holidaysaudi Book tours
ENعربي
UAE from Saudi Arabia

UAE from Saudi Arabia

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are less than two hours' flying time from Riyadh, an easy add-on to a Saudi trip for skyline, beaches and culture.

Photo: Tonenight, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • DistanceRiyadh–Dubai around 870 km in a straight line; about 1,000 km by road
  • Getting thereFrequent 1.5–2-hour flights; Ghuwaifat land border
  • CurrencyUAE dirham (AED)
  • EntryGCC citizens free; many nationalities on arrival; GCC residents apply in advance

The United Arab Emirates is Saudi Arabia's busiest neighbour for travel, and the two countries combine naturally: the Kingdom's heritage sites and deserts on one side, the UAE's beaches, skyscrapers and big-ticket attractions on the other. Many visitors fly into Dubai or Abu Dhabi on a long-haul ticket and continue to Saudi Arabia, or finish a Saudi trip with a few days by the sea.

How to get there from Saudi Arabia

By air is the easy option. Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam all have frequent flights to Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH), and many smaller Saudi cities have direct links too. Saudia, flynas and the UAE carriers Emirates, flydubai and Etihad fly the main routes; low-cost flyadeal serves Dubai from Riyadh and Jeddah; and the new Riyadh Air has flown daily between Riyadh and Dubai since June 2026. Riyadh–Dubai takes just under two hours. Regional flights also link Dubai with AlUla and Red Sea International Airport, and Abu Dhabi with the Red Sea, though seasonal schedules change. Compare fares on Trip.com, and see our getting there guide.

By road, the main crossing is Al Batha on the Saudi side and Al Ghuwaifat on the UAE side, on the coast road from the Eastern Province to Abu Dhabi. From Riyadh it is roughly 1,000 km to Dubai, a long day's drive. Saudi rental companies usually do not allow cross-border trips without special permission and insurance, so check before you book; private cars need valid UAE insurance.

Entry rules for visitors coming from Saudi

  • GCC citizens, including Saudis, enter freely with a national ID or passport.
  • Many nationalities, including UK, EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders, receive a free visa on arrival, usually for 30 or 90 days.
  • Residents of Saudi Arabia holding other passports generally apply for a UAE e-visa before travel; eligibility can depend on nationality and the profession on your residence permit.

Rules change, so confirm on the official UAE government portal (u.ae) or with your airline. Make sure your Saudi visa allows re-entry if you are coming back; the Saudi tourist eVisa is multiple-entry. A unified GCC tourist visa covering all six Gulf states has been announced and is expected, but as of October 2026 it has not launched.

Highlights

  • Dubai: the view from Burj Khalifa, the Creek and Al Fahidi historic district by abra boat, the souqs of Deira and the beaches of Jumeirah.
  • Abu Dhabi: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan.
  • Al Ain: oases, forts and UNESCO-listed archaeological sites close to the Omani border.
  • Ras Al Khaimah: mountain drives and adventure activities on Jebel Jais.

A guided city tour helps on a short stay: see Dubai tours, and compare Dubai hotels.

How it pairs with a Saudi trip

A popular plan is a long-haul flight to Dubai, a few nights there, then a short hop to Riyadh or straight to AlUla. Alternatively, finish in Saudi with a beach break in the Emirates. For multi-country ideas, see our GCC grand tour; for onward road trips, Oman borders the UAE.

Good to know: Regional security events in 2026 have caused short-notice flight cancellations at several Saudi and Gulf airports. Check your airline's flight status and your government's travel advice shortly before you travel.

Tours: UAE from Saudi Arabia

Compare guided trips, transfers and tickets.

Check availability

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Riyadh to Dubai?

About one hour 50 minutes to two hours. Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Emirates and flydubai all operate the route.

Do I need a visa for the UAE if I live in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi citizens do not. Expatriate residents usually need to apply for a UAE e-visa in advance, unless their passport qualifies for visa on arrival. Check the official UAE portal before booking.

Can I drive from Saudi Arabia to the UAE?

Yes, via the Al Batha–Al Ghuwaifat crossing. It is a long drive from Riyadh, and you need UAE insurance and, for rental cars, written permission to cross the border.

UAE from Saudi Arabia
Photo: Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.