Traveling to Ras Al Khaimah for a holiday or to live is undoubtedly an exciting experience! The Emirate boasts 64km of white sandy beaches, beautiful mountains, including the highest peak in the UAE, and an unmatched quality of life. To ensure a smooth trip, it’s important to consider essentials like visas and travel arrangements before you arrive.
This guide covers all the necessary information and relevant info to help you make the most of your time in the Emirate of RAK.
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport
Airports and transfers
Passengers have the option to arrive at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) when traveling to the region, located just outside of Ras Al Khaimah City. Many visitors choose to fly into Dubai first, as Dubai International Airport (DXB) serves as a major hub for residents and visitors throughout the UAE. From Dubai, it takes approximately 45 minutes by road to reach RAK.
You have the flexibility to arrange your transfer between the two Emirates in advance or upon arrival. Taxis are available at both airports around the clock. The country takes pride in its excellent transportation network and offers women-driven taxis exclusively for ladies and large vans and budget-friendly taxis to suit different needs. You can check fares and routes using the ‘Careem’ or ‘Uber’ apps.
While Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is easy to navigate, it’s important to note that there are currently limited flights connecting to and from this airport. Therefore, it is advisable to plan ahead. You can check if your country offers direct flights to Ras Al Khaimah here.
Visa requirements
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) can travel within the GCC countries and enter the UAE using their National Identity Card (ID Card) or their GCC country passport.
Depending on your nationality, you may either receive a visa upon arrival or need to apply for a prearranged visitor visa from UAE Immigration before you travel.
If you do not belong to one of the aforementioned countries, you’ll need a visa and a sponsor to support your visit. Typically, the sponsor applies for the visa on your behalf, but there are different ways to obtain it. Hotels and tourist companies can apply for a Tourist Visa (valid for 30 days), a Service Visa (valid for 14 days), or a Visit Visa (valid for 30 days, with the possibility of two 30-day extensions).
Essential Info
Ras Al Khaimah, known as “The Top of the Tent,” is the northernmost city in the United Arab Emirates and is one of the seven Emirates.
The local time follows UAE Standard Time, which is four hours ahead of GMT / UTC.
The currency used in Ras Al Khaimah is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), and exchange services can be found in various locations, such as hotels, resorts, and shopping malls throughout the Emirate.
Here are all the emergency numbers:
Police: 07-999
Fire: 07-997
Ambulance: 07-998
Click here for more essential information when planning your trip.
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