Ras Al Khaimah, often shortened to RAK, is the northernmost of the seven emirates, known for its mountains, beaches and resorts. It is a popular day trip or short stay from Dubai, and some visitors split their holiday between the two. This guide explains the distance and travel time, the main things to see, and how to get there.
Distance and travel time
The official tourism board, Visit Ras Al Khaimah, describes the drive from Dubai as roughly 1 to 1.5 hours to RAK city in normal traffic, a distance of around 100 to 110 km depending on where you start. Journeys to the mountains take longer: allow up to about 2 hours to reach the Jebel Jais area. The main route north is the E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road), which continues as the E311 towards RAK. Traffic around Sharjah at rush hour can add time.
| From Dubai to | Approximate time | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ras Al Khaimah city | 1 to 1.5 hours | Visit Ras Al Khaimah |
| Jebel Jais | about 2 hours | Visit Ras Al Khaimah |
Highlights of Ras Al Khaimah
- Jebel Jais: the highest peak in the UAE at 1,934 metres, according to Visit Ras Al Khaimah. It is home to the Jais Flight zipline, a viewing deck and mountain restaurants.
- Al Marjan Island: a group of man-made islands with beach resorts.
- Heritage sites: including Dhayah Fort.
- Beaches: long stretches of coast with resort hotels.
Temperatures on Jebel Jais are noticeably cooler than on the coast, so bring a layer for winter visits to the summit.
Ways to get to RAK from Dubai
You can drive yourself, take a bus, take a taxi or book a private transfer. A Dubai taxi can take you from Dubai to RAK, but the RTA notes that Dubai Taxi does not cover trips that start in another emirate, so plan your return separately. A private transfer handles both directions: the driver collects you from your Dubai hotel and you can book the return as a second journey or as a day trip with waiting time.
Our inter-emirate transfers page explains how to book journeys between emirates. For day trips with several stops, such as Jebel Jais and the coast, see sightseeing with a private driver or a car with driver.
Flying into Dubai and going straight to RAK
Many resort guests land at Dubai International and drive straight to Ras Al Khaimah. Send us your flight number and resort address and we plan the pickup around your landing time. Our arrival guide explains what happens after you land, and the DXB transfer page covers airport pickups.
Planning a Jebel Jais day trip
Jebel Jais is the most popular day trip from Dubai to RAK. The mountain road climbs to the viewing areas and the attractions near the top, including the Jais Flight zipline. Each attraction has its own tickets, opening times and safety rules, so check them with the operator before you go. The summit is cooler than the coast, and in winter it can feel cold, especially in the evening.
A practical plan is to leave Dubai in the morning, reach the mountain before midday, have lunch at the top and return in the afternoon. If you want sunset views, agree the return time with your driver in advance. Mountain roads are best driven in daylight by someone familiar with them, which is one reason many visitors book a driver.
Staying in a RAK resort
Many travellers stay in a beach resort in Ras Al Khaimah, either for the whole holiday or as a second stop after Dubai. If you are moving from a Dubai hotel to a RAK resort, send both addresses and the time you need to check out. If you are arriving at Dubai International and going straight to RAK, include your flight details so we can plan the pickup.
Combining RAK with other emirates
On the way north, the route passes Sharjah and Ajman. Some visitors stop briefly on the way, for example at a museum or a beach. Others continue from RAK to Fujairah on the east coast. If you want a multi-stop itinerary, send the order of stops and the time you want to spend at each. Our Dubai to Sharjah transfer page covers the stop most visitors pass first.
Vehicles for families and groups
For families with luggage or groups travelling together, a larger vehicle keeps everyone in one car. See our SUV class and MPV class pages for the types of vehicle we can quote.
Checklist for your RAK trip
- Pickup address in Dubai and destination in RAK
- Date and preferred departure time
- One way, return, or day trip with waiting time
- Number of passengers and bags
- Attractions you plan to visit, with booking times
- Child seats or accessibility needs
With these details, we can quote the trip in one go and suggest a sensible schedule, especially for Jebel Jais, where timings matter.
Related guides
If you are visiting several emirates, our guides to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai transfer help plan the south of the trip. The Salik guide explains Dubai road tolls on the way out of the city, and the best time to visit guide covers the cooler months, when mountain trips are most comfortable. All guides are on the transfer guides page.
Weather in the mountains can change, and some activities may close in high winds or poor visibility. Check the operator’s latest updates on the day of your trip. If plans change, a private driver can adjust the route, for example by swapping the mountain for the beach, as long as the change is agreed with the driver and fits the booking.
Ras Al Khaimah is also a popular choice for a short beach stay, with resorts along the coast north of the city. If you are moving hotels from Dubai to RAK for a few nights, the transfer can include a stop on the way, for example for lunch, as long as you tell us when you book.
Request a quote
Use our quote request form, or email info@belgraviatransfers.com, with your pickup address, RAK destination, date, time, passengers and bags. We reply with availability and a quote. See also our Dubai airport transfer page.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai?
Around 100 to 110 km to RAK city, depending on where you start in Dubai.
How long does it take to drive from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah?
Visit Ras Al Khaimah gives roughly 1 to 1.5 hours to RAK city in normal traffic, and about 2 hours to Jebel Jais.
What is the highest mountain in the UAE?
Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, at 1,934 metres, according to Visit Ras Al Khaimah.
Can I take a Dubai taxi to Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes, a Dubai taxi can take you from Dubai to another emirate, but it does not cover trips starting in another emirate, so plan your return separately.
Can you collect me from Dubai Airport and drive me to RAK?
Yes. Send your flight number and resort address and we quote the transfer.
Is Jebel Jais colder than Dubai?
Yes. The summit is noticeably cooler than the coast, so bring a layer, especially in winter.
Facts on this page were checked against the sources linked above on 17 October 2026. Dates, prices and opening hours can change, so confirm them with the official source before you travel.
