Dubai to Khasab by road — the 2026 self-drive guide
The 200 km drive from Dubai to Khasab goes north on the E11 to Ras Al Khaimah, then west on the E18 to the Al Dara border. The drive is 2.5–3 hours; the border adds 30–60 minutes depending on the day.
Distance
200 km (E11 + E18)
Time
2.5–3 hours one-way, plus 30–60 minutes at the border
From
AED 270 total for 2 people, 1 day (visa + exit + insurance)
Route overview
The Dubai–Khasab drive is one of the easiest international road trips in the Gulf. The road is good, the border is straightforward, and the mountain road on the Oman side is scenic. This guide is the document we send every guest who books a self-drive trip with us, built from the 480+ self-drive border crossings we handled in 2025.
The route follows the E11 north from Dubai through Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, then branches west on the E18 toward the Al Dara border post. The last 75 km, from the border into Khasab, are the scenic mountain road — graded, well-signed, with three or four pull-offs that are worth stopping at.
Step-by-step
1. Leave Dubai
Take the E11 north from Dubai. The road is six lanes from Dubai to Sharjah, then four lanes through Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The drive is 1.5 hours to RAK without traffic; up to 2.5 hours on a Friday afternoon.
2. Cross into RAK and continue to the border
From RAK, take the E18 west. The road is two lanes, well-maintained, and the drive is 45 minutes to the Al Dara border. There is a Lulu Hypermarket on the right 15 minutes before the border; the last chance for supplies on the UAE side.
3. Buy Oman vehicle insurance
UAE car insurance does not cover Oman. Stop at the RAK-side insurance counter 200 m before the UAE exit booth. 1-day policy: 100 AED. 7-day policy: 175 AED.
4. Cross the UAE exit
The UAE exit is automated for Salik-tagged cars. Drive up to the boom gate, scan the Mulkiya, pay 35 AED per person at the cashier booth, and drive through. The whole process is 5–8 minutes on a quiet day, 20–30 minutes on a Friday afternoon.
5. Cross the Oman entry
The Oman entry is 800 m of no-man’s-land, then the visa counter. Pay 50 AED per person, get the visa stamp, drive to the customs booth, show the insurance, and drive through. The whole process is 10–15 minutes for UAE residents, 20–30 minutes for a tourist visa.
6. Drive the mountain road to Khasab
The 90-minute drive from the border to Khasab is the scenic part. The road follows a graded mountain track through Wadi Khasab. Three pull-offs worth stopping at: the viewpoint 15 minutes after the border, the Wadi Khasab pull-off 40 minutes in, and the Lulu Hypermarket roundabout in Khasab town.
Border procedure
Al Dara border post, 24/7 for cars
Operator tip
Cross the border before 09:00 on weekdays. After 16:00 on Fridays it backs up. The fastest 30 days of the year are the first week of June and the second week of September, when UAE schools are on holiday but Khasab is not yet busy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the drive take?
2.5–3 hours one-way, plus 30–60 minutes at the border. The total door-to-door is 3–4 hours from Dubai to a Khasab hotel.
Do I need a visa?
Yes. 50 AED per person at the border. UAE residents with eligible professions can get a 1-day border permit (also 50 AED).
Can I cross with a rental car?
Yes, with a written NOC from the rental company authorising cross-border use. Most major agencies provide this for 50–150 AED.
Is the border open 24/7?
Yes, for cars. The busiest 4-hour window is Friday 15:00–19:00. The fastest 30 days of the year are the first week of June and the second week of September.
What is the fastest way to do a day trip from Dubai?
Leave Dubai at 05:00, cross the border at 07:00, be in Khasab by 09:00, do a half-day dhow cruise, cross back at 15:00, be in Dubai by 19:00.