Dubai to Yas Island Theme Parks Transport Options Explained

Looking to take a day trip down to Abu Dhabi for the fabulous 4 theme parks of Yas Island?

Although in an entirely different city, the Yas Island theme parks in Abu Dhabi are surprisingly easy to access from Dubai.

Yas Island sits on the eastern outskirts of Abu Dhabi, near the Zayed International Airport (AUH), making it one of the first Abu Dhabi tourist destinations you can reach from Dubai.

What Are the Yas Island Theme Parks?

Yas Island in the Abu Dhabi emirate is home to four of the world’s greatest theme parks, all within a short distance of one another. These are:

• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
• Yas Waterworld (open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
• Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi (open weekdays 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, weekends 8:00 PM)
• SeaWorld Yas Island (Open daily 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

NB: Opening times can vary during the Holy Month of Ramadan, public holidays, and special events.

NB – The newly announced Disney Abu Dhabi will also be on Yas Island, but we don’t expect to see this open until at least 2030-2032; do keep it on your radar when planning a future trip to the UAE!

Dubai to Yas Island FREE Shuttle

When you book your tickets to any of the Yas Theme Parks, you can take advantage of the FREE Yas Express shuttle bus service from Dubai to Yas Island. This is by far the most convenient way to travel to Yas Island from Dubai at no additional cost.

You will need evidence of an e-ticket for any of the theme parks; the bus operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are now multiple designated starting points in Dubai (take note of the latest timetable here). Yas Express Route D includes buses that depart from:

• D1 Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites & Apartments (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:25 PM)
• D2 Millennium Place Marina (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:40 PM)
• D3 Rixos Premium JBR, JA Ocean View Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach (Leaves 9:20 AM, returns 10:00 PM
• D4 Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel, The H Hotel Dubai, Sheraton Grand Hotel, Conrad Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road (leaves 9:20 AM, returns 10:30 PM)
• D5 V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:50 PM)
• D5 Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 10:30 PM)
• D7 Deira City Centre (beside Colors Cafe) (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 10:30 PM)
• D8 JA the Resort, JA Lake View Hotel (leaves 10:00 AM, returns 8:00 PM)
• D9 Al Seef Heritage Hotel, Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef, Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Seef (leaves 9:30 AM, returns 9:25 PM)

Timing is subject to traffic conditions. All buses stop at Yas WaterWorld/WB World Abu Dhabi first, then at SeaWorld, then at Ferrari World.

Free Yas Express Shuttle from the Northern Emirates to Yas Island

There is also a daily service operating from the Northern Emirates to assist guests on a day trip to Abu Dhabi. This service departs from different locations each day:

• Ras Al Khaimah on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
• Fujairah on Tuesday
• Sharjah on a Thursday
• Ajman on a Saturday and Sunday

Dubai to Yas Island Transfers

If the Yas Island Shuttle bus timings do not work for you, and you already have your theme park tickets, you may prefer to arrange your own transfers; this is undoubtedly the fastest way to get to Yas Island from Dubai and will maximise your time at the parks. These are options to consider:

• Private transfer to Yas Island theme parks from Dubai – Your most comfortable option with different classes of cars to chose from to fit your group and budget – offer via Klook

• Use Get Transfer – a service that allows users to put in their journey details, and drivers bid for your fare. You set the vehicle size you need and whether you’d like it to be one-way or a return transfer. A good way to get competitive pricing over the regular ride-share service that will set your price for you (Works sort of similarly to In Drive, which you may be familiar with; In Drive is not presently an option available in the UAE)

Dubai to Yas Island Public Bus

You can choose to make your own way to Abu Dhabi from Dubai by Intercity Bus, then onwards to the Yas Island theme parks.

It’s not the most direct route and takes a long time, but if you plan to see other things in Abu Dhabi, it could be a practical option.

There is a reasonable public transport system in Abu Dhabi, albeit as a smaller city, nowhere near as comprehensive as Dubai.  We explain here exactly how to take the public bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi central bus station in Al Wadha.

• From Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, you then need to catch a local bus service to Yas Island
• Local bus route number 190 leaves once an hour to Ferrari World/Yas Mall, via Saadiyat Island
• Alternatively, a taxi from Al Wadha back to Yas Island is approximately 50 AED.

Your Intercity bus to Abu Dhabi will cost 25 AED on a comfortable coach, plus the local bus fare of 6 AED.

Self-Drive Dubai to Yas Island

If you have access to a car or wish to rent a car and drive in Dubai, you can easily self-drive to Yas Island:

• From Dubai, take the E11 Highway (Sheikh Zayed Road)
• Stay left at Al Shahama for the E10, signposted to Abu Dhabi
• Take the Yas Island East Exit for the E12 (also marked ‘Yas Leisure Drive‘)
• Follow the blue signs that say ‘Yas Leisure Drive‘ until you reach the brown tourist signs. Follow each to your final destination – each theme park has its own free car parking.

Transfers from DXB Dubai Airport to Yas Island

There is no direct transfer service that runs from DXB to Yas Island; you would need to:

• Get yourself from DXB to one of the pickup locations described above for the free shuttle
• Pay for a taxi door-to-door
• Arrange a private transfer driver as we’ve described above
• Take public transport

Transport on Yas Island

Once you are on Yas Island, there is the free Yas Express, which runs between the theme parks, Yas Plaza hotels, the Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Bay, and the Yas Marina bars and entertainment area.

You can also catch taxis within the island, but bear in mind the minimum fare you will pay is AED 12 flat rate.

A new alternative, if you are after something unique, is hailing a Txai on Yas Island – not a spelling mistake! These unique driverless Robotaxis can be booked via app. They operate between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island with predetermined pick-up and drop-off locations, only at this stage, not the whole of Abu Dhabi city.

Yas Island to Dubai Transport

Returning to Dubai from Yas Island, you can return the same free shuttle service with your ticket as evidence that you have been to the parks. 

If this does not fit your timings, however, you may need to take a metered taxi back to Dubai from Yas Island, or try a ride-share service such as Careem. They are available at all four venues and will take you door-to-door.

Want to Stay on Yas Island?

There is plenty to keep you busy on Yas Island for a full two days, so it’s a great idea to turn it into at least an overnighter from Dubai. 

The closest hotel to the theme parks is The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, sitting immediately adjacent to the entry of WB World and Yas Waterpark. It is the ideal place to base yourself overnight, especially with the kids, who will love the themed rooms. There are many top-rated restaurants at the venue and themed weekend brunches.

Nearby, you’ll find the Yas Plaza hotels. All of these hotels offer theme park tickets with your stay (if the option is selected when booking), making them a great alternative at a lower price, just a short shuttle ride from the Yas Island theme parks.

Another excellent hotel for a longer stay on Yas is the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, located at the centre of Yas Bay – a thriving new nightlife destination with a wonderful pool. They also offer ticket-inclusive packages that can equal great savings.

You can see all Yas Island hotels and nearby accommodation options here.

Make sure you head to our partner site, Abu Dhabi Travel Planner, to learn more about Things to do on Yas Island and more ideas for exploring Abu Dhabi.