Article updated on October 20, 2026
If you’re planning a visit to the capital and you don’t have a driving licence, there are several ways to cross the border that don’t involve taking a taxi. From an intercity bus to the Etihad Rail (of course), here’s all the ways you can get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai
With so many exciting events coming up in Abu Dhabi, you may find yourself planning a trip to the capital. If you don’t own a car, don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi without getting behind the wheel.
And no, we’re not talking about booking yourself a cab through an app for approximately Dhs200. That’s money you could keep in your bank account or spend treating yourself instead. We’re talking about budget-friendly ways to travel that will have you sitting back, relaxing and possibly even tempt you into making more plans in the capital.
Want to know how? Read on, fellow traveller…
Etihad Rail
The Etihad Rail is one of the most recent public transportation systems launched across the UAE and is already quite popular with residents (and maybe even tourists). For now, while it seems like most people are just hopping onboard so they can experience the thrill of riding a train across borders in the UAE, it will soon become a popular way to travel for actual purposes, like a business meeting, to visit friends and family, or maybe… to catch a performance.
For whatever reason you need to hop on board and head to the capital, here are the important details
How much does a ticket from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost via Etihad Rail? Ticket prices vary based on when you travel but start from Dhs39 for Comfort Class and Dhs109 for Premium Class.
Travel time? The travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is one hour and 4 minutes.
How often are the trains? Trains run from Dubai at various times during the day.
You will need to plan your journey here in advance.
Public Bus
The intercity bus between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is usually the most practical way to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai if you don’t have a car.
Depending on which side of Dubai you live in, you can either hop on the bus (E100) at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai or outside the Ibn Battuta Metro Station (E101). Want to head to Al Ain? The E201 bus will take you from Ghubaiba to the bus station in Al Ain.
How much does a ticket from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost via bus? Tickets are just Dhs25.
You can pay for it using your Nol card or book online here.
How long is the travel time? One and a half to two hours.
How often are the buses? Buses from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station depart every 20 to 3o minutes and every 20 minutes from Ibn Battuta Metro Station.
For detailed bus timings, visit rta.ae
The expensive way
Helicopter
Want to avoid any sort of traffic during your trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi? Take to the skies by helicopter.
You will be treated to panoramic views of both cities and birdseye views of iconic spots. Your pick up will be at Atlantis Hotel, The Palm, and you will be dropped off at Abu Dhabi cruise terminal in Mina Zayed.
How much will it cost from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost via bus? Now obviously this isn’t cheap, but you will get to your location pretty quickly, with a one-way transfer starting from an eye-watering Dhs11,999. You can opt for a two-way transfer with a short wait time (one to three hours) with prices from Dhs13,999 or a long wait time (four to six hours) with prices from Dhs14,999.
How long is the travel time? A helicopter flight takes around 30 to 40 minutes.
How often? Well, since this really isn’t common, it’s based on when you book. So head to the Falcon Heli Tour website to book your helicopter.
HeliDubai also does a private charter which will take you from one city to the other with pick up points at either HeliDubai helipad inside Dubai Police Academy. Drop off points include Emirates Palace Hotel, Sir Baniyas Island, Zaya Nurai Island and more. You can request a price quote here.
Images: Instagram and Supplied
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