It’s the UAE’s most famous and delightful constructing, rated #3 landmark on the planet by TripAdvisor’s Vacationers’ Alternative Awards, however how precisely are you able to go to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi in case you are flying out and in of Dubai?
The Grand Mosque has re-opened post-COVID, and border crossing restrictions between the Emirates have been abolished. As of seven November 2022, you now not require any kind of PCR testing, nor proof of vaccination in opposition to COVID-19 as a way to enter public areas in Abu Dhabi emirate.
On this information to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, we’ll cowl
Issues To Know About The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Earlier than diving into the main points of tips on how to get there, let’s take a look at only a few fabulous information concerning the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (and why it’s completely definitely worth the day journey from Dubai!)
- The Grand Mosque is called after the nation’s founding father, the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan “Might Allah relaxation his soul in peace”.
- The Mosque is an lively home of worship, able to housing 41,000 worshippers at capability – 10,000 inside and 31,000 within the exterior courtyards.
- The constructing of the Mosque was accomplished in 2007 with the craftsmanship of 38 contractors and 1000’s of employees from world wide.
- It holds a number of “largest on the planet” claims to fame – together with the biggest hand-woven carpet at 5,627 sqm and the biggest marble mosaic flooring in its 17,000 sqm courtyard.
- HH Sheikh Zayed is laid to relaxation in a mausoleum on the Mosque grounds. Two Imans learn the Quran right here 24 hours a day.
How To Get To The Grand Mosque From Dubai
There are restricted public transport choices between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as we talk about right here, so our best-recommended technique of getting from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque are:
- Take A Taxi – roughly 1.5 hours, relying on the place you set out from; count on to pay round AED 300-350 one-way for a metered taxi.
- Be a part of A Tour Group – 1.5 to 2 hours, relying on the departure level and what number of pickups they make. A tour information, meals, and a number of vacationer stops are more likely to be thrown in, so the worth may be very variable per particular person – extra beneath!
- Rent a Personal Driver – taking roughly 1.5 hours; that is your best option should you choose door-to-door service and like the private contact – very best in case you are a household or small group seeking to cut up the associated fee. You may attempt a service resembling GetTransfer to have non-public drivers bid in your journey and get a aggressive value.
- Self Drive – 1 to 1.5 hours – If you’re a assured driver, choose up a rent automobile in Dubai and take the E11 all the way in which to Abu Dhabi.
- Take a public bus – 2 to 2.5 hours, relying in your place to begin; extra beneath!
Public Transport Dubai to Abu Dhabi to see the Grand Mosque
There are two completely different Intercity bus routes you could take from Dubai to central Abu Dhabi, every costing AED 25 a technique.
- The primary bus leaves from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Route 100) approx each 20 minutes and terminates at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wadha Mall)
- The second leaves from Ibn Battuta Mall (Route 101) approx each half-hour and in addition terminates at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
From Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, you then have to catch a neighborhood Abu Dhabi bus service 94 to the Grand Mosque.
Be aware you should use your Nol card to get to Abu Dhabi on the InterCity bus, however from Abu Dhabi central bus station to the Grand Mosque, you want a Hafilat card to make use of native public transport within the capital.
You may be taught extra concerning the public bus service from Dubai to Abu Dhabi right here
Organised Excursions From Dubai to Abu Dhabi
You may be part of a bigger tour group and easily use this as a type of transportation or rent a private information and driver.
This will actually take the stress out of self-driving, however do word lots of the tour buses from Dubai arrive “en masse”. If you’d like crowd-free images, self-driving, taxi or non-public Abu Dhabi excursions are the higher strategy to go.
Extra Details And Customer Data To Know About Visiting The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque As A Vacationer
Do I should be Muslim to go to?
In no way. The Grand Mosque is open to everybody so long as they deal with it in a respectful approach (together with conservative costume).
There are specific areas of lively worship, and Friday mornings when visits are restricted to worshippers solely.
In any other case, you’ll be able to attend the Grand Mosque any time throughout opening hours.
Study extra about different Dubai mosques that enable guests
What ought to I put on to the Grand Mosque?
It’s at all times advisable as a vacationer in Abu Dhabi to decorate conservatively. The Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque – and actually, any non secular or Authorities constructing within the UAE – has a a lot increased costume normal than, say, a Mall or public promenades.
For ladies, you need to have legs and arms utterly lined, in addition to your head. The one pores and skin that may present is your arms, ft, and face. If you’re not adequately dressed (don’t fear, this is applicable to most vacationers), you can be despatched to buy an abaya or Shayla within the adjoining boutiques as you enter the mosque. These are round AED 40 – 80 for one thing low-cost.
That is all a part of the expertise, so embrace it! However please don’t suppose this implies it’s best to put on the skimpiest outfit beneath!
For males, they need to be in lengthy trousers and sleeves. If they’ve shorts on, they may even be requested to buy one thing extra appropriate earlier than getting into.
Please word! since COVID the power to rent applicable clothes free of charge to enter the Grand Mosque has been suspended and doesn’t appear like it’ll return. In the event you flip up with in applicable clothes, you can be redirected by safety employees to a small strip of buying boutiques to purchase the precise apparel. They’re comparatively cheap, however it’s possible you’ll need to BYO from Dubai should you’re hitting the souks, take into account it a memento of your time within the UAE!
Safety stringently enforces the suitable carrying of your outfits all through your go to – you could find a extremely detailed information to the Grand Mosque costume code right here.
Be aware, a part of the tour entails you taking off your footwear to stroll via the Mosque itself; take into account good socks too, or having your toenails painted for this!! And bear in mind the place you left your footwear!!!
Do I have to pay to enter the Grand Mosque?
It’s completely free. The Mosque is for the folks; as such, no cost is levied on worshippers or guests. Even cultural excursions are supplied free of charge.
Nevertheless, they may problem you an entry ticket the place you have to give some private particulars. This may be performed on-line upfront right here to save lots of time.
Do I have to e-book a tour of the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi?
In the event you include a tour information, they could have a private tour information included inside the value you paid.
In any other case, the perfect various choice to be sure to get the perfect out of your Grand Mosque go to is to get entangled with one of many FREE mosque cultural excursions.
These are held all through the day without having to pre-book.
Opening occasions for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
- Saturday via Thursday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Excursions are performed in English and Arabic and final round 45 minutes, with a possibility to ask additional questions on the finish. It’s not customary to tip for this tour.
Be aware opening hours and tour occasions are adjusted through the Holy Month of Ramadan – Discover the revised opening hours for Ramadan right here
For extra on what to anticipate on the Grand Mosque together with images suggestions, see this text.
Greatest Lodging Close to The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has plentiful lodging selections. Our favourites near the Grand Mosque, or with spectacular views again over the canal in direction of the Grand Mosque are:
Extra To See In Abu Dhabi
For a very long time, the Grand Mosque was most likely Abu Dhabi’s greatest and the one drawcard getting vacationers to trek the 160km journey from Dubai.
Nevertheless, many extra vacationer highlights now warrant at the least a full day journey to Abu Dhabi, if not longer.
Look out for Abu Dhabi excursions that may even embrace:
- The Louvre Abu Dhabi – a shocking Museum on Saadiyat Island that covers the historical past of humanity in an excellent waterfront setting. Open Tuesday to Sunday; Closed Mondays. Paid Entry.
- Qasr al Watan – the Presidential Palace of the United Arab Emirates is a shocking new constructing to rival the great thing about the Grand Mosque. Open for day by day excursions. Paid Entry.
- Qasr al Hosn – an excellent perception into the historical past of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi from early Bedouin days via to the invention of oil, federation, and the modern-day metropolis. Open Day by day,Paid Entry.
We clarify right here tips on how to get from Dubai to the Louvre and Qasr al Watan with a free shuttle service from Dubai. You may as well take a look at our full information for issues to do in Abu Dhabi over on our accomplice web site www.abudhabitravelplanner.com for extra of town’s spectacular cultural websites and leisure.
Earlier than you go… Extra vital issues it’s best to know when planning a visit to Dubai
- Don’t neglect to pack your journey insurance coverage!!!
Take me again to Discover the Emirates Right here
Please word we aren’t a journey company. This web site is a journey weblog to assist newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their journey, we can’t e-book your flights, resorts, visas or connections for you. We might make a small fee should you click on on any of our advice hyperlinks.
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