Taking the Bus Between Dubai & Abu Dhabi — a Damn Good Deal
Abu Dhabi — the capital of the United Arab Emirates — is only 1.5 hours away from Dubai, making it a no-brainer to visit on your trip to the UAE regardless of which of these cities you are flying into. They are so close to each other that flying from one to the other is not even possible, so your best options are really to take the bus, or to hire a car or driver. If you just want to go to Abu Dhabi for a day trip from Dubai, or vice versa, I will offer some suggestions here too.
The bus between these cities is very comfortable, clean and affordable — just AED 25 (~ $6.80 USD / $9.15 CAD) each way — so I recommend going this route. As always, I’ve got your back with logistics, so let me make it easy for you. Here you’ll find all the details you need to take a bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi or from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Disembarking the bus at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. From here, you go into the bus station (not pictured, it’s behind me in this photo) and out the side exit to get a taxi or Uber.
Bus Logistics: Schedule, Payment, Boarding & Riding
Bus Stations and Destinations
In Dubai, you’ll be going to/from either Ibn Battuta Bus Station or Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. In Abu Dhabi, there’s just the one Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. You’ll take routes E100, E101 or E102, which connect major stations in both cities every day. The route between these two cities is quite direct and it only stopped a couple of times along the way at smaller bus stations on the outskirts.
TRAVELYNNE TIP:
There are bus shuttles between Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s airports, so if you are willing to make the transfer, you can search for flight deals to either city.
Plus, Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways each have free shuttles for their passengers that go between both cities and their airports, so it’s worth looking into.
This is Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai, where I caught a bus to Dubai.
Frequency
Busses leave so frequently from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi to Dubai that you don’t need to worry about booking ahead. All you need to do is show up at the bus terminal, get a nos payment card if you don’t have one, and then you should be on a bus within 10-20 minutes.
No pre-booking is required, in fact, I couldn’t even find a way to do so if I wanted.
It takes about 1h45 to go between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, although this could be longer during peak traffic hours.
The inside of Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station — relatively simple, yet I still managed to get confused, and a security guard showed me the way, haha :)
Cost
A one-way ticket between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is 25 AED. You can only pay for one way at a time (there is no roundtrip ticket), and as far as I can tell, the cost is the same for any bus to/from either city leaving from those stations.
The bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi on a Sunday was much busier than the return from Abu Dhabi mid-week.
Payment
You can only pay for the bus using a nol card, which is the smart card used for all modes of transportation in Dubai, as well as some shops and museums. It’s the same card you use for the metro in Dubai, so if you have one of those, you can load or use it.
If you don’t already have a card or you need to reload yours, just line up at the payment counter in the bus terminal to get one. You can load the card using dirhams or a credit/debit card. You need at least AED 25, but if you will be returning, make sure to put at least AED 50.
The nol card is the smart card used for all modes of transportation in Dubai, as well as the buses between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Boarding
If you already have a loaded nol card, you can go directly to the boarding area of the bus terminal and ask for a bus going to Dubai/Abu Dhabi. The destination will be marked at the parking lot (see picture below) or on the bus. Often, you’ll be able to walk right onto a bus and you’ll scan the card on the way in to pay.
Queuing to board busses to Dubai from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
However, if it’s really busy, like it was when I left Dubai from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, someone might hand you a piece of paper which represents your “ticket”. This was their way of trying to keep track of who was there first, but honestly, it was pretty chaotic. If it’s busy, you’ll have to stand up for yourself, otherwise, you might wait a long time. For that reason, if you have something scheduled, like a tour or reservation, I recommend giving yourself an extra hour just in case the station is busy and causes a delay.
If you have luggage, you can stow it under the bus before boarding. On board, you’ll only have room for a small bag under the seat in front of you.
Riding
I have to say, the buses here were spacious, clean and comfortable. I was really happy with it!
Something unique to note is that some bus drivers might ask that the front seats be reserved for women travelling solo. Personally, I appreciated this and had peace of mind to rest on the bus.
The buses have air conditioning, tinted windows, large seats, plugs/USB ports, cup holders, and they recline. A monitor at the front of the bus will tell you what stop is next along with an ETA. There was even WiFi and it worked for a good part of the journey. You’ll be happy with the aircon on the bus, but it’s always smart to bring a shawl or sweater on board in case you find it too cold.
Enjoy the desert and city scenes en route, have a rest, and in under two hours you’ll be at your destination. It’s quite straightforward.
Don’t forget to pick up your luggage when you arrive, then you can make your way to your next destination in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
The bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai mid-week wasn’t full, and the driver kept seats near the front open for solo female passengers, which I really appreciated.
Alternative Transportation Options Between Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Private Transfers
If you want a more private transportation option, you can hire a rideshare (Uber or Careem) or a private vehicle to take you between Dubai and Abu Dhabi — but it will cost significantly more. Private transfers range from AED 379-500. I didn’t think it was worth the price considering how convenient the buses were. If you want to book a private transfer, you can book it with 12go.
Car Rentals
If you’re a confident driver and you’re staying for a longer period, renting a car could provide you with the flexibility and freedom to explore more freely and at your own pace. The roads are well-maintained, and signage is clear, making driving relatively straightforward. Rental options vary, catering to different budgets, with average daily costs ranging from 100 to 300 AED, depending on the vehicle type, plus fuel.
Day Tours
If you want to spend a day sightseeing in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, book a day trip. That way you get your transportation and guide costs covered in one. I promise it’s the most convenient way to go if you plan a day visit.
For example, you could book this highly-rated (4.9 ⭐️) sightseeing tour of Abu Dhabi from Dubai, or this well-reviewed (4.7 ⭐️) day tour of Dubai from Abu Dhabi.
Theme Park Shuttles
If you want to visit one of Abu Dhabi’s amusement parks as a day tour from Dubai, you can get a free shuttle from Dubai to Yas Island, where its theme parks are located, including Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World.
Enjoy the Ride!
Getting between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is overall quite easy and the bus is comfortable and affordable. The only stress you might face is a bit of chaos at the bus terminal if it’s very busy, but even then, you should be sorted within 30 minutes tops. If you have a bigger budget and prefer more flexibility, privacy and comfort, then of course you can go for a private transfer and enjoy. For day trips, booking a tour will be your best bet.
In any case, I’m wishing you a seamless journey with only small, fun bumps in the road, wherever you’re headed!
You can follow my adventures on Instagram and reach out to me by DM if there’s anything I can help you with ☺️
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