· 8 min read
5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: The Two-City Itinerary
Five days across the UAE's two big cities — Downtown Dubai, the desert, the Grand Mosque, Saadiyat's museums and the Corniche — with driving times and fixed transfers.
Five days is enough to see both UAE capitals properly instead of day-tripping between them. Three nights in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi, one road in between.
Days 1–3 — Dubai
Follow the 2-day Dubai plan — old creek and souks, Downtown and the Burj Khalifa, a desert evening — then use the third day for what the stopover version cuts: the Palm and Atlantis, Alserkal Avenue's galleries in Al Quoz, or a half-day at Kite Beach. Arrival prices are on the Dubai airport transfer page.
Day 4 — Down the E11 to Abu Dhabi
Leave mid-morning and stop at the Grand Mosque on the way in — it opens to visitors most of the day and dress code is enforced at the gate (shoulders, knees, hair covered for women; abayas are lent free). In the afternoon, the Corniche and a walk on the breakwater.
The drive is 140 km of straight, fast motorway. Fixed prices for the city-to-city run and for Abu Dhabi airport transfers are the same figures our booking search quotes.
Day 5 — Saadiyat and Yas
- Morning — Louvre Abu Dhabi under Nouvel's perforated dome; two hours minimum.
- Afternoon — Qasr Al Watan palace, or Yas Island if you have anyone under 15 with you.
- Evening — dinner on Saadiyat beach, then back to Dubai or fly out of AUH.
Driving times
- DXB → Downtown Dubai — 15 km · ~20 min
- Dubai → Abu Dhabi — 140 km · ~1 h 30
- AUH airport → Corniche — 35 km · ~30 min
- Abu Dhabi → Dubai Marina — 130 km · ~1 h 25
Extending
With two more days, add the Hajar mountains and the east coast — the 7-day UAE itinerary covers Hatta, Fujairah and the desert. All UAE routes and prices are on the UAE transfers page.
When to go
October to April. Ramadan changes opening hours and daytime dining across both cities — worth checking the dates before you book.
