How to Get to Wynn Al Marjan Island from Dubai

Last updated: 17 August 2026

Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE's first licensed casino resort, sits on a man-made island off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah — close enough to Dubai for an easy day trip, far enough that the journey needs a little planning. The resort itself opens in September 2027, but the roads and buses are running today, and the drive is about to get shorter. Here is how the journey actually works.

Key takeaways

• Al Marjan Island is roughly 80 km from Dubai; the drive takes about an hour to an hour and a quarter from central Dubai, or 45–50 minutes from Dubai International Airport on a clear road.
• The 548-metre Marjan Bay Bridge, 48 per cent complete as of 2 February 2026, will link the resort directly to the E311 and E611 highways via Marjan Avenue and is on schedule to open ahead of the resort.
• Buses from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah cost around AED 27–30 and take about two hours, but they stop in RAK city — you still need a taxi for the last leg to the island.
• A taxi or ride-hail from Dubai runs roughly AED 200–300 each way.
• RAK International Airport is about 15 minutes from the island and opens a dedicated VVIP terminal in Q1 2027, timed for the resort.
• The resort opens in September 2027 — but Al Marjan Island already has eight operating hotels, so the trip is worth making now.

Where is Wynn Al Marjan Island, exactly?

Al Marjan Island is a cluster of four coral-shaped artificial islands off Al Hamra, on Ras Al Khaimah's southwestern coast — the side of the emirate that faces Dubai. That geography matters: the island sits well south of RAK city, which is why Dubai-to-island times are shorter than Dubai-to-RAK times. One caveat before you set off: the Wynn resort itself is not open. After a "modest delay" disclosed on 7 May 2026, Wynn confirmed on 4 August 2026 that the resort opens in September 2027. The island's other hotels, beaches and restaurants, however, are very much open.

Driving from Dubai

This is how most people will make the trip. The route runs north out of Dubai on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) or Emirates Road (E611), both toll-free highways, before turning towards the coast at Al Hamra. From central Dubai, allow about an hour to an hour and a quarter in ordinary traffic; from Dubai International Airport, RAK tourism and property sources quote 45 to 50 minutes on a clear run. RAK city itself is much further — around 138 km — so set the sat-nav pin to Al Marjan Island specifically, and avoid the 7–9am and 5–7pm rush-hour windows.

The Marjan Bay Bridge changes the route

Today, reaching the island means threading through Al Hamra's local roads. That ends with the Marjan Bay Bridge: a 548-metre link that will connect the resort directly to the E311 and E611 via Marjan Avenue. In its 2 February 2026 statement, Wynn Resorts reported piling complete, nine of ten bridge column pile caps in place and overall completion at 48 per cent; the company's August 2026 fact sheet confirms the bridge is on schedule to open ahead of the resort's 2027 opening. Local outlet WOW-RAK estimates the bridge will cut the Dubai drive to roughly 45 minutes; treat that as a reported estimate rather than an official figure, but the direction of travel is clear — the resort is being wired straight into the highway network before it opens.

Buses from Dubai: cheap, but not door-to-door

RAKTA's intercity bus is the budget option: about AED 27 one way from Dubai's Union Bus Station, booked through the Sayr app, with a second service from the Dubai Mall area at around AED 30. Journey time is approximately two hours, with departures roughly hourly. The catch is the terminus: buses arrive at RAK's bus station in the city, not on Al Marjan Island. A local taxi for the last leg costs around AED 25–35, taking the total to roughly two and a half hours and AED 50–60 all in — fine for a beach day, less so for a late-night return. Whether Wynn will run its own guest shuttles from Dubai or DXB once open has not been announced.

Taxis and ride-hailing

A standard taxi from Dubai to the RAK coast costs roughly AED 200–300 depending on your start point and time of day, with premium cars quoted higher. Careem operates in both emirates, and RAKTA taxis can be booked by phone (800-1700) for the return leg. For two or more people travelling together, a taxi often beats the bus on both time and total cost per head — and it is currently the only realistic late-evening option.

Flying in: RAK airport versus Dubai

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) is the closest airport — about 15 minutes from the island, according to Gulf News — and it is positioning itself around the resort. It passed one million passengers for the first time in 2025, up 51 per cent year on year, and chief executive Manish Seth has set a target of 1.5 million by the end of 2027, explicitly citing expected Wynn traffic. The headline project is a dedicated VVIP terminal: a 1,500 sqm terminal, 8,000 sqm private-jet hangar and helipad, developed with Falcon Executive Aviation and slated to open in Q1 2027, just ahead of the resort. For most international visitors, though, Dubai International remains the practical gateway — the island is quoted at 45–50 minutes from DXB, and no confirmed Wynn transfer product exists yet.

What to combine with the trip

The smart way to think about the journey now is that the destination already exists; only the casino resort is missing. Al Marjan Island has around eight operating hotels, including Rixos Bab Al Bahr, DoubleTree by Hilton, Mövenpick, Hampton by Hilton and Pullman. The newest addition is Rove Al Marjan Island, opened in 2025 with 441 keys as the island's value option — a sensible base for a reconnaissance trip before the Wynn opens. Two names you will see in coverage are not yet open: the NH Collection (Minor Hotels, officially early 2028) and the Fairmont Al Marjan Island (Accor, end of 2028, which broke ground in January 2026). Emirate-wide, RAK logged a record 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 and is targeting 3.5 million by 2030, a target openly built around the Wynn opening.

What is still unconfirmed

Two gaps are worth flagging. First, shuttles: nothing official on resort-run transfers from Dubai or the airports. Second, parking and valet arrangements, not yet detailed publicly. The opening date itself is now settled — September 2027, confirmed on 4 August 2026. We will update this guide as more is announced.

FAQ

How far is Wynn Al Marjan Island from Dubai? Roughly 80 km. Allow about an hour to an hour and a quarter by car from central Dubai, or 45–50 minutes from Dubai International Airport in clear traffic.

Is Wynn Al Marjan Island open yet? No. It opens in September 2027, confirmed by Wynn on 4 August 2026 after a "modest delay" disclosed in May. Al Marjan Island's other hotels and beaches are open.

What is the cheapest way to get there from Dubai? The RAKTA bus from Union Bus Station, about AED 27, booked via the Sayr app — but it terminates in RAK city, so add roughly AED 25–35 for a taxi to the island.

How much is a taxi from Dubai to Al Marjan Island? Typically AED 200–300 one way depending on start point and time of day; premium cars cost more. Careem operates in both emirates.

What is the Marjan Bay Bridge? A 548-metre bridge connecting the resort to the E311 and E611 highways via Marjan Avenue. It was 48 per cent complete as of 2 February 2026 and is on schedule to open ahead of the resort's 2027 opening.

Which airport is closest to Wynn Al Marjan Island? Ras Al Khaimah International, about 15 minutes away, with a VVIP terminal opening Q1 2027. Dubai International (45–50 minutes) remains the main international gateway.

Where can I stay on Al Marjan Island before Wynn opens? Eight hotels operate already, including Rove Al Marjan Island (opened 2025), Rixos Bab Al Bahr, DoubleTree by Hilton and Mövenpick. The NH Collection and Fairmont follow in 2028.

Further reading

• Wynn Al Marjan opening date explained
• Wynn Al Marjan Island: the UAE's first casino resort, profiled
• Wynn Al Marjan FAQ for UAE visitors
• Wynn's UAE gaming licence, explained
• Wynn Al Marjan names F&B team ahead of Q1 2027 opening
• Jobs and careers at Wynn Al Marjan in 2026
• Can tourists gamble in the UAE?
• What is legal in UAE gaming right now

Sources

• Wynn Al Marjan Island Fact Sheet (August 2026), supplied by Wynn Al Marjan Island's representatives
• Wynn Resorts Newsroom, "Wynn Al Marjan Island Advances Landmark Infrastructure with the Construction of Marjan Bay Bridge": https://www.newsroom.wynnresorts.com/en/wynnalmarjan/wynn-al-marjan-island-advances-landmark-infrastructure-with-the-construction-of-wynn-bridge/s/2f78302c-a04d-4e23-9566-e1d1e89b23fc
• ZAWYA, "Wynn Al Marjan Island achieves key milestones; bridge set for 2026 opening": https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/wynn-al-marjan-island-achieves-key-milestones-bridge-set-for-2026-opening-mjzxwqbi
• WOW-RAK, "Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah: Bus, Taxi & Car Guide (2026)": https://wow-rak.com/dubai-to-ras-al-khaimah-bus-taxi-car-guide/
• WOW-RAK, "Wynn Al Marjan Island: UAE's First Casino Resort, 2027 Update": https://wow-rak.com/wynn-resorts-ras-al-khaimah-opening-of-first-casino-mega-resort/
• WOW-RAK, "The Story of Al Marjan Island": https://wow-rak.com/the-story-of-al-marjan-island-and-its-role-in-ras-al-khaimahs-tourism-industry/
• Bayut, "Guide to the Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah Bus Services": https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/dubai-to-ras-al-khaimah-bus-service-guide/
• Property Finder, "RAK Bus: Timings, Fees & Much More": https://www.propertyfinder.ae/blog/rak-bus/
• Al Marjan Island Properties, "How to Reach Al Marjan Island from Dubai": https://almarjanislandproperties.com/how-to-reach-al-marjan-island/
• Visit Ras Al Khaimah, "How To Book A Taxi In Ras Al Khaimah": https://visitrasalkhaimah.com/blog/how-book-taxi-ras-al-khaimah/
• AGBI, "RAK Airport sets ambitious passenger number goal": https://www.agbi.com/aviation/2026/01/rak-airport-sets-ambitious-passenger-number-goal/
• Gulf News, "RAK Airport to build luxury VVIP private jet terminal 15-minutes away from Wynn Al Marjan": https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/rak-airport-to-build-luxury-vvip-private-jet-terminal-15-minutes-away-from-wynn-al-marjan-1.500358036
• Minor Hotels, "Minor Hotels Announces Upcoming Launch of NH Collection Hotel on Al Marjan Island": https://media.minorhotels.com/en-GLO/247027-minor-hotels-announces-upcoming-launch-of-nh-collection-hotel-on-al-marjan-island-ras-al-khaimah/
• Accor, "Ardee Developments signs with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts": https://press.accor.com/ardee-developments-signs-with-fairmont-hotels-amp-resorts-to-launch-fairmont-residences-al-marjan-island-and-fairmont-al-marjan-island-hotel
• RAK Party, "1.35 Million in 2025, 3.5 Million by 2030": https://www.rakparty.com/news/ras-al-khaimah-tourism-2025-135-million-visitors-source-market