Zayed International Airport (AUH) → Palm Jumeirah transfer
Palm Jumeirah is about 104 km from Zayed International Airport, usually a drive of 70–88 minutes, and a private transfer typically costs around €90–120 in a standard car or €115–150 in a minivan. The exact price is shown before you book.
- From
- Zayed International Airport (AUH)
- To
- Palm Jumeirah
- Distance
- 104 km
- Typical drive
- 70–88 min
Coming from Abu Dhabi, the Palm is one of the first places you reach in Dubai. Most of the time is spent on the coastal motorway, and the last part depends on where on the island your resort stands.
The drive from AUH to the Palm, step by step
Airport to the E11
The car leaves the airport area near Yas Island and joins the E11 motorway towards Dubai.
The long coastal stretch
Most of the 104 km is wide highway past Khalifa Port, Ghantoot and the Jebel Ali industrial zone. There is no checkpoint at the emirate border.
Past the Marina to the Palm exit
On Sheikh Zayed Road the car passes the Dubai Marina towers and takes the Palm Jumeirah interchange a few exits further on.
Onto the island
The road runs along the trunk of the Palm. Hotels on the trunk come first; for the outer crescent the car passes through the undersea tunnel.
Trunk, fronds or crescent: why it matters
The Palm is a man-made island in the shape of a palm tree. The trunk carries apartment towers, shopping and some hotels. The fronds are lined with private villas, many of them rented out to holiday guests. The crescent around the outside holds the large beach resorts, with Atlantis at its far point.
A hotel on the trunk can be reached within the shorter time range, while a resort at the end of the crescent adds several minutes. For a villa on a frond, give the frond letter and villa number, as the security gate needs it.
Who chooses the Palm after landing in Abu Dhabi
Many guests on the Palm are couples and families on a resort holiday who fly with Etihad and prefer a single car ride over a connecting flight. Large villa groups often book two vehicles or a larger vehicle, since luggage for a week or more adds up quickly.
If you travel with golf clubs or diving gear, declare them when booking. A minivan gives enough space for equipment and passengers on the long highway run.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Abu Dhabi Airport to Atlantis The Palm?
Allow for the upper part of the 70–88 minute range. Atlantis sits at the far end of the crescent, so the island section adds time after leaving Sheikh Zayed Road.
Can the driver enter a villa frond on the Palm?
Fronds have security gates, so the driver needs the villa number and your name. Ask your host whether guests have to be registered in advance.
Is the Palm closer to Abu Dhabi Airport than Downtown Dubai?
Yes. The Palm is 104 km from AUH, while Downtown Dubai and Business Bay are around 115 km away and deeper in city traffic.
What does a transfer from AUH to Palm Jumeirah cost?
Typically around €90–120 for a standard car and €115–150 for a minivan. The exact price is shown before booking and does not change for traffic.
More transfers from Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi)
Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi): arrival and transfer guide