Al Batha Border — UAE to Saudi Arabia
The main UAE–Saudi land crossing on the E11: visas, Manafith insurance, vehicle permission and the documents that keep your crossing moving.
Crossing at Al Batha
Al Batha is the main land border between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. From Abu Dhabi you reach it on the E11 via Al Ghuwaifat on the UAE side, crossing into Saudi Arabia at Al Batha. It is the gateway for overland trips to Riyadh, the holy cities, and onward routes to Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
The crossing itself is straightforward once your paperwork is right — the delays come from visas, vehicle permission and insurance, not the road. Sort those before you leave the UAE and Al Batha is a manageable stop rather than a bottleneck.
At a glance
UAE–Saudi Arabia · E11 via Al Ghuwaifat (UAE) → Al Batha (Saudi) · Saudi visa + Manafith insurance required · gateway to Riyadh, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.Connects
UAE ↔ Saudi Arabia
UAE side post
Al Ghuwaifat
Saudi side post
Al Batha
Approach road
E11 (Abu Dhabi)
From Abu Dhabi
~340 km
From Dubai
~460 km
Opening hours
24 hours
Onward to
Riyadh · Dammam · Bahrain
Saudi transit — visas, vehicle & insurance
Saudi transit visa rules can change, so do not rely on old forum posts or someone else's 2024 experience. If your Salalah route enters Saudi Arabia, you need to confirm your eligibility before leaving the UAE. A Saudi transit visa UAE residents plan should cover both the outbound and return legs, the purpose of travel, passport validity, UAE residency validity and whether every passenger is eligible.
Drivers also need to think beyond the passenger visa. Your car must be accepted for cross-border travel, and insurance requirements can differ between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Rental cars and financed vehicles need special attention because a company may allow Oman travel but not Saudi Arabia, or may require separate written permission.
The safest approach is simple: check official Saudi visa channels, confirm your vehicle permission in writing, and keep digital and printed copies. If any passenger has a different nationality or residency status, check that person separately.
Rental & financed cars
Rental cars are the biggest risk area. Never assume a UAE rental can enter Saudi Arabia or Oman. Get approval in writing and ask exactly which countries are allowed.Al Batha border — frequently asked questions
Which countries does the Al Batha border connect?
Al Batha is a land crossing between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The UAE side is the Al Ghuwaifat post in Abu Dhabi’s western region; the Saudi side is Al Batha, in the Eastern Province. From there the road continues to Dammam, Riyadh and on to Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Where is the Al Batha border crossing?
It sits at the western end of the UAE, reached on the E11 from Abu Dhabi via Al Ghuwaifat. It is roughly 340 km from Abu Dhabi city and about 460 km from Dubai — a three-and-a-half to five-hour drive before you reach the counters.
Is Al Batha the same as Al Ghuwaifat?
They are the two halves of the same crossing. Al Ghuwaifat is the UAE exit post and Al Batha is the Saudi entry post a short distance across the border, so you will see both names — and “Al Batha port” — used for the same route.
What are the Al Batha border opening hours?
The crossing operates 24 hours a day. Traffic is heaviest around Saudi and UAE weekends, public holidays and the Hajj and Umrah seasons, when queues can stretch to several hours.
How long does it take to cross at Al Batha?
With paperwork in order, expect 30–60 minutes on a quiet day for exit and entry formalities on both sides. At peak times — long weekends and pilgrimage periods — allow two to four hours, and arrive early in the day to avoid the worst of it.
Do I need a visa to cross at Al Batha?
UAE and GCC nationals enter Saudi Arabia visa-free. UAE residents of other nationalities need a Saudi eVisa arranged in advance — clearing an on-arrival visa at Al Batha is slow and not guaranteed.
What insurance do I need to drive into Saudi Arabia?
You need motor insurance accepted in Saudi Arabia (Manafith). Confirm your UAE policy covers Saudi Arabia or arrange separate cover, and carry proof for the counters.