Day trips

The 10 Best Day Trips from Dubai

Drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan for every place worth the trip.

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There are 10 good day trips from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, led by Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain City. The closest is Dubai Marina, about 25 min by car, and 5 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Day trips from Dubai at a glance

DestinationDistanceDrive timeBest as
Abu Dhabi115 km SW1 hr 50 minFull-day trip
Sharjah30 km N35 minHalf-day trip
Al Ain City109 km SE1 hr 40 minFull-day trip
Ajman40 km NE45 minHalf-day trip
Ras Al Khaimah102 km NE1 hr 35 minFull-day trip
Jebel Ali22 km W35 minHalf-day trip
Dubai Investments Park17 km SW25 minHalf-day trip
Dubai Marina16 km W25 minHalf-day trip
Fujairah104 km E1 hr 40 minFull-day trip
Khalifah A City102 km SW1 hr 35 minFull-day trip

Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.

The best day trips from Dubai

  1. 1

    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car115 km south-west of Dubai3 hr 40 min round trip

    Known for Observation Deck at 300.

    Also nearby: Musaffah, Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

  2. 2

    Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    Half-day trip
    About 35 min by car30 km north of Dubai1 hr 10 min round trip

    Known for Pens Gallery.

    Also nearby: Dayrah, Al Majaz, Ar Rumaylah.

  3. 3

    Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car109 km south-east of Dubai3 hr 20 min round trip

    Known for حديقة العين للحيوانات.

  4. 4

    Ajman, United Arab Emirates

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car40 km north-east of Dubai1 hr 30 min round trip
  5. 5

    Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car102 km north-east of Dubai3 hr 10 min round trip
  6. 6

    Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates

    Half-day trip
    About 35 min by car22 km west of Dubai1 hr 10 min round trip
  7. 7

    Dubai Investments Park, United Arab Emirates

    Half-day trip
    About 25 min by car17 km south-west of Dubai50 min round trip
  8. 8

    Dubai Marina, United Arab Emirates

    Half-day trip
    About 25 min by car16 km west of Dubai50 min round trip
  9. 9

    Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car104 km east of Dubai3 hr 20 min round trip
  10. 10

    Khalifah A City, United Arab Emirates

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car102 km south-west of Dubai3 hr 10 min round trip

A sample day trip: Dubai to Abu Dhabi

A realistic pace for Abu Dhabi, 115 km from Dubai. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.

  1. 07:30Leave Dubai
  2. 09:20Arrive in Abu Dhabi (1 hr 50 min drive)
  3. 09:35Observation Deck at 300
  4. 11:35Lunch
  5. 12:50Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Abu Dhabi
  6. 15:20Head back to Dubai
  7. 17:10Home in Dubai

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Dubai?
The best day trips from Dubai are Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain City, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah. The closest is Dubai Marina, about 25 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Dubai?
Dubai Marina is the closest, 16 km west of Dubai, roughly 25 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Dubai?
5 places are within about an hour's drive of Dubai: Dubai Marina (25 min), Dubai Investments Park (25 min), Jebel Ali (35 min), Sharjah (35 min), Ajman (45 min).
What is the biggest city near Dubai for a day out?
Abu Dhabi is the largest city in day-trip range, 115 km south-west of Dubai and about 1 hr 50 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
How far is too far for a day trip from Dubai?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Abu Dhabi at 115 km, around 1 hr 50 min by car.

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