DXB-AUH Commute - just how much of a ball-ache?
Discussion
Potential client just outside of AUH - IIRC turn right onto the Al Ain road before you start crawling into the city and I'm wondering how painful a longish term commute from the Marina here to there and back will be.. Anyone unfortunate enough to have to do this daily/several times a week?
Ooooooooooooooooo, I have been doing the DXB - AUH - DXB commute daily for the past 6 years. 2.5 years from Deira to Al Raha Beach area and the last 3.5 years from Motorcity to Mussafah Industrial Area (oilydan does it as well but from Barsha).
It really, really depends on what time you leave home. A number of guys live around the Marina area and it takes them 55 - 65mins on average (depending on traffic). They are leaving home at circa 06:30AM and office 18:00PM.
Thursdays can be a real ballache going home as it would appear that the whole of AUH is heading towards DXB.
It may seem like a ballache, however, I use the time to prepare myself for the day ahead - plan what I need to do etc. Yes, you do need 4 sets of eyes as cars come at you from all directions (we refer to it affectionately as the road of death). The drive home can be a drag at the end of a long day, but you do get used to it. If you get your mindset right, then it can be rather amusing watching other morons on the road cutting in and out of traffic etc.
However, I do leave Motorcity at around 05:15-20 and at that time, the road is fairly empty and the only guys on the road, in the main and except labour buses) are the Army boys and they like a "good spirited drive" in the mornings.
Word of note: always, always fill up in the AM. NEVER, EVER fill up in the evenings - you will wait approx 30-45mins just to get into the 2 petrol stations (DXB ones are slightly better).
It really, really depends on what time you leave home. A number of guys live around the Marina area and it takes them 55 - 65mins on average (depending on traffic). They are leaving home at circa 06:30AM and office 18:00PM.
Thursdays can be a real ballache going home as it would appear that the whole of AUH is heading towards DXB.
It may seem like a ballache, however, I use the time to prepare myself for the day ahead - plan what I need to do etc. Yes, you do need 4 sets of eyes as cars come at you from all directions (we refer to it affectionately as the road of death). The drive home can be a drag at the end of a long day, but you do get used to it. If you get your mindset right, then it can be rather amusing watching other morons on the road cutting in and out of traffic etc.
However, I do leave Motorcity at around 05:15-20 and at that time, the road is fairly empty and the only guys on the road, in the main and except labour buses) are the Army boys and they like a "good spirited drive" in the mornings.
Word of note: always, always fill up in the AM. NEVER, EVER fill up in the evenings - you will wait approx 30-45mins just to get into the 2 petrol stations (DXB ones are slightly better).
The research on this says . . . don't do it!!
http://ftp.iza.org/dp1278.pdf
The take home message is that "people with longer commuting time report systematically lower subjective well-being."
http://ftp.iza.org/dp1278.pdf
The take home message is that "people with longer commuting time report systematically lower subjective well-being."
e21jason said:
I did note but my work mates did, and basically we ended up moving the office from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to stop people getting the hump and leaving. I do it 1-2 a week and it’s a drag (the lancer 1.3 auto makes it suicidal)
I have no idea how you cope in a 1.3 Lancer - serious.To make it easier, will really depend on what car you have for the commute: you need a car that you feel comfortable in, has nice ergonomics and gadgets and has plenty of POWWWAAAAAA. That road is pretty brutal on your car, especially tyres, suspension and brakes.
You will be doing circa 210km every day, so service intervals have to be factored in (if you have a Jap car, servicing at every 5000km means almost monthly services).
POWWWAAA - you will need it. For me a V6 is the minimum requirement for that road, it will also give you the best fuel economy. Size of the car will help too so its needs to be a cruiser (not a 4x4 / SUV).
Road of death. Right..
Perhaps not..
I knew some of the stats relating to length of commute and satisfaction etc, was hoping that there might be some compensation for my trouble.
Am ok on power, thanks to Gaffer I found a Lumina SS which ticks along nicely. If the project goes ahead and it kills the car, an upgrade to a CR8 would seem to be a sensible move
Perhaps not..
I knew some of the stats relating to length of commute and satisfaction etc, was hoping that there might be some compensation for my trouble.
Am ok on power, thanks to Gaffer I found a Lumina SS which ticks along nicely. If the project goes ahead and it kills the car, an upgrade to a CR8 would seem to be a sensible move
Psychobert said:
Road of death. Right..
Perhaps not..
I knew some of the stats relating to length of commute and satisfaction etc, was hoping that there might be some compensation for my trouble.
Am ok on power, thanks to Gaffer I found a Lumina SS which ticks along nicely. If the project goes ahead and it kills the car, an upgrade to a CR8 would seem to be a sensible move
Seriously, its not all that bad (eeeeek)Perhaps not..
I knew some of the stats relating to length of commute and satisfaction etc, was hoping that there might be some compensation for my trouble.
Am ok on power, thanks to Gaffer I found a Lumina SS which ticks along nicely. If the project goes ahead and it kills the car, an upgrade to a CR8 would seem to be a sensible move
You just have to be, like any road in DXB/AUH, aware of what is going on around you.
I get far, far better fuel consumption from my E36 M3 & the Mrs SLK350 (circa 9 l per 100/km) than I do in the CR8 (12.1 l per 100/km at an avg speed of 100km/h).
Compensation: as in what - fit birds trying to thumb a lift. If that was the case, there would be fecking pandemonium on that road.
yorky500 said:
Compensation: as in what - fit birds trying to thumb a lift. If that was the case, there would be fecking pandemonium on that road.
There is fecking pandemonium on that road 
Was hoping there would be a good reason for it.. 
If I could tweak the working hours a little to suit a non-lethal commute then that would help. Luckily I'm pretty close to SZR at this end and don't need to go into the city at the other end.
Early days yet, may come to nothing..
Psychobert said:
There is fecking pandemonium on that road Was hoping there would be a good reason for it..
If I could tweak the working hours a little to suit a non-lethal commute then that would help. Luckily I'm pretty close to SZR at this end and don't need to go into the city at the other end.
Early days yet, may come to nothing..
Well, my working hours are 07:30 - 18:00 (local contractor) here in Mussafah. Was hoping there would be a good reason for it.. If I could tweak the working hours a little to suit a non-lethal commute then that would help. Luckily I'm pretty close to SZR at this end and don't need to go into the city at the other end.
Early days yet, may come to nothing..
I have to do the schlep to Abu Dhabi at least once a week from Marina to twofour54. Only way to make it bearable and not a complete ballache is to have a driver.
That way I can either snooze on the way, or open up the laptop, tether to the iPhone and get some work done. Had to go up for a 15minute meeting the other day to sort his visa, and didn't lose any productivity as I worked the whole way there and back.
Yes, it's a little bit Dubai-excess, but I don't pay his wages - the company does - and it really makes all the difference. Worst thing about having him on the books is what to do with him the rest of the week - there's only so many times I can send him out with my dry cleaning!
Saying that, the drive back from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon was nasty as the a/c belt had failed on the renta-Yaris so was a sweat box all the way home.
That way I can either snooze on the way, or open up the laptop, tether to the iPhone and get some work done. Had to go up for a 15minute meeting the other day to sort his visa, and didn't lose any productivity as I worked the whole way there and back.
Yes, it's a little bit Dubai-excess, but I don't pay his wages - the company does - and it really makes all the difference. Worst thing about having him on the books is what to do with him the rest of the week - there's only so many times I can send him out with my dry cleaning!
Saying that, the drive back from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon was nasty as the a/c belt had failed on the renta-Yaris so was a sweat box all the way home.
yorky500 said:
Useful Stuff
Yorky is your inside man when it comes to the commute. Although 4 years also makes me a bit of an expert too, I guess.My only advice is to get a big V8 and take no prisoners. Be aggressive as you can and bully your way to - and from - AUH. I find this fun and therapeutic, lesser men don't enjoy it
drove to mussafah this morning, then on to jebel ali. that commute would do my nut in. on the way it was busy and the driving standards were appalling. on the return it was empty and i was daydreaming about no speed cameras and a big v8. think i used 3/4 of a tank screaming the fiesta along too!
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff