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In case you need some tips about how to get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, you have come to the right place. The two main cities are more than 140 kilometers apart, and commuting between them would be a frequent need for local citizens, tourists, and business people, too. Although it is your first trip Abu Dhabi to Dubai or you make regular intercity travel on a regular basis, it will be good to study the best ways and means of traveling, so that your journey becomes effective and comfortable.

This guide will look into all the major transportation alternatives such as public buses, cabs, ride-hailing services, and on-demand car services.

How Far Is Dubai from Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is approximately 140 km away from Dubai. It takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes or over 2 hours while depending on traffic and the route you are taking. Both cities are connected with two main highways, which are Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). They are both wide and well-maintained motorways, which make driving convenient as well as easy to handle.

Traffic is generally free-flowing at other times of the day but during 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM you may be held up in traffic as this is peak-hours traffic.

Public Bus Travel: A Practical and Comfortable Choice

Traveling between the two cities should not have to be expensive and complicated. To most commuters, the public bus transport system is one of those ideal options that are both affordable and fluid to many.

Why Choose the Bus?

One of the most convenient ways of travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai are the public buses. They are also under the direction of the RTA, and include air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and offer separate space to women, children, and luggage.

Main Bus Routes Between the Cities

E100 Route

1. Route: From Central Bus Station (Abu Dhabi) to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Dubai)
2. Travel Duration: Around 2 to 2.5 hours
3. Best For: Reaching older parts of Dubai, such as Deira, Dubai Creek, or Bur Dubai

E101 Route

1. Route: From Central Bus Station (Abu Dhabi) to Ibn Battuta Bus Station (Dubai)
2. Travel Duration: Around 85 to 100 minutes
3. Best For: Travelers heading to Dubai Marina, JBR, or JLT

E102 Route

1. Route: Mussafah Shabiya → Abu Dhabi Airport → Ibn Battuta Station
2. Travel Duration: Varies between 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes
3. Best For: Passengers departing from Mussafah or Abu Dhabi International Airport

These buses are all frequent with departures all along the day and night. This makes them perfect, even if it’s your first trip Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

Pro Tip: You’ll need a NOL card to board these buses. Make sure it’s topped up before travel to avoid delays.

Taxis: Direct and Convenient

Taxi services are an excellent choice in case you want direct transportation that will take you straight to the door. Taxis offer:

1. Personalized travel with no transfers
2. Comfortable seats along with air-conditioned cabins
3. Availability at most major locations and airports

Taxis are particularly appropriate for someone who has a lot of luggage, a family with kids, or anyone who has a short time. Booking of one can be done using official apps, call centers, and by simply hailing one on the street.

To passengers who are beginning the journey at the airport, taxis are normally in a queue just outside the airport and will take you directly to your address within Dubai.

Ride-Hailing Apps: Flexible and App-Based

There are well-known services such as Uber and Careem that will take you to Dubai without any problem as soon as you press a few buttons on your smartphone. Whether you need an economy sedan, an SUV, or even a luxurious car, these services have a variety of offers that you can choose based on your needs and the number of people in your group.

You can also book your ride in advance or book one immediately, and this becomes a convenient alternative to the traditional taxis. Such services also offer real-time tracking, convenient ride-sharing in case you are traveling with your friend.

This would be a good choice when you are trying to figure out how to go from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in a fast as well as flexible manner that does not involve schedules.

Shuttle Services: Ideal for Groups

Private shuttle services will be perfect when you have a group of people, require some additional space to store the luggage, or simply want to have a pre-booked ride. There are companies that offer anything e.g., sedans, Mini-buses, and full-sized coaches.

These are especially helpful for:

1. Business teams
2. Family trips
3. Tourists with lots of luggage
4. People landing at the airport require a direct drop off at the hotel

You can book shuttles online in advance and choose the vehicle size and features that best match your travel requirements.

Car Subscriptions: Freedom to Explore

For those seeking complete flexibility, a car subscription plan might be the best option. Services like MOOV by Al-Futtaim allow you to drive a vehicle without the long-term commitment of owning one. You can subscribe for a day, a week, or even a month.

Benefits of this option include:

1. No need for long-term contracts
2. Insurance and maintenance are usually included
3. Freedom to stop anywhere along the way
4. Useful for longer stays or multi-city plans

It is an excellent option in case you are a city-hopper or want to experience the freedom to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai on your own terms. It is particularly useful when you are taking the first trip Abu Dhabi to Dubai and you would like flexibility.

Is There a Metro from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

Wondering whether you can get a metro fromAbu Dhabi into Dubai? The current status is no, you cannot. Metro in Dubai serves the city only and Abu Dhabi Metro is under development.

However, the intercity buses often drop the travelers at the metro-connected points such as the Ibn Battuta and the Al Ghubaiba. Once you are there you can easily explore any other part of the city using the Dubai Metro. Direct metro is not available to commute between Abu Dhabi and Dubai but a bus ride with metro ride is a feasible as well as affordable one.

Useful Tips for a Smooth Journey

1. Avoid rush hours: Morning and evening peak times can slow your trip.
2. Use travel apps: Tools like Google Maps or Waze help estimate traffic and arrival times.
3. Keep your NOL card loaded: Essential for bus travel
4. Check schedules: This is very important in the case of E102 where the time varies on weekdays and on weekends
5. Plan your destination stop: Whether it's a metro station or a central hub, knowing where to disembark helps

Conclusion

In short, are you commuting to work, visiting as a tourist, or making a first trip Abu Dhabi to Dubai? Whatever it is, selecting a mode of travel is what matters. Although you can always rely on public buses that are comfortable, on a taxi where you can travel directly, on a ride-hailing app for flexibility, or car subscription and have everything under your control.

Even though no direct metro is available to commute to Dubai as of now, due to the highly connected transport infrastructure, your journey is extremely easy and smooth as well.

The means of knowing how you can get to Dubai and Abu Dhabi simply imply that you will need to consider your time, your preferences, and comfort. Now that you have this guide, you can make the most informed decision at least as far as your trip is concerned, reasonably and with confidence.