Dubai to Abu Dhabi: No Flights—Drive, Bus, or Taxi Instead

There are no commercial passenger flights between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The two UAE emirates are only ~145 km (90 mi) apart via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) or the newer E311/E611 corridors.

Travel Options & Times

• Car/Taxi/Ride-hail (Careem, Uber): 1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 45 min (traffic-dependent). Cost: AED 200–350 (taxi); AED 150–250 (ride-hail).
• Public Bus (RTA E100/E101/E102): 2–2.5 hrs. Cost: AED 25–30 (Nol card). Departs Al Ghubaiba / Ibn Battuta stations.
• Intercity Coach (e.g., Dubai-Abu Dhabi Express): ~2 hrs. Cost: AED 30–50.
• Future: Etihad Rail (passenger service planned 2025+): Projected 50 min city-center to city-center.

Why No Flights?

• Distance too short for viable flight operations (takeoff + climb + descent + landing > total drive time).
• No airport infrastructure for such short hops (both cities' airports are hubs for long-haul).
• High-speed ground transport is faster door-to-door.

Bottom line: Drive or take the bus. Flying isn't an option—and wouldn't make sense even if it were.