dubai139 KM1.5 hours
Dubai to Sharjah30 KM30-45 min (heavy traffic)

πŸ’‘ Traffic Alert: Dubai to Sharjah traffic is worse than Abu’ Dhabi to Dubai!

🌟 Final Thoughts: Best Way to Travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai

βœ”οΈ Best for Speed: ✈️ Flight (45 min, expensive but fast)
βœ”οΈ Best for Budget: 🚌 Bus (Only 25 AED, takes ~2 hours)
βœ”οΈ Best for Comfort & Flexibility: 🚘 Car (1.5 hours, 25-40 AED fuel cost)
βœ”οΈ Best for the Future: πŸš„ Etihad Rail (~50 min, expected 2026)

πŸ’‘ Planning a trip soon? Choose the best travel option based on your budget, time, and comfort needs! πŸš€

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) πŸ›£οΈ

1. How far is Abu Dhabi from Dubai by car?

πŸš— The driving distance between Abu’ Dhabi and Dubai is 139 KM, and it takes around 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

2. What is the cheapest way to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

🚌 The cheapest option is the public bus, costing only 25 AED per trip. Buses like E100, E101, and E102 operate regularly between the two cities.

3. Is there a train between Abu’ Dhabi and Dubai?

πŸš„ Currently, there is no train service, but the Etihad Rail project is expected to launch by 2026, reducing travel time to 50 minutes.

4. Can I take a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

πŸš• Yes, taxis are available, but they can be expensive. A one-way taxi ride costs between 250-350 AED, depending on your destination in Dubai.

5. Is there heavy traffic between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?

🚦 Traffic is usually smooth on the E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road) but can be congested during rush hours (7-9 AM & 5-7 PM). Using E311 or E611 can help avoid delays.

About the author
Aabeeha
Hi, I’m Aabeeha, the voice behind Khaleej UAE (www.khaleejuae.com). I’m a passionate writer, travel enthusiast, and storyteller with a deep love for exploring the beauty and diversity of the United Arab Emirates.Growing up in this dynamic region, I’ve always been fascinated by the UAE’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. From the towering skyscrapers of Dubai to the serene deserts of Abu Dhabi, every corner of this country has a story to tell. Through my blog, I aim to share these stories and help others discover the magic of the Emirates.Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s explore the UAE together, one story at a time!

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