Best excursions in Dubai
Once you are done with all the places to visit in Dubai, it is time to visit other places of the country. Some of the best day trips from Dubai are to the desert, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & Ajman, Fujairah and the east coast. You can see al the details below!
1. Day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
One of the best Dubai excursions is a trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Although Dubai remains the most visited city in the country, there are many reasons to visit Abu Dhabi, located just 140 km south of Dubai.
The city of Abu Dhabi dates back to the 18th century, when it was simply a small fishing village. Later, with the discovery of oil in the area, the city began to grow until it became what it is today. Today, it is the political center of the country as well as an important business center.
There are several fun things to do in Abu Dhabi: water sports, desert trips, adrenaline-filled activities, etc. However, there are two places that especially attract tourists: the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. They are both spectacular.
I recommend this excursion if you are staying at least 3 or 4 complete days in Dubai.
How to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai
There are several ways to get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai.
By bus:
The bus is the most affordable option to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The buses are operated by the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) and depart from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, near Al Fahidi, the historic neighborhood of Dubai. Buses run every 15/20 minutes and the journey takes 2 hours. The Abu Dhabi bus station is also located in the city center. The bus ticket costs around $6.
By taxi:
Taking a taxi is not a very cheap option but if money is not a problem it is a great option, since it is the most comfortable and convenient way to travel. You can book a taxi from the hotel or catch it on the street. Uber works too. Another option is to take a shared taxi at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. You will share the fare with the other passengers. The price is approximately $70 one way.
Guided tour:
Finally, there is the possibility of taking an organized day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai. If you opt for this option and want to go on a guided tour to Abu Dhabi, I recommend this day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai. The trip includes visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Corniche promenade, the Etihad Towers, the Emirates Palace Hotel, the Marina Shopping Center and the Heritage Village are visited. The price is from $87.
You can also go on a day trip from Dubai to the Grand Mosque and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. On this tour you will be able to get to know the cultural side of the city. The price is from $86. Includes admission to the mosque and the museum. Guided tours are available in several languages.
2. Desert trip, best excursion in Dubai
One of the excursions in Dubai that nobody wants to miss when visiting this Arabian city is a trip to the desert. Whether you have already visited a desert or not yet, I highly recommend this experience. It is simply magical.
In our case, we did the tour with a company called Platinum Heritage Dubai. It is more expensive than other desert tours but the service is very good.
We were picked up from our hotel in Dubai, then we visited the sand dunes on a vintage Land Rover, watched the sunset and ended the day in a Bedouin camp. We had a four course dinner while we watched various shows, had shisha, etc. It costs $140 per person.
Safaris to the Dubai desert
There are different options to visit the desert in Dubai.
Desert safari wit dinner and show:
If you are looking for something cheaper but that also offers good service, I recommend this desert safari with dinner and show, which is one of the best day trips from Dubai. They offer hotel pick up. Once you arrive in the desert, you’ll go on a 45-minute tour in a 4×4 vehicle. If you want, you can go sand-boarding which is lots of fun. You’ll also stop to watch the sunset before heading to camp.
At the camp you can drink Arabic coffee, get a henna tattoo, smoke shisha, dress in traditional clothing, etc. You will also be served dinner under the stars while you watch different shows, such as the nashaat dance. This trip costs $62.
Luxury desert safari:
If you want to live a more luxurious experience and spend the night in the desert, I recommend this luxury safari with a night in a Bedouin tent. It costs $119 and includes hotel transfer, a Land Rover tour, dinner, night in a traditional Bedouin tent, breakfast, shows, unlimited drinks, etc.
Hot-air balloon flight in the desert:
If you want to live an unforgettable experience, I recommend booking a hot-air balloon flight in the desert. They will pick you up very early at the hotel to be able to fly first thing in the morning and experience one of the best sunrises in your life.
Basic desert safari:
Finally, if you prefer to just visit the Dubai desert with a tour without dinner, you can book this Dubai desert safari. The tour costs $40 and includes transfers, a tour of the dunes in a 4×4 vehicle, sand-boarding, coffee and traditional desserts, etc.
3. Day trip from Dubai to the east coast of the UAE
After mentioning the two most popular day trips from Dubai, it is time to point out other very interesting places to visit near Dubai that aren’t very popular. One of these places is the oldest mosque in the country, which you can get to know thanks to this day trip to the east coast of the United Arab Emirates.
After a one-hour journey, you’ll arrive at the Friday Market, a market located in Masafi where you can find all kinds of products. If you want to buy some souvenir, this is a good place to do so.
Next, you’ll visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque of Fujairah, the second largest mosque in the country, and the Fujairah Fort, built in 1670. It is the most important defensive structure used to combat colonialism on the coast of the United Arab Emirates. You’ll also visit Al Bidya Mosque, which was built in 1446.
The tour finishes in Fujairah were you’ll have two and a half hours of free time, where you can go for lunch, before returning to Dubai.
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4. Excursion from Dubai to Sharjah & Ajman
Sharjah and Ajman are two cities located just outside of Dubai
Sharjah is considered to be the most important artistic center in the country. Important museums such as the Sharjah Museum of Art and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization are located in this city. Its well-preserved historic center is also a tourist attraction.
Visiting Ajman is a good option if you want to get away from the bustling city of Dubai and enjoy a quieter day on the coast. There are many luxury hotels with private beaches that you can enter with a day pass. There is also a public beach.
Thanks to this day trip to Sharjah and Ajman, you will be able to discover the main attractions in both places.
In Sharjah, the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates, there is a panoramic bus tour which stops at the most important tourist spots, such as the central souk of Sharjah or the King Faisal Mosque.
In Ajman, you can book a panoramic tour which passes through the Ajman National Museum, a building that used to be a fortress, and the Gold Souk.
5. Snorkeling trip to Fujairah, fun day trip from Dubai
If you love marine life, you’ll have the opportunity of going snorkeling during your trip to the UAE thanks to this snorkeling day trip to Fujairah. Fujairah is one of the best snorkeling spots in the UAE.
Once you arrive in Fujairah, you can put on your snorkeling gear and dive in the Gulf of Oman to observe the underwater life. A certified guide will accompany the group and will provide all the necessary information.
The trip takes place aboard a luxury boat with two decks, where you can also eat if your wish. The tour includes transportation, snorkeling equipment, water and soft drinks. You must bring your own towel.
If you haven’t booked your hotel in Dubai yet, have a look to my guide about where to stay in Dubai, the best hotels in Dubai and these affordable hotels in Dubai.
Do not forget to check my United Arab Emirates travel guide to plan your trip to this destination!
I hope this article about the best day trips from Dubai has been informative and very useful for you in planning your next trip. If you have any questions, I encourage you to leave a comment. See you next time!
4 Responses
Whilst Dubai is the kind of city where you can never run out of cool things to do. You can not ignore Day trips for having some quality time without the hassle of long preparations. Sofia I must say you’ve made a great list. Yet, I’ll suggest you add Oman Dibba in your list.
Thank you for your comment and your suggestion!! I will think about adding it next time I update the article!
Abu Dhabi was such an amazing experience and so the desert ! Thanks for sharing this. Really helpful
Thank you!