gcc · car transport · 6 min read
Transporting a Car from Riyadh to Dubai: Documents, Cost, and Time
Everything you need to move a car from Riyadh to Dubai or elsewhere in the GCC: paperwork, border process, cost, and how long it takes.
June 30, 2026
Documents
You need the istimara (vehicle registration) in your name, your Iqama or national ID, valid insurance, and, if the car is financed, a bank release or exit permit. Cars registered to a company need a letter from the company.
Route and time
Riyadh to Dubai is about 1,000 km via the Al Batha / Ghuwaifat border. A single flatbed takes 12 to 14 hours including border processing, so most deliveries are next-day.
Cost
Expect roughly SAR 2,000 to 3,000 for a sedan or SUV on an open flatbed, plus UAE border fees. Enclosed transport costs more. Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway is cheaper, from around SAR 1,200.
At the border
The driver presents the documents at Saudi exit and UAE entry. UAE customs may require a temporary import or a deposit if the car stays long-term. We brief you on this before departure so nothing is missing.
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