How to Reach Desert Safari in Dubai? Complete 2025 Travel Guide

If you’re planning a trip to the UAE, there’s one experience that everyone tells you not to miss: the famous Dubai desert safari. Whether you’re going for the heart-pounding dune bashing, the golden sunset views, the Arabian entertainment shows, camel rides, or that delicious BBQ buffet under the stars—there’s nothing quite like it.

But before you get there, the biggest question most visitors ask is:
👉 How to reach desert safari in Dubai?

Surprisingly, the answer isn’t as simple as “just drive there.” Dubai has multiple deserts, tour companies, pick-up options, meeting points, and transportation rules that visitors often don’t know about. Plus, depending on whether you choose a budget tour, a premium private safari, or a self-drive package, your travel route will be different.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know about reaching the Dubai desert safari smoothly, including the different routes, transportation methods, meeting points, costs, timings, and insider tips.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Dubai Desert Safari Locations

Before you learn how to reach desert safari in Dubai, it helps to understand where these safaris actually take place.

Most desert safaris happen in one of three major regions:

1️⃣ Al Lahbab Desert (Red Dunes Desert)

Located about 50 minutes from Downtown Dubai
Famous for high red dunes, perfect for extreme dune bashing
Popular with premium safari operators
Best for: thrill-seekers, couples, photographers

2️⃣ Al Awir Desert

Located 30–40 minutes from central Dubai
One of Dubai’s oldest safari areas
Favored by budget and group tours
Best for: families, large groups, budget tours

3️⃣ Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR)

A protected natural reserve
Home to native wildlife like Oryx and gazelles
Safaris here are usually luxury / heritage style
Best for: luxury seekers, cultural experiences

Each desert route is different, so your transportation plan depends on the tour operator and the type of safari you book.

2. Main Ways to Reach a Desert Safari in Dubai

There are 3 major ways visitors reach the desert:

Option 1: Tour Operator Pick-Up from Your Hotel (Most Popular)

✓ Easiest
✓ Comfortable
✓ No navigation required
✓ Included in most safari packages

Almost 90% of tourists choose this method. A desert safari company picks you up in a 4×4 Land Cruiser or shared vehicle from your hotel or Airbnb.

How it works:

You book a safari tour.
They confirm your pick-up time (usually 2:30 PM–3:30 PM).
A guide arrives at your location and transports you to the desert.
After the safari, they drop you back.

Who should choose this option?
✔ Families
✔ First-time visitors
✔ Travelers without a car
✔ Anyone staying far from the meeting point

If your goal is simplicity, this is the best answer to “how to reach desert safari in Dubai.”

Option 2: Self-Drive to the Meeting Point (For Those With a Car)

Some safari companies offer a “self-drive option”, which is cheaper because it removes the transport cost.

With this option, you drive your own car to a designated meeting point near the desert—usually a petrol station or small roadside café. From there, the tour company picks you up in a 4×4 because your personal car cannot go into the desert dunes.

Important!
🚫 Do not attempt dune driving unless you are an experienced desert driver.
🚫 Regular rental cars are not allowed to enter desert dunes.

Pros of Self-Drive:

Saves money
Flexible timing
Good for residents with cars

Cons:

You must navigate UAE highways yourself
You cannot drive your car into the dunes
No hotel pick-up convenience

Best for:
Residents, expats, or visitors who enjoy driving.

Option 3: Take a Taxi or Careem/Uber to the Meeting Point

If you don’t have a rental car and don’t want a hotel pick-up, you can simply take a taxi or Uber/Careem to the safari starting point.

This is common for budget tours.

Average taxi fare:

From Downtown Dubai to Al Awir: AED 45–70
From Marina to Al Lahbab Desert: AED 80–110

Just tell the driver the exact pin/location provided by your tour operator.

Good choice for:

Solo travelers
People on a tight budget
Those staying near the meeting point

3. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Reach Dubai Desert Safari Easily

To make things simple, here’s a step-by-step process that covers how to reach desert safari in Dubai no matter which option you choose.

Step 1: Choose Your Safari Type

The route differs depending on the type of safari:

Evening Desert Safari (most common)
Includes dune bashing, camel ride, BBQ dinner, shows
Morning Desert Safari
Includes sandboarding, quad biking, dune bashing
Overnight Safari
Includes camping, breakfast, stargazing
Private Premium Safari
Luxury setup, private car, exclusive activities
Adventure Packages
Quad bikes, dune buggies, extreme sports

After choosing the type, the operator will tell you the pick-up or meeting details.

Step 2: Select Your Transportation Method

Choose any of the three:

✔ Hotel pick-up
✔ Self-drive to meeting point
✔ Taxi/Uber to meeting point

If you want a stress-free experience, always choose the hotel pick-up.

Step 3: Confirm Your Location and Pick-Up Time

Once you book a tour, you receive a confirmation message with:

Pick-up time (usually between 2:30–3:30 PM)
Pick-up location
Assigned driver’s contact number
Meeting point GPS location (if self-drive)

Most safaris begin between 3 PM – 4 PM, because sunset is the main highlight.

Step 4: Travel to the Desert

Here’s how long it takes to reach the desert:

Departure Area	Travel Time
Downtown Dubai	40–50 mins
Dubai Marina	50–60 mins
Bur Dubai	35–45 mins
Deira	35–45 mins
JBR / Palm	55–65 mins
Jumeirah	45–55 mins

Once you arrive, dune bashing begins—usually the most exciting part.

Step 5: Return After the Safari

After dinner and entertainment shows (around 8:30–9:00 PM), you are driven back to your hotel.

You’ll reach your hotel by 9:30–10 PM.

4. How Much Does It Cost to Reach the Desert Safari?

Transportation cost varies depending on the method:

With Hotel Pick-Up (Included)

Free (included in package)

Self-Drive

Fuel cost: AED 10–20 (very cheap)
No additional charges

Taxi to Meeting Point

AED 40–110 depending on distance

Private Transfer Upgrade

Some companies charge extra for private car pick-up:

AED 200–400 per car
Good for families and honeymooners

5. Tips for Reaching the Desert Safari Smoothly

Here are some insider tips that travelers often miss:

✔ Be ready at least 10 minutes before pick-up

Drivers pick up multiple passengers—any delay affects the whole group.

✔ Keep your phone charged

You’ll need:

WhatsApp to contact the driver
GPS for self-drive
Photos and videos during the trip

✔ For self-drive visitors: watch for speed cameras

Dubai highways have frequent radars.

✔ Use the exact GPS pin

Deserts don’t have “addresses,” only coordinates.

✔ Wear comfortable clothing

Light, breathable fabrics are best.

✔ Avoid carrying heavy bags

Storage space in safari vehicles is limited.

✔ Follow your guide’s instructions

Especially during dune bashing—safety first!

6. Can You Take Metro or Bus to Desert Safari in Dubai?

Many tourists ask if they can reach the desert by public transport.

The short answer: No.

Dubai Metro and RTA buses don’t go into desert areas because:

They are far from the city
Roads are not public transport routes
Dune areas are inaccessible to normal vehicles

The closest you can get is a bus to a nearby district, then take a taxi to the meeting point.

But this is not recommended—taxi or tour pick-up is far easier.

7. Best Time of Day to Travel to the Desert Safari

Evening Safari (Most Recommended)

Starts around 3 PM
Cooler temperature
Beautiful sunset
Entertainment shows & BBQ dinner

Morning Safari

Starts around 7–8 AM
Great for adventure activities

Overnight Safari

Starts in the afternoon
Includes stargazing + morning breakfast

Your transport time will depend on your chosen package.

8. Why Hotel Pick-Up Is the Best Way to Reach a Safari (Especially for Tourists)

When researching how to reach desert safari in Dubai, you’ll notice experts always recommend choosing a tour with hotel pick-up.

Here’s why:

1. No need to navigate desert roads

Tourist roads can be confusing.

2. Professional drivers handle dune driving

Dune bashing requires skill and a powerful 4×4.

3. Ensures you reach on time

Time is important because the itinerary is fixed.

4. Much safer

Desert conditions change quickly.

5. It’s already included in most packages

So you’re not paying extra.

9. Frequently Asked Questions About Reaching Desert Safari in Dubai

Q1: How far is the desert from Dubai city?

Most deserts are 35–60 minutes away.

Q2: Can I drive my rental car in the desert dunes?

No. Only experienced desert drivers with modified 4x4s should attempt it.

Q3: Do all safari companies offer pick-up?

Most do, but budget tours may require meeting-point arrival.

Q4: What is the cheapest way to reach the desert?

Self-drive or taxi to meeting point.

Q5: Is reaching the desert tricky for first-time visitors?

Not at all if you choose the hotel pick-up option.

Final Thoughts

If you were wondering how to reach desert safari in Dubai, now you know every possible route—whether you want hotel pick-up, self-drive, or a taxi option. The best choice for most travelers is the included 4×4 pick-up, simply because it’s comfortable, reliable, and hassle-free.

The Dubai desert safari is one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll ever have, so reaching there smoothly will make your trip even better. Just follow the tips above, choose a trusted safari operator, and get ready for an adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime.