Al Ain is located about 90 miles south of Dubai and 90 miles southeast of Abu Dhabi on the border with Oman.

Al Ain is in the Abu Dhabi Emirate but it’s actually quicker to get to Al Ain from Dubai city than Abu Dhabi city.

A drive from Dubai to Al Ain will take you no more than two hours. If you do rent a car you’ll be driving on the freeway. The freeways are fast (up to 90 miles/hr speed limit on the Abu Dhabi/Al Ain Hway), and although a quite straightforward drive, this is not something that every driver that is new to the country may be up for unless you have a lot of driving experience. If you are not a confident driver, you may be better off getting a driver.

If you do decide to drive to Al Ain, the best time to hit the highway is at night. It will save you from the traffic and decrease your travel time.

There are buses that depart the Dubai bus station, arriving at Al Ain bus station, which takes about 2 hours. Buses are clean with air conditioning and stop halfway for 10 minutes.

There are also minibusses available from the Bur Dubai taxi station. These are clean, semi luxury mini vans and the journey is about 90 minutes to Al Ain. These minibusses leave the station every 40 minutes.

Once in Al Ain, it’s easy to get around. You can walk, take busses in just about every direction from the main square, or take inexpensive taxis. Taxis are easy to find and inexpensive - most drivers speak at least adequate English.

Women traveling alone should sit in the back and not make conversation with the driver, as drivers may misinterpret friendliness. If you are a woman and wary of being alone in a car with a stranger, Al Ain has pink taxis with women drivers.

There is also a local bus service.

Al Ain is known as the Garden City for its palm groves and natural springs. It’s sprawling oasis is watered via an ancient irrigation system called falaj. The system still runs to this day. Jebel Hafit, Abu Dhabi's tallest peak is also in Al Ain. In English, the name Al Ain translates to 'The Spring'. The city is also famous for its lively, bustling Camel Souk, attracting breeders and buyers from all over the UAE, including merchants and shepherds from the Al Rashaidah tribes.

Al Ain's close proximity to the Hajar Mountains makes temperatures in the emirate cooler than the other cities in the UAE. Despite this, Al Ain is mostly a desert area with hot temperatures during the summer.

In contrast to the summers, winters in the city bring comfortable temperatures that are ideal for explorations and excursions. the winter season here lasts between October and April, making it an excellent time to visit Al Ain. Winter season is also when the city is alive with fun festivals, like the Street Fest, the Music Festival, and the Winter Festival.

Even though the city's weather is usually dry and humid, unexpected showers and dust storms are common. Always check the weather forecast before finalizing your itinerary.

The currency in Al Ain is AED (Emirati Dirham). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted around Al Ain. ATMs are available at numerous locations in the emirate, including local banks, petrol stations and shopping malls.

When it comes to tipping, most restaurants and hotel establishments automatically charge a service charge. In addition, you are free to tip service staff – the norm is 10%. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in the UAE by clicking here UAE

Al Ain is considered a safe place to visit, with low crime rates. However, like any other destination, it is advisable to take standard precautions and adhere to local laws and customs.

Al Ain is home to a wide range of foods and ethnicities. Lebanese/Arabic food is the authentic cuisine in the area, and it's the most inexpensive to eat. The city is home to many fast food chairs such as McDonald's and Harddes. Some of the best and most inexpensive food in the city can be found at its many Indian restaurants. Portions are almost always generous, prices low, and the quality is excellent. There are some great restaurants in the hotels of the area, but keep in mind, these are the most expensive.

Seafood is very popular in the dishes throughout Al Ain and the UAE. The consumption of pork is forbidden under Muslim law, it is not included in most menus. Hotels frequently have pork substitutes such as beef, chicken, sausage, and veal rashers on their breakfast menus. Meat, fish, and rice are the staples of the traditional food of the area.

Most of the restaurants and cafes are concentrated on Khalifa Street. The main street in Mauteredh (Mathraz, according to some) has a large number of cafeterias serving Lebanese to Indian food.

Alcohol is available in the main hotel restaurants. However, it is advised to drink in moderation as in common with the rest of the UAE; it is illegal to be intoxicated in public places.

Al Ain Mall, located close to the town center, is the largest mall in Al Ain. Here you'll find an ice-skating rink, children's play areas, and a movie theatre. There are a few other shopping malls located throughout the city as well.

The Arabia Center is a ladies' specialty shopping center by ENB Group, in Jabal Roundabout. A special attraction for Arabic traditional wear and western outfits for ladies and their kids.

Al Ain also has various shopping areas, the Town Center Area (Main STreet, Khalifa Street, and Oud At Touba Street). Vendors sell everything from cheaply made toys to souvenirs to spices, Arabian incense and gold.

Al Ain has several healthcare facilities where you can receive medical care. If you are staying at a hotel or resort, you can contact the front desk or concierge for assistance. They can help you locate nearby medical facilities or arrange for transportation.

You may call the emergency phone number (999) at any time, whether you need police assistance, an ambulance, or for any other emergency situations. Calls to this number are free.