Dubai and Abu Dhabi in one holiday: how to split your days

Most travellers from Dhaka land in Dubai, see the towers and the malls, and fly home without realising that the UAE's capital is an easy drive away. Abu Dhabi has a different feel: calmer, more spread out, and home to two of the most memorable sights in the Gulf. Putting both cities into one holiday takes a bit of planning, but not much, and it gives you a far fuller picture of the country.

How to split the days

There is no single right answer, but a few patterns work well for most families and couples:

• Four or five nights: stay in Dubai throughout and take one full day trip to Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque and the Louvre.
• Six nights: three or four in Dubai, then two in Abu Dhabi so you can add a day on Yas Island without rushing.
• A week or more: split it more evenly, and leave a free afternoon in each city for the pool, the beach or simply sleeping off the heat.

If your flights allow it, fly into one city and out of the other. Both have international airports, and it saves you driving back the way you came.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and its dress code

The white marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the highlight of Abu Dhabi for many visitors, Muslim or not. The courtyard, domes and enormous prayer hall are worth slow, quiet time, and late afternoon light on the marble is lovely.

It is a working mosque, so dress modestly. Women should wear loose clothing covering the arms and legs, with a headscarf. Men should wear long trousers and avoid sleeveless tops. Clothes that are tight or see-through are not accepted. Visiting hours and entry arrangements can change, so we confirm them when we plan your day.

Pack a light scarf and a long, loose outfit in your day bag. It saves a lot of fuss at the mosque gate.

Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island

The Louvre Abu Dhabi sits on the water on Saadiyat Island under a vast latticed dome that lets light fall through like sun through palm leaves. Inside, the galleries tell the story of human history across cultures rather than country by country, which makes it surprisingly easy to enjoy even if museums aren't usually your thing. Give it at least half a day, and pair it with the Grand Mosque if you only have one day in the city.

Theme parks on Yas Island

If you're travelling with children, or are simply young at heart, Yas Island is the reason to stay a night or two in Abu Dhabi. It has several big parks close together:

1. Ferrari World, for fast rides and anything to do with cars.
2. Warner Bros. World, an indoor park built around familiar cartoon and superhero characters.
3. Yas Waterworld, a good choice for the hottest part of the day.
4. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a marine-life park that suits younger children.

One park per day is plenty. Trying to squeeze two in usually means long queues and tired children by mid-afternoon.

The drive between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The road between the two cities is a straight, well-kept motorway, and the journey usually takes around an hour and a half, depending on traffic and where you start. A private car with a driver is the most comfortable option, especially for families with luggage or older parents. Leave early in the morning or after the evening rush to avoid slow traffic leaving Dubai.

Back in Dubai, use your remaining days for the old Dubai creek and souks, Downtown around the Burj Khalifa, a desert safari and an evening at the Marina. Our first-timer's guide to Dubai covers how to pace those days.

When to go and what to know

The cooler months, roughly from November to March, are the most comfortable for sightseeing. Summer is very hot, but hotel rates are often lower, and with indoor parks, malls and museums, a summer trip can still work if you plan outdoor time for early morning and evening.

Bangladeshi passport holders usually need a UAE visa arranged before travel. The documents asked for and the way to apply do change, so Softway Travels checks the current requirements when you book.

Softway Travels can plan the whole trip for you, from the visa and flights to hotels and the transfer between cities. Have a look at our Dubai and Abu Dhabi package and tell us how many days you have.