You live or work in Ras Al Khaimah and you need to get to Dubai. Or you have flown into Dubai and need to make the 110 km journey north to RAK without your own car. Either way, the route between the two emirates is one of the most-asked-about practical questions for new arrivals. Here are the five ways to do it in 2026, with current prices, journey times and what each option actually feels like.
For the reverse direction (Dubai to RAK in detail), see our companion pillar at Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah bus, taxi and car guide (2026). This article focuses on the RAK-to-Dubai journey from a resident perspective.
Quick comparison: RAK to Dubai in 2026
- Cheapest: Al Hamra Bus (E400 service), AED 27 from RAK Al Hamra Bus Station to Dubai Union Bus Station
- Fastest door-to-door: Taxi or Hala/Uber, 60 to 90 minutes, AED 200 to AED 300
- Most flexible: Rent a car from AED 70 per day for the small categories
- Most premium: Seawings seaplane, 45 minutes, AED 1,295 per person
- Most luxurious budget: RAK Shuttle, AED 40, 45 minutes (status varies, confirm before booking)
1. Taxi or ride-hailing app
The easiest option if cost is not the issue. Three ride-hailing services operate between RAK and Dubai in 2026: Careem and Uber (full UAE coverage) plus the Hala app, which uses Dubai RTA’s regulated taxi fleet. Arabia Taxi runs the dispatch fleet inside RAK. Pre-booking is recommended for inter-emirate rides because not every driver wants the 1.5-hour run.
Booking taxis from RAK to Dubai
Pre-book or hail an inter-emirate taxi to Dubai.
Service: Arabia Taxi RAK, Careem, Uber, Hala (Dubai RTA)
Booking apps: careem.com, uber.com, halaride.com
Travel time: 60 to 90 minutes off-peak; allow 2 hours during Dubai rush
Price: AED 200 to AED 300 depending on pickup zone and drop-off in Dubai
2. Rent a car
If you make the journey more than once a week, renting is the most flexible option. Daily rates in 2026 start around AED 70 for compact sedans, climbing to AED 150 plus for SUVs. Most rentals come with Salik (the Dubai toll system) tags installed; the AED 6 toll charges are billed back to the rental company. The drive on E311 (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road) is the fastest route at around 75 minutes off-peak. Watch the 120 kph speed limit; radar coverage on the RAK stretch is dense and the 20 kph buffer is no longer a forgiving margin in 2026.
For a deep comparison of 2026 rental marketplaces and current promotions, see our guide at Best way to rent cars in Dubai 2026.
3. Al Hamra Bus (the budget option)
The Al Hamra Bus is the inter-emirate coach service operating between RAK and Dubai. Departures every hour from both ends, AED 27 one-way (RAK to Dubai), AED 20 one-way (Dubai to RAK). Travel time is around two hours including stops in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain on most routes. The buses are air-conditioned, comfortable enough for the run, and the schedule covers 17 daily slots in each direction. Cash and card both accepted.
RAK Al Hamra Bus Station
The departure point for the Al Hamra Bus inter-emirate service to Dubai.
Area: Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah
First departure: 05:30 to Dubai Union (1 hr 30 min, AED 27)
Last departure: 21:00 to Dubai Union (2 hrs, AED 27)
Frequency: Approximately every hour
Map: Open in Maps
Dubai Union Bus Station
The Dubai arrival point for the Al Hamra Bus service from RAK.
Area: Al Rigga, Deira, Dubai (connected to Union metro station)
First departure to RAK: 07:30, AED 20
Last departure to RAK: 23:00, AED 20
Map: Open in Maps
Al Hamra Bus schedule: RAK to Dubai (2026)
| Departure | Route | Travel Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:30 | RAK Al Hamra to Dubai Union | 1 hr 30 min | AED 27 |
| 06:15 | RAK Al Hamra to Dubai Union | 1 hr 30 min | AED 27 |
| 07:00 | RAK Al Hamra to Dubai Union | 1 hr 30 min | AED 27 |
| 08:00 to 19:00 | RAK Al Hamra via Sharjah to Dubai Union (hourly) | 2 hrs | AED 27 |
| 20:00 and 21:00 | RAK via UAQ, Ajman, Sharjah to Dubai | 2 hrs | AED 27 |
Al Hamra Bus schedule: Dubai to RAK (2026)
Hourly between 07:30 and 23:00 from Dubai Union Bus Station, via UAQ Salama to RAK Al Hamra. Two hours, AED 20 one-way. Always confirm before travel; schedules update seasonally.
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: The 05:30, 06:15 and 07:00 morning buses skip the Sharjah stop and run direct, saving 30 minutes. If you have an early Dubai meeting, take one of these three. After 08:00 the service stops in Sharjah and the journey balloons to two hours.
4. RAK Shuttle (the luxury airport bus)
RAK Shuttle is the premium minibus service running between Dubai International Airport and the major hotels in RAK. The 45-minute journey on E311 is faster than the Al Hamra Bus because it does not stop in Sharjah or UAQ. Coach has free Wi-Fi, bottled water and maps. Drop-off points include Hilton RAK Beach Resort, Hilton Garden Inn, Cove Rotana, Bin Majid Beach, Jannah Resort, Al Hamra Convention Centre, Rixos Bab Al Bahr, DoubleTree Marjan Island and Marjan Island Resort.
Operational status varies. Always confirm the schedule on the day. The service has had on-off periods since 2023.
RAK Shuttle (Dubai Airport to RAK hotels)
Premium minibus service between Dubai International Airport and major RAK hotels.
Booking: rakshuttle.com
Phone: +971 50 626 3955 (24-hour helpline)
Price: AED 40 per person
Travel time: 45 minutes (direct, no Sharjah stop)
First trip from Dubai: 06:00; first trip from RAK: 04:00 (confirm current schedule)
5. Seawings seaplane (the bucket-list option)
If you want the journey to be the destination, Seawings runs scheduled and private seaplane transfers between Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island. The flight takes 45 minutes door-to-door and gives you genuinely spectacular Hajar Mountain views from the air. It costs AED 1,295 per person (excluding VAT). Best used as the outbound leg of a romantic weekend, with a more practical return.
Seawings seaplane (Dubai to RAK)
Private and scheduled seaplane transfers between Dubai and Al Marjan Island.
Booking: seawings.ae
Departure (Dubai side): Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Drop-off (RAK side): DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island
Travel time: 45 minutes
Price: AED 1,295 per person (excluding VAT)
Which option is right for you?
- Commuter (weekly+): Rent a car or buy a small used vehicle
- Daily worker (Dubai to RAK): Al Hamra Bus 07:30 from Dubai Union, return at 18:30 or 19:30
- Weekend visitor: Al Hamra Bus or RAK Shuttle if it is running
- Late-night arrival at DXB: Hala or Uber, AED 200 to 300
- Date weekend, no budget cap: Seawings one-way + driver pickup return
- Family of four with luggage: Taxi (AED 250 split between four) beats four bus tickets
WOW-RAK Expert Tip: Dubai-bound traffic on E311 is heaviest between 07:00 and 09:30 in the morning and again 17:30 to 19:30 in the evening. Leave outside these windows wherever possible. A Friday morning drive to Dubai is the quietest time of the week.
Frequently asked questions
The Al Hamra Bus is the cheapest option at AED 27 one-way from RAK Al Hamra Bus Station to Dubai Union Bus Station. The return from Dubai to RAK is even cheaper at AED 20 one-way. Buses run hourly between 05:30 and 21:00 from the RAK side, and between 07:30 and 23:00 from Dubai.
Driving direct on E311 takes about 75 minutes off-peak, stretching to two hours in heavy traffic. A taxi takes 60 to 90 minutes. The Al Hamra Bus takes 1 hour 30 minutes direct (early-morning slots only) or 2 hours via Sharjah. The Seawings seaplane and the RAK Shuttle both take 45 minutes.
The road distance is 114 km via E311 (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road). The aerial distance is 97 km. Most journeys take 75 to 90 minutes by car off-peak.
Yes. The Al Hamra Bus runs the inter-emirate route from RAK Al Hamra Bus Station to Dubai Union Bus Station. The earliest morning departures (05:30, 06:15 and 07:00) are direct and take 1 hour 30 minutes. All later buses stop in Sharjah and take two hours.
Yes. Careem, Uber and the Hala app (Dubai RTA’s regulated taxi fleet) all operate inter-emirate rides between RAK and Dubai. Pre-book where possible. Expect AED 200 to AED 300 depending on the pickup zone and Dubai drop-off.
The RAK Shuttle has had intermittent operating periods since 2023. Always confirm current status by phone on +971 50 626 3955 or via rakshuttle.com before relying on it for an airport transfer. The Al Hamra Bus is the safer bet for a confirmed schedule.
The bottom line
For most residents and visitors, the Al Hamra Bus is the most reliable budget option and a taxi or Hala ride is the most reliable convenience option. Reserve the seaplane for special occasions and treat the RAK Shuttle as a useful but currently inconsistent service. If you find yourself making the trip more than twice a week, a rental car or a personal vehicle quickly pays itself back versus repeated taxis.
If schedules or operators change after this guide is updated, message us at info@wow-rak.com or Instagram @wow.rak so we can keep the page current.
