This is a full-day private tour of Abu Dhabi that starts and ends at your hotel in Dubai. Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai, roughly a 75-minute drive on the E11 highway. We pick you up around 8 AM and spend close to 10 hours covering the main landmarks. Your group (up to 6 people) gets a dedicated vehicle and driver-guide for the whole day, so you set the pace.
Not sure whether to do Abu Dhabi or Dubai first? Our Dubai vs Abu Dhabi city tour comparison breaks down what each city offers.
This is typically the first stop and takes about an hour. The mosque has 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet, which weighs 35 tons and covers 5,627 square meters. You'll need to cover your shoulders and knees. Abayas are available free at the entrance if you need one. Morning visits between 9 and 10 AM tend to have shorter queues, which is why we start the day here. Entry to the mosque is free.
Emirates Palace is a photo stop. You can walk the grounds and take pictures of the gold-accented exterior. Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, is next door and open to visitors. Its Great Hall has a 37-meter dome that's worth seeing even if you only spend 15-20 minutes inside. Entry tickets (from AED 60 per person) aren't included in our tour price but can be arranged.
Heritage Village is a reconstructed traditional settlement along the Corniche. You'll see Bedouin tents, a pottery workshop, and old fishing boats. It's free to enter and takes about 30 minutes. The nearby Dates Market is where locals buy their dates. You'll find over 50 varieties, plus dried fruits and spices, with a box of premium dates running about AED 30-50. Most visitors pick up a few boxes to bring home.
We drive along the 8 km Abu Dhabi Corniche for waterfront views of the city skyline. The Etihad Towers give you one of the best panoramic views of Abu Dhabi's skyline and make a popular photo stop. Yas Island is a drive-through unless you want to add Ferrari World or Yas Waterworld, where tickets are separate.
Families with kids like it because the private vehicle means no rushing between stops. Couples use it as a day out from Dubai, since Abu Dhabi feels noticeably different, more spacious and cultural. We also get solo travelers and small groups of friends who want to cover Abu Dhabi in a single day without renting a car.
If you're deciding when to go, our Dubai weather guide covers the best months. October to March is most comfortable for outdoor walking at the mosque and Heritage Village.
Many of our guests combine this with a Dubai city tour on another day, or add an evening desert safari with BBQ dinner for a completely different kind of experience. If you're looking for ways to upgrade your tour package, we can arrange VIP access at select landmarks.
This Abu Dhabi city tour from Dubai is priced per vehicle for up to 6 guests, not per person, which makes it better value for families and small groups than per-seat coach tours. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai, a private vehicle for the full day, an English-speaking driver-guide, fuel, tolls, and parking. This tour is AED 1,359 per vehicle for up to 6 guests, and you can confirm the current rate in the booking section above. Entry tickets to paid attractions are separate. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Heritage Village are free to enter, Qasr Al Watan costs from AED 60 per person, and Louvre Abu Dhabi is from AED 63 per person.
Our Abu Dhabi city tour package covers all the major landmarks in a single 10-hour day: a private vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, and door-to-door service from your Dubai hotel. You'll visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, the 8 km Corniche, Etihad Towers (one of the best panoramic views of Abu Dhabi's skyline), the Dates Market, and Yas Island, with a photo stop near Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.
Ferrari World on Yas Island is a popular add-on for families. Entry costs from AED 295 per person, and booking ahead gets you the better price. The park has the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, plus dozens of rides. If you want to add Ferrari World to your city tour, tell us when you book and we'll adjust the schedule. A proper visit takes 2-3 hours, which usually means dropping the Louvre photo stop or shortening the Corniche drive. Pre-book through us and skip the ticket queue.
This Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai runs daily. Pickup from your Dubai hotel is at 8:00 AM and you'll be back by 5:30-6:30 PM. The 75-minute drive each way is comfortable in our AC vehicles, and your guide briefs you on Abu Dhabi's history along the way. Most guests tell us the drive passes quickly.
We'll pick you up from your hotel or residence in Dubai (Marina, Downtown, Deira — wherever you are). The drive to Abu Dhabi takes about 1 hour 15 minutes on the E11 highway. Your driver-guide will give you a rundown of the day's plan during the drive.
First stop and the highlight for most visitors. You'll have about an hour to walk through the mosque — 82 white marble domes, the world's largest hand-knotted carpet (5,627 sq meters), and Swarovski crystal chandeliers. Free abayas are available at the entrance if you need one. Tip: mornings are less crowded, so we start here on purpose.
The UAE's presidential palace, right next to the mosque. We stop for photos from outside — the white granite facade looks best in morning light. Entry tickets (AED 60) aren't included but can be added if you want to go inside and see the Great Hall.
A 15-minute photo stop at one of the most expensive hotels ever built. The main entrance and gardens are open for photos. If you want, we can pop into the lobby — it's gold-plated and worth a quick look.
Quick drive past the five-tower complex you might recognize from the Fast & Furious films. Good photo spot from the road with the towers framing the coastline.
About 30 minutes here. It's a reconstructed traditional village on the Corniche breakwater — mud-brick houses, a small souk with local crafts, and Bedouin-style tents. Free entry. You'll see artisans doing metalwork and weaving. Quieter than it sounds, especially on weekdays.
A 20-minute stop at the Al Mina area dates market. Rows of stalls selling fresh dates (Kholas, Mejdool, Ajwa), dried fruits, nuts, and saffron. Prices are fair — a box of premium dates runs about AED 30-50. Good place to grab edible souvenirs.
We'll stop wherever you'd like for lunch. Your driver can recommend local spots — there's everything from shawarma stands (AED 10-15) to waterfront restaurants on the Corniche. Lunch typically takes 45-60 minutes.
A scenic drive along the 8 km Corniche waterfront. We'll slow down for photos of the skyline and the turquoise water. If you'd like, we can stop at Corniche Beach for 15-20 minutes.
Drive through Saadiyat Island where the Louvre Abu Dhabi is located. Photo stop from outside — the dome architecture is striking. Entry tickets (AED 63) not included but we can add time if you want to go in (allow 2 hours for a proper visit).
We'll drive through Yas Island past Yas Marina Circuit (F1 track), Yas Mall, and Ferrari World's red roof. Photo stop at Ferrari World entrance — the building itself is impressive even from outside. Entry tickets (AED 295) not included.
Depending on traffic, the return drive takes 1-1.5 hours. We usually arrive back by 5:30-6:00 PM. If you'd like to add any extra stops on the way back, just let your driver know.
