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Emirates Grand Loop: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 5-day version for December: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.
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5
days
987 km
distance
18.1 h
driving
18
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- The entire trip works: 25°C days, dune trips and corniche evenings.
- Light day: day 3 has one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill it — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Dubai → Abu Dhabi
- Transit
- 3h57
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 20.3°C–24.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.5h
09:00
Marvel at the world's tallest structure towering above.
50 min · Dubai · Tickets cost 199 dirham for a timed-entry ticket, usually later the same day, or 400 dirham if you do not want to wait. The lines for tickets are often very …
10:30
Admire the iconic sail-shaped hotel on the skyline.
50 min · Dubai · Overnight stays over US$1800 per night after taxes/fees
11:45
12:35
16:30
Experience thrilling theme parks and a Formula 1 race track.
50 min · Abu Dhabi
Overnight: Abu Dhabi
e.g. Grand Continental Flamingo · Aloft Abu Dhabi
Day 2 Around Abu Dhabi
- Transit
- 3h16
- Finish
- ~17:30
- Temperature
- 20.3°C–24.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.5h
09:00
10:45
Visit the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi, a historic fort.
50 min · Abu Dhabi · 30 dirham
11:55
Marvel at the luxurious interiors of this iconic hotel.
50 min · Abu Dhabi
12:55
Explore opulent presidential palace with exquisite Islamic architecture.
50 min · Abu Dhabi · AED 60 (US$ 16.30)
open: 11AM-7PM
14:35
Discover world-class art in a unique museum under a giant dome.
50 min · Abu Dhabi · 60 dirham/person
open: Sa Su Tu W 10AM-8PM, Th F 10AM-10PM, closed on Monday
16:40
Overnight here
e.g. Grand Continental Flamingo · Aloft Abu Dhabi
Day 3 Liwa Oasis
- Transit
- 2h25
- Finish
- ~12:55
- Temperature
- 14.1°C–26.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.6h
11:25
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
Day 4 Al Ain
- Transit
- 4h40
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 13.9°C–26.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.5h
12:20
14:15
15:15
16:20
Hili Archaeological Park read more
This park holds well-preserved Bronze Age structures, offering a glimpse into early human history.
50 min · Al Ain
Day 5 Fujairah → back to start
- Transit
- 3h47
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 17.0°C–25.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~2
- Daylight
- 10.4h
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.