Plan your Dubai to Yas Island day trip the easy way

Looking to day trip down to Abu Dhabi for the fabulous 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, making it one of the first Abu Dhabi destinations you reach from Dubai.

On this page we will look at

What are the Yas Island Theme Parks?

Currently there are 3 major theme parks that make up the Yas Island experience, these are:

Ferrari World (open daily 11:00 am to 8:00 pm)
Yas Waterworld (open daily 10:00 am to 7:00 pm)
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi (open daily 10:00 am to 8:00 pm)

Our detailed guide on what to expect and experience at each of these theme parks coming soon!

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 shuttle bus service from Dubai.

The buses leaves once a day for Yas Waterworld & Warner Bros World and twice a day to Ferrari World (but you can then take the Yas Express bus on the island to the other theme parks, or if it’s not too hot, walk).

Yas Island Ferrari World Entrance Yas Express Bus — *The Ferrari World shuttle pick up & drop off point, attched to Yas Mall Abu Dhabi*

The journey from Dubai to Yas Island takes 50 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes depending on your departure point. One convenience stop is made en route at a petrol station. It drops customers to Ferrari World first, then 5 minutes later to Yas Waterworld/Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi.

There are five shuttle bus pick up destinations in Dubai at 9.30am daily (arrival time in AD):

Dubai Marina Mall Rayna Tours Bus Stop (arrives 10:50 am)
Mall of the Emirates Ground Floor Entrance D (arrives 10:55 am)
Dubai Mall Rayna Tours Bus Stop (11:30 am)
Deira City Centre Big Bus Tours service area (11:20 am)
Burjumman Mall City Seasons Hotel (11:40 am

A second bus then leaves at 11:30am, drop off times 2 hours after those mentioned above at Fer5rari World only.

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You can find the current Yas Shuttle service timetable here.

Note that at present border restrictions between Dubai and Abu Dhabi emirate mean this shuttle service cannot run until further advised
August 2020

Buying your Yas Island theme park tickets

You can purchase your Yas Theme park tickets in advance, which will include the shuttle entry via ticketing services such as Get Your Guide:

Dubai to Yas Island private transfers

If the timings do not work for you on the Yas Island Shuttle buses, you may prefer to arrange your own transfers, these are shared transfer options:

Shared transfer option to Yas Island theme parks from Dubai

If you prefer the flexibility of timing for your own private group, then check out this paid private transfer option that you can arrange door-to-door from your Dubai accommodation to the Yas Island theme parks – including entry ticket:

Dubai to Ferrari World with guided tour, tickets and transfers

Dubai to Yas Island 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 of routes and takes a long time.

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.

From Abu Dhabi Bus station, you then need to catch a local bus service to Yas Island
Local bus A19 leaves once an hour to Ferrari World/Yas Mall, via Saadiyat Island

Your Intercity bus to Abu Dhabi will cost 25 AED, plus local bus fare 6 AED.

Dubai to Yas Island Taxi Fare

If you take a metered taxi from Dubai to Yas Island you will likely pay:

From Downtown Dubai 200AED ($55 USD)
From Dubai Airport 230 AED ($63 USD)
From JBR/Dubai Marina area 170AED ($46USD)

Taxis from Dubai are allowed to cross into Abu Dhabi Emirate without issue. In a few limited cases, we have heard of taxies seeking to pull over at the first ADNOC petrol station after the border to ask a local Abu Dhabi taxi to complete the fare through to Yas Island. This is because the Dubai taxi is not supposed to pick up a new fare from within Abu Dhabi. The only difference being you would lose a few minutes and have to pay a further flagfall fare for the Abu Dhabi taxi, though in the scheme of things the cost is negligible.

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Self-drive Dubai to Yas Island

If you have access to car or wish to rent a car, 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 brown tourist signs. Follow each to your final destination – each theme park has it’s 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

Transport on Yas Island

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

You can also catch taxies within the island, but bare in mind minimum fares you will pay a 12 AED flat rate.

Yas Island to Dubai

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

There is ONE evening return service that leaves from:

(Sat to Wed) Ferrari World 7:30 pm, Yas Waterworld/Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi 7:35 pm
(Thu & Fri) Ferrari World 8:30 pm, Yas Waterworld/Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi 8:35 pm

If this does not fit your timings, however, then you may need to look at taking a taxi back to Dubai from Yas Island. They are available from in front of all three venues and will take you door to door.

Outside entrance to Warner Bros World in Abu Dhabi. Shuttle buses depart from the roundabout pictuyred here on the righthand side

Want to stay over 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 an overnighter from Dubai. The Yas Plaza hotels actually offer excellent theme park ticket-inclusive deals which would be another great alternative to consider.

Alternative, consider deals on these central Abu Dhabi hotels if you are looking to continue on and do some Abu Dhabi sight seeing:

Booking.com

Before you go…. more need to know information planning your trip to Dubai

Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws and customs to be aware of.
Pick up a Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions
Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai.

Is Dubai pass worth it? The best way to see Dubai's top tourist attractions

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Please note: information on shuttle services sourced from Farah Experiences and correct at the time of writing. Please always check departure times and availability of service before travelling. This page contains affiliate links to 3rd party ticketing services that we recommend and may earn us a small commission if a purchase is made based on our advice – thank you.