Dubai Full Day from Abu Dhabi: Mall, Souk & Burj Al Arab

Eight hours in Dubai: from the Spice Souk to lunch under the Burj Khalifa

You get picked up from your Abu Dhabi hotel, driven to Dubai for photo stops at the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Mosque, walk through the Spice Souk, have lunch at Dubai Mall with two hours to explore, then return to Abu Dhabi by late afternoon. Round-trip transport and a multilingual audio guide are included, so language is not a barrier and you don't drive yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dubai landmarks and shopping tour

• Photo stop at Atlantis Hotel
• Photo stop at Burj Al Arab
• Photo stop at Jumeirah Mosque
• Visit Arabian art and souvenir shop
• Pass by Dubai Spice Souk
• Lunch and explore Dubai Mall
• Return to Abu Dhabi via Emirates Mall

The Experience

So you're staying in Abu Dhabi and want to see Dubai without renting a car or figuring out the drive yourself — this tour leaves at 8:30am and handles the whole thing. The bus picks you up from your hotel, and you're on the road for about an hour and a half before the first stop: Palm Island, where the Atlantis Hotel sits like something out of a fever dream. Then it's photo stops at the Burj Al Arab (the one everyone knows, the sail-shaped hotel) and the Jumeirah Mosque, which is actually worth the stop if you've never seen Islamic architecture up close. The guide points out details you'd miss driving past.

After the landmarks, you hit the Dubai Spice Souk — and this is where the tour gets real. It's narrow, it's loud, vendors are calling out, and the air smells like cardamom and saffron and about fifty other things at once. You've got time to walk through, pick up some saffron or frankincense if you want, or just stand there taking it in. The audio guide works in ten languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Korean), so if your group speaks different languages, everyone gets the same information without waiting around. Then you head to Dubai Mall for lunch — you're eating in a restaurant there, not grabbing something quick — and you get two hours to explore the mall itself. It's massive, and you're literally underneath the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, so the scale of it hits different when you're standing in it.

The drive back to Abu Dhabi takes about ninety minutes, and you pass Emirates Mall on the way. The whole thing is eight hours door-to-door, so you're back by late afternoon. The vehicles have WiFi, which matters if you want to send photos or just have something to do on the drive. It's not a rushed tour — the timing gives you actual time at each place instead of five minutes and a photo — but it's not slow either. You see the main things, eat, and get back without the logistics headache.

What’s included

Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from Abu Dhabi, transportation in a modern vehicle with free WiFi, audio-guided tour available in ten languages with a live English-speaking guide, photo stops at Palm Island, Burj Al Arab, and Jumeirah Mosque, time to explore the Dubai Spice Souk, lunch at a restaurant in Dubai Mall, and two hours to browse the mall itself.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line - Kurban Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Dubai's main landmarks and the Spice Souk without driving yourself or arranging separate transport and meals — the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up at your hotel at 8:30am and everything else is handled.

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Top questions

What time does the tour leave Abu Dhabi?

Departure is 8:30am from your hotel. The full tour takes approximately 8 hours, so you're back by late afternoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You eat at a restaurant inside Dubai Mall and then have two hours to explore the mall before heading back.

What languages is the guide available in?

A live English-speaking guide is included. Audio guiding is available in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and Korean.

How long is the drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

About 1 hour 30 minutes each way. The return journey passes Emirates Mall.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes, free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. After that, you're charged the full amount.

Is there WiFi on the bus?

Yes, free WiFi is available on board the vehicle.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Children up to 11 years old receive a 30% discount. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a pram or stroller.

What are the photo stops?

Palm Island (Atlantis Hotel), Burj Al Arab, and Jumeirah Mosque. These are photo stops only — you don't enter the hotels.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in vehicles or walking through the souk and mall at your own pace.

What if I don't want to shop at the souk?

You don't have to buy anything. You have time to walk through and look around, or sit nearby if you prefer.