The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is one of the most impressive mosques in the world and, therefore, a must-see when you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. If you are wondering how to get there from either of the two cities, how to dress in the mosque, how much time to dedicate to it... here I explain in detail.
Travel tip. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are constantly evolving cities, so much of the information on the Internet is old and has changed. This guide was made based on my December 2018 trip.
How do I get to Abu Dhabi Mosque from Dubai?
There are three straightforward options to go to Abu Dhabi from Dubai:
- Take an organized tour that includes the mosque and is usually complemented by other activities such as Ferrari World or the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. Costs start at 50 USD per person. Know more about Bosporus Turkish Restaurant In Dubai.
- Hire a driver. Whether at your accommodation, on websites dedicated to tourist services, or on your own, you can contact different drivers to take you from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. It is very comfortable to go at your own pace; above all, it can be very viable for groups. Costs start at 100 USD.
- Go on your own to Abu Dhabi. It is a new way to go to Abu Dhabi since a few months ago, all means of transport did not exist (or they were less efficient). The cost starts at USD 17 per person; the price details are in the next section.
How to go to the Abu Dhabi mosque on your own from Dubai?
Few guides explain how to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, and most focus on the number of 100 bus that leaves from the Deira area, specifically from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. However, departing from that area of Dubai involves crossing the entire city, something that in peak hours can be chaotic. Know more about Panoor restaurant near me.
My recommendation (and the route I took) is to take the red metro line to the IBN Battuta station. Right at the metro exit is the bus station of the same name and at the last post leaves the RTA Intercity bus number 101 that goes directly to the central station of Abu Dhabi. Below is the photo of the stop and the bus.
There are only three stops, so the road is not heavy. In addition, they are very comfortable buses, with air conditioning and reclining seats, so many go sleeping (they are not the same as those that make short trips).
The single journey cost is 25 AED (about 7 USD), and you can pay it with your metro card ( click here for more information ). The journey time is 90 minutes, and buses run every 20 minutes, but I recommend checking the official RTA website for current times on the day you travel.
How to go from the center of Abu Dhabi to the Sheikh Fayed Mosque?
As soon as you arrive at Abu Dhabi Central Station, or if you are already staying in the city, you have two options: go to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Learn more about Green City restaurant Satwa.
- Cab. Take a taxi for a journey of 15 minutes, paying about 30 AED (8 USD). In total, it would be 16 USD.
- Public bus. Buy a bus card that costs 10 AED (the Dubai transport card will no longer be valid in Abu Dhabi) and put 4 AED credits on it for two trips: one way and one way. The total cost would be 14 AED, less than 4 USD. The bus you have to take is number 94, and it stops right outside the station and leaves you in the mosque's parking lot.
Therefore, the total cost of making the trip on your own would be 64 AED, approximately 17 USD. The cheapest way to go to Abu Dhabi is from Dubai.
Travel tip. If you are going to make the trip on your own, I recommend spending at least one night in Abu Dhabi so that the journey is not so heavy and you can combine your experience with more activities such as visiting the Louvre Dubai museum, Ferrari World, the beach … Here I leave you the list of complete activities of Abu Dhabi.
I stayed at the City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel on my trip to Abu Dhabi. 4-star accommodation with rooms from 60 USD for two people. The location is in the city's center, ideal to be close to the bus station and right in the middle of the main attractions: the beach, the mosque, the Louvre museum... More information and reservations are here.
Practical information about the visit to the mosque in 2019
- Schedules. The mosque opens at 9 am and closes at 10 pm. Except on Thursdays when it opens at 4:30 pm and on Mondays when it is closed all day.
- Cost. Admission is free, but to enter, you must stand in line to answer a short survey and pass the security filters.
- Outfit. Women must cover their legs, arms, and heads. It can be in pants or long skirts. They are pretty strict at the entrance, but if they don't like your clothes, they lend you clothes to cover you free of charge. Removing your shoes is no longer necessary because they have restricted the passage to the areas of the carpets.
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