Dubai Ras Al Khaimah by taxi
There is more to the United Arab Emirates than Dubai and Abu Dhabi! The city of Ras Al Khaimah, capital of the Emirate of the same name, welcomes 1.1 million tourists every year. That’s more than cities that grab more headlines such as Geneva, Casablanca, Dallas and Bucharest. Historically, Ras Al Khaimah is the most recent independent State to join the United Arab Emirates, which it did on 10 February1972 under the reign of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.
Ras Al Khaimah city is about 120 kilometres from Dubai; a taxi ride from Dubai to Ras al Khaimah lasts about 90 minutes. The city is a little more than 250 km from Abu Dhabi and the journey takes just over 2.5 hours.
Are you planning a stay in Ras Al Khaimah to enjoy its kaleidoscope of landscapes, from deserts to mountains to the sea? Or perhaps you are going to Ras Al Khaimah for professional reasons? Whatever you reason, AS VIP, your private chauffeur service in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, can give you a complete guide to taxi fares from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, the other means of transport you could use to make this trip and how long they take, and points of interest in this Emirati city. Let’s go!
OUR LUXURY VEHICLES WITH DRIVER
Ras Al Khaimah – deserts, mountains and the sea
Ras Al Khaimah, sometimes spelled Ras Al-Khaimah or Ras-al-Khaimah, is the sixth biggest Emirati city in term of population (it has 120,000 inhabitants) after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain and Ajman. The city is uniquely located geographically:
- It is virtually on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, jutting out into the Persian Gulf. It is because of this location that Iran has historically coveted Ras Al Khaimah, which is what finally convinced the Al Qasimi dynasty to join the United Arab Emirates in 1972;
- It is at the northernmost tip of the Rub’ Al Khali Desert, one of the biggest deserts in the world and the biggest uninterrupted stretch of sand on the planet (650,000 km²);
- It is bordered by the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea;
- It boasts the pink and ochre Al Hajar Mountains;
- The city was built around a natural port (khor in Emirati) which divides it in two: Old Ras Al Khaimah and the Al Nakheel District (literally Palm trees).
Much less in the spotlight than Dubai, Abu Dhabi or even Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah doesn’t get so congested in the summer. And yet it has no lack of natural, cultural and business attractions, while offering a more authentic welcome and much more of a change of scene. While the signs of Westernisation cannot be denied, Ras Al Khaimah has, nevertheless, preserved its Islamic cultural heritage and Bedouin traditions, particularly in the north. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) is about 25 km from the city centre.
Economic affairs have really taken off in Ras Al Khaimah since the mid 2010s. With more than 14,000 companies operating in 50 business sectors, the Ras Al Khaimah free trade zone, RAKEZ, is the beating heart of the local and regional economy. RAKEZ enjoyed 20% growth in 2020, despite the pandemic. Ras Al Khaimah and the Emirate have increased its measures and incentives to attract capital. For example, investors who buy an apartment in the zone are automatically issued a long-stay visa lasting 12 years. Foreigners are allowed to by property outright.
Ras Al Khaimah is renowned for the diversity of its countryside, its outdoor activities and its heritage, with a history dating back over seven millennia. Here AS VIP, your personal chauffeur service in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, offers you a round up of points of interest that are well worth seeing:
- Water lovers can make the most of the warm sand on the beaches that stretch several kilometres under the generous sun of the United Arab Emirates. The Flamingo, Al Rams (with a view of the mountains) and Al Mairid (white sand) beaches deserve a special mention. Water sports, such as scuba diving, sailing, jet skies and wakeboard, are also available on site, and at much lower rates than in Dubai.
- The Emirates Grand Canyon offers treks along wild and rocky terrain. While these can be pretty tough because of the heat, those who manage them get to enjoy breath-taking panoramic views from the Wadi Bih side 1,000 metres above sea level, and from the top of Jebel Jais, where hidden ancient villages add a much appreciated picturesque touch;
- Also worth a visit are the date palm gardens to the south of the city, near the first sand dunes of the Rub’ Al Khali Desert;
- Al Jazirah Al Hamra, once a pearl fishing village, now a ghost town;
- The Sheikh Zayed Mosque;
- The Queen of Sheba’s Palace, a vestige of Medieval times;
- Dhayah Fort;
- The Ras Al Khaimah National Museum.
Please note: The United Arab Emirates is known for its heatwaves in the summer, and the city of Ras Al Khaimah is no exception. Temperatures in excess of 43°C are very common. In fact, the city was declared “uninhabitable” by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change because of “extreme humid heat”. If you are going to the city in the summer, make sure you do so in an air-conditioned and comfortable environment. Our fleet of Mercedes V-Class cars have been designed for driving in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah in comfort fit for a king.
How much does it cost to go from Dubai to Ras al Khaimah by taxi?
Although it remains rather sparse given the standing of the country, the Emirati transport system has developed significantly over the last decade. So you have the choice between several options for your trip from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah:
- A taxi ride from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah. Depending on where you are in Dubai and your destination in Ras al Khaimah, what time you travel and the traffic conditions, a cab transfer will cost you between AED 200 – 250 (Emirati Dirhams), or between €52 – 65. Allow for about one hour unless your departure point in Dubai or destination in Ras al Khaimah are in the city centre. You could book an “Al Arabia” taxi, or dial 800 – 1700. Some cab operators run an online booking service. This applies to Careem and Uber, even if they are not always completely reliable;
- From Dubai to Ras al Khaimah by bus. The intercity “Al Hamra” bus is undoubtedly the cheapest way to travel between Dubai and Ras al Khaimah and, more broadly, between two Emirates. A one-way ticket costs AED 25 (about €6.50) but you might be put off by the length of the journey – more than two hours to get from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah;
- A transfer from Dubai to Ras al Khaimah using the RAK shuttle service. Launched just before the pandemic by the Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, this shuttle service leaves from Terminals 1 (DXB 1) and 3 (DXB 3) from Dubai International Airport and costs AED 20 (about €6.50). However, the timetable is a set one and departure times might not suit travellers: 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 01:00 hours.
- A transfer from Dubai to Ras al Khaimah with a personal driver. This is the most comfortable way of making this 120 km journey by far, especially since weather conditions in the city can be extreme. Your AS VIP private chauffeur will fit in with your timetable and collect you from Terminal 1 or 3 at Dubai International Airport, even if your flight is delayed. You will travel in a Mercedes V-Class, fitted with automatic air-conditioning, electric sockets to charge your electronic devices, a Wi-Fi connection to pass the time or work en route and all the chilled drinks and snacks you could want.
The distance to Ras Al Khaimah and average journey times
To guide you in your travel plans and help you organise your stay in Ras Al Khaimah in complete peace of mind, your AS VIP luxury personal driver has put together a rundown of common routes, including the distance covered and the duration:
- Ras al Khaimah city centre to Ras al Khaimah Airport (RKT): your private chauffeur will take you on this 25 km journey in about 23 minutes,
- Ras al Khaimah city centre to Flamingo Beach (the Flamingo Beach Resort): this 80 km trip generally takes about an hour. Sit back and enjoy the air-conditioning, the Wi-Fi and electric sockets to pass the time aboard your AS VIP private driver’s luxury Mercedes V-Class;
- Ras Al Khaimah to Wadi Bih River for a road trip in the Al Hajar mountains: this 30 km journey will take about 40 minutes;
- Ras Al Khaimah city centre to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque: allow about 15 minutes for this quick, 10 km trip;
- Ras Al Khaimah to the Queen of Sheba’s Palace: to visit this wonderful Medieval building, allow for about a quarter of an hour for a 12 km journey in your AS VIP personal chauffeur’s luxury Mercedes V-Class;
- Transfer from Ras al Khaimah to Dubai : this 120 km trip will take about 80 minutes;
- Transfer from Ras al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi: this 253 km trip will take about just over 2.5 hours;
- Transfer from Ras al Khaimah to Sharjah: you will need a little under an hour to cover the 90 km of this trip.
Dubai Airport to Ras Al Khaimah: rates
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is about 102 km from Ras Al Khaimah city centre:
- Allow for 65 minutes if travelling on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and then the E311;
- Allow for 70 minutes if going via the Emirates Road and then the E611;
- If you take the Emirates Road, the E611 and then Tripoli Road, your journey will take about 80 minutes.
The most economical way to get from Dubai Airport to Ras Al Khaimah remains the bus, on Line 77. Budget for between AED 77 (around €20) and AED 95 (about €25). Watch out though, the journey by bus can easily exceed three hours.
You could also go from Dubai Airport to Ras Al Khaimah by taxi. The fare will be between AED 200 (€52) and AED 240 (€62) for a one-hour journey. If you prefer the luxury of a premium personal driver who fits in with your schedule, you could try AS VIP!
Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai Airport: how much does it cost?
The transport options suggested above are the same for the journey in the other direction, from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai Airport, apart from the taxi and bus fares which are about 5% higher.
The advantages of using AS VIP to go from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah Airport or back
Ensuring your journeys from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai and in all the other United Arab Emirates cities are of the utmost comfort is the challenge AS VIP meets every day!
Reliable, punctual, polite and fully trained to satisfy your requirements, our personal chauffeurs have been driving around the country for years. They will welcome you in their luxury and extremely spacious, Mercedes V-Class type vehicles. With a Wi-Fi connection, plenty of chilled drinks, electric plugs, mood lighting and a 24/7 service, you will arrive at that business meeting or tourist destination relaxed and rested!
