private tour to abu dhabi from dubai

How to Pick the Best Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai (+Our Experience)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 26, 2024

Thinking of visiting Abu Dhabi from Dubai for a day and wondering which tour to choose? We had the exact same question on our recent trip – what is the best Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai?

After several hours of research, comparing dozens of itineraries, and reading hundreds of reviews, I can tell you that the choice is overwhelming. There are hundreds of Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai, with widely varying itineraries. You have to read in detail which places you actually visit and which are not more than a quick photo stop. Furthermore, often they also list the sights which you only pass by…

You’ll find private tours and (small) group tours, full-day tours, or those that only take a couple of hours… There is one thing in common – pretty much all Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. But the rest of the itinerary can vary from short stops at some local low-key markets to thorough visits to some of the most impressive landmarks…

In this article, we share our hand-picked selection of Abu Dhabi tours that we shortlisted for our own trip , as well as a detailed description of the tour we ultimately chose. I hope that this guide will save you time and help you choose the best tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and have a truly unforgettable experience.

TIP: If you don’t want to read the entire article and simply want to see the best of Abu Dhabi on a day trip from Dubai, we recommend this highly-rated tour . It’s the tour that we chose and it was perfect. It brings you to the three main landmarks in Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Towers, and Qasr Al Watan – and you actually get to visit each of these places and not just pass by or see from a distance, as with many other tours.

Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai – OVERVIEW:

• Best places to see on Abu Dhabi day trip
• Review of the tour we did
• Abu Dhabi tour with kids
• Practical info & helpful tips

Why Visit & What to See on Abu Dhabi Day Trip

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. It’s also the richest of the seven Emirates, home to some of the most prestigious projects and remarkable architectural landmarks. So no trip to the UAE would be complete without at least a short introduction to this beautiful city!

Just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is a quickly growing city with many new attractions, one more impressive than the other. So you have to understand that there is no way to see all the best places in Abu Dhabi on a day trip from Dubai. There are simply too many options and you would need several days in Abu Dhabi if you want to see all the top sights.

So when looking for a day tour to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, you have to decide which of the top sights and attractions you absolutely do not want to miss. Once you make the choice, it becomes easier to pick the right tour that fits your interests.

Here are some of the TOP attractions in Abu Dhabi:

• Sheikh Zayed Mosque – the most famous landmark in Abu Dhabi, included in pretty much all Abu Dhabi tours.
• Qasr Al Watan – UAE Presidential Palace (sometimes also referred to as the Royal Palace) – an actual visit inside is only included with very few tours.
• Etihad Towers . Many tours pass here, but only a few include a visit to the Observation Deck.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi – the largest museum in the Gulf region, among others, displaying artworks from The Louvre and other top museums in Paris . There are just a few tours that visit here.
• Yas Island where you can find the following theme parks: Ferrari World , Yas Waterworld , Warner Bros. World , and SeaWorld . This is not the best place to visit on a day trip since you could easily spend a day at each of these theme parks and still not see it all. So if tours from Dubai include Yas Island in their itinerary, at best, it’s a half-day visit to Ferrari World (most tours that mention Ferrari World, usually only stop for a picture at the parking in front of it).

Here are some additional sights sometimes included in some Abu Dhabi tours:

• Abu Dhabi Corniche – a waterfront road with bike paths and a nice pedestrian promenade. Most tours just pass by here.
• Founders Memorial – a monument. Most tours just pass by here.
• Emirates Palace – this luxury hotel (full name – Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental ) is one of the most expensive hotels ever built. Some tours include a visit, but most just drive by.

Good to know: The best Abu Dhabi day tours include a visit to 2-3 of the ‘TOP attractions’. Depending on the tour and how much time you spend at the main landmarks, they sometimes include one or two short stops at some of the ‘additional sights’ listed above.

However, some tours only seem to offer great value at first sight. When you look deeper, you realize that the majority of your time will be spent in the car or with short stops at ‘cultural’ attractions, such as a vegetable and dates market, Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, or local art galleries. While this could be a nice addition to the main sights, there are so many better things to do with just a day in Abu Dhabi than spend your precious time shopping… So choose your tour wisely!

Below, you can find our hand-picked selection of the best Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai.

Best Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai

As I said, there are so many Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai that the choice can look daunting. Based on the research I did for our recent trip, I made a selection of just a few VERY BEST options. This was my personal shortlist.

Here are some of the best-rated Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai , with a short overview of just the main landmarks that you actually visit:

• Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour (+-9-10 hrs). Includes a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Towers, and Qasr Al Watan. This is the tour we chose and can highly recommend if you want to see the most important landmarks of Abu Dhabi in a day. You can also book this same tour including lunch at a traditional restaurant (we had lunch there too and it was excellent).
• Full Day Tour with Ferrari World (+-10 hrs). This tour includes a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Ferrari World, as well as a stop at Heritage Village. If you want to see the Mosque and ride some of the fastest rollercoasters in the world, this is by far the best tour. Most others only include a photo stop at Ferrari World.
• Full Day Trip with Mosque & Louvre (+- 9hrs). Includes a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
• Half Day Tour (+- 5hrs). This popular tour only visits the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It’s a good option if you are really short on time.

Good to know: Most of the tours listed here are small-group tours, but they are also available as private tours . You can choose from different options once you select the number of people and travel dates.

Further below, you can read a short review of the tour that we chose and see some more pictures of the places that we visited on this Abu Dhabi day trip.

Review of Our Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour from Dubai

As already mentioned, we chose this highly-rated guided tour for our Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip.

Just to be clear – we do not organize these tours or have anything to do with the company that runs them. Like you, we are just travelers who do their own research, pay for the experiences we like to have, and hope that we made the right choice.

This Abu Dhabi tour was not cheap, but it brings you to the most impressive places in Abu Dhabi. We felt that it offers really good value. If you want to see the most important landmarks of Abu Dhabi in just a day, then you really cannot go wrong with this tour.

Here is what our Abu Dhabi tour looked like:

Pick up in Dubai & Drive to Abu Dhabi

We booked the tour starting at 8:45 AM. The evening before the tour, I received a WhatsApp message from the tour company informing us that they would pick us up at 8:15 AM.

The driver was on time and we stopped to pick up two other people along the way. He then brought us all to yet another hotel where we transferred to a small bus (our group had 18 people).

Good to know: The drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi normally takes about 1.5 hours, but it can also take much longer due to busy traffic. The same on the way back.

PRO TIP: When booking a full-day tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, don’t make any other plans for that day – that way, you don’t have to worry about busy traffic or potential delays. If you are planning a half-day trip , I would also foresee some buffer time, or opt for an afternoon tour (or a ‘sunset’ tour, as they call it) – that way, you can still do something else in Dubai in the morning.

Drive through Abu Dhabi

On the way to Abu Dhabi, our guide informed us that we would start our tour with Qasr Al Watan Royal Palace and visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at the end of the day. This is because there was a big cruise ship in town and since pretty much all visitors go to the Mosque, it’s extremely crowded in the morning.

This was a good decision, indeed. By the time we got to the Mosque, it was just pleasantly lively. I can’t imagine what it must look like in the mornings when several gigantic cruise ships are visiting.

On the way to the President’s Palace, we passed Yas Island and could see the famous Ferrari World and other attractions in the distance. We also saw Saadiyat Island with the Abu Dhabi Louvre – also from quite far away. Once in the city center, we drove past the Corniche – Dubai waterfront – and saw the Founders Memorial as well as the Emirati Palace.

You only get to see all these places from the bus, but it gives you an idea of what Abu Dhabi is like.

Qasr Al Watan

Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace sits in a huge opulent complex by the sea overlooking the city in the distance. The main highlight here is Qasr Al Watan .

This magnificent palace might remind you of the famous Taj Mahal in India, but this one was built just recently – between 2010 – 2017. Its architecture and grandeur will take your breath away!

The palace was built using some of the finest materials including Italian marble, gold, Swarovski crystals, and gigantic handmade carpets. It is absolutely magnificent and I would even say that it’s one of the most beautiful buildings on the planet.

Quite frankly, I don’t understand why it’s not as popular as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. These two places are just as impressive and both are absolutely not to be missed in Abu Dhabi!

Our tour guide gave us a short introduction to the Palace and explained where to find the ‘must sees’. After that, we had about more than an hour to explore the palace and its grounds on our own.

This is something I really liked about this tour – we got just plenty of information, but also plenty of free time at each of the landmarks visited.

Good to know: While it is a working palace, it’s mostly used for ceremonial functions and big political gatherings. So the palace is open to the public, except if there is some special political event or a visit by another head of state.

You will have to go through airport-style security here, but you can simply leave all your belongings on the tour bus and just take your camera with you.

Etihad Towers

The next stop on our itinerary was the Observation Deck at the Etihad Towers . There are five skyscrapers here, of varying height. We were told that the five towers represent unity, like the five fingers of a hand. I also read somewhere that they refer to several important Arabic symbols, such as falconry and swords. 

In addition to their unique architecture and symbolism, Etihad Towers offer stunning 360° views of the city and the Arabian Gulf from the Observation Deck at 300 meters . It’s located on the 74th floor of Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Hotel .

The views from here are spectacular and – in my opinion – more impressive than from most of the viewpoints in Dubai, including the views from Burj Khalifa.

Right below, you can see the entire Presidential Palace complex as well as the Emirates Palace and several other luxury hotels, including Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi which looks like a copy of the famous Atlantis The Palm in Dubai . The seashore and Corniche make the views even more special.

Good to know: Etihad Towers Observation Deck is supposedly just a short stop of about half an hour, out of which you have about 15 minutes to enjoy the views at the top (which sounds little but is actually plenty). However, depending on the queue at the elevators, it might take longer.

After the visit to Etihad Towers, we drove to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. There is an underground mall here – Souq Al Jami – where you can find a big food court with a wide variety of restaurants.

Before we headed for lunch, our guide quickly checked if everyone was dressed ‘acceptably’ for the Mosque visit and went to get some Abaya (long black dress) and scarves for women.

If you wear long pants/skirt, a blouse that covers your arms completely, and have a scarf to cover your hair, you don’t need this dress. But if your clothes are just not long enough or see-through (even a bit), they recommend wearing the Abaya. So I opted for that, just to be safe.

If you choose the tour that includes lunch , you will have a traditional lunch at the Michelin-star Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant. Otherwise, you can decide where you want to eat when you get there. You will find all the famous fast-food chains here as well as Italian and Mexican restaurants, etc. However, it’s your chance to try some really good Arabian food so we recommend that you go to Al Khayma.

We had lunch at this restaurant, following our guide’s recommendation and everything was delicious.

I read in some reviews that people felt lunch was a bit rushed, but we had about 1h15 which was plenty. I even found the time to quietly put on the Abaya before meeting the guide at the agreed time and place.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the most famous landmark in Abu Dhabi and a must-see! It’s the finest example of Islamic architecture and is absolutely breathtaking, both outside as well as inside.

As a non-Muslim, you can only visit part of the Mosque, but no worries – you can see the most impressive parts. You are also allowed to view the main worship hall which is nothing short of remarkable.

Here, you can see the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, ornate decorations, and several impressive Swarovski chandeliers. It’s also incredibly spacious and can accommodate about 40,000 people inside!

If you are a Muslim, you can also go to pray inside, but during the week, the main hall seemed to be empty. The main prayer hall is closed to visitors between noon and 3 pm on Fridays, so tours try to visit before or after that.

As mentioned earlier, the Grand Mosque is one place that is included in all tour itineraries and is visited by pretty much every tourist who sets foot in Abu Dhabi, even if just for a few hours. This means that the Mosque is always extremely busy. Tickets have to be reserved in advance, for a specific time slot, etc.

Because of really bad traffic in Dubai on the day of our visit (it rained the day before which only happens a few times a year and leaves the area in chaos :)), we were way too late for the time slot booked. No worries, though. Everything was rearranged by the tour company while we were having lunch.

We entered without any wait at all and our guide made sure that we had plenty of time inside the Mosque (about 15-20 minutes with a guide and more than an hour on our own).

I liked that they didn’t rush us or cut the tour short and gave us the full experience. This meant that we were back in Dubai later than planned but that was no big deal since it was a full-day trip anyway.

Good to know: Also here, you will have to go through airport-style security. As mentioned before, there is a dress code as well. In general, they recommend long, loose ankle-length trousers or skirts. As a minimum, for men, shoulders and knees have to be covered. For women, the rules are stricter and you have to cover up everything except your face, hands, and feet (which means that sandals are ok).

Our tour provided Abaya dresses and scarves for women, which just made things simpler.

Drive back to Dubai

After our visit to the Mosque, the shuttle brought us back to Dubai. There was plenty of time to rest (or even sleep) on the bus.

Just as in the morning, the bus dropped us off at a place where they had private drivers waiting to take everyone back to their hotels. This way, nobody had to wait longer than necessary. The tour was really well organized and I couldn’t fault anything.

The only issues we had that day were related to exceptionally hard rain that left the roads blank and resulted in really bad traffic. Knowing that it only rains a few days per year in the UAE, the risk of you encountering the same is pretty low. Still, as mentioned before, I wouldn’t make any other plans for the evening – that will make your tour more relaxed.

Abu Dhabi Tour with Kids

If you are travelling with children and wonder if you can do a day tour to Abu Dhabi with kids, my answer is yes, of course. Most tours allow children of any age.

However, which tour to choose also depends on your family situation, how many kids you have, how old they are, etc. In addition, consider how well your children can handle a long bus ride, explore the landmarks, and – not to underestimate – practicalities such as the heat or not being able to use the bathroom or eat whenever they fancy.

That being said, if you can keep the kids busy in the car for 1.5- 2 hours and they can behave at the Mosque or the Presidential Palace, I see no reason why you couldn’t take them.

We did this Abu Dhabi tour with teens and – while they were the only kids in our group – we had no issues whatsoever. They were also truly fascinated by the incredible architecture we saw and truly enjoyed the day (having their phones for the long ride definitely helped though).

When I asked them about their top experiences on this trip, the Abu Dhabi day trip was in their top 3, together with a camel ride in the Dubai desert and a boat ride on the Burj Lake . They also really enjoyed Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark but ‘ranked’ the Abu Dhabi day trip as a more special experience.

TIP: If you want to take a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi with children, consider booking a private tour. As already mentioned, pretty much all the tours we listed in this article can also be booked as private tours. It will be much more relaxing and you will spend less time in the car since they will pick you up from the hotel and drive directly to Abu Dhabi rather than gathering the whole group in a bus.

Alternatively, look into tours that visit the Mosque and maybe Ferrari World or one of the other theme parks on Yas Island (e.g. this tour ). That way, your tour has something for everyone in the family. That said, with very young kids, consider height restrictions for rollercoasters and similar.

Practical Info & Tips for Abu Dhabi Tours

Here is some additional information you may want to know when considering a tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi:

• Most Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai include a pick-up/drop-off at your hotel . Keep in mind that the pick-up time can be up to an hour earlier than the official tour starting time (the same as the drop-off).
• Pretty much all tours in the UAE include drinking water (on our tour, there was a large cool box full of water on the bus).
• Keep in mind that entry to Sheikh Zayed Mosque might be restricted at certain times of the day during Islamic holidays and also on Fridays. Qasr Al Watan might also be closed if there are any political meetings at the palace. That’s another advantage of going with a tour – they know the schedules and adjust the visit. Still, you can never exclude a tiny chance of some last-minute changes when visiting places like that.
• Some Abu Dhabi tours also include Abaya dresses for women at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, but that’s not always the case. So be sure to double-check that in the tour description if you need one.
• There is no strict dress code at other places in Abu Dhabi, only at the Mosque. However, if you are visiting the Presidential Palace, they also recommend loose long pants or a skirt and a modest blouse/shirt that covers your shoulders.
• Take some sunscreen lotion and sunglasses with you. A sun hat can be a good idea as well.
• Pack only what you need – it will be easier to go through security checks everywhere. Furthermore, you can safely leave other belongings (food, sunscreen lotion, etc.) on the tour bus.
• There are free bathroom facilities at all the sights we visited on this tour, but not on a bus. They also don’t stop anywhere along the way.
• You get about 60-75 minutes for lunch on this tour, but depending on the traffic, it can be quite late in the day. So if you need some more energy during the day, pack some small snacks with you.

PRO TIP: There’s one thing we noticed when booking our tour to Abu-Dhabi is that on some days, prices were much higher than on others (this could be related to school holidays, public holidays, and similar). So if you are somewhat flexible, check a few different dates when booking the tour – sometimes, travelling a day earlier or later might save you quite some money.

So, this is our guide to Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai and a short review of the tour that we chose. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect and helps you find the best tour that suits your interests.

I want to add that visiting Abu Dhabi was one of the main highlights of our recent trip to Dubai. It’s such a rich and memorable experience, and I’m so glad that we did it. Yes, it was a long day, but it felt rather relaxed and we came home with a much better appreciation of the UAE culture. Highly recommended!

If you want to book the same tour as the one that we did and described here, you can do so via this link through GetYourGuide . This is the website we personally use for all our tour and ticket bookings worldwide and I can only recommend it. We booked all tours and experiences in Dubai through them.

TIP: If you are planning a trip to the UAE and are wondering what to expect in general, take a look at our guide with experience-based tips and tricks for your first visit to Dubai . It contains all the info we wish we had known before our visit. Check it out!

More travel inspiration and information for visiting Dubai:

• What to Wear in Dubai
• How Expensive is Dubai
• Dubai Public Transport
• Dubai Travel Tips
• Dubai in February
• Top Sights & Attractions in Dubai
• Best Tours in Dubai
• Best Things to Do in Dubai with Kids
• Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dubai
• What to See on Dubai Stopover
• Interesting Facts About Dubai

READ ALSO: How to Plan a Trip to Dubai: Itinerary for 1-7 Days

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10 BEST Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai [2024]

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: November 29, 2023

Categories Middle East , United Arab Emirates

Check out this comprehensive list of Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai to plan an unforgettable day trip to UAE’s capital city. Only the very best options made the list! 😉

Get ready to explore the marvels of Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital city which oozes a very rich historic and religious heritage and boasts jaw-dropping architecture and record-breaking landmarks . 

The city is built on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the country’s mainland, and just like its more famous neighbor, it blends incredibly modern skyscrapers and amenities with traditional ones.

Abu Dhabi, however, is often overlooked in favor of Dubai and completely neglected by some visitors.

Even if I prefer Dubai as a city, I must say that I was surprised by the number of world-class attractions in Abu Dhabi , which go from the striking Grand Mosque to Abu Dhabi’s Louvre Museum and the Ferrari World theme park.

While I was a resident in Dubai, I made sure to discover its neighbor city in full, and I highly recommend a visit. The two cities are 85 miles (138 km) apart , and the E11 Highway makes the trip between them a breeze, which is why missing a day trip to Abu Dhabi has no excuse .

To make things even easier for you, I’ve compiled the best Abu Dhabi tours from Dubai in this post, offering all sorts of experiences from full-day trips to express visits and photography tours.

👉 Why trust my suggestions? I was a resident of Dubai for one year and thoroughly explored the city and the UAE during this time. Leveraging a decade of experience in the travel industry, I’ve carefully selected the best day tours to Abu Dhabi to make sure you get the very best experience.

I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy, which allows you to cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund. 

Table of Contents

OUR PICK: The BEST Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai 

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour is the best excursion to explore the city’s magnificent treasures. It includes all transfers – starting and ending in your hotel – and a friendly and very knowledgeable guide to make your trip informative and hassle-free. 

You’ll start the trip with a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque , an absolutely stunning mosque and the country’s largest. Marvel at its intricate architectural details, its massive chandelier covered in Swarovski crystals, and the world’s largest hand-woven carpet. 

Enjoy free time to grab some lunch, and then drive along the picturesque Abu Dhabi Corniche , which overlooks the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf.

Head to the top of the Etihad Towers to enjoy breathtaking views of the city, and visit Qasr Al Watan , a presidential palace and a cultural place that offers a glimpse into the nation’s traditions. 

👉 Why is this the best tour? This super comprehensive Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai offers great value and it’s ideal for first-time visitors, as it tackles all the important city landmarks. 

📝 This tour includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, and entry tickets to the Grand Mosque, the Etihad Tower observation deck, and Qasr Al Watan. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Other GREAT Tours To Abu Dhabi

▶️ Discover the capital city highlights on this exciting Abu Dhabi Tour from Dubai with Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Lunch . It’s a full-day activity that starts with pick-up at your hotel, and takes you to visit the awe-striking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest in the country. 

After learning about its various features and history, and marveling at its architecture, it’s time for a lunch break at Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, where you’ll indulge in a delectable meal. 

Once refueled, you’ll visit the observation deck at Etihad Towers for glorious city views. Did you know stunts from Fast & Furious were filmed in the building?! Snap pictures and take in the scenery before checking off the final attraction: Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace. 

📝 This tour includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, entrance to the Grand Mosque, Etihad Towers, and Qasr Al Watan, abaya and scarf rental, lunch, and mineral water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ From Dubai: Abu Dhabi City Sightseeing & Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a comprehensive full-day tour that starts in Abu Dhabi’s glorious gem: the Grand Mosque. Renowned for its astounding architecture, the mosque is made with 100 thousand tonnes of Macedonian and Greek marble, boasts an impressive chandelier covered in a million Swarovski crystals, and is home to the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. 

Tour the building with a knowledgeable guide who’ll be ready to answer all your questions, and then move on for a photo stop at Ferrari World. Enjoy a peaceful drive along the Corniche with photo stops, and check out the Founder’s Memorial, which celebrates the country’s founder and where you’ll learn even more UAE history. 

📝 This tour includes : Pick-up and drop-off, a tour guide, entrance to the Grand Mosque, abaya and scarf rental, photo stops, and mineral water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ The Dubai to Abu Dhabi Tour: Full-Day Trip with Louvre & Mosque offers the perfect combination of art, culture, and religion – everything you need to know to understand the city’s heritage. You’ll get to immerse in the radiance of the Grand Mosque, admiring its spectacular tiles, chandelier, and domes as you learn about its history and significance. 

You’ll then visit the Louvre Museum, the Emirati counterpart of the French famous art gallery that boasts both classic and modern art from all over the world. Artwork from Paris’ Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and Pompidou Center are also exhibited on rotation, which is a real treat for art lovers!

📝 This Abu Dhabi Louvre + Mosque tour from Dubai includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, entrance to the Grand Mosque and the Louvre, abaya and scarf rental, and mineral water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The BEST Private Tour To Abu Dhabi from Dubai

Discover Abu Dhabi’s highlights with up to five of your closest friends or family members on this Abu Dhabi Private City Tour from Dubai . Cruise in comfort in your own vehicle, and benefit from your personal guide’s knowledge as you visit the striking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the country’s most important monuments. 

Drive along the pretty Corniche, check out a bustling dates market, and explore Heritage Village, a recreation of the original desert dwellings. Take your time to visit each attraction, having a say on the itinerary and getting to choose the departure time. You can even add extra stops on the route!  

📝 This tour includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, entrance to the Grand Mosque, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Limited Time? Check Out These Abu Dhabi Half Day Tours from Dubai

▶️ From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Guided Tour is a 5-hour excursion that focuses on the magnificent mosque, the largest in the country and one of the most special places in terms of religion. 

Built between 1996 and 2007, the striking building holds up to 40,000 worshipers at once, and it’s an architectural masterpiece. Not only that, but it features staggering details and decoration, including a 60,000 square-foot carpet that weighs 35 tons (!!)

Guided by an expert, you’ll get to learn about the Islamic religion, the purpose of the different areas inside the Mosque, and get your questions answered. It’s one of the best tours from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if you don’t have a full day to spare. 

📝 The Abu Dhabi Mosque tour from Dubai includes : Pick-up and drop-off, a guide, a 2-hour visit to the Grand Mosque, abaya and scarf rental, and mineral water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ With this Half-Day Guided Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai unveil the city’s gems as you check out its main attractions with a knowledgeable guide. Marvel at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s beauty and zip past sleek skyscrapers along the Corniche, one of the prettiest drives in Abu Dhabi. A drive past Saadiyat and Yas islands will give you a more extended view of the city’s wonders. 

Delight in the vibrant dates, vegetable, and fish markets of Port Zayed, and learn about the ancient inhabitants of the region at Heritage Village, a reconstructed desert town. Return to Dubai in the afternoon to enjoy more activities, relax, or go to your next destination! 

📝 This Abu Dhabi trip from Dubai includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide, Grand Mosque and Heritage Village entry, and mineral water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Abu Dhabi + Ferrari World Tour from Dubai

Ready for a heart-pumping experience? Abu Dhabi City Tour Including Ferrari World Tickets Guided Tour from Dubai is the perfect day trip to enjoy both the cultural gems of the city…and the exhilarating ones! 

You’ll start with a visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the most important religious site in Abu Dhabi and an architectural masterpiece. On your drive around the city you’ll get to photograph the leaning Capital Gate hotel, the Emirates Palace, Etihad Towers, and the incredible palaces at Al Bateen Beach. 

Finally, make your way to Ferrari World, home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, for four hours of non-stop fun and loads of adrenaline. 

📝 This tour includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, a professional guide, admission to Ferrari World with access to most rides, and the Grand Mosque, water, and soft drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Visit Abu Dhabi with a Photographer

Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour with Photographer allows you to discover the awe-striking Mosque and all its details through the lens of a professional photographer, who will capture your visit to the religious site. 

Pose against the beautiful mosque’s backdrop, and let the expert work their magic as you get busy marvelling at the intricate details, dazzling crystal-covered chandelier, and mesmerizing reflective pools. The tour lasts half a day, and it also enables you to learn more about the UAE’s history and Islamic culture. 

📝 This tour includes : Hotel pick-up and drop-off, photography coverage, digital photos, and mineral water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Abu Dhabi Tour with a Spanish-Speaking Guide

Is Spanish your mother tongue, or are you eager to practice your second language? Join an Abu Dhabi Full-Day Tour from Dubai – Spanish-Speaking Guide to explore UAE’s capital city and learn all about its culture and history…in Español. 

This unique day tour to Abu Dhabi from Dubai includes a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and a drive along the Corniche for seafront sights. Dive into Heritage Village’s Arabian crafts, and enjoy free time to refuel with a buffet lunch (own expense). 

You’ll pass by photogenic attractions including Yas Island, Al Nahyan Palace, and Emirates Palace, and wrap up the day with a photo stop at Ferrari World,  a record-breaking theme park. 

📝 This tour includes : Roundtrip transportation, Grand Mosque visit, and a Spanish-speaking guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai FAQs

Abu Dhabi might not be brimming with attractions and activities like Dubai is, but it’s a vibrant city with glorious monuments and rich history that’s well worth a visit. The cities are a 1.5-hour drive away, so an Abu Dhabi sightseeing tour from Dubai is easy to plan and highly recommended if you have a day to spare. 

Sure thing! Visiting UAE’s capital city is a breeze since both cities are merely 85 miles (138 km) away, and the E11 Highway allows you to cover the distance in 1.5 hours. You can drive there, or join one of the many Abu Dhabi excursions from Dubai like this one to make the most of your time.  

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Sightseeing Tour is, in my opinion, the best Abu Dhabi full day tour from Dubai as it covers all its main attractions, including the Grand Mosque and Etihad Towers, and provides great insight into the city’s history and culture. 

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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What are the different modes of travel to reach Dubai?

There is no dearth of options when it comes to reach Dubai. There are multiple ways to travel to this Arabic land. If you prefer taking a water trip, you can sail through via a ship or a boat. If you like taking the road trip; there are the fast running trains that will take you to the destination and if you wish flying in the sky or like the air mode, there are the flights which will take you to the emirate in a relatively very less time. However, it is better if you prefer going to Dubai via air mode because the road trip or sailing through the water will take many number of days.

Do I need a visa to travel in Dubai?

Countries listed in GCC nationals and national from these countries don’t need to have a pre-arranged visa to visit Dubai. They can arrange one after arriving at the international airport but all the other nations of the world that don’t come under the listed 48 countries must have a pre-arranged visa.

What are the names of those 48 countries that don’t need to have a pre-arranged visa?

Austria, Andorra, Australia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, France, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Monaco, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom and the Vatican.

Which currency is used in Dubai?

Dirham is the widely used currency in Dubai, which is referred as Dhs or AED. The notes of different values available in Dubai are such as 5, 10, 100, 200, 500 and 1000.

What is the best time to visit Dubai?

Since Dubai is the desert city, winter is always the best time to travel here. It is always better to avoid a holiday trip during summer i.e. from April to July. You can also plan your trip during Dubai Shopping Festival.

How much time do I need to explore Dubai?

The more time you spend here, the less it is because Dubai has limitless options to be explored. However, the ideal duration to enjoy the city is 6-7 days. In this period, you can finish visiting the major sights of the city along with doing the adventure activities provided that you visit through a reputed tour operator. You can also opt for 1 day city tour, 4 days Dubai trip and so on depending on your time and budget. Ideally, long day tours are more helpful to enjoy the city as compared to the short tours.

What activities one can do in Dubai?

There are a number of activities that can be enjoyed during your Dubai trip. The city is packed with oodles of fun giving activities suitable for all ages and genders of people. Sightseeing, boating, desert safari, cruising, fishing, dune bashing, quad biking, seaplane ride, parasailing, scuba diving, sand boarding, helicopter ride, skydiving, snorkeling, jet ski, bungee jumping, wakeboarding etc. are some of the most amusable activities tourists coming to Dubai look forward to do. Furthermore, there are millions of adventure theme parks where you can experience lifetime adventure and thrill.

Which are some of the best sightseeing spot in Dubai?

The best sightseeing spots in Dubai are Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Palm Islands, Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Fountain, and Underwater Zoo, the Dubai Creek, Jumeirah Mosque, the Flower Garden, the red dunes, the Sunset Beach, the Kite Beach, the Jumeirah Beach, Residence Beach, Deira, the Spice and Gold Souks, the Mall of the Emirates and the historical museums.

If you are looking for a warm and sunny holiday or a family vacation, look no further than Dubai city. Dubai is every tourist’s paradise. With its modern skyline, comprehensive infrastructure, brilliant attractions, glamorous shopping malls, fine dining and quality hotels; Dubai is easily one of the best places to visit in the world.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAYS!

Dubai 6hr City Tour We were met at the cruise terminal in Dubai by Shah our guide and driver Suhas. From the moment we got in the car which was spacious and very clean for 6 of us, we knew we were in good hands. Shah expanded on the draft itinerary and confirmed we were happy with that, he also advised we could change it any way we wanted. Our trip day was 31 December so certain parts of the city were shutting in advance of the New Year firework display. However this did not deter our sightseeing in any way down to Shah & Suhas knowledge of the city and their way around. They went out of their way in particular to ensure we could still get a great view of the Burj Khalifa albeit from a different than normal viewing point. Shah had an excellent knowledge of the city, the country and its history and he happily and interestingly shared all his knowledge with us and answering our many questions. We were enthralled. We all felt we were well looked after by them both - the trip felt personal to us and they made sure they picked us up safely anytime we left the vehicle. I cannot recommend this company enough and I only found them by reading reviews prior to our trip - hence my review here which is something I am not normally in the habit of. Thank you to everyone involved but especially Shah & Suhas who ensured our last day of 2019 ended on a high.

Me and my girlfriend had an amazing 6 hour tour of Dubai’s main attractions. Our guide Basheer was so polite and knowledgeable on all aspects of Dubai and you can tell that he Learnt all about Dubai. Highly recommend the service

Mariëlle Rockland

Two days ago, we had a layover in Dubai for a few hours and we booked a 4 hours private trip to explorer Dubai. Our guide gave us a lot of information and showed us a lot! It was very interessting. It was an Incredible experience and it make our layover one to never forget. Thank you very much!!

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Dubai-based Porteous triumphs at Abu Dhabi Challenge

Golf in uae, golf in uae uae.

The Trump Dubai member carded a final round 63 to win his second Challenge Tour title

Also in this package

• Dubai resident Garrick Porteous grabs share of the lead in Al Ain
• UAE’s Rayan Ahmed shines bright on Challenge Tour debut
• Wilco Nienaber shoots sublime 60 to set course record at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club

Dubai-based Garrick Porteous went toe-to-toe with five-time DP World Tour winner Alex Levy on a thrilling final day at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, before emerging victorious after making his seventh birdie of the day on the 72nd hole to clinch a one-stroke triumph.

Porteous, who moved to Dubai last September, came into the final round tied for the lead with both Levy and Wilco Nienaber, but found himself two shots adrift of the former following the Frenchman’s five-birdie front nine at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

But Porteous responded with a birdie barrage of his own, carding four of them coming home to reach 24 under par and secure a first Challenge Tour triumph in almost seven years, with Levy settling for second after bogeys on the 12th and 15th hampered his charge.

“It feels amazing (to be champion)” said Porteous, who is a member at Trump International Golf Club Dubai.

“I’ve loved every minute of it and Al Ain has been a great host venue. I obviously moved here recently, so to win, on what I guess is now home soil, is great.

“I’m used to the heat, grass type and speed of the greens out here now, so that massively helped in situations this week.”

While Levy will no doubt be frustrated with not being able to get over the line, the runner-up finish marks his third consecutive top ten on the 2024 Road to Mallorca schedule.

“I played really well today,” said Levy, who is looking for an immediate return to the DP World Tour after losing his playing rights last season.

“I had the chance, but it was not my day today. The game is looking good, that’s the most important thing."

Nicolai Kristensen finished two shots behind Porteous to secure third spot, while joint 54-hole lead, Nienaber, endured a torrid final round, signing for a five over 75 to tumble down the leaderboard to 38th.

On what was another low scoring day in the Garden City, Euan Walker tied Nienaber’s course record after posting a sublime 10 under par 60, which saw him surge to tied fourth on the leaderboard.

“I feel absolutely amazing,” said Walker.

“I did everything well today. I think I drove every fairway and putted exceptionally well, even holing some long ones from off the green, which is a bit of a bonus.

“As the round went on, I hit some nice approaches and converted every opportunity I had.”

The UAE’s No.1 professional golfer, Joshua Grenville-Wood, finished in a share of 55th after a second 70 of the week saw him end the tournament on seven under par.

“Not just a tough final round, a tough final three rounds!” said Grenville-Wood, who had opened with a 64 in the first round, before signing for a 69 and two 70s.

“Just couldn’t get anything going out there, struggled on the greens the last two days. It’s a shame really as I’ve hit the ball quite well this weekend, just couldn’t take advantage of it.”

Focus now turns to next week’s UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, where the stars of the future will go up against a host of DP World Tour winners and homegrown players, thanks to the Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) long-term partnership with the European Tour group.

The EGF has received 30 invitations into the event, which have gone to several UAE National Team players as well as local professionals and amateurs, to help create playing opportunities and provide a pathway for UAE golfers.

The action gets underway at the Gary Player-designed track on April 25.

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Forest fume over penalty drama after defeat at Everton

Israeli troops storm back into eastern khan younis, clear day with not much rain in uae tomorrow: forecast, after rain health tips: how to stay safe, sharjah private schools can be hybrid till april 25, abu dhabi: car damaged by rain file an accident report.

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Travel Unpacked: UAE has world's least expensive passport and BA returns to Abu Dhabi

The national rounds up the most interesting tourism news you might have missed.

British Airways is once again flying from London to Abu Dhabi. Photo: BA

After the UAE experienced its worst storm to date , some hotels in Dubai have announced discounted rates for residents in need of a place to stay. And in Abu Dhabi, British Airway s has returned with its first flight to Zayed International Airport and its first to the city since the global pandemic.

A new study ranks the most and least expensive passports in the world – and the results may surprise you – while in Amsterdam, more plans are in place to curb overtourism.

Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

UAE has the world’s least expensive passport

The UAE passport is one of the world’s strongest and now it has claimed another ranking as the least expensive in the world.

Representing fantastic value for money compared to other destinations, the UAE passport is the least expensive travel document in a new ranking of costs by Australian price comparison website Compare the Market.

At just $17.70 Australian dollars – the UAE passport is valid for five years, meaning travellers only need to pay $3.54 per year. The document is also one of the world’s most powerful passports, with holders able to visit 183 destinations visa-free. This represents the best value for money in the study, as travellers are essentially paying $0.15 per country that they can travel to without a visa.

India has the second least expensive passport in the world at a cost of $18.07, valid for 10 years but with access to only 62 countries. Hungary rounds out the bottom three on the list with passport fees of just $20.75 for a five-year document that gives travellers visa-free access to 188 destinations.

At the other end of the scale, Mexico has the world’s most expensive travel document. Passport holders in the North American country need to pay USD$231.05 for a 10-year passport, working out at $23.11 per year, and with visa-free travel to 162 destinations, 21 less than UAE passport holders have access to.

Despite having powerful passports, nations such as Australia, the US and Canada did not perform well in the study because of high passport fees relative to other countries.

British Airways returns to Abu Dhabi after four-year pause

British Airways has resumed non-stop flights between London and Abu Dhabi after a four-year hiatus. On Sunday, BA landed in the UAE capital with a Boeing 787-9 flight from London Heathrow, touching down at the recently opened Zayed International Airport.

Britain’s national airline will operate daily flights between the two capital cities. Flights are scheduled to land in Abu Dhabi at 8.30am and in London at 3.20pm.

It’s the first time the airline has operated to the UAE capital since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We extend a warm welcome to British Airways as they start operating at Zayed International Airport with a daily schedule that promises to enrich connectivity and invigorate both business and tourism. Our new award-winning and cutting-edge terminal offers visitors an unparalleled introduction to the vibrant UAE capital, where they will be greeted with Emirati hospitality at its finest,” said Elena Sorlini, managing director and chief executive at Abu Dhabi Airports.

Flights between London and Abu Dhabi will operate with four cabin classes – including premium economy and first class. Return fares start from Dh2,610 and flight times are around seven hours.

Dubai hotels offer discounted rates for flood-affected residents

In the aftermath of the UAE's worst storm , Dubai residents affected by last week’s record flooding may be able to seek assistance from hotels in the city.

Premier Inn Dubai has announced a discounted room rate for people in need of a safe, affordable place to stay.

Travellers can check in to branches at Dragon Mart, Silicon Oasis, Dubai International Airport and Dubai Investment Park for five or seven-night stays. Rates for bookings start from Dh895 or from Dh1,250 for a seven-night stay.

Since announcing the offer, Premier Inn has booked 104 nights under the special rate.

Premier Inn Dubai International Airport remains fully booked on Monday, but has limited availability for tomorrow.

There's also 20 per cent off food and drinks at the hotel's restaurants and room service for Dubai residents affected by the storm. Rates are available until May 5 and bookings can be made via phone or walk-in requests.

“Amid the aftermath of this week's unprecedented storm, many Dubai residents are facing challenges. As part of Premier Inn's Force For Good programme, we are dedicated to support our community and provide a safe, welcoming refuge during these extraordinary times,” said Simon Leigh, managing director of Premier Inn Middle East.

Al Habtoor Group – which owns several hotels in the city including V Hotel Dubai,Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City and the Habtoor Grand Resort – has hosted several families affected by the storms in its hotels free of charge.

“A number of Emirati families from Dubai whose homes were damaged have already been hosted at the Group's hotels in Al Habtoor City,” said chairman Khalaf Al Habtoor in a statement on Friday.

Amsterdam puts the brakes on new hotel plans

Famed for its beautiful canals, thriving food scene and endless parades of bicycles, Amsterdam wants to halt the number of tourists visiting each year by putting a ban on new hotels.

The City Council in Amsterdam has voted to prevent any new hotels from being constructed in a bid to combat overtourism. It's all part of a new “Amsterdam in Balance” campaign that aims to prevent problems caused by high quantities of visitors.

Officials want hotel stays to remain fewer than 20 million per year, a number that had already been surpassed in 2019, before the pandemic, when 25.2 million tourists spent at least one night in the Dutch city.

Under the rules, new hotels will only be allowed to open in Amsterdam if another closes. And developers will not be allowed to add additional guest rooms to a hotel's portfolio. Hotels that have already had approval to launch, can proceed with development plans. Officials are also encouraging developers to look for destinations outside the crowded city centre.

Amsterdam has recently tried to reduce tourism by restricting other behaviours, including closing bars and clubs earlier, converting former hotels into residential properties, placing limits on canal cruises and banning some cruise ships.

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United Arab Emirates struggles to recover after heaviest recorded rainfall ever hits desert nation

The United Arab Emirates is struggled to recover from the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation, as its main airport worked to restore normal operations even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and roads. (AP video/Malak Harb)

A man walks along a road barrier among floodwater caused by heavy rain on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

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A man carries luggage through floodwater caused by heavy rain while waiting for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, seen on the background, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

People wait for transportation amidst floodwater caused by heavy rain on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man carries a child through floodwater caused by heavy rain while waiting for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Vehicles drive through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain on an onramp to Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Vehicles drive through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

People wait for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

People walk through floodwater caused by heavy rain while waiting for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Abandoned vehicles stand in floodwater caused by heavy rain along Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A flooded street by heavy rain is seen, with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, on the background, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man walks through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, seen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man walks through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A group of people work to recover an abandoned vehicle taken by floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Vehicles drive through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man walks through floodwater in the Mudon neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Civil defense officials bring water on a raft to a family in the Mudon neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Dubai civil defense officials drive through floodwater in the Mudon neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates tried to wring itself out Thursday after the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation , with its main airport allowing more flights even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and communities.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel , allowed global carriers on Thursday morning to again fly into Terminal 1 at the airfield. And long-haul carrier Emirates, crucial to East-West travel, began allowing local passengers to arrive at Terminal 3, their base of operations.

However, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said in an interview with The Associated Press that the airfield needed at least another 24 hours to resume operations close to its usual schedule. Meanwhile, one desert community in Dubai saw floodwaters continue to rise Thursday to as much as 1 meter (3 feet) as civil defense officials struggled to pump out the water.

“We were looking at the radar thinking, ‘Goodness, if this hits, then it’s going to be cataclysmic,’” Griffiths said of the storm. “And indeed it was.”

The airport ended up needing 22 tankers with vacuum pumps to get water off its grounds. Griffiths acknowledged that taxiways flooded during the rains, though the airport’s runways remained free of water to safely operate. Online videos of a FlyDubai flight landing with its reverse thrust spraying out water caught the world’s attention.

“It looks dramatic, but it actually isn’t that dramatic,” Griffiths said.

Emirates, whose operations had been struggling since the storm Tuesday, had stopped travelers flying out of the UAE from checking into their flights as they tried to move out connecting passengers. Pilots and flight crews also had a hard time reaching the airport given the water on roadways.

But on Thursday, Emirates lifted that order to allow customers into the airport. That saw some 2,000 people come into Terminal 3, again sparking long lines, Griffiths said.

Others who arrived at the airport described hourslong waits to get their baggage, with some just giving up to head home or to whatever hotel would have them.

Two men walk through floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the country’s seven sheikhdoms.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Meanwhile, intense floods also have struck neighboring Oman in recent days. Authorities on Thursday raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.

The UAE’s drainage systems quickly became overwhelmed Tuesday, flooding out neighborhoods, business districts and even portions of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road highway running through Dubai.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.”

In a message to the nation late Wednesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, said authorities would “quickly work on studying the condition of infrastructure throughout the UAE and to limit the damage caused.”

On Thursday, people waded through oil-slicked floodwater to reach cars earlier abandoned, checking to see if their engines still ran. Tanker trucks with vacuums began reaching some areas outside of Dubai’s downtown core for the first time as well. Schools remain closed until next week.

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Authorities have offered no overall damage or injury information from the floods, which killed at least one person.

However, at least one community saw the effects of the rainfall only get worse Thursday. Mudon, a development by the state-owned Dubai Properties, saw flooding in one neighborhood reach as much as 1 meter. Civil defense workers tried to pump the water out, but it was a struggle as people waded through the floodwater.

Residents of Mudon, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity given the UAE’s strict laws governing speech, described putting together the equivalent of nearly $2,000 to get a tanker to the community Wednesday. They alleged the developers did nothing to help prior to that, even as they called and emailed. They also said a nearby sewage processing facility failed, bringing more water into their homes.

“A lot of people were in denial of how bad it was,” one homeowner said as civil defense officials waded through the water, bringing bottled water on a raft.

Dubai Holding, a state-owned company that has Dubai Properties as an arm, did not respond to questions. It’s part of a wider nexus that U.S. diplomats have called “Dubai Inc.” — all properties overseen by the city-state’s ruling family.

The flooding sparked speculation that the UAE’s aggressive campaign of cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.

Scientists also say climate change is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks just last year.

Abu Dhabi’s state-linked newspaper The National in an editorial Thursday described the heavy rains as a warning to countries in the wider Persian Gulf region to “climate-proof their futures.”

“The scale of this task is more daunting than it appears even at first glance, because such changes involve changing the urban environment of a region that for as long as it has been inhabited, has experienced little but heat and sand,” the newspaper said.