Abu Dhabi Day Trip from Dubai: My Honest Review of Viator’s Tour

LAST UPDATED June 1, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

I recently spent a week in Dubai — my first time in the Middle East — and to my surprise, I was absolutely blown away. I’m usually not impressed by skyscrapers or futuristic skylines, but Dubai completely exceeded my expectations. (You can read more about my Dubai experience here)

During our stay, a friend and I decided to take an Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai, and after checking the options, booking a guided tour turned out to be the most practical and affordable choice.

An Uber would have cost around $100–130 one way, while the tour we found on Viator was only $60 per person (price from March 2025). Since it was our first time visiting Abu Dhabi, going with an organized tour felt like the right move.

In this article, I’ll share our honest experience on the tour — what we saw, what we loved, and what you should know if you’re planning to explore Abu Dhabi in a day.

Why Take a Day Trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

Dubai was already blowing my mind, but I kept hearing that Abu Dhabi had a different vibe — more traditional, more elegant, and home to some of the UAE’s most iconic landmarks.

Since we had an extra day with no big plans, we figured… why not? It’s just 90 minutes away, and a day trip seemed like the perfect way to get a feel for the capital without having to change hotels or organize too much.

Is It Worth It for Just One Day?

Definitely. No, you won’t see everything — and I do regret not visiting the Louvre Museum (yes, Abu Dhabi has one, too). But when I was booking, I realized that no tour includes absolutely all the highlights, because it’s just not possible in one day. So we had to go by priority.

In one day we got to visit the Grand Mosque, take photos at Ferrari World, explore the Emirates Palace, stop at local markets, and just soak up the atmosphere.

If your schedule’s tight, this is a great way to check off the top sights.

Why a Guided Tour Saves You Time

I usually organize everything on my own when I travel — I’m honestly not a big fan of guided tours. But in this case, it just made sense.

There’s no train between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and while a public bus does exist, it would’ve taken a lot more time and effort.

Uber was the only convenient option, but when we checked, the price showed anywhere between 382 and 508 AED per ride (roughly $104 to $138 USD one way), which was way too expensive for a day trip.

So the tour felt like the most reasonable choice. With it, we didn’t have to think about anything — just hop in the van and enjoy.

We had a local guide, air conditioning (bless), and everything was timed perfectly, so we never felt rushed. Honestly, it made the whole experience way more relaxing than I expected.

Booking the Tour with Viator

When we started looking into how to visit Abu Dhabi from Dubai, we quickly realized there wasn’t a perfect all-in-one option.

Some tours included the Louvre but skipped the palace, others focused only on theme parks, and none covered everything. So we prioritized what mattered most to us — like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, and a mix of cultural and modern stops.

We booked our tour through Viator, and it cost around $60 per person (in March 2025).

That price included hotel pickup and drop-off, a van with air conditioning, and a professional English-speaking guide (a super cool guy!) who explained a lot along the way. It was a small group, which made the whole experience smoother and more personal than I expected.

And as a huge Sex and the City fan, I had no idea that the Emirates Palace was where Carrie Bradshaw filmed some of her scenes in the second movie — until our guide casually dropped that fact. Cue me quietly freaking out and taking waaay too many photos. 😍📸

Booking was quick and easy, confirmation came right away, and we were picked up from our hotel right on time, which I always appreciate on tour days.

Abu Dhabi Day Trip Itinerary: Stop-by-Stop Highlights

The tour lasted about 8 hours, and we covered a surprising amount without feeling rushed. It included hotel pickup and drop-off, a small group van, and a guide who gave us background on the places we visited.

Some stops were quick photo ops, others we explored on foot, and a few were just drive-throughs — but overall, it was a well-balanced mix of culture, architecture, and Insta-worthy views.

Here’s what the day looked like, stop by stop:

🕌 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (1.5 hours)

This was THE highlight for me, and probably the reason most people book the tour.

The mosque is absolutely stunning, with 82 domes, thousands of marble columns, and what’s said to be the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. It was completed in 2007 and can hold over 40,000 worshippers, but still feels peaceful and serene, even when busy.

Ideally, it would’ve been perfect to stay 2 hours, but even with 1.5 hours, we had enough time to take photos, admire the details, and walk through the complex.

One important thing to know: you must be fully covered. I wore long sleeves, but the fabric was slightly sheer, and our guide told me I’d need to wear an abaya (a long, loose traditional robe worn by women in the Gulf) to enter.

There’s a shopping mall underneath the mosque (you actually enter the mosque through it), and at the first shop we asked, the abaya was 150 AED — way too much just for a quick visit. Luckily, after checking a few shops, we found one for 40 AED (about $10) — but it took us almost 20 minutes to sort it out.

So if you’re planning to visit, come fully prepared — or arrive early in case you need to shop last-minute.

Admission to the mosque is completely free, but you need to register online in advance — or have your guide handle it, which was the case on our tour. You’ll go through security, and there’s a bit of walking between the underground mall and the mosque itself, so wear comfy shoes.

👉 Not doing a full-day tour? You can also book a standalone Sheikh Zayed Mosque tour here.

🏛️ Emirates Palace (Visit)

I was already excited to visit this luxury hotel, but when I found out it was where Carrie Bradshaw filmed parts of “Sex and the City 2”, I had a full-on fan moment 😍📸.

The inside is all gold ceilings, chandeliers, and polished marble — pure opulence. Even if you’re not into fancy hotels, it’s worth a visit for the sheer scale and elegance.

Inside, you’ll even see portraits of different UAE sheikhs — a reminder that this place isn’t just about luxury, but also has strong ties to the country’s leadership and identity.

Outside, there’s a beautiful fountain framed by palm trees, with a perfect view of the Etihad Towers rising just across the road. It was one of the best photo ops of the day — the contrast between old-world luxury and modern architecture was stunning.

✨ Want to experience more? You can book afternoon tea or luxury experiences at Emirates Palace here

🏘️ Heritage Village (Visit)

Our next stop was the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi, a small open-air museum that gives you a glimpse into traditional Emirati life before all the skyscrapers and malls.

You’ll find Bedouin tents, old-style houses, craft workshops, and even a small museum inside with displays of Islamic art, historic tools, and traditional clothing. It’s not very large, but it’s a nice cultural stop if you’re curious about the UAE’s roots.

Admission is free, and you can also visit independently if you’re exploring on your own, though it’s included in most day tours like ours.

🌴 Abu Dhabi Corniche (Drive-Through) & Beach View from Heritage Village

We did a quick drive along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, an 8-kilometer waterfront stretch lined with palm trees, bike paths, beaches, and city views. It’s one of the city’s most scenic areas and seemed like a perfect place to walk, relax, or watch the sunset.

Since the Heritage Village is actually set right on the Corniche, we had a great photo opportunity from there, with a stunning view of Corniche Beach and the modern skyline in the background.

The beach looked incredibly clean and calm, and honestly, it seemed even more beautiful than the ones I visited in Dubai. I wish we had time to walk along the water, but the view alone made it worth the stop.

🛍️ Carpet Shop & Lunch Break (1+ hour)

After the Heritage Village, we stopped at a carpet and souvenir shop — though as far as I know, this stop wasn’t officially part of the tour program.

It was one of those very touristy places and the prices felt way too high. That said, the carpets were beautiful, and it was interesting to see the craftsmanship, even if we didn’t plan on buying anything.

Right after that, we were taken to a restaurant for lunch (not included in the tour price — we paid separately). I don’t remember the name, but it was clearly set up for tourists, and most other tables were also from group tours.

The food was fine — nothing special — but we had over an hour to eat, relax, and enjoy the beach view nearby. After a packed morning, it was nice to cool off and take a break before continuing the tour.

🌴 Dates Market (Visit)

Later in the tour, we stopped at what was called the “dates market” — though in reality, it was just a shop that caters to tourists.

I was expecting a larger, more local-style market with multiple stalls, so this felt a bit disappointing. We were offered samples of different dates and chocolates filled with dates, which was nice, but overall it felt more like a sales stop than a cultural experience.

That said, dates are a big deal in Abu Dhabi and across the Middle East — they’ve been grown in the region for thousands of years and are often served to guests as a gesture of hospitality.

If you love sweet snacks or want to bring a traditional treat home, you’ll definitely find plenty of options here.

🏎️ Ferrari World & Yas Island (Photo Stop)

Our final stop of the day was Ferrari World, located on Yas Island, right next to Yas Mall — one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest shopping centers. We had about 30 minutes there, just enough time for a quick walk around and some photos.

There was one Ferrari on display that you could pose with, but entrance to Ferrari World wasn’t included, and from what I saw, the tickets were quite expensive.

We didn’t go into the theme park itself, but the mall looked modern and upscale, with lots of restaurants and shops.

If you’re into shopping or car culture, you’d probably enjoy spending more time here, especially if you plan to visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi independently.

For us, it was more of a quick bonus stop — just enough time to stretch our legs, snap a few photos, and wrap up the day before heading back to Dubai.

Personal Experience: What I Loved and What I Didn’t

🌟 Highlights That Made It Special

Overall, I’m really glad we did this day trip — it gave us a general feel for Abu Dhabi, so next time we visit, we’ll already know what the city is like and where we’d want to spend more time. The tour was fast-paced but covered a lot, and for a first visit, it was a good intro.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, and Heritage Village were definitely the highlights. The drive along the Corniche and a quick look at Yas Island also helped round out the experience.

The tour has great reviews online and I’d say the value for money was decent, especially compared to the cost of taking a private car. Our guide was friendly and had good energy, and overall, things ran smoothly.

👉 If you’re thinking of doing the same, here’s the exact tour we booked on Viator.

🤔 Things That Could Be Better

That said, a few things could have been improved. I was seated in the middle of the van, which felt cramped for such a long drive — they really packed us in.

The guide was nice, but at times felt a bit salesy. For example, at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, he led us to an abaya store where prices were 3x higher than others in the same mall — and told us they were all the same, which wasn’t true. I think guides should know better, or at least offer loaner abayas.

The carpet shop, dates market, and restaurant were very sales-focused, and while I understand commissions are part of these tours, it felt a bit too much.

Also, the Islamic Art Museum was listed in the program but never visited, though with so many stops, we didn’t notice until later.

Would I Recommend This Abu Dhabi Day Trip from Dubai?

If it’s your first time in the UAE and you want to see the highlights of Abu Dhabi without the hassle of organizing transport, this tour is a solid choice.

It’s fast-paced, yes, but it gives you a taste of the city’s culture, architecture, and atmosphere — enough to know whether you’d want to come back for a deeper visit.

Just go into it with the mindset that some stops are also geared toward shopping, not just sightseeing. But if you’re prepared for that, it’s still a convenient and affordable way to explore Abu Dhabi in a day.

Tips for Your Abu Dhabi Day Trip

• 🧕 Dress modestly — the mosque is very strict about attire. Women must be fully covered, including arms, legs, and hair. Even if you’re wearing long sleeves, avoid anything sheer. Be sure to bring a scarf to cover your head, or you may be required to buy an abaya on-site. I had heard that abayas could be rented at the mosque, but that’s no longer the case — you’ll need to buy one if your outfit doesn’t meet the requirements, and prices in the nearby shops can vary a lot. It’s best to come fully prepared.
• 💸 Bring cash or card for lunch, souvenirs, and possibly buying an abaya (just in case).
• 🎒 Wear comfortable shoes — there’s a fair bit of walking at the mosque and other stops.
• 😎 Bring water and sunscreen, especially if you’re visiting in warmer months.
• 🕓 Be flexible with timing — some stops may feel a bit rushed or sales-oriented, so just go with the flow.
• 📸 Save some space on your phone or camera — the mosque, Emirates Palace, and skyline views are photo gold.

Abu Dhabi Day Trip FAQ

🕐 Is one day really enough to visit Abu Dhabi?

It’s enough to get a good feel for the city and tick off the main sights like the Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, and the Corniche. Of course, you won’t see everything — but for a first visit, it works. Next time, I’d definitely stay longer to explore more places like the Louvre and Saadiyat Island.

🚗 What’s the best way to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for a day trip?

Honestly, I’d go with a guided tour — that’s what we did, and it saved us time, planning, and money. There’s no train, and public buses are slow and not ideal for a packed itinerary. Uber costs over $100 one way, so the tour felt like the most practical option.

🕌 What should I wear to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?

Dress very modestly. Women need to cover arms, legs, and hair — even long sleeves aren’t enough if they’re sheer. I had to buy an abaya on the spot because mine was too transparent. I’d heard rentals were available, but that’s no longer true — so come fully prepared with a scarf and appropriate clothing.

💰 Is lunch included in the tour?

Not in our case. We were taken to a restaurant where we paid separately. It was touristy but okay. Just make sure you bring some cash or a card — and maybe snacks if you’re picky.

🎟️ Do tours include entry to Ferrari World?

No, it was just a quick photo stop for us. If you want to go inside Ferrari World, you’ll need to buy a separate ticket — and from what I saw, it’s not cheap. It’s worth checking in advance if that’s a priority for you.

Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Dubai and have a spare day, I’d say go for it — a day trip to Abu Dhabi is 100% worth it, especially if it’s your first time in the region.

It gave us a great first impression of the capital, and now I know exactly where I’d want to spend more time next visit. Just pick a tour that fits your priorities, dress appropriately for the mosque, and be ready for a packed day with a little bit of shopping along the way.

If you have any questions or want to share your own experience, feel free to drop a comment below — I’d love to hear how your Abu Dhabi day trip went!

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