Table of contents
Quick answer
The best day trips from Dubai are Abu Dhabi (about 1h30 for the Grand Mosque and the Louvre), Hatta (about 1h30 for mountains and kayaking), Al Ain (about 1h30, the garden city), Fujairah on the east coast for beaches and diving, and Ras Al Khaimah for Jebel Jais. All are easy self-drive on good roads.
1Abu Dhabi
About 1h30 down the E11. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi are the headline stops, with Ferrari World and Yas Island for families. Note that Abu Dhabi uses its own Darb toll gates, separate from Salik.
2Hatta
About 1h30 into the Hajar Mountains, still within Dubai's emirate. The Hatta Dam and its kayaks, the Wadi Hub activities and the mountain scenery make it a favourite cool-weather day trip. The road crosses into Oman territory briefly on some routes — carry your passport.
3Al Ain
About 1h30 inland, the green 'garden city' with a UNESCO-listed oasis, forts, and the drive up Jebel Hafeet — one of the region's great mountain roads. Quieter and more traditional than the coast.
4Fujairah and the east coast
About 1h45 across the mountains to the Gulf of Oman. The east coast has calmer swimming, some of the UAE's best diving and snorkelling around Snoopy Island, and the Friday Market on the way. A good overnight if you'd rather not rush.
5Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais
About an hour north, then up to Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, home to the world's longest zipline and a genuinely cool mountain climate. Pair it with RAK's beaches and old town.
| Destination | Drive | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Drive~1h30 | Known forGrand Mosque, Louvre, Yas Island |
| Hatta | Drive~1h30 | Known forMountains, dam, kayaking |
| Al Ain | Drive~1h30 | Known forOasis, Jebel Hafeet drive |
| Fujairah / east coast | Drive~1h45 | Known forBeaches, diving, snorkelling |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Drive~1h | Known forJebel Jais, zipline, beaches |
6How to do these trips
All of these are easy self-drive on wide, well-signed roads, which is why a rental car is the usual way to do them. Fuel up before you leave the city, start early to beat the heat and traffic, and budget for Salik and Abu Dhabi's Darb tolls.
Some are reachable by intercity bus or an organised tour, but a car gives you the freedom these trips are about. Stick to paved roads — rental insurance excludes driving on sand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Dubai?
Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque and the Louvre, or Hatta for mountains and kayaking, are the two most popular — both about 90 minutes away.
Can you visit Abu Dhabi in a day from Dubai?
Yes. It's about 90 minutes each way, so an early start gives you a full day for the Grand Mosque, the Louvre and lunch.
Do you need a car for day trips from Dubai?
It's the easiest way — the roads are excellent and destinations are spread out. Organised tours and some intercity buses are alternatives, but a car gives you the most freedom.
Where can you see mountains near Dubai?
Hatta (about 90 minutes) and Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah (about an hour, then the climb) are the closest real mountains, both cooler than the city.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 29 September 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
