A One-Day Guided Tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi: Our Personal Experience
In this article, we’re sharing our guided one-day tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which we took during our Dubai trip in November 2024.
These kinds of day trips are incredibly popular — but booking one can feel overwhelming. With so many similar tours to choose from, it’s hard to know which one is right for you.
That’s why we want to give you a personal and honest review of our experience, complete with a detailed itinerary.
We booked the tour via GetYourGuide, operated by OceanAir Travels.
Quick Overview & Key Details:
Duration: 9 hours
Tour Operator: OceanAir Travels
Languages offered: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese
Price: We paid €100 per person — prices may vary depending on the season
Itinerary (sequence may vary depending on traffic/scheduling):
Photo stop at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Visit to Observation Deck at 300 (Etihad Tower)
Guided tour & free time at Qasr Al Watan — The Presidential Palace (Note: Qasr Al Watan may close unexpectedly due to official events — in that case, it might be replaced with a stop at the Louvre Abu Dhabi)
Lunch break at Souq Al Jami shopping mall
Visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
What’s Included:
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Live professional tour guide
Unlimited bottled water
Abaya for women for mosque entry (must be returned after use)
What’s Not Included:
Entry into Emirates Palace (drive-by only)
Lunch and drinks (at your own expense)
Guided tour inside Qasr Al Watan (you explore it independently)
What to Bring:
Ladies: Long, loose clothing covering arms, legs, and head. An abaya and scarf will be provided, but you can also wear your own.
Gentlemen: Shoulders and knees must be covered. No clothing is provided for men, so plan accordingly.
Everyone: Tattoos must be covered inside the mosque.
Our Personal Experience
Soon after booking, OceanAir Travels contacted us via WhatsApp with all the essential details, including our pickup time. Communication was excellent — their team was friendly, responsive, and super helpful.
On the day of the tour, we were picked up at 8:45 AM from our hotel lobby. We were then driven about 20 minutes to a meeting point in an industrial area, where we transferred into a small van with about eight other travelers from German-speaking countries.
Our guide, Abdelrahman Gamal, immediately made us feel welcome. During the ~1-hour drive to Abu Dhabi, he shared fascinating facts about the UAE, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, pointing out landmarks and adding context to what we were seeing.
Stop 1: Louvre Abu Dhabi (Photo Stop)
Our first stop was at the Louvre Abu Dhabi — but only from the outside. While it shares the name with the famous Parisian museum, it’s a separate institution. In fact, the UAE paid $525 million USD for the rights to use the “Louvre” name for 30 years — wild, right?
We took some quick photos of the stunning dome architecture and headed off to the next stop.
Stop 2: Observation Deck at 300, Etihad Towers
This is the highest viewing platform in Abu Dhabi, located on the 74th floor of Tower 2 at Etihad Towers, standing 300 meters above ground.
The view was incredible — overlooking the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace, the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel, and the shimmering coastline of the Corniche. We had about 30 minutes to soak it all in.
Stop 3: Qasr Al Watan — The Presidential Palace
Contrary to what some people think, Qasr Al Watan is not a royal residence. It’s a working presidential palace used for official government functions and diplomatic receptions.
Our guide gave us a brief intro as we walked in, and then we had about 45 minutes of free time to explore. Highlights included the Presidential Gifts Hall, giant chandeliers, and the opulent library. The architecture was jaw-dropping — easily one of the most beautiful interiors we’ve ever seen.
Stop 4: Lunch at Souq Al Jami
Next, we were dropped off at Souq Al Jami, a modern shopping center near the mosque, for a quick lunch break. Everyone could choose their own place to eat.
We followed Abdelrahman Gamal’s recommendation and tried the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, which serves authentic Emirati cuisine — and we loved it! The food was flavorful and traditional, with a cozy local vibe.
Als, we tried camel milk ice cream at a sweet shop we stumbled upon in the mall — and it was surprisingly very delicious!
Stop 5: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Last — and definitely not least — was the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This was the highlight of the tour for us.
With its white marble domes, reflective pools, and jaw-dropping details (including the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet and massive Swarovski crystal chandeliers), it felt both spiritual and surreal.
Our guide walked us through the main facts, gave us time to reflect and take photos, and we even heard the Adhān (Islamic call to prayer) over the loudspeakers, which was truly moving.
The Ride Back
After the mosque visit, the van took us back to the original meeting point, where we transferred into a car and were driven back to our hotel. The whole day was smooth, well-organized, and deeply memorable.
Final Thoughts
If you’re short on time in Dubai but want to get a real taste of Abu Dhabi, this tour is 100% worth it. The logistics were easy, the guide was knowledgeable, and the sights were perfectly curated.
You cover a lot of ground in one day — without feeling rushed — and walk away with a well-rounded impression of the UAE’s capital.
We’ll definitely return to Abu Dhabi in the future to explore more!
Ready for your own Abu Dhabi trip? Click here to book your experience
We hope you enjoyed this read. Feel free to leave questions or comments below!