Dubai hotel pickup · Private car · Full day
Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
Your own car and driver from your Dubai hotel door to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, the Corniche and Yas Island, and back the same evening. One price for the whole car, up to 7 guests: USD 408 (AED 1,500), about USD 58 each when seven share. No deposit, pay on the day.
AED 1,500 per car · up to 7 guests · about USD 58 each when 7 share
Downtown, Business Bay, Barsha: pickup about 8:00 AM, 1 h 30 to the Grand Mosque, back about 6:15 PM
Book my Abu Dhabi dayDate, hotel and group size, that is all
In 30 seconds
Abu Dhabi from Dubai: The Short Answer
It is a full day of 9 to 10 hours. Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai on the E11, so you spend roughly three hours on the road and six in the capital. A private car collects you at your Dubai hotel, waits at every stop and brings you back the same evening. One price for the car, up to 7 guests.
Per car AED 1,500, about USD 58 each when seven share. Land Cruiser USD 490.
Door to door Pickup 7:45 to 8:30 AM, back about 6 to 7 PM.
On the E11 1 h 15 to 1 h 40 each way, tolls in your price.
Grand Mosque ticket Booked online in advance; free over 60 and under 3.
Louvre and Mandir close Plan those two for Tuesday to Sunday.
Lunch break 45 to 60 minutes where you choose.
Tours and prices
Private Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai
Four ways to spend the day, all with your own car and driver from your Dubai hotel. Same price for the car on every plan; tap Details for the full timings, both car prices and the questions guests ask.
Travellers’ ChoiceTripadvisorWorld Travel AwardsAward winner★4.9 rating10,000+ reviews✓Licensed operatorDTCM Dubai, DCT Abu Dhabi⛟Our own carsSedan, 4×4, Land Cruiser$No depositPay on the day↺Free cancellationUp to 12 hours before✦Tolls includedSalik and DarbMost booked · 9 to 10 hClassic Abu Dhabi Day from Dubai
The capital’s essentials in one private day: the Grand Mosque first, then Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, the Corniche and a Yas Island photo stop.
- Grand Mosque at 9:30 AM, before the crowds
- Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, Heritage Village
- Lunch break, meal at your own expense
From USD 58 per guest, 7 in the car
Art lovers · closed MondaysGrand Mosque and Louvre Day
The mosque in the morning light, lunch on Saadiyat, then two hours under the Louvre’s dome before the drive back to Dubai.
- Louvre ticket AED 65 per adult, not included
- Louvre closed on Mondays
- Corniche and Emirates Palace on the way
From USD 58 per guest, 7 in the car
BAPS Mandir and Grand Mosque
Two of the UAE’s great places of worship in one day: the hand-carved BAPS Hindu Mandir at Abu Mureikha, then the Grand Mosque.
- BAPS Mandir open Tue to Sun, 9 AM to 8 PM
- Register after you land, carry your passport
- Grand Mosque and the Corniche
From USD 58 per guest, 7 in the car
Families · theme parksAbu Dhabi and Yas Island Day
The Grand Mosque in the morning, then Yas Island for Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World or Yas Waterworld while your driver waits.
- Park tickets bought by you, at the gate or online
- Driver waits at Yas Island
- Grand Mosque first, while it is cool
From USD 58 per guest, 7 in the car
Prices are per car for up to 7 guests and already include up to 30% off for a limited time. Free cancellation up to 12 hours before pickup, no deposit.
The stops
What You See in Abu Dhabi, With the Rules That Matter
Opening days, tickets and timing for each landmark, checked against the official sites in October 2026. These are the details that decide whether a day from Dubai works.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Open 9 AM to 9 PM, last entry 8:30 PM
- Friday: 9 AM to 12 PM, then 2:30 to 9 PM
- AED 10 for tourists, booked online
Book the slot at szgmc.gov.ae up to a month ahead; we start the day here because the courtyard is quietest before 10:30 AM.
Qasr Al Watan
- The working presidential palace
- Ticket at the gate or online, not included
- Allow about 90 minutes inside
Five minutes from Emirates Palace on the Ras Al Akhdar peninsula, so it pairs naturally with the Corniche.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Closed on Mondays
- Tue to Thu 10 AM to 6:30 PM, Fri to Sun to 8:30 PM
- Adult ticket AED 65, not included
On Saadiyat Island, about 20 minutes from the Grand Mosque; book it for Tuesday to Sunday only.
BAPS Hindu Mandir
- Open Tue to Sun, 9 AM to 8 PM
- Free registration after you land
- Passport or Emirates ID at the gate
At Abu Mureikha, the first big stop on the E11 coming from Dubai, so it costs almost no extra driving.
Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers
- Photo stops on the west Corniche
- Heritage Village across the water
- Free to see from outside
Your driver stops on the Corniche side so you get the palace, the towers and the sea in one walk.
Yas Island
- Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld
- Park tickets bought by you
- About 25 minutes from the Grand Mosque
On the way back to Dubai, so a photo stop adds little time; a park visit turns it into the Yas Island day.
Day planner
Plan Your Abu Dhabi Day from Dubai
Pick your Dubai area, the day of the week and the extra stops you want. The planner uses the real opening rules: the Grand Mosque Friday break, the Louvre and the Mandir closed on Mondays, and how long each stop takes.
Itinerary
The Classic Day, Hour by Hour
A real run from a Downtown Dubai hotel on a normal weekday. Your driver adjusts the order for your pickup area, the day of the week and the queues, and never rushes the Grand Mosque.
8:00 AMYour group only
Pickup at your Dubai hotel
Downtown pickup in this example. Marina guests leave about 15 minutes later, Deira guests about 15 minutes earlier.
8:00 AME11 highway
The drive to Abu Dhabi
About 140 km and 1 h 15 to 1 h 40 on the E11, past Jebel Ali and Ghantoot. Salik and Darb tolls are in your price.
9:30 AMOn foot
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Ninety minutes in the courtyard and prayer hall with your pre-booked AED 10 ticket, before the coaches arrive.
11:15 AMTicket at the gate
Qasr Al Watan
The presidential palace: inside with a ticket, or the gates and gardens for photos if you prefer.
1:00 PMOwn expense
Lunch break
Forty-five to sixty minutes at a restaurant or mall you choose. Lunch is not included; your driver suggests places for every budget.
2:15 PMPhoto stops
Emirates Palace and the Corniche
The palace gates, Etihad Towers and the Corniche waterfront in one short walk.
3:15 PMOn foot
Heritage Village
A reconstructed oasis village with old crafts, across the water from the Corniche.
4:15 PMPhoto stop
Yas Island and Ferrari World
A photo stop at the red roof of Ferrari World on the way home.
6:15 PMYour group only
Back at your Dubai hotel
Dropped at your door. Later returns are fine if you want the mosque at sunset; tell us when you book.
Grand Mosque rules
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Ticket, Hours and Dress Code
The Grand Mosque is the reason most guests make the drive, and since September 2026 it needs a paid, pre-booked ticket. Get these four things right and the gate takes a minute.
AED 10 for tourists, AED 5 with an Emirates ID, free for visitors over 60, children under 3 and people of determination. Book the slot at szgmc.gov.ae up to a month ahead.
Saturday to Thursday 9 AM to 9 PM, last entry 8:30 PM. We arrive around 9:30 AM, before most coaches.
Open 9 AM to 12 PM, then 2:30 PM to 9 PM. On a Friday we go first thing or after 2:30 PM.
Loose clothes covering arms and legs for everyone; women cover their hair. Pack a scarf in Dubai so you are ready.
Allowed in the courtyard and hallways; keep away from people praying and follow the guards.
Shoes come off before the prayer hall; there are racks at the entrance.
Pickup and drive
Pickup Times and the Drive from Each Part of Dubai
Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from central Dubai on the E11. Where you stay decides your pickup time; the morning run out of the city is the slowest part of the day, so we leave early and come back after the evening peak.
| Where you stay | Typical pickup | Drive to the Grand Mosque | Back at your hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina, JBR, Palm | 8:15 AM | About 1 h 15 | About 6:15 PM |
| Downtown, Business Bay, Barsha | 8:00 AM | About 1 h 30 | About 6:15 PM |
| Deira, Bur Dubai, DXB | 7:45 AM | About 1 h 40 | About 6:30 PM |
| Dubai South, JVC, Expo | 8:30 AM | About 1 h | About 6:00 PM |
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Salik gates in Dubai and the Darb gates in Abu Dhabi, including the AED 4 Ghantoot gate that charges around the clock since May 2026, are in your price.
Pickups there are possible; send your address and we confirm the plan and price first.
Your driver stops for washrooms or coffee whenever you ask, usually at a fuel station near Ghantoot.
Typical times in normal traffic, October 2026. Your driver adjusts for the day and the weather.
Private vs coach
Private Car or Shared Coach from Dubai?
Shared coach tickets start at roughly AED 135 to 150 a person on the big booking sites. They suit one or two travellers on a budget. Here is the honest comparison.
| Our private car | Shared coach | |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | At your door, at your time | A hotel loop that can take an hour |
| Time at each stop | As long as you want | Fixed, often rushed |
| Other passengers | Your group only | Up to a full coach |
| Order of the day | Built around Friday and Monday rules | The same for everyone |
| Shops and commission stops | Only if you ask | Often included |
| One or two people | Costs more | Cheaper per head |
| Five to seven people | About USD 58 to 82 each | Adds up per head |
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Read before you pay
What Goes Wrong on Abu Dhabi Day Trips, and How We Handle It
From Tripadvisor and Reddit reviews of Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai. Here is how ours works on each one.
| The complaint | With us |
|---|---|
| “Pickup was an hour late” | One car, one pickup: yours. The driver shares his name and plate on WhatsApp the evening before. |
| “We were turned away at the mosque” | We check your ticket slot and your clothes before you leave Dubai. |
| “The Louvre was shut” | Mondays are planned without the Louvre and the Mandir. |
| “Rushed at every stop” | The car waits; you decide when to move on. |
| “Taken to shops we did not want” | No commission stops. Shopping only if you ask. |
| “Lunch cost was a surprise” | Written upfront: a lunch break, meal at your own expense, places for every budget. |
Complaints summarised from public reviews of Abu Dhabi day tours from Dubai, October 2026.
Honest advice
Who This Day Suits, and Who Should Skip It
The best value: one car price, child seats free, and the driver drops you at every door.
Short walks, a cool car between stops, and free Grand Mosque entry over 60.
See both cities properly: Dubai one day, the capital the next, without renting a car.
A shared coach ticket is cheaper for one person; the private car makes sense from about three.
Stay in Dubai; Abu Dhabi deserves a full day of its own.
Book our Abu Dhabi city tour instead, with pickup in the capital.
What you pay for
What Is Included, and What Is Not
✓Included
- Private car for your group only, up to 7 guests
- English-speaking driver who knows the capital
- Pickup and drop-off at your Dubai hotel, villa or apartment
- Fuel, Salik and Darb tolls and parking
- Waiting time at every stop
- Help booking your Grand Mosque slot
- Child seats on request and bottled water
✕Not included
- Lunch and drinks: there is a lunch break of 45 to 60 minutes, and the meal is at your own expense
- Grand Mosque ticket: AED 10 for tourists, booked online
- Attraction tickets such as Qasr Al Watan, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Yas Island parks
- Shopping and personal expenses
- Tips, always optional
Photos
Abu Dhabi Day Tour Photos
The mosque, the palace and the Louvre, as you will see them.
Guest reviews
Abu Dhabi Day Tour Reviews
Rated 4.9 from more than 10,000 guest reviews across our tours. This one is from a family of five who took the Grand Mosque day from Dubai, quoted as they wrote it on Google.
4.9
From 10,000+ guest reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and WhatsApp
Ly N Verified guest · Google review ★★★★★We are five with two kids and Sameh was the best person we could have had as our guide. He and our photographer picked us up promptly at our hotel and was very informative along the way to the Abu Dhabi mosque, stopping along the way for us to get the clothes for the mosque and many scenic stops for photographs. He knew exactly where to take us so we didn’t get haggled in touristy areas and we felt very safe and comfortable with him.
Avoid these
Five Mistakes on a Day Trip from Dubai
It is closed, and so is the BAPS Mandir. Move them to any other day.
Visitors are paused from 12 PM to 2:30 PM. Go first thing or after the break.
Since September 2026 the slot is booked online and costs AED 10 for tourists.
Arms, legs and, for women, hair covered. Dress for the mosque when you leave Dubai.
The Grand Mosque plus one inside visit makes a good day; three museums make a tired one.
Send your date and hotel. We reply with the plan that works for that day of the week.
Book
Book Your Abu Dhabi Day from Dubai
- Send your date and hotelOn WhatsApp, with your group size. No form, no card, no account.
- Get your plan in writingPickup time, the stops for that day of the week, the car and one total.
- Pay your driverOn the day, in cash or by card, in any major currency.
+971 58 228 2683 on WhatsApp, 24/7 · Free cancellation up to 12 hours before pickup
- 4.9from 10,000+ reviews
- 95,000+guests since 2015
- LicensedDCT Abu Dhabi, DTCM Dubai
- No depositpay on the day
Local operator, Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Your Abu Dhabi Day, Planned by a Licensed Local Operator
We run our own cars and drivers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi every day, from our Abu Dhabi office at Al Sila Tower on Al Maryah Island. Royal Arabian Safari Tourism LLC has operated in the UAE since 2015. These are the six things our drivers tell guests before the car leaves Dubai.
- Book the mosque before you sleep. The Grand Mosque slot is booked online at szgmc.gov.ae, up to a month ahead. We check the names on it the evening before.
- Friday has a gap. Visitors are paused from 12 PM to 2:30 PM for Friday prayer, so on Fridays the mosque comes first or after 2:30 PM.
- Mondays lose two stops. The Louvre and the BAPS Mandir are both closed on Mondays; the mosque, the palaces and the Corniche are open.
- The Mandir needs your passport. Register online after you land in the UAE, then show the QR pass with your physical passport or Emirates ID.
- Leave early, return late. The morning traffic out of Dubai is the slowest part of the day, so pickup is 7:45 to 8:30 AM and we come back after the evening peak.
- Lunch is where you like. Emirati, Indian or a mall food court: lunch is a 45 to 60 minute break at your own expense, never a set menu.
Reviewed by Bilal Ahmed, Founder and Managing Director of Royal Arabian Safari Tourism LLC, operating in the UAE since 2015. Written by our Abu Dhabi operations team. Facts checked against Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, October 2026.
Questions
Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai FAQs
How much is an Abu Dhabi city tour from Dubai?
Our private day is USD 408 (AED 1,500) per car in a sedan or 4×4 and USD 490 (AED 1,800) in a Land Cruiser, for up to 7 guests. With seven in the car that is about USD 58 each. Shared coach tickets cost less per head for one or two people; for families and groups the private car usually wins.
Is hotel pickup in Dubai included?
Yes. Your driver collects you from any hotel, villa or apartment in Dubai and brings you back to the same door. Pickup is usually between 7:45 and 8:30 AM depending on your area.
How long is the drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
About 140 km on the E11, which takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes depending on where you start and the morning traffic. The whole day is 9 to 10 hours door to door.
Is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque free to visit?
Not any more. Since September 2026 tourists pay AED 10 and Emirates ID holders AED 5; visitors over 60, children under 3 and people of determination enter free. Book the time slot online at szgmc.gov.ae, up to one month ahead.
Can we visit the Grand Mosque on a Friday?
Yes, from 9 AM to 12 PM and again from 2:30 PM to 9 PM; it closes to visitors around Friday prayer. On a Friday we go straight to the mosque at about 9:30 AM or hold it until the afternoon.
What should we wear for the Grand Mosque?
Loose clothes covering arms and legs for everyone; women also cover their hair, so pack a scarf. No shorts, short skirts, sleeveless or see-through clothes. Dress for the mosque when you leave Dubai and you are ready for every stop.
Is lunch included?
No. There is a lunch break of 45 to 60 minutes at a restaurant or mall you choose, and you pay for your own meal. Your driver suggests places for every budget, from Emirati and Indian to international chains.
Is the Louvre Abu Dhabi open on Mondays?
No, the Louvre closes on Mondays. Adult tickets are AED 65; galleries open from 10 AM until 6:30 PM Tuesday to Thursday and 8:30 PM Friday to Sunday.
Can we add the BAPS Hindu Mandir?
Yes, Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 8 PM. Each visitor registers online after arriving in the UAE and shows a physical passport or Emirates ID with the QR pass. It sits at Abu Mureikha on the E11, so it adds little driving.
Can we add Ferrari World or Yas Waterworld?
Yes. Choose the Abu Dhabi and Yas Island day; you buy your own park tickets and your driver waits in the car park. The price for the car stays the same.
Can we start later or come back after sunset?
Yes. The car is yours for the day, so a later start or a sunset visit to the Grand Mosque is fine. Tell us when you book so we plan the driver’s hours.
Is it suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes. Child seats are free on request, and the driver drops you at each entrance to keep walking short. Visitors over 60 enter the Grand Mosque free.
Private car or shared coach: which is better?
A shared coach is cheaper for one or two people but collects from many hotels and keeps a fixed schedule. A private car leaves from your door when you are ready, waits at each stop and lets you skip what you do not want.
Do I pay anything extra for tolls or parking?
No. Fuel, Salik tolls in Dubai, Darb tolls in Abu Dhabi and parking are all in the price for the car.
How do we book and pay?
Send your date, pickup area and group size on WhatsApp, +971 58 228 2683. We confirm the car, the plan and one total in writing. There is no deposit; you pay the driver on the day in cash or by card.
Can we do the tour from Sharjah or Ajman?
Yes. Send your pickup address on WhatsApp and we confirm the plan and the price for your area before you book.
Keep planning