Planning our road trip through the United Arab Emirates turned out to be more complex than we expected. During the preparation phase, we discovered several details that significantly influenced our decisions.
One of the biggest surprises was the distances within Dubai. Normally, we explore cities like Edinburgh or Verona on foot. But in Dubai, Google Maps showed a walking time of over five hours from Downtown to the Marina. By car, the same route takes only about 20 minutes. This experience made it clear to us how essential a rental car is when traveling through the Emirates.
In this article, we’ll take you through how we planned and carried out our trip. You’ll find out which destinations we visited, what surprised us most, and what experiences we took away from our journey.
Content Planning Emirates Holidays
Emirates Road Trip – Duration and Best Travel Time
For our road trip, we planned a duration of 14 days. This timeframe offers the perfect balance between relaxation and exploring the most important sights.
We chose April as our travel period because the weather is ideal at this time of year. Temperatures are pleasantly warm but not too hot, making it possible to enjoy both city sightseeing and beach days.
This decision also influenced our route. With 14 days, we could allocate enough time to each stop without missing out on key highlights. This allowed us to include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and their surroundings in our itinerary.
Booking a Flight to the Emirates – Direct or with a Stopover?
The first step in our planning was booking the flight. Our goal was a direct flight to keep travel time as short as possible. After comparing different airlines*, we had two options:
- Nonstop flight: A short flight duration of around 6 hours and 30 minutes, but with a late arrival at 1:25 AM in Dubai.
- Flight with a stopover: Arrival during the day, but with a significantly longer total travel time of around 13 hours.
We decided on the nonstop flight. Despite the late arrival, the shorter travel time was the decisive factor for us
Route for Our Road Trip Through the United Arab Emirates
We designed our road trip through the United Arab Emirates to experience as many highlights as possible. After extensive research and consideration, we decided to focus on Dubai, as it offers the most sights and experiences. In total, we allocated five days to this impressive metropolis.
Map of Our United Arab Emirates Road Trip
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The journey begins with two days in Dubai, where we explore the main sights* in Downtown. After that, we continue to Abu Dhabi, where we plan to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, discover the city, and enjoy the Corniche waterfront promenade.
On the third day in Abu Dhabi, our route takes us to Al Ain. This oasis city is known for its historic fort and vast palm groves. Our accommodation on Jebel Hafeet mountain* is expected to offer breathtaking views of the desert.
From Al Ain, we travel through the mountains and desert to Ras Al Khaimah. Here, we plan to spend a few relaxing days at the beach and possibly take a trip to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the Emirates.
The trip concludes with four more days in Dubai, where we aim to visit the remaining sights before heading back home.
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Hotel Selection for Our United Arab Emirates Road Trip
For our road trip through the United Arab Emirates, we selected various hotels that fit well with our itinerary. Here are the accommodations we booked for each city.
Dubai
Choosing a hotel in Dubai was initially challenging due to the vast number of options and the significant distances between different districts. For the first two days, we wanted a hotel in Downtown to easily access attractions such as Burj Khalifa*, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountain.
To make the right choice, we compared several hotels*, all of which appeared to be of very high quality. Our key criteria included value for money, room size, reviews, view, and, most importantly, proximity to Downtown. After our analysis, we decided on Swissôtel Al Murooj*. It offers spacious rooms, a pool, and an ideal location.
Here’s a look at the hotels we considered for Downtown Dubai:
Name | Size (qm²) | Booking rating | Google rating | View | Distance Downtown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
135 | 8,5 | 4,7 | Ja | 1,3 km | |
86 | 8,4 | 4,7 | Ja | 2,1 km | |
124 | 8,3 | 4,2 | Ja | 2,5 km | |
56 | 8,8 | 4,4 | Ja | 2,6 km | |
60 | 8,8 | 4,5 | Ja | 3,2 km | |
75 | 8,3 | 4,1 | Ja | 2,3 km | |
88 | 8,6 | 4,4 | Nein | 3,6 km | |
72 | 8,7 | 4,4 | Nein | 2,1 km | |
52 | 8,0 | 4,5 | Ja | 3,8 km |
Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi, we chose the Jannah Burj Al Sarab*. This hotel is located near the Corniche, giving us quick access to key attractions such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Al Ain
For our stay in Al Ain, we selected the Alberni Jabal Hafeet hotel*, situated on Jebel Hafeet Mountain. This accommodation not only offers spectacular desert views but is also close to the main attractions of the oasis city.
Ras Al Khaimah
Our choice was the Al Hamra Residence*. It is directly on the beach and offers spacious rooms with sea views, making it the perfect place to enjoy a few relaxing days.
Rental Car for Our Emirates Road Trip: Decision & Booking
During the planning of our road trip, it quickly became clear that a rental car would be essential. Although the United Arab Emirates has a modern infrastructure, the distances between cities and within Dubai can be quite significant.
A rental car provides the flexibility we need to customize our route and reach remote locations such as Jebel Hafeet and Jebel Jais. It also allows for spontaneous stops, for example, in Hatta or Fujairah. We decided on a rental car with automatic transmission*.
While researching, we came across the topic of an international driver’s license for the first time. Although we have driven in many countries before, it had never been required. To be on the safe side, we applied for one well in advance of our trip.
Our Highlights: Activities & Attractions in the Emirates
During our planned road trip, we want to experience the diversity of the United Arab Emirates—from cultural highlights and spectacular architecture to nature and relaxing beach days. Here are our planned activities and attractions, organized by location:
Dubai
- Burj Khalifa*: Visit the observation decks.
- Dubai Mall & Dubai Fountain Show: Shopping and experiencing the water show.
- Al Fahidi Historical District: Explore traditional Dubai.
- Dubai Creek: Take an abra ride with city views.
- Desert Safari*: Adventure in the dunes, including quad biking.
- Museum of the Future*: Discover visionary technologies.
- Madinat Jumeirah Souk: Traditional market with views of Burj Al Arab.
- Palm Jumeirah*: Stunning views from The View at The Palm.
- Global Village*: Culinary and cultural diversity.
- Beaches: Relax at Kite Beach and JBR Beach.
Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque*: A masterpiece of architecture.
- Corniche: A relaxing stroll with skyline views.
- Qasr Al Watan: The impressive Presidential Palace.
Al Ain
- Palm Groves: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and oasis of tranquility.
- Jebel Hafeet: Breathtaking views over the desert.
- Al Jahili Fort: A historic landmark.
Ras Al Khaimah
- Jebel Jais: Hiking and enjoying the views from the highest mountain in the Emirates.
- Al Hamra Beach: Relaxing beach days.
- Dhayah Fort: Panoramic views over the desert and mountains.
Rules & Customs for a Road Trip Through the United Arab Emirates
Good travel preparation also includes understanding local rules and customs. In the United Arab Emirates, there are specific behaviors and dress codes that should be respected.
We researched the most important points in advance and recommend the following sources:
Our Experiences and Final Thoughts on the Road Trip Through the United Arab Emirates
After weeks of detailed planning, we were eager to see how our route would feel in real life. For two weeks, we traveled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and finally to Ras Al Khaimah. It quickly became clear how diverse the Emirates are — modern cities, deserts, beaches, and oases are often only an hour apart.
Choosing a rental car was definitely the right decision. It gave us the freedom to explore each place at our own pace. Al Ain was one of the biggest surprises — its lush palm oasis with small irrigation canals feels like another world hidden within the desert.
Ras Al Khaimah was another highlight. After days of sightseeing, we could finally relax by the beach and enjoy the sea views. Abu Dhabi impressed us with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Presidential Palace, but next time we’d visit it just as a day trip. Dubai, on the other hand, remained the heart of our journey — lively, modern, and full of energy.
Our UAE Road Trip on Video
In the video below, we’ll take you along our entire road trip — with every stop, highlight, and our honest conclusion. It gives you a real impression of how diverse the Emirates are and what’s truly worth seeing for your own journey.
Find more travel videos on our YouTube channel – #unsereRundreisen
I’m Joshua, and my focus is road trips and round trips. I provide detailed travel information, planning tools, and practical tips for driving abroad. Together, we’ll make your next road trip perfectly organized and unforgettable
