Dubai city tour from Abu Dhabi: Gold Souk and water taxi
An abra water taxi crosses the creek to the spice market, where coffee and incense fill the air.
A full-day guided tour from Abu Dhabi to Dubai covers Dubai Marina, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the Spice Souk, Gold Souk and Al Fahidi Museum, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The tour runs 10 hours and includes a guide, bottled water and transportation. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the vehicle and all stops are wheelchair accessible.
Step-by-step itinerary
Dubai city tour highlights
- Visit Dubai Marina
- Photo stop at Burj Al Arab
- Photo stop at Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis
- Shopping and lunch at Dubai Mall
- View Burj Khalifa and water fountain
- Ride water taxi (Abra)
- Explore Spice Market
- Shop at Gold Souk
- Dubai Marina Entry included 15m
- Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah 15m
- Palm Jumeirah 45m
- Dubai Mall Entry included 2h
- Dubai Spice Souk 30m
- Dubai Gold Souk 45m
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi.
- a guide who speaks English.
- bottled water throughout the day.
- all transportation between stops, including the abra water taxi across Dubai Creek.
Times
- Every day except Friday 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Desert Rose Tourism
Prices and times updated 14 days ago
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The experience
The day starts with pickup from your Abu Dhabi hotel and a drive into Dubai. You'll see Dubai Marina and pass Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah: both photo stops where the guide points out the landmarks and you get time to shoot. The route then moves through the modern side of the city: Dubai Mall, where you can break for lunch and shopping, and an outside view of Burj Khalifa and the water fountain.
The second half crosses into old Dubai. You'll ride an abra, a traditional wooden water taxi, across the creek to the Spice Souk, where the scent of coffee and incense fills the narrow lanes. From there, it's a short walk to the Gold Souk, the largest gold market in the Middle East, where haggling over price is part of the experience. The tour also includes Al Fahidi Museum, which traces Dubai's history before the modern towers.
A guide in English leads the whole day and handles the route. You move between stops by vehicle and water taxi. Bottled water is provided throughout. The tour wraps with hotel drop-off in Abu Dhabi, so you don't arrange any of the transport or timing yourself.
Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a fixed route and schedule, so you follow the guide's itinerary rather than setting your own pace. It suits travelers who want the major Dubai landmarks and the old souks covered in one day without arranging transport or timing themselves. If you prefer to explore at your own speed or skip certain stops, a private car rental or self-guided walking tour would work better.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.
What is the Gold Souk like, and do I have to buy anything there?
The Gold Souk is an open-air market in the old city where hundreds of vendors sell gold jewelry, coins and ornaments. You walk through at your own pace with the guide. Browsing and haggling are expected, but buying is entirely up to you.
How does the abra water taxi work?
The abra is a small wooden boat that ferries passengers across Dubai Creek between the old and new city. You board with the guide and other tour members, and it takes a few minutes to cross. The ride itself is the highlight. It's how locals have crossed the creek for decades.
Can I have lunch during the tour, and is it included?
Yes. The tour includes a stopover at Dubai Mall, where you have time to eat and shop. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you choose where and what to eat during that break.
What does "photo stop" mean at Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah?
A photo stop means the vehicle pauses at a viewpoint so you can photograph the landmarks from outside. You don't enter the buildings. The guide explains what you're seeing, and you have time to take pictures before moving on.
How long is the whole tour, and what time does it start?
The tour runs 10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. Your specific start time will be confirmed when you book, based on your hotel location in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai city tour from Abu Dhabi: Gold Souk and water taxi
10h · EN
from AED 373 per person
≈ US$ 99 in your currency
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