Ras Al Khaimah to Khasab by road — the 2026 self-drive guide
The 110 km drive from RAK to Khasab is the shortest self-drive route from any UAE city. Drive west on the E18 to the Al Dara border, then the mountain road to Khasab. 1.5 hours + 30–60 minutes at the border.
Distance
110 km
Time
1.5 hours one-way, plus 30–60 minutes at the border
From
AED 270 total for 2 people, 1 day (visa + exit + insurance) + fuel
Route overview
The RAK–Khasab drive is the shortest of the main UAE origin routes. From RAK, you are 45 minutes from the border and 90 minutes from Khasab once you cross. The total drive is 2–2.5 hours; total door-to-door from a RAK hotel to a Khasab hotel is 2.5–3 hours.
The route is also the scenic option. RAK has the highest mountains in the UAE (Jebel Jais at 1,934 m is a 30-minute drive from the city centre) and the border road follows a similar mountain landscape. The last 75 km on the Oman side is the most scenic part of the whole drive.
Step-by-step
1. Leave RAK on the E18
The E18 west from RAK is 45 minutes to the border. The road is two lanes, well-maintained.
2. Cross the border
Same as the Dubai route. 30–60 minutes total at the border. RAK residents have a slight advantage: the queue at the UAE exit is usually 5–10 minutes shorter because the volume of RAK-originating traffic is lower.
3. Drive the mountain road to Khasab
90 minutes from the border to Khasab. Same route as the Dubai drive.
Border procedure
Al Dara border post, 24/7
Operator tip
RAK residents can also reach Khasab by helicopter or seaplane from the RAK corniche — 45 minutes each way, scenic, and a one-of-a-kind arrival into Khor Sham.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive?
1.5 hours one-way, plus 30–60 minutes at the border. Total door-to-door from a RAK hotel to a Khasab hotel is 2.5–3 hours.
Can I do a same-day trip from RAK?
Yes. The total driving is 3–4 hours. Leave RAK at 07:00, be in Khasab by 09:00, do a half-day dhow cruise, cross back at 15:00, be in RAK by 17:30.
Is the border less busy from RAK?
Slightly. The queue at the UAE exit is usually 5–10 minutes shorter because fewer cars come from RAK than from Dubai or Sharjah.