Destination Guides
United Arab Emirates

 
ravel - International
 
Air

The national airlines are Emirates (EK) (website: www.emirates.com) and Gulf Air (GF) (website: www.gulfairco.com). Emirates operates international flights to and from Dubai; Gulf Air serves all UAE airports. Many other airlines operate scheduled services to Dubai.

 
Approximate flight times

From London to Abu Dhabi or Dubai is seven hours; from Frankfurt/M to Dubai is six hours; from Hong Kong to Dubai is nine hours 15 minutes and from Sydney to Dubai is 14 hours 45 minutes.

 
Main airports

Abu Dhabi (AUH) (website: www.dcaauh.gov.ae) is 32km (20 miles) east of the city (travel time – 40 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available at the airport. Al Ghazal taxis operate a fixed-rate service. Facilities: Duty free shop, bank, bar, snack bar, bureau de change, post office and car hire.
Al Ain International Airport (AAN) (website: www.alain-airport.gov.ae) is 13km (8 miles) northwest of Al Ain. To/from the airport: Al Ghazal taxis operate a fixed-rate service to the city centre. Public buses serve the airport. Facilities: Bank, bureau de change, ATM, restaurants, coffee shop, 24-hour cafe, duty free complex, children's playground in landscaped gardens, and medical centre.
Dubai (DXB) (website: www.dubaiairport.com) is 4km (2.5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis and buses are available at the airport. Bus stations are opposite both Terminal 1 and 2. Facilities: Duty free shops, bank, post office, shops, car hire, restaurant, snack bar and bar. The airport consists of two terminals. Expansion plans are underway to provide a new third Terminal and two new passenger concourses, due to be completed by 2006.
Sharjah (SHJ) (website: www.shj-airport.gov.ae) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available at the airport. Facilities: Duty free shop, car hire, restaurants, snack bars, ATM and bureau de change.
Ras al-Khaimah (RKT) (website: www.rakairport.com) is 15km (9 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available at the airport. Facilities: Duty free shop and restaurant/snack bar.
There is also an airport at Fujairah with duty free facilities.

 
Departure tax

None.

 
Sea

Main ports: Jebel Ali, Rashid and Zayed (Abu Dhabi), Khalid (Sharjah), Saqr (Ras al-Khaimah) and Fujairah. Cruises call at Abu Dhabi and the cruise terminal in Dubai, and there are passenger/cargo services to the USA, the Far East, Australia and Europe. There are regular sailings between Sharjah and Bandar-é-Abbas (Iran).

 
Road

There is a good road into Oman and a good one into Saudi Arabia that connects with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe. Buses run daily between Dubai or Abu Dhabi and Oman. There are also services between Dubai or Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and between Abu Dhabi and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

 
 
 
ravel - Internal
 
Air

Daily flights link Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Flights can also be chartered and there are small landing fields throughout the United Arab Emirates.

 
Sea

Commercial and passenger services serve all coastal ports. A water taxi travels between Dubai and Deira across the creek.

 
Road

There are good tarmac roads running along the west coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah; between Sharjah and Dhaid; and linking Dubai with other Northern States and the interior. Traffic drives on the right and the speed limit in built-up areas is 60 to 80kph (37-50mph) and 100 to 120kph (62 to 74mph) elsewhere. Bus: Limited services link most towns. However, most hotels run their own scheduled bus services to the airport, city centre and beach resorts. Taxi: Available in all towns. In Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, urban journey fares are metered, whilst fares for longer journeys should be agreed in advance. There is a surcharge for air-conditioned taxis. Many travellers find taxis to be the quickest and most convenient method of travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Car hire: Most international car hire companies have offices at airports or hotels. A passport and either a valid international or national licence are necessary. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A local driving licence can be issued on presentation of a valid national driving licence, two photos and a passport.