Best Road Trips from Dubai

Dubai is a perfect starting point for traveling around the United Arab Emirates. Not only does it have all the required infrastructure for drivers, but it is also located in the best area possible. It is easy to reach any part of the country from this city, but to get the most out of a road trip in Dubai, it is important to plan it in advance.

Dubai to Oman Road Trip Itinerary

Those who intend to explore the culture of the Middle East often choose to take a road trip to Oman, which is a UAE’s neighboring country. It is a several-days long adventure that you can plan according to your preferences, as there are various kinds of attractions on the way.

Note that if you are not an UAE citizen, you might need a visa to enter the country. The good news is that you can make one upon arrival, and the procedure is fairly quick and straightforward.

The most optimal choice for visiting Oman is to drive to Muscat first. The trip there will take from four to six hours, depending on the traffic at the border. Muscat is the country’s capital, so if you’re looking for a brief introduction to its culture, you can go right back to Dubai after visiting it.

While in the city, you can indulge in activities you enjoy the most. If you’re into exploring natural wonders, you should definitely visit the famous Dimaniyat Islands. If you intend to learn more about local culture and architecture, you can come take a look at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

In case simply visiting the capital is not enough for you, and you prefer longer journeys rather than one day road trips from Dubai, you can move on to the country’s eastern shore and visit Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, a location well-known for its well-preserved natural wonders.

Alternatively or additionally, you can visit the Wadi Ash Shab canyon with its crystal-clear waters, the ancient city of Nizwa with its beautiful architecture, or the Jebel Akhdar mountain range with its breathtaking views.

Exploring Salalah from Dubai by Road

Salalah is another city in Oman that is considered to be one of the best road trips from Dubai. The points regarding visas mentioned in the previous section are relevant for this adventure too, since it is the same country.

It is a much longer journey, as Salalah is located in the southern part of the country, which makes it one of the remotest destinations from Dubai. The silver lining here is that you will be able to visit multiple attractions on the road to Salalah and on the road back to Dubai, as you will travel through almost the entire country of Oman.

Salalah is a 13-hours drive away from Dubai, so it is definitely recommended to spend a night somewhere between these two cities. Depending on the attractions you wish to visit, you can stay in Nizwa, Haima, Muscat, Sur, or Duqm.

For easier planning, feel free to use the table below. It indicates various attractions you can visit on the road to Salalah, their nearest cities, and the driving time required to get there.

 

	Type	Nearest city	Drive from the nearest city
Wadi Ash Shab	Canyon	Sur	40 minutes
Bimmah Sinkhole	Sinkhole	Sur	55 minutes
Al Ayjah Lighthouse	Architectural attraction	Sur	0 minutes
Bilad Sur Castle	Architectural attraction	Sur	0 minutes
Jebel Akhdar	Mountain range	Nizwa	1 hour 50 minutes
Jebel Shams	Canyon	Nizwa	1 hour 30 minutes
Falaj Daris Park	Park	Nizwa	0 minutes
Nizwa Fort	Architectural attraction	Nizwa	0 minutes
Dimaniyat Islands	Natural attraction	Muscat	30 minutes
Wahiba Desert	Natural attraction	Muscat	3 hours
Royal Opera House	Cultural and architectural attraction	Muscat	0 minutes
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque	Mosque	Muscat	0 minutes
Bar al Hikman	Natural attraction	Duqm	3 hours
Al Khaluf	Beach	Duqm	1 hour 50 minutes
Ras Madrakah	Beach	Duqm	1 hour 5 minutes
Rock Garden	Geological site	Duqm	0 minutes

 

Dubai to Bahrain Road Adventure

In case you prefer moving in the opposite direction, Bahrain is one of the most appealing road trip destinations to the north of Dubai. The drive there will normally take from 11 to 13 hours and take you through Saudi Arabia, and you can also visit Qatar on the way.

Just like with trips to Oman, it is important to discover whether you need visas for visiting these countries as well as the procedures for obtaining these documents. The rules might vary significantly depending on your nationality, so it is recommended to research the matter in advance.

The list of checkpoints you might visit along the way includes:

• Abu Dhabi (UAE)

• Mesaieed (Qatar)

• Dhahran (Saudi Arabia)

• Al Khobar (Saudi Arabia)

• Manama (Bahrain)

• Bahrain (Bahrain)

 

Road Trip to Musandam from Dubai

Musandam is a governorate of Oman located in the northern part of the country, and it is another popular road trip Dubai offers to its visitors and residents. The benefit of this destination is in its relative proximity to Dubai, as the drive there only takes around three hours.

Despite being a fairly short drive compared to other trips on this list, you can actually plan a journey for multiple days, since there are a variety of interesting attractions on the way. The list of places you might visit includes:

• Ras Al-Khaimah

• Dhayah Fort

• Jebel Jais

• Jebel Al Harim

• Bukha

The trip includes some amazing views, as well as tons of opportunities to go camping, participate in mountain safaris, embark on cruises around beautiful islands, and more. The journey may be very flexible depending on your preferences, which is one of the main advantages of this route.

 

Dubai to Ras Al-Khaimah: A Scenic Route

In case you prefer not to go all the way to Musandam and have a trip without leaving the United Arab Emirates, but also want to see the mountains, you can choose Ras Al-Khaimah as your destination.

The city is located in the northern part of the country, offering you easy access to various routes through the mountains. The route that is most commonly chosen by travelers takes you through the famous serpentine and leads directly to Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates.

It is one of the most scenic routes in the country, as breathtaking views will be seen all the way through the mountains. It is possible to go even further through the serpentine all the way up to Jabal Bil Ays, although it is important to keep in mind that this destination is on the territory of Oman, meaning you might need a visa to cross the border.

Other Notable Road Trips

Even though the routes described in detail in the previous sections are considered to be the best road trips from Dubai by many travelers, some other notable destinations can also be added to the list:

• Fujairah – This is a popular desert road trip Dubai offers to those who don’t plan to leave the city for long. Fujairah is located less than two hours away, and it is possible to stay for a night there. The trip takes you through some natural sights and multiple interesting cultural attractions.

• Hatta – Hatta Dam is a beautiful place located about two hours away from Dubai. Aside from the famous mountain lake, it offers a variety of activities such as camping or outdoor sports. It is a great destination for those who love nature, and if you decide to spend some more time at Hatta Dam, there are many accommodation options to choose from.

• Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi is Dubai’s neighboring emirate located around an hour and a half away from there. It is a great destination for those who like exploring the culture and architecture of the UAE. You can easily plan a longer stay in the emirate, as there are numerous places to visit there.

• Sharjah – Sharjah is the emirate located to the north of Dubai, and the drive there takes around an hour. Sharjah is a more cultural destination than Abu Dhabi, but it still offers a variety of architectural sights and entertainment options.

 

Tips for Planning a Road Trip from Dubai

There are multiple things you should keep in mind to ensure having the best road trips in Dubai. Firstly and most obviously, it is vital to approach financial planning responsibly, Aside from basic spendings such as gas, food, and hotels, it is important to take into account smaller fees that might stack up during the trip. This includes visa fees when traveling to another country, ticket fees for visiting museums and other paid sites, and other related fees.

Since almost every single best place to visit on a road trip in Dubai is located outside of the United Arab Emirates and most travelers go on such trips on rental cars, it is also important to ensure the rental company approves international travel and that it will provide you with the documents needed on the border control.

Summers are notoriously hot in the United Arab Emirates and its neighboring countries, so it is not recommended to go on long road trips during this season. The weather conditions are not just uncomfortable, they are dangerous. Besides, most tourist attractions are closed for summer, making the trips even less purposeful.

Lastly, it is important to plan your gas usage, as some of the trips featured on the list involve traveling significant distances through sparsely populated areas. It is also recommended to carry some gasoline with you, in case you end up without gasoline in a remote area.

FAQs

What are some of the best road trip destinations from Dubai?

The best road trips Dubai has to offer include Oman, Bahrain, Musandam, Al Khaimah, as well as some other destinations in the neighboring emirates.

How do I plan a road trip from Dubai to Oman?

In order to properly plan a road trip from Dubai to Oman, it is important to choose the main destination as well as the attractions you intend to visit. Then, it is vital to discover the rules for crossing the border, as non-citizens of the United Arab Emirates might need a visa to enter the country of Oman.

What should I know before embarking on a road trip from Dubai to Salalah?

The most important aspect of the road trip from Dubai to Salalah is crossing the border between the United Arab Emirates and Oman. It is recommended to discover in advance whether you need a visa to enter the country.

Are there any scenic routes for a Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah road trip?

The road from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah features a variety of sights, making it a very scenic route. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful road trips in Dubai, as it features a range of breathtaking views and stunning scenes.

Conclusion

Dubai is one of the best places to embark on a road trip from. It offers a diverse variety of destinations, including cultural attractions, natural sights, scenic routes, ancient architectural wonders, and many other places for any taste. 

As mentioned several times throughout the article, it is vital to plan the trips properly. Doing so will enable you to have the best road trip in Dubai without having to worry about unforeseen circumstances.