Ten days in the UAE works as three bases: five nights in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and two in Ras Al Khaimah or on the east coast. Dubai comes first, because the desert safari, the sunrise balloon and the yachts all start there. Then you move to Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque and the Louvre, and finish in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah or by the sea in Fujairah. Below are the days, the transfers with distances and fares, and what each choice costs.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai — From $45 per person, 7 hours.
Is 10 days enough for the UAE?
Yes, for the main route: 5 nights in Dubai, 2 in Abu Dhabi and 2 in Ras Al Khaimah or on the east coast. The items we can price come to about $375 per person, before hotels, meals, the legs between emirates and a hire car. The distances are manageable: Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah 100-120 km.
This guide also answers:
- Should I choose Ras Al Khaimah or the east coast?
- Do I need a car for 10 days in the UAE?
- How do I get from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah?
The ten days in four parts
#1
Days 1-4: Dubai
Spend the first four days on the Dubai core: Downtown and Burj Khalifa, Old Dubai and the desert safari, the coast and a sunset yacht, then a fourth day for the sunrise balloon or Hatta. All our pickups and piers are here, so do the tours before you move on.
#2
Days 5-6: Abu Dhabi
Move by bus, train or taxi on day 5 and see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque first. Day 6 is the Louvre on Saadiyat, AED 70 and closed on Mondays, with the beach in the afternoon, or one Yas Island park. Abu Dhabi has no metro, so plan on taxis.
#3
Days 7-8: Ras Al Khaimah
The northernmost emirate has a 36 km hairpin road up Jebel Jais, a 2.83 km zipline, free viewing decks, an 18th-century fort and long beaches. It is 100-120 km from Dubai and about 10 degrees cooler on the mountain. Pick a mountain day and a beach or old-town day, and hire a car.
#4
Or days 7-8: the east coast
The east coast faces the Gulf of Oman. Snoopy Island at Al Aqah is the nearest reef-style snorkelling, Al Bidyah Mosque is dated to the 15th century and Fujairah Fort to the 16th. It is about 130 km and 1.5-2 hours from Dubai, best from October to April, and also needs a car.
#5
Day 9: one more night in Dubai
Return to Dubai on day 9 and spend the last evening at the Marina: the shared yacht hour from $32, or the 21+ yacht party at $99 if your flight on day 10 is not early. The Marina is also the longest airport run, so keep a margin.
The route: 9 nights in three bases
The UAE is small enough to cross in a day, so the mistake is not distance but changing hotels too often. This plan uses three bases and one return. Dubai comes first for four nights, because our desert safari, sunrise balloon and yacht cruises all work from there. Abu Dhabi is next for two nights, and then Ras Al Khaimah or the east coast for two more. The last night is back in Dubai, which is the best place to fly from.
The distances are the key numbers: Dubai to Abu Dhabi is about 140 km and 1.5-2 hours by road, Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah city is about 100-120 km and 1-1.5 hours, and Dubai to Fujairah is about 130 km and 1.5-2 hours. Abu Dhabi to either northern base is a long road back past Dubai: roughly 250-270 km, the two legs added together, and about 3 hours or more. For that reason, day 7 is mostly a travel day.
| Day | Sleep | What | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai | Downtown: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Fountain | Metro |
| 2 | Dubai | Old Dubai in the morning, desert safari from the afternoon | Metro, hotel pickup |
| 3 | Dubai | Palm, JBR, shared yacht hour at sunset | Taxi and tram |
| 4 | Dubai | Sunrise balloon, or Hatta, or a free day | Pickup or hire car |
| 5 | Abu Dhabi | Transfer, Grand Mosque | Bus, train or taxi, about 140 km |
| 6 | Abu Dhabi | Louvre and Saadiyat, or one Yas park | Taxi |
| 7 | Ras Al Khaimah or east coast | Travel day, evening on the coast | Hire car or taxi, about 3 hours or more |
| 8 | Same | Jebel Jais or Snoopy Island; fort or beach | Hire car |
| 9 | Dubai | Back to Dubai, last evening at the Marina | Hire car or taxi, 1-2 hours |
| 10 | - | Flight home | Taxi or metro to DXB |
Days 1-4: Dubai, built from our shorter plans
Do not re-plan Dubai from scratch. Days 1 to 3 are the 3-day itinerary: Downtown by metro, with Burj Khalifa from $55 and the free Fountain; then Old Dubai in the morning and the desert safari from the afternoon, $45 or $65 with the quad bike and no prepayment; then Palm Jumeirah, JBR and the shared yacht hour from $32. The Old Dubai walking tour from $35 replaces the self-guided morning.
Day 4 is the free choice, and it is where ten days differs from the 3-day plan. The sunrise hot air balloon is $275 per person for 4-5 hours, with a 30% deposit and 1-2 weeks of notice. Hatta is a mountain-and-dam day about 130 km east of the city. Or leave it empty for a pool. Put the balloon early in the Dubai block, so that a wind cancellation, with a refund or a new date, can still be rebooked.
Our pickups and piers only work in and around Dubai: the safari, the balloon and the Abu Dhabi tour collect from hotels in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, and the yachts leave from the Marina. Book every tour you want before you move to Abu Dhabi, because none of them will collect you there. If you want more days in the city, add them to this Dubai block.
Days 5-6: Abu Dhabi for two nights
Sleeping in the capital lets you see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre on your own schedule, so you do not need a day tour. The way you get there is a choice of price against effort; check the current price and times before you go.
| Option | Time | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus E100 or E101 | About 2 hours | About AED 25 with a Nol card | To Abu Dhabi Central; a taxi onward |
| Etihad Rail | About 57 minutes on the train | Comfort AED 39 online, AED 60 at a machine | Both stations are outside the centre; a taxi at each end |
| Taxi | 1.5-2 hours | About AED 250-350 | Door to door, best with luggage |
The train fares are Etihad Rail's published prices as of 29 October 2026, taken from our Etihad Rail guide; the bus and taxi figures are in Dubai to Abu Dhabi. On day 5, leave early: the Grand Mosque is free, needs online registration and a copy of your passport or Emirates ID, and asks for loose clothing, with ankles, wrists and hair covered for women and shoulders and knees for men. The prayer halls can close to visitors around Friday midday.
Day 6 is the museum day. Louvre Abu Dhabi costs AED 70 per Visit Abu Dhabi, is free under 18 and closed on Mondays; the galleries open at 10 AM and close at 6:30 PM from Tuesday to Thursday and 8:30 PM from Friday to Sunday. Add the beach on Saadiyat in the afternoon, which is best from November to April, or Qasr Al Watan from AED 65. If you prefer a park, take one on Yas Island and nothing else, because each park is a full day. The Formula Rossa ride at Ferrari World is under maintenance. Abu Dhabi has no metro, so plan on taxis; where to stay in Abu Dhabi covers the areas.
Days 7-8: Ras Al Khaimah, the mountain and the old town
Day 7 is the long transfer. Leave Abu Dhabi in the morning, drop back through Dubai and reach Ras Al Khaimah by the afternoon; a hire car is the best way, because the sights are spread out and the mountain has no public transport. A metered taxi from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah city is roughly AED 250-350 one way, so expect more from Abu Dhabi and ask for a quote in the app first.
Day 8 should be one theme, not three. The mountain is the headline: Jebel Jais is a 36 km hairpin road with free viewing decks, about ten degrees cooler than the coast, and the Jais Flight zipline, which is 2.83 km long and reaches up to 150 km/h. The Ras Al Khaimah tourism site lists it from about AED 325 per person; the minimum height is 130 cm and the weight range 40-120 kg. Book ahead, keep a spare date because high wind closes it, and bring a jacket.
If the mountain is not for you, the old-town day is Dhayah Fort, an 18th-century hill fort, the National Museum in an old fort, and the ruined coastal village of Jazirat Al Hamra. The beach day is Marjan Island or Al Rams, where hotel beach clubs charge a day fee. The full options are in the Ras Al Khaimah day-trip guide.
Or the east coast instead of Ras Al Khaimah
Choose the east coast if you would rather have the sea than the mountain. It faces the Gulf of Oman, so the water is a different sea from Dubai's, and the sights are old stone and a reef. Both options are best from October to April, and both need a car.
| Ras Al Khaimah | East coast | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Dubai | 100-120 km, 1-1.5 hours to the city | About 130 km, 1.5-2 hours to Fujairah |
| Headline | Jebel Jais viewing decks and 2.83 km zipline | Snoopy Island snorkelling at Al Aqah |
| Old stone | Dhayah Fort (18th century), National Museum | Al Bidyah Mosque (15th century), Fujairah Fort (16th century) |
| Beach | Marjan Island, Al Rams; hotel clubs charge a day fee | Khor Fakkan beach and amphitheatre; Al Aqah |
| Cost to expect | Zipline from about AED 325 | A beach-resort day package around AED 300 |
| Weather note | The mountain is about 10 degrees cooler | Hot and crowded at weekends in summer |
On the east coast, day 8 is either a sea day at Snoopy Island or a history loop through Khor Fakkan, Al Bidyah, Fujairah Fort and the Masafi market; do not mix them. The east coast guide has the stops in driving order and the gear and the months. Etihad Rail has also run a passenger line between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah since 30 June 2026, with Comfort fares from AED 55, according to our train guide as of 29 October 2026; we have not checked the stations or journey time, so confirm them with Etihad Rail before you plan around it.
Days 9-10: back in Dubai for the last night
Return on day 9, which is 1 to 2 hours by road depending on where you start. Sleep in the Marina or JBR if you want the water, or in Downtown, which is about 15 km from DXB and 15-25 minutes by taxi (AED 40-60) against 35-50 minutes from the Marina (AED 80-110).
The last evening is the shared yacht hour from $32, or, for guests aged 21 and over, the yacht party: boarding 8:30 PM, back at about 1 AM, $99, original ID required. Both are paid in advance. Skip the party if your flight on day 10 is early. Metro trains run from about 5 AM, with a later start on Sundays, so check the first train in the S'hail app or book a taxi.
What ten days costs per person
These are the items we can price. Third-party prices change, so check before you go; our tour prices are fixed. Dollars convert at about AED 3.67. Hotels vary too much to quote for Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah or the east coast, so we do not guess; for Dubai, our planning bands are in how much a Dubai trip costs.
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa, Old Dubai walk, desert safari, shared yacht hour | $55 + $35 + $45 + $32 = $167 | Fixed; safari $65 with the quad bike |
| Dubai metro, tram and taxis, two airport runs | About AED 350 ($95) | Budget: a Nol card, about a dozen rides at AED 3-7.5, a few taxis |
| Dubai to Abu Dhabi | Bus about AED 25 ($7); train from AED 39; taxi AED 250-350 | Pick one |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi | About AED 65 ($18) | Qasr Al Watan from AED 65 |
| Jebel Jais zipline, or an east-coast resort day | From about AED 325 ($89), or about AED 300 | Pick one |
| Optional: balloon, yacht party | $275; $99 | 30% deposit; 21+ |
| Not priced here | Hotels, meals, Abu Dhabi taxis, the Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah leg, a hire car, a Yas park | Ask for quotes |
The priced items add up to about $375 per person: $167 in Dubai tours, about $95 in Dubai transport, about $7 for the bus, about $18 for the Louvre and about $89 for the zipline. The balloon adds $275. Rental cars, the legs between emirates and all hotels come on top.
If you would rather keep one hotel
Changing hotels three times is not for everyone. If you prefer to unpack once, stay 9 nights in Dubai and make the other emirates day trips: the Abu Dhabi city tour is from $45 with an 8:00 AM hotel pickup and no prepayment, and Ras Al Khaimah or the east coast are each a long day by car. The trade is time on the road: 3-4 hours there and back for Abu Dhabi or the east coast, and 2-3 hours for Ras Al Khaimah. Sleeping there removes it, which is the case for the move.
FAQ
Is 10 days enough for the UAE?
Yes, for the main route: 5 nights in Dubai, 2 in Abu Dhabi and 2 in Ras Al Khaimah or on the east coast. The items we can price come to about $375 per person, before hotels, meals, the legs between emirates and a hire car. The distances are manageable: Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah 100-120 km.
Should I choose Ras Al Khaimah or the east coast?
Ras Al Khaimah for the mountain: Jebel Jais, a 2.83 km zipline from about AED 325, free viewing decks and cooler air. The east coast for the sea: Snoopy Island snorkelling, the 15th-century Al Bidyah Mosque and Fujairah Fort. Both are best from October to April and both need a hire car or driver.
Do I need a car for 10 days in the UAE?
Not in Dubai, where the metro costs AED 3-7.5 a ride and our tours pick you up. Not in Abu Dhabi, where taxis do the work. You do need a car, or a driver, for Ras Al Khaimah and the east coast, because the sights are 20-60 km apart and public transport is thin.
How do I get from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah?
By road through Dubai: about 140 km to Dubai and a further 100-120 km to Ras Al Khaimah city, so allow about 3 hours or more. Use a hire car or a taxi and ask for a quote in the app first; Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah city alone is roughly AED 250-350 one way.
Can I base in Dubai the whole time?
Yes. Nine nights in Dubai with day trips costs less in packing and more in road time. The Abu Dhabi city tour is 9 hours from $45 with hotel pickup, and Ras Al Khaimah is 1-1.5 hours each way by car. Sleeping in Abu Dhabi saves 3-4 hours on the road, which is the reason to move.
When is the best time for this route?
November to March, when Dubai is 20-30 degrees and the mountain and the east coast are pleasant. October and April work too. In summer, Ras Al Khaimah and the east coast are hot and humid at weekends; go on a weekday and start early. The desert safari, the balloon and the yachts in Dubai run all year.
Where do the tours fit if I move hotels?
In the Dubai block, before you leave. The desert safari, the sunrise balloon and the Abu Dhabi tour collect from hotels in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, and the yachts leave from the Marina pier, so none of them works from an Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah hotel. Book the balloon first, because it sells out 1-2 weeks ahead.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai
It is the slow-travel version of the classic safari: more time on the dunes, sunset without the crowds and a full evening programme at a premium camp with air-conditioned tents, unlimited drinks and a large BBQ buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Everything is arranged from the hotel door — a licensed English-speaking driver, the 4x4, the camp and the shows.
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Area
- Lahbab Desert, Dubai
- Format
- Full-day desert safari
- Best for
- families, couples and first-time desert visitors who want the full evening programme
From $45 per person No prepayment
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Sunrise Hot Air Balloon in Dubai
It is the desert from above at first light: gazelles, oryx and camels in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the Hajar Mountains on the horizon and the dunes turning gold. After landing a vintage Land Rover or SUV takes you to a private Bedouin camp for a gourmet breakfast (veg and non-veg options), a short camel ride and a falcon photo, and every guest gets an electronic flight certificate signed by the pilot.
- Duration
- 4-5 hours
- Area
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
- Format
- Shared sunrise balloon flight with breakfast
- Best for
- couples, photographers and anyone who wants the desert at sunrise from above
From $275 per person 30% deposit
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Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
It is the classic capital day in one organised loop: the mosque before the midday heat and crowds, the newly opened BAPS Mandir, the skyline from the Corniche, Bedouin history at Heritage Village and a photo op at Ferrari World. Transport, a licensed guide, mosque registration assistance and bottled water are included; the $45 shared tour covers all free-entry sites, and a private VIP car for up to 7 people is $245.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Area
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Format
- Full-day guided city tour (shared or private)
- Best for
- families, seniors and first-time visitors who want the capital's landmarks in one day
From $45 per person No prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: Days 1-4: Dubai — Laika ac, CC BY-SA 2.0, Days 7-8: Ras Al Khaimah — Joshlxd, CC BY-SA 4.0, Or days 7-8: the east coast — Wongleejean, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).