Flying out of Abu Dhabi while staying in Dubai? Your Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport transfer can be a free airline shuttle, a public bus, the new Etihad Rail train, a taxi, or a pre booked private chauffeur. Each one suits a different budget, flight time and amount of luggage. This guide compares all of them with verified 2026 information, so you can choose before you leave your hotel in Dubai Marina, Downtown or Deira.
Which Is the Best Way to Get From Dubai to AUH?
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest cost | RTA E102 bus | AED 25 with a Nol card |
| Free travel on an Etihad flight | Etihad Shuttle | Complimentary for eligible Etihad passengers who book 24 hours ahead |
| A bus at any hour | Airport Express from Ibn Battuta | Runs around the clock, direct to Terminal A |
| Door to door, booked on the spot | Dubai taxi or ride hailing app | Leaves from your address, no booking needed |
| Door to door, fixed price, room for bags | Private chauffeur | One quote, vehicle sized for your group |
| A daytime train ride | Etihad Rail | Only practical if the timetable fits and you travel light |
All flights at Zayed International Airport (formerly Abu Dhabi International Airport) have operated from Terminal A since late 2023, so every option below ends at the same terminal.
How Far Is Abu Dhabi Airport From Dubai?
The airport sits on the mainland east of Abu Dhabi city, near Yas Island and Khalifa City. That means south Dubai is much closer than Deira.
| Starting point in Dubai | Approx. road distance | Planning estimate, normal traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali | About 87 km | About 1 hour |
| Dubai Marina / JBR | About 95 km | About 1 hour |
| Downtown Dubai / Sheikh Zayed Road | About 117 km | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Deira | About 121 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| DXB Airport | About 128 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
Distances are approximate road distances from route planning data and change with your exact pickup point. Travel times are planning estimates, not guarantees. Rush hour on Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Barsha and Jebel Ali can add 20 to 40 minutes.
Option 1: Etihad Shuttle (Free for Eligible Etihad Passengers)
Etihad’s official shuttle page sets out the rules:
- Pickup point: The Dubai stop is at Al Wasl Centre, behind the Safestway Supermarket entrance on Sheikh Zayed Road, and the trip takes about 75 minutes.
- Who qualifies: Guests flying on an Etihad Airways operated flight, including flights sold by a partner airline but operated by Etihad.
- Booking: It must be booked 24 hours before travel. Without a confirmed reservation you cannot ride, and bookings made within 24 hours of departure are not confirmed.
- Not available for: Unaccompanied minors or guests needing medical or mobility assistance.
Book at etihad.com/manage when you buy your ticket or later. Shuttle times follow Etihad’s flight schedule, so check your departure slot on the booking page.
Local tip: Al Wasl Centre is a short ride from Downtown, DIFC and Al Wasl Road. The coach leaves on time, so arrive early.
Option 2: Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport Bus
Airport Express from Ibn Battuta
- Where: Ibn Battuta Bus Station, beside Ibn Battuta Metro Station on the Red Line and Ibn Battuta Mall.
- When: Hourly, around the clock, with the first bus at midnight.
- Fare: About AED 35 per person, sold at Ibn Battuta and at the airport. Confirm the current fare when you buy.
- Journey: About 1 hour 30 minutes, direct to Terminal A Departures.
RTA E102
RTA’s E102 runs to Zayed International Airport from Al Jafiliya and Ibn Battuta for AED 25 one way with a Nol card. It stops along the route, so it is slower than the Airport Express. Check live times in the RTA S’hail app, or book through the RTA bus ticket page. Do not take E100 or E101 for a flight. They go to Abu Dhabi city, not the airport.
What about luggage?
Reaching Ibn Battuta by Metro limits your bags. RTA allows one large suitcase up to 81 × 58 × 30 cm and one small bag up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm per passenger. Families with several large suitcases will usually need a taxi or chauffeur to reach the bus station anyway.
Option 3: Etihad Rail (New, but Not to the Airport)
Etihad Rail opened Dubai’s Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates on 30 September 2026. Fares start at Dh39 in Comfort and Dh109 in Premium, and the trip to Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station takes about an hour. At launch, five trains ran each way, the first leaving Dubai at 6:14am, and the luggage allowance was two free items per traveller. Al Yalayis links to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station on the Red Line by a 400 metre walkway.
The catch: the train stops at Mohamed bin Zayed City, opposite Dalma Mall, not at the airport. You still need a taxi or bus to Terminal A. The train makes sense for a midday flight if you travel light. For early morning, late night or family trips, a road transfer is more practical. Check the current timetable in the Etihad Rail app before planning around it.
Option 4: Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport Taxi Fare
A Dubai taxi can take you from your door straight to Terminal A. RTA adds no extra starting fare for trips to Abu Dhabi, unlike the AED 20 extra on trips into Sharjah.
Estimated meter fares
| From | Basic estimate (before tolls and waiting) |
|---|---|
| Ibn Battuta Mall | About AED 199 to 218 |
| Dubai Marina / JBR | About AED 217 to 238 |
| Downtown Dubai | About AED 266 to 292 |
| Deira | About AED 275 to 302 |
| DXB Airport (airport taxi tariff) | About AED 355 |
How we calculated these: For street pickups, we used the AED 5 daytime start plus a per km rate of AED 2.23 to AED 2.45, because RTA adjusts the rate monthly with fuel prices. For DXB, we used the official Dubai Taxi airport tariff of AED 20 for a normal car plus AED 2.62 per km. Waiting costs 50 fils per minute, and tolls are charged on top. These are basic estimates, not quoted fares. Your meter, route, traffic and tolls decide the final amount.
Ride hailing apps show a price before you book, but it rises with demand at busy times. Compare it with a fixed chauffeur quote, especially for a larger car.
Which tolls apply on the Dubai to AUH route?
- Salik (Dubai): Dh6 from 6am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, Dh4 from 10am to 4pm and 8pm to 1am, free from 1am to 6am. A trip south on Sheikh Zayed Road may pass one to three gates, depending on your start point.
- Darb (Abu Dhabi): The Ghantoot gate on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street opened on 4 May 2026 and charges AED 4 per crossing, 24 hours a day. Drivers can use Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Street as the free alternative, so whether you pay depends on the route your driver takes. The four bridge gates into Abu Dhabi city charge only at peak times, and most airport runs do not cross those bridges because the airport sits on the mainland. See Abu Dhabi Mobility for current toll rules.
Local tip: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) has no Salik gates, which is useful from areas like Al Barsha South, Dubai Sports City and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Option 5: Private Chauffeur Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport
A private chauffeur picks you up from your hotel, villa or office and drops you at Terminal A Departures. You agree one price before you travel, and the car fits your group and bags.
Our vehicles for the AUH route
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Standard DXB airport rate (listed on our fleet page) | AUH route rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES300 Hybrid | Up to 3 | 2 bags | AED 200 | Quote on request |
| Mercedes Benz Viano V 250 | Up to 7 | 6 bags | AED 350 | Quote on request |
| GMC Yukon | Up to 7 | 5 bags | AED 350 | Quote on request |
| BMW 7 Series | Up to 3 | 2 bags | AED 450 | Quote on request |
| Mercedes Benz S Class Maybach | Up to 2 | 2 bags | AED 900 | Quote on request |
| Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van | 18 to 20 | 12 bags | AED 900 | Quote on request |
Important: The rates above are our standard DXB airport transfer prices, not Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport prices. The AUH route is longer, so we quote it separately based on your pickup point and vehicle. Our quotes include fuel and tolls.
Taxi or chauffeur: which is better for you?
| Dubai taxi | Private chauffeur | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Metered, changes with traffic and route | Fixed before you travel |
| Capacity | Usually 4 passengers, about 2 to 3 bags | Up to 20 passengers, up to 12 bags |
| Pickup | Rank, street or app | Your exact address at your chosen time |
| Tolls and waiting | Added to the meter | Included in the quote (confirm waiting time) |
| Night flights | Available, but depends on finding a car | Booked in advance for any hour |
For a family of five or more, one van often replaces two taxis. For a solo traveller on a budget, a taxi or bus usually costs less. See our Abu Dhabi chauffeur service for details.
Dubai to AUH Transfer Cost: Every Option Side by Side
| Option | Cost (one way) | Door to door? | Night service? | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etihad Shuttle | Free (eligible guests) | No, from Al Wasl Centre | Follows Etihad flights | Checked bags | Etihad flyers |
| Airport Express | About AED 35 | No, from Ibn Battuta | Yes | Limited | Solo budget travellers |
| RTA E102 | AED 25 | No | Limited | Limited | Lowest cost |
| Etihad Rail | From Dh39, plus onward ride | No | No | 2 free items | Daytime, light travel |
| Dubai taxi | About AED 199 to 302, plus tolls | Yes | Yes | 2 to 3 bags | Last minute trips |
| Private chauffeur | Fixed quote | Yes | Yes | Up to 12 bags | Families, groups, business |
How Early Should You Leave Dubai for an AUH Flight?
Start with the check in time your airline gives you, then add road time from the distance table and a buffer for traffic. As a planning estimate, many travellers leave Downtown or Deira about four to four and a half hours before an international departure, and Dubai Marina or JBR about four hours before. Your airline’s own check in rules always come first.
Landing at AUH and Heading to Dubai?
The same options work in reverse. Eligible Etihad guests can book the shuttle to Al Wasl Centre, and the Airport Express runs back to Ibn Battuta. Official Abu Dhabi taxis wait at the signposted lower curbside outside Terminal A Arrivals. Use only the official rank and decline drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Making a stop on the way? Many guests combine their airport run with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi or Ferrari World on Yas Island.
Still deciding which Dubai airport suits your trip? Read DXB vs DWC, or compare city airport rides in Dubai airport transfer: private chauffeur vs taxi vs ride hailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a private transfer from Dubai Marina to AUH?
Yes. We pick up from any address in Dubai Marina, JBR or anywhere else in Dubai. Share your pickup point, flight time and group size for a fixed quote.
Is a taxi or private chauffeur cheaper for a family?
For one or two people, a taxi is usually cheaper. For five or more people with luggage, one chauffeur van can cost less than two taxis and keeps everyone together.
How much luggage can I take on the airport bus?
Plan around the Metro limit if you travel to Ibn Battuta by train: one large suitcase and one small bag per person. With more bags, take a taxi or chauffeur.
Should I pre book a transfer for an early morning flight?
Yes. Buses and trains have fixed times, and taxis can be harder to find before dawn. A pre booked car arrives at your door at your chosen time.
Are fuel, tolls and waiting time included in a private transfer quote?
Our quotes include fuel and tolls. Confirm the included waiting time when you book.
Does Etihad Rail go to Abu Dhabi airport?
No. It stops at Mohamed bin Zayed City Station. You need a taxi or bus from there to Terminal A.
Book Your Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer
Tell us your pickup point, flight time and number of passengers and bags. We will send a fixed price for the right vehicle, with fuel and tolls included.
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