United Arab Emirates Five-City Itinerary: Dubai to Al Ain

Yes, you can see Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in about a week, and you do not need a single flight between them. Distances are short, so the real question is where to sleep. Our suggestion is four overnight bases (Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and, if you like, Al Ain) with Sharjah as a day visit from Dubai. Plan on seven nights for an unhurried version. Fly in and out of whichever of Dubai or Abu Dhabi suits your flights.

This suits first-time visitors who want variety: skyscrapers, museums, mountains, an oasis. It does not suit anyone who wants to unpack once. You will spend real hours in a car.

The route, in order

Dubai: two nights

Start here for the airport links and the choice of hotels. Give yourself a full day for the city and one for something outdoors. If you want a desert experience without a long tour, Helios runs a 45-minute guided horse ride at a desert stable south of Dubai. It is a shared small-group format of up to 15 guests, riders must be 10 to 70, and you make your own way to the stables, as hotel pickup is not included. Take an early or late slot, as midday is the wrong time to be in the desert.

Sharjah: a day visit from Dubai

Sharjah sits right next to Dubai, so it works as a day out, not a stay. Expect a quieter, more traditional emirate with a strong museum and heritage focus around its old quarter and waterfront. The unflattering part is traffic: the Dubai–Sharjah road is jammed at commuting hours, so leave mid-morning and come back after the evening rush eases. Check opening days before you go, as some museums close on set weekdays.

Ras Al Khaimah: one or two nights

Head north up the coast. This is the stop to sleep over, because the draw is mountains, mangroves, beaches and an old town rather than a checklist of sights. Allow roughly an hour and a half from Dubai, longer in traffic. A hire car is the easiest way to move around here.

Abu Dhabi: two nights

Drive south, passing back through Dubai's orbit, so allow a half day. Abu Dhabi rewards two nights: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche and the museums. Read our Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque dress code and visitor guide before you pack.

Al Ain: a day trip or one night

Al Ain lies inland, roughly an hour and a half from Abu Dhabi by road. It is greener and slower, with oasis walks, old forts and Jebel Hafeet. Our Al Ain guide covers the oasis and the UAE's first World Heritage Site. A day visit is enough unless you want a sunset on the mountain.

Fly, rail, drive or boat?

• Fly: only to arrive and depart. Domestic flights between these cities make no sense on such short distances.
• Drive: the practical backbone. Hire a car with a confident driver, or use taxis and transfers for single legs. Intercity buses run between the larger emirates too.
• Rail: the national passenger rail network has been in development. Do not build your route around it until you have checked the live timetable and stations on the official operator's site.
• Boat: useful for local crossings and cruises, such as the Dubai Creek abras, but not a way of travelling between the five stops.

When to go

Visit in the cooler months, roughly November to March. In summer the heat is severe and most of the time is spent indoors, which defeats an outdoor route. Our month-by-month Dubai guide and the Dubai packing list help with timing and clothing.

Where Helios fits

Helios does not cover every stop here. Our featured trips cover only Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If you want just the capital, the Abu Dhabi highlights day trip from Dubai is an 8-hour shared small-group day by road, with the mosque, the Founder's Memorial and photo stops. Entries to Qasr Al Watan, the Etihad Towers deck and Louvre Abu Dhabi are not included. Our Abu Dhabi day trip guide explains whether that day is worth it.

For a handled week between the two big cities, the Seven Days Across the Emirates tour runs from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai airport as a shared small group of up to 15. It includes a guide, hotels, a heritage safari and a night in a desert dome. Its itinerary lists only Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the desert. For Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah or Al Ain, send us an enquiry and we will discuss a guide based there.

Check before you book

• Visa rules for your nationality, on the official government site.
• Museum, fort and mosque opening days and dress codes.
• Rail status and timetables, if you hope to use it.
• Prayer-time and holiday closures, especially around national days.

FAQ

How many days do you need for these five places?

Seven nights is comfortable. Five is possible if you treat Sharjah and Al Ain as day visits, but you will be driving a lot.

Should I stay overnight in Sharjah?

Most visitors do not need to. It is close enough to Dubai for a day visit. Stay only if you prefer a quieter base.

Do I need to hire a car?

It helps most in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain. Between cities, a transfer or taxi works if you do not want to drive.

Do Helios tours cover Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain?

The trips featured here cover Dubai and Abu Dhabi only. For the other three, contact us and we will look at a guide based there.