BlaakLane.com runs chauffeur service in Ras Al Khaimah for resort transfers from Dubai International (DXB) and Ras Al Khaimah International (RKT), drives up Jebel Jais, and business trips across the northern Emirates. Most visitors land in Dubai and ride about an hour north to Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra or Mina Al Arab. Your resort fare is fixed and visible before confirmation, and the car belongs to a vetted northern-Emirates affiliate whose name, with the chauffeur's, is on the booking.
Which airport should you use for Ras Al Khaimah?
Most international travellers fly into DXB because of the choice of airlines, then take a chauffeured car 60 to 90 minutes north. RKT, about 20 km south of the city in Al Hamraniyah, handles a smaller list of flights, mostly from South Asia, the Gulf and seasonal European carriers. Sharjah International (SHJ) is a third option about 45 to 60 minutes away. Enter your flight at /book/ and the chauffeur is timed to the actual landing at whichever airport you use.
At all three, pickup is curbside in the designated pre-arranged pickup area outside arrivals, and the chauffeur messages you the spot and plate. Having the chauffeur meet you inside the hall with a sign is an add-on; add-ons are only available in selected locations. The waiting allowance runs from actual landing: an hour for international flights, half an hour for domestic ones, a quarter hour for non-airport pickups, and 15-minute blocks after that. DXB terminal details are on our Dubai International page.
Drive times to the resorts
| Route | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| DXB to Al Marjan Island | about 95-105 km | 60-90 min |
| DXB to Al Hamra Village | about 90-100 km | 60-85 min |
| DXB to RAK city centre | about 110-120 km | 70-100 min |
| RKT to Al Marjan Island | about 35-40 km | 30-40 min |
| RKT to Jebel Jais summit area | about 70 km | 60-75 min |
| RAK city to Jebel Jais viewing deck | 40-50 km | 45-60 min |
| Al Marjan Island to Dubai Marina | about 110-120 km | 70-100 min |
The fastest route from Dubai is usually Emirates Road (E611) or Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), avoiding central Sharjah. Friday and Saturday evenings back toward Dubai can be slow. The fare is fixed regardless.
Which vehicle suits a resort holiday?
Families flying in with suitcases, strollers and golf bags usually need an executive SUV or a Standard Black SUV; a Standard Sedan fits two people with normal luggage. Larger families or friends travelling together can take a Sprinter Van, and wedding parties sometimes add a Rolls-Royce or Bentley from partner operators. Compare classes on the fleet. For hotel concierges arranging guests' cars, see hotels and concierge.
The resort areas along the coast
- Al Marjan Island: four man-made islands off the southern coast with large beach resorts, including the Rixos Bab Al Bahr and the DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island. A major integrated resort with a casino licence is being built here, with opening expected in the next few years.
- Al Hamra: a village of golf, marina and beach hotels, with the Al Hamra Golf Club, the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach.
- Mina Al Arab: a lagoon development closer to the city with the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah and Anantara Mina Al Arab.
- Al Wadi Desert: inland south of the city, home to The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert.
Hotels are named here as places our chauffeurs drive to, not as clients.
Jebel Jais: the drive to the UAE's highest peak
Jebel Jais reaches about 1,934 m, the highest point in the UAE, and a well-engineered road with tight hairpins climbs to the summit area. Temperatures there are often 10 degrees Celsius cooler than on the coast, and winter nights can drop near freezing. The Jais Flight zipline, the Jais Sky Tour, the Viewing Deck Park and the 1484 by Puro restaurant are the usual stops, so book an hourly chauffeur and let the car wait. The road can close for fog, rockfall or heavy rain; check Visit Jebel Jais on the day. Vans and SUVs handle the climb comfortably; a minicoach is best for groups.
Old town, forts and heritage sites
Ras Al Khaimah city is split by a creek into the old town (Ras Al Khaimah proper), with the National Museum in a former fort, and Al Nakheel on the other side. North of the city, Dhayah Fort sits on a hill above the date palms, and the abandoned pearling village of Jazirat Al Hamra is one of the best-preserved traditional towns in the Gulf. These combine well into a half-day city tour.
Events and seasons
- October to April: the main season, with comfortable temperatures and the resorts at their busiest.
- 31 December: the New Year's Eve fireworks over Al Marjan Island, with very heavy traffic on the island causeway; book well ahead and agree a meeting point.
- February: the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, usually on Al Marjan Island.
- June to September: intense heat on the coast, when Jebel Jais becomes the cool escape.
Current listings are on Visit Ras Al Khaimah.
Business trips and the northern Emirates
RAK has free zones, ceramics and cement industries and a port at Saqr. A day that combines the RAK Economic Zone, a site visit and a return to Dubai is best as an hourly booking. Sharjah is about 60 to 75 minutes south, and Fujairah on the east coast is roughly 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes across the mountains. The Omani border at Al Darah toward Musandam is close to the northern edge of the emirate; cross-border trips need planning and the right documents, so they are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing.
Driving and local rules
The UAE drives on the right, with frequent speed cameras and strict penalties. Mountain roads mean slower average speeds than the map suggests, and camels and goats occasionally stray near the interior roads. Unlike Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah's resorts are licensed to serve alcohol, but drinking in public or in vehicles is not allowed.
Entry to the UAE
Many nationalities receive visa-free entry or a visa on arrival; others apply for an e-visa in advance. Check the ICP website before travel. RKT arrivals information is on Ras Al Khaimah Airport.
Children, cancellations and fares in Ras Al Khaimah
Infant and booster seats are provided free on request. More than 72 hours before pickup, cancellation is free; at 72 hours or less it is 10%, at 48 hours or less 50%, and at 24 hours or less or for a no-show 100%. For what goes into the fare, see rates.
