Day Trips from Dubai — Abu Dhabi, Louvre & The Grand Mosque
Most visitors only have 3-4 days in Dubai, so a day trip has to earn its place. Two destinations clear the bar every time: Abu Dhabi (Grand Mosque + Louvre) and the Musandam fjords in Oman.
Day Trips from Dubai: what to know before booking
- Availability
- 15 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $158 AED before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 12,655 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Abu Dhabi (1.5h drive) or Khasab, Oman (2h drive)
- Best time
- October–April; the Mosque is closed Friday mornings for prayer
- Ticket note
- Open-dated on most operators; Musandam fixed-date due to passport processing
Available
15 options
Avg. rating
4.7 · 12,655 reviews
From
$158 AED
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Day Trips from Dubai in Dubai
Sorted by review score. Tap any card to book through HelloTickets — instant confirmation.
Everything you should know before you book
The big four day trips from Dubai are Abu Dhabi, Musandam (Oman), Hatta, and Sharjah. Abu Dhabi is the easy default — 90 minutes by road, two world-class attractions (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque + Louvre Abu Dhabi) that together fill a full day, and most tours are bundled to include both. Musandam is the wild-card option: a 2-hour bus ride to the Oman border, then a traditional dhow into the Khasab fjords for snorkelling and dolphin-spotting — completely different scenery from anything in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi tours ($80–$120) typically include hotel pickup at 8am, a guided 90-minute tour of the Grand Mosque (the dress code is strict and provided), lunch at a local restaurant, then a self-guided 2-hour visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Look for tours that include the Louvre entry fee in the price — some operators charge it separately at $25/person on top.
Musandam tours run 12–14 hours door-to-door but are the most-recommended-by-locals option here. You'll need a passport (and Oman entry stamp — included). The dhow cruise itself is 4 hours with three swim/snorkel stops; lunch is a buffet on board.
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough for Abu Dhabi?
If you only have to see the Mosque + Louvre, yes — that's roughly 5 hours including transit, which is what these tours are built around. If you want to add Yas Island, Ferrari World, or Qasr Al Watan presidential palace, plan an overnight instead.
Do I need a separate visa for Musandam (Oman)?
No — the tour operators process the Oman entry stamp at the border crossing as part of the booking. You only need a valid passport with 6+ months validity. The stamp is single-entry and good only for the day.
What should I wear to the Grand Mosque?
Long sleeves and long pants/skirt for everyone. Women need a headscarf. The Mosque provides free abayas (for women) and kanduras (for men) at the entrance if you're not dressed appropriately — but the queue for them is 30+ minutes in peak hours, so come dressed.
Is the Louvre Abu Dhabi worth the visit?
If you have any interest in art or architecture, yes — the Jean Nouvel-designed building (the 'rain of light' dome) is itself the attraction even if you skim the galleries. Budget 2 hours minimum. The cafe on the waterfront terrace is genuinely good for a coffee break.