The easiest way to get around Ras Al Khaimah is to rent a car in Dubai and drive up: the emirate is about 110 km away on fast highways, usually a little over an hour without traffic. A week with us starts at 890 AED for a compact crossover, the deposit starts from AED 1,000, and insurance plus 250 km a day are included. Delivery to a hotel in Ras Al Khaimah is not standard, so ask us about it when booking.
Why most people rent in Dubai
Ras Al Khaimah, usually shortened to RAK, is the northernmost emirate, squeezed between the sea and the Hajar Mountains. Plenty of travellers fly into Dubai but stay in RAK, mostly at the resorts on Al Marjan Island or along the beaches. A taxi or transfer up there is not cheap, and once you arrive without a car you are tied to the hotel, because the town, the mountains, the beaches and the restaurants are spread out along the coast.
So the usual plan is to collect the car at our office in Princess Tower, Dubai Marina, or have it delivered to your address in Dubai, and drive north. On rentals of 7 days or more, delivery and return anywhere in Dubai are free; on shorter rentals the two together cost 210 AED. If you want the car waiting for you in RAK, write to us first: delivery outside Dubai is agreed separately for each booking.
The drive from Dubai to RAK
Two main highways go north: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) and Emirates Road (E611). Both skirt Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain before reaching Ras Al Khaimah. The road is flat and straight, with no mountain sections, so any car will do.
- Traffic. The slow parts are leaving Dubai and passing Sharjah during the morning and evening rush. Leave earlier or later than the commuter flow.
- Tolls. Salik operates only in Dubai, and its gates charge the car automatically on the Dubai sections. Salik and any fines are paid by the renter at actual cost.
- Speed cameras. Limits vary by stretch, so follow the signs and your navigation app.
We have a separate route guide for Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE. In short: the road to the top is fully paved and does not need an SUV, but the descent is long, so use engine braking on the way down.
Which car to take
For RAK the deciding factors are how many of you there are and how much luggage you carry. A couple will be fine in a compact crossover or sedan; a family with children is better off in a seven-seater or a minivan. Prices are as of November 2026, and the current price is always on each car page.
| Car | Seats | Day, AED | Week, AED | Month, AED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Raize 2024 | 5 | 148 | 890 | 2,200 |
| Mazda CX-30 2025 | 5 | 155 | 1,010 | 3,400 |
| Toyota Camry 2025 | 5 | 180 | 1,170 | 3,950 |
| Kia Sportage 2025 | 5 | 190 | 1,240 | 4,200 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander 2024 | 7 | 200 | 1,300 | 4,400 |
| Kia Carnival Noblesse 2022 | 8 | 298 | 1,890 | 5,900 |
| Ford Mustang EcoBoost Convertible 2024 | 4 | 300 | 1,800 | 6,000 |
The Mustang convertible is the one people pick for coastal drives and the mountain road, though four adults with suitcases will find it tight. The eight-seat Kia Carnival Noblesse suits two families travelling together or a group with a lot of bags.
What a week in RAK actually costs
Take a typical trip: seven days, the car delivered in Dubai on the day you land, a drive north, a stay on Al Marjan Island and a return to Dubai at the end.
- Rental. A Kia Sportage costs 1,240 AED for the week. Seven days at the daily rate would be 1,330 AED, so the weekly price is lower.
- Delivery and return in Dubai. Free, because the rental is 7 days.
- Mileage. The return trip is about 220 km. Even with a run up Jebel Jais and some coastal driving, a week rarely goes over 250 km a day. If it does, each extra kilometre on the Sportage costs 1 AED.
- Fuel and Salik. Paid separately: fuel at the pump, Salik at actual cost for the Dubai gates you pass.
For a couple in a Toyota Raize the same week is 890 AED plus fuel; for a family in a Mitsubishi Outlander it is 1,300 AED. If you are staying a month, look at the monthly rate instead: 2,200 AED for 30 days in the Raize.
Deposit, licence and payment
Every car has a refundable deposit from AED 1,000, and the exact amount is shown on its page. Some cars come from a partner company with their own terms: a 1,000 AED deposit, a minimum of 3 or 7 days, and no driving into Oman. That matters in RAK, which borders the Omani Musandam peninsula: taking any of our cars into Oman is only possible if agreed when booking.
Drivers must be at least 21 with one year of experience. Licences from the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and a number of other countries are accepted on their own, while visitors from countries such as Russia, India or Pakistan need an International Driving Permit with their national licence. You can pay in cash, by bank card or by e-wallet; with a card, the rental amount may be held as a pre-authorisation and charged at the end.
How to book
Choose a car and send a request through the form on its page with your dates, or write to info@rentalcars-dubai.ae. Mention that you are heading to RAK, and if you would like delivery to your hotel, add its name. Agree any date changes with us in writing.
