Getting Around Ras Al Khaimah

Getting Around Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is an industrial port city and the capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, divided by a creek into an old town on the west side and Al Nakheel on the east. For a visitor, the practical reality is that public transport and walking cover only part of what you might want to see, and taxis or a rental car are usually the easier choices. This guide sets out the options.

Rail, Metro and Tram

There is no railway system in Ras Al Khaimah yet. A national railway called Etihad Rail is under development and is intended to connect all the emirates of the UAE, but it is not something a visitor can use today. The emirate also has no metro or tram network, so you should not plan your trip around rail-based transport.

Buses and Public Transport

The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) serves the emirate and surrounding areas, running both local routes within the city and intercity services.

• Local routes: A small number of local bus lines operate in the city. One runs from Al Nakheel to Jazeera along the main road parallel to the beach, and another connects the RAK Bus Station with the Al Nakheel Bus Station through the day. Buses are air conditioned.
• Where routes meet: RAKTA buses intersect at the Al Nakheel bus station, which acts as the main interchange for local services.
• Paying: You can pay in cash or with a Sayer Card. The card is bought with a balance already loaded, and card rides work out cheaper than paying cash. Transfers are not included, so you pay again if you change buses.
• Intercity buses: RAKTA runs buses to Dubai (Union Bus Station), Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, plus limited services to Global Village and Dubai Mall. Buses to Dubai usually leave hourly during the day. Intercity buses from Dubai and Sharjah arrive at the RAK Bus Station.
• Cross-border: Buses from Khasab in Oman run only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a single afternoon departure and a morning return. Demand has been decreasing, so check whether the service is still running before relying on it.
• Checking timetables: Timetables shown in Google Maps are outdated. Use the RAKTA website or the Sayer app for routes, timings and prices. Note that the app hides routes that have no remaining departures that day, so avoid using it late in the day if you want a full picture of the network.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxis are an easy way to move around the emirate. RAKTA-licensed taxis use set-fare meters, are reasonably priced and are considered safe; current charges are listed on the RAKTA taxi page. RAKTA suggests using the Careem app for booking. If you are staying at a hotel, the concierge can usually summon a taxi quickly.

Dubai taxis are permitted to carry passengers back from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah. Be aware that Dubai has different taxi types: the "limo" category costs more than a standard taxi, so at taxi stands ask specifically for the regular cream-coloured taxis to get the cheapest rate.

Walking

Walking around Ras Al Khaimah is not easy. Traffic, a lack of sidewalks and a lack of zebra crossings make it something that is not commonly done and not recommended. For a pleasure walk, Corniche Road and the beaches are the best and safest option.

Driving and Car Rental

Car rental is easily available and is a practical choice for visitors. Most roads in Ras Al Khaimah are in good condition and it is easy to find your way around, at least in the city, though driving can be a challenge for those not used to slightly chaotic roads.

• International car rental companies are available in most hotels, and there are numerous smaller local companies around town.
• Ras Al Khaimah has good road connections with the other emirates. The Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311) is the main artery, the older Coastal Road (E11) is slower but runs directly to Sharjah via Umm al Quwain and Ajman, and the Emirates Road (E611) runs parallel to the E311 while avoiding central Dubai, which can be quicker in some circumstances. Fujairah can be reached via the mountain passage or via Masafi (E18).
• Ras Al Khaimah shares a border with Oman (Musandam), and entering and exiting the country by car is relatively straightforward.
• If you plan to drive into Oman, Al Salamah Cars, with its main branch in Al Nakheel on 120th street, rents out cars for that purpose and provides the necessary paperwork, including the no-objection letter for an extra charge. Insurance for Oman can be bought at the border crossing.

Tour Operators and Hotel Shuttles

A few tour operators, mainly based in the international hotels, organise Ras Al Khaimah city tours. Most of the big hotels also provide buses for their guests to the RAK Old City and shopping malls, which can be a convenient way to reach those areas without arranging your own transport.

Arriving at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport serves the emirate and sits about 20 minutes from the city centre. A few airlines fly there. Your options for reaching the city are:

• Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport for the trip into the city.
• Bus: Bus line G1 runs every hour to the Al Nakheel bus station in Ras Al Khaimah city.
• Hotel pickup: Your hotel may offer an airport pickup service, worth checking when you book.

If Ras Al Khaimah's own airport does not suit your itinerary, there is a greater choice of flights from Sharjah, Dubai (both DXB and DWC) and Abu Dhabi. These airports are further away, so factor in a longer transfer by road.

Arriving by Boat

There are no passenger boat carriers operating directly to Ras Al Khaimah, so the sea is not an arrival option for visitors.

Practical Summary

• Plan on taxis, ride-hailing or a rental car for most trips; public transport and walking will not cover everything.
• If you do use buses, get a Sayer Card for cheaper rides, and check the RAKTA website or Sayer app rather than Google Maps for timetables.
• Use Al Nakheel bus station as your interchange for local routes and the RAK Bus Station for intercity services.
• From the airport, choose between a taxi, the hourly G1 bus to Al Nakheel, or a hotel pickup.
• Keep walking to the Corniche and beaches, where it is safe and pleasant.