Sharjah to Khasab by road — the 2026 self-drive guide
The 180 km drive from Sharjah to Khasab is the shortest self-drive route from the UAE. Drive north on the E11 to RAK, then west on the E18 to the Al Dara border. 2–2.5 hours + 30–60 minutes at the border.
Distance
180 km
Time
2–2.5 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 Sharjah–Khasab drive is the shortest of the three main UAE origin routes. The motorway to RAK is 1–1.5 hours, the border is 45 minutes from RAK, and the mountain road to Khasab is 90 minutes from the border.
Most Sharjah residents do this as a same-day day trip — leave Sharjah at 06:00, be in Khasab by 09:00, do a half-day dhow cruise, cross back at 15:00, be in Sharjah by 18:00. The total driving is 5–6 hours.
Step-by-step
1. Leave Sharjah on the E11
The E11 north from Sharjah is 1 hour to RAK. The road is six lanes through Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, four lanes from UAQ to RAK.
2. Take the E18 to the border
From RAK, the E18 is 45 minutes to the Al Dara border.
3. Cross the border
Same as the Dubai route. 30–60 minutes total at the border.
Border procedure
Al Dara border post, 24/7
Operator tip
Sharjah residents have the easiest same-day option. Most of our Sharjah guests do day trips, not overnights.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive?
2–2.5 hours one-way, plus 30–60 minutes at the border. Total door-to-door from Sharjah to a Khasab hotel is 3–3.5 hours.
Can I do a same-day trip from Sharjah?
Yes. The total driving is 5–6 hours. Leave Sharjah at 06:00, be in Khasab by 09:00, do a half-day dhow cruise, cross back at 15:00, be in Sharjah by 18:00.
Is the border busy from Sharjah?
Same as the Dubai route. The border queues are independent of which UAE city you come from.