By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
How far are Ajman and Umm Al Quwain from Dubai?
Ajman sits directly north of Sharjah, so every road from Dubai passes through or beside Sharjah first. The distance from central Dubai is about 35 to 40 km. Umm Al Quwain is the next emirate north, about 55 to 60 km from central Dubai.
| Destination | Typical distance | Drive time in light traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Ajman city | 35 to 40 km | 35 to 50 minutes |
| Umm Al Quwain city | 55 to 60 km | 50 to 70 minutes |
Add 20 to 30 minutes at weekday rush hour. Our guide to driving distances from Dubai compares these with other cities, and the road travel from Dubai overview covers the whole network.
Which road is quicker: the E11 through Sharjah or the E311?
The E311 Emirates Road runs inland of the coast and skips most of Sharjah’s city streets. It is usually the faster choice for Umm Al Quwain and for Ajman when you start from Dubai’s outer districts.
The E11 follows the coast through Al Ittihad Road and Sharjah. It suits pickups in Deira, Al Nahda or Dubai Creek, and drop-offs on the Ajman Corniche. Both roads carry heavy commuter traffic between Sharjah and Dubai in the morning and evening. Our Dubai to Sharjah guide explains those bottlenecks in detail.
Buses from Dubai to Ajman and on to Umm Al Quwain
RTA operates intercity buses linking Dubai stations, including Union, with Ajman’s Al Musalla station. Check the current route, stop and fare in the RTA app or on rta.ae, because timetables change.
For Umm Al Quwain, public transport usually means changing in Ajman. If you carry luggage or travel as a family, that change costs more time than the fare saves. A private car runs door to door.
Taxi fares and surcharges for Ajman and Umm Al Quwain trips
Taxis charge extra when a trip crosses an emirate line, and the rate depends on the company. The surcharge rules are published by RTA, so check them before you travel.
Assure does not publish fixed prices. We quote on WhatsApp once we have your pickup point, drop-off, date and passenger count. Our intercity transfers page explains what a quote includes.
Where visitors go
- Ajman Corniche: a long beachfront promenade, popular at sunset and for a walk after dinner.
- Al Zorah: a mangrove and nature area on the Ajman coast with a golf course and a waterfront dining strip. Check opening details before you go.
- Umm Al Quwain Fort: a restored 18th-century fort and watchtower near the old town.
- Dreamland Aqua Park: a water park on the Umm Al Quwain coast road. Confirm current opening status with the park before you plan a trip around it.
Planning a longer loop north? The Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah guide continues up the same corridor. For a fuller day across several emirates, see our chauffeur service across the UAE.
Booking a private car for a beach day or a wedding venue run
Send the venue name, pickup time and passenger count on WhatsApp to +971 56 684 8148. For weddings and events, tell us the finish time too, so the driver is booked for the return leg.
If you are heading onward from Ajman to Abu Dhabi, our Sharjah to Abu Dhabi guide covers the road south.
Photos in this guide
Waves reaching the sand on the Ajman beach at sunsetAshtanova / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A wide multi-lane road in Umm Al Quwain with shops and a footbridge sign beside itFred Cherrygarden / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The long sandy beach at Umm Al Quwain under a cloudy skyMtabuco / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
