Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from Dubai: hours, tickets and dress code

Updated 2026-10-20

Short answer: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is open to visitors Saturday to Thursday 9:00 AM–8:30 PM, and Friday 9:00–11:30 AM and 2:30–8:30 PM. Visitors from outside the UAE pay AED 10 (indicative, at the time of writing), and a strict modest dress code applies. From Downtown Dubai it's about 130 km, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours by road each way, so most people visit on a day trip such as our private Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai.

All mosque details below come from the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre website (szgmc.gov.ae), checked on 20 October 2026.

Opening hours for visitors

Hours change during Ramadan, so check the official visiting hours before you go. The mosque also lists Sura night tours daily from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM.

Tickets and entry fees

According to the official FAQ, admission fees apply to visitors (indicative figures, at the time of writing):

• Visitors from outside the UAE: AED 10
• Visitors through tour operators: AED 8
• Emirates ID holders: AED 5

Entrance fees are not included in our tour; guests pay them separately.

Worshippers can enter directly through the worshippers' gates without booking. Tourists enter through the Visitor Centre. Book in advance on the official booking page: the official Mosque Manners say visits are confirmed only with prior booking.

Dress code

From the mosque's official Mosque Manners:

• Women: loose clothing down to the ankles, sleeves to the wrists and full hair coverage. No transparent, tight-fitting or revealing clothes.
• Men: preferably clothing that covers the entire legs. No transparent, tight-fitting or sleeveless shirts.
• Everyone: avoid clothing with slogans or inappropriate drawings, excessive jewellery, heavy makeup and vibrant colours.

Other rules worth knowing

• Photos and videos for personal use are allowed at the designated photo stops. Professional or commercial filming needs a permit.
• Food and drinks, even water, aren't allowed inside. Have a drink before you go in.
• Marble floors can be slippery, so take care, especially after rain.
• Smoking isn't allowed anywhere on the mosque grounds.
• All visitors go through a security inspection, with separate tracks for women and men.
• The mosque runs free guided cultural tours in English and Arabic; arrive about 15 minutes early to join one. You can also visit without a guide.
• Practical tip: bring a headscarf and a long, loose layer with you rather than relying on borrowing one, and allow time for security and the walk from the Visitor Centre.
• Wheelchairs are available on request for people of determination and senior citizens.

Getting there from Dubai

The mosque doesn't provide transport. The official FAQ says to come by taxi, bus or car. By road it's about 128–131 km from Downtown Dubai on the E11, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes in light traffic and longer at rush hour (approximate; check a live map).

The simplest option is a private car. Our Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai:

• 8–10 hours in a private air-conditioned car with a driver-guide (English, Hindi, Urdu).
• Pickup and drop-off at your Dubai hotel, DXB or DWC.
• The mosque plus stops such as Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace, the Corniche and the Heritage Village, planned around opening hours.
• From USD 329 for one guest to USD 429 for six, per car. Entrance fees, including the mosque fee, are not included; guests pay them separately.

Check prices and book the private Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai.

Want more than the mosque? See Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip: what to see in one day.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fee?

At the time of writing, the official FAQ lists AED 10 for visitors from outside the UAE, AED 8 for visitors through tour operators and AED 5 for Emirates ID holders. These are indicative; check the official site. The fee isn't included in our tour.

What are the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque timings?

Saturday to Thursday 9:00 AM–8:30 PM, and Friday 9:00–11:30 AM and 2:30–8:30 PM, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Hours change during Ramadan.

What should I wear to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?

Women: loose, ankle-length clothing with sleeves to the wrists and full hair coverage. Men: preferably full-length trousers and no sleeveless, tight or transparent tops. Avoid slogans, heavy makeup and vibrant colours.

Do I need to book in advance?

Tourists can book online in advance or register at the Visitor Centre on arrival, according to the official booking page.

How far is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from Dubai?

About 130 km from Downtown Dubai, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours by road depending on traffic.