Quick answer: Every dirt bike, dune buggy and quad bike ride with Dirt Bike Rental Dubai runs in the Al Badayer red dunes, about 45 to 60 minutes from Downtown Dubai. You do not ride from our office and you do not ride in the city. You either drive yourself to the meeting point we email after booking, or you add a transfer and we collect you 1 hour before your ride time.
If you are planning a desert ride and wondering where it actually happens, how to get there and what the ground is like, this guide answers all of it. It also explains the difference between the fenced area and the open deep desert, which decides where each of our rides can go.
Key facts at a glance
- Ride area: the Al Badayer red dunes, the only place our rides run.
- Distance: about 45 to 60 minutes from Downtown Dubai.
- Getting there: drive yourself (the meeting point is emailed after booking), a Private Transfer at AED 450 per car, or a Sharing Transfer at AED 175 per person.
- Transfer pickup: 1 hour before your ride time.
- Two riding areas: a fenced area for younger riders and learners, and the open deep desert for the KTM 450, the dune buggies and the bigger quads.
- Ride start times: from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, every day.
- Booking office: Al Fattan Marine Tower, Office 106, The Walk, JBR. Booking only: no ride starts there.
Where can you ride a dirt bike near Dubai?
With us, the answer is one place: the red dunes of Al Badayer. All of our rides run there, and only there. That includes the KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC, all of our dune buggies and all of our quad bikes.
Keeping every ride in one area has a practical upside for you. The meeting point, the guides, the kit and the routine are the same whichever machine you book, so a group can split across a dirt bike, a buggy and a quad and still arrive, brief and finish together.
If you see a ride elsewhere promising to take you past a landmark or across a different desert, that is not a ride we sell. We do not run rides at other desert areas, and we do not promise landmarks along the way.
Is there a motocross track at Al Badayer?
Many people search for an "Al Badayer motorcycle rental" or a "Badayer motocross track". What we offer is guided riding in the open red dunes and in a fenced area, not laps of a built motocross track. On the KTM 450 you follow a guide across natural dunes; on a quad or in a dune buggy you do the same, or ride in the fenced area if you are learning. If you are looking for motocross rental in Dubai's desert in the sense of riding a dirt bike on sand with a guide, that is exactly what the KTM ride is.
Why Al Badayer is a good place to ride
A dirt bike or a quad needs space and soft, rolling sand, and that is what the red dunes of Al Badayer give you. The sand here has the deep orange-red colour most people picture when they think of a Dubai desert ride, and the dunes roll on in long ridges.
That mix is what makes it work for very different riders on the same day:
- For a beginner on a quad, there is room to learn the throttle and steering without traffic, kerbs or tight corners.
- For an experienced rider on the KTM 450, the ridges and slopes give the bike something to work against, with a guide setting the line.
- For a group in a dune buggy, there is space to ride together in a convoy behind the guide.
The colour of the sand also changes with the light. Early morning and late afternoon bring out the red the most, which is one reason many riders choose an early or late start. Our guide to the best time for a dirt bike ride in Dubai covers that in detail.
How do you get to the meeting point?
You have three options, and you choose on the booking form.
| Option | Price | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| No transfer | No charge | The meeting-point location is emailed automatically after you book. You drive yourself. | Riders with a car who know the roads |
| Private Transfer | AED 450 per car | One car for 5 to 6 people. Pickup is 1 hour before your ride time. | Families and groups |
| Sharing Transfer | AED 175 per person | Needs at least two people from the same pickup location; otherwise choose a private car. | Couples and pairs of friends |
Driving yourself
If you drive, the meeting-point location arrives by email after you book. The drive from Downtown Dubai takes about 45 to 60 minutes. A few general tips make the day calmer:
- Open the meeting-point location before you leave, while you still have good signal.
- Leave enough time for the drive and for finding the meeting point on your first visit, so you arrive before your start time rather than at it.
- Fill up before you leave the city if your tank is low.
- Bring water for the drive.
Taking a transfer
If you add a transfer, you do not need to know the way. Pickup is 1 hour before your ride time. A Private Transfer is AED 450 per car for 5 to 6 people, and a Sharing Transfer is AED 175 per person. The sharing option needs at least two people from the same pickup location; a single traveller should choose a private car.
Does any ride start from your JBR office?
No. Our office at Al Fattan Marine Tower, Office 106, The Walk, JBR is where bookings are handled. It is a booking office only, and no ride starts there. Please do not go to JBR on the day of your ride unless we have told you to. Head to the Al Badayer meeting point in your email, or wait for your transfer.
The fenced area and the open deep desert
Inside the ride area there are two kinds of ground, and the name of each quad on our booking form tells you which one it uses.
The fenced area
The fenced area is a closed riding space inside the desert. It suits younger riders and anyone who wants to learn the controls without a big dune in front of them. Three quads run here:
| Quad in the fenced area | Guidance | Price per quad |
|---|---|---|
| Kids Quad Bike Single Seater | Recommended for ages 9 to 12 | AED 150 (30 min), AED 250 (1 hour), AED 400 (2 hours) |
| COBRA Single Seater Quad Bike ( Fenced Area ) | Recommended for ages 14 to 17 | AED 200 (30 min), AED 250 (1 hour), AED 400 (2 hours) |
| SHARMAX Quad Bike Single Seater (Fenced Area) | Ask us about ages | AED 350 (30 min), AED 425 (1 hour), AED 800 (2 hours) |
The open deep desert
The open deep desert is where the dunes open up and you follow a guide across them. The KTM 450, every dune buggy and the larger quads ride here:
| Ride in the open deep desert | Price |
|---|---|
| KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC (18+, experienced riders only) | AED 850 (1 hour), AED 1,250 (2 hours), AED 1,450 (3 hours), per bike |
| Kymco Single Seater Quad Bike ( Open Deep Desert ) | AED 250 (30 min), AED 350 (1 hour), AED 600 (2 hours), per quad |
| Double Seater Quad Bike ( Open Deep Desert ) | AED 350 (30 min), AED 425 (1 hour), AED 820 (2 hours), per quad |
| Yamaha Quad Bike (Open Deep Desert Area) | AED 450 (30 min), AED 550 (1 hour), AED 950 (2 hours), per quad |
| Single Seater Sports Quad Bike (open deep desert) | AED 700 (1 hour), AED 1,250 (2 hours), per quad |
| Quad Bike Raptor Manual 700 CC ( Open Deep Desert ) | AED 795 (1 hour), AED 1,550 (2 hours), per quad |
| Polaris RZR and Can-Am Maverick X3 dune buggies, 2 or 4 seats | From AED 600 for 30 minutes, per buggy |
Which area is right for you?
- Choose the fenced area for children, for nervous first-timers, and for anyone who wants to feel how a quad responds before going further.
- Choose the open deep desert if you want to cover more ground, ride in a convoy with a guide, or if you are an experienced rider on the KTM.
If your group has both, the fenced area and the open desert are part of the same ride area, so you can still meet up before and after.
What happens when you arrive?
The rhythm of the day is the same for every ride:
- Check in at the meeting point and meet your guide.
- Get your gear. On a KTM ride that is racing gear (pants, jacket and gloves), a crash-resistant helmet, collarbone and knee protection and goggles. Helmets, gloves and protective gear are provided on every ride.
- Sit through the safety briefing. It covers the vehicle controls, off-road safety in the desert and what to do in an emergency.
- Warm up. On the KTM, the 1 hour slot is a warm-up plus about 40 minutes of riding.
- Ride, with the guide setting the line across the dunes.
Our guide to your first guided dirt bike ride goes through each step in more detail.
What should you bring to the dunes?
- Clothes you will ride in: comfortable sports clothes and closed shoes that suit sport. Bring a jacket in the cooler winter months.
- Water for the drive out.
- Your booking email, which also holds the meeting-point location if you are driving yourself.
- Sun protection such as sunscreen and sunglasses for before and after the ride, when you are not wearing goggles.
Read our full guide to what to wear for desert riding before you go.
Adding more to your day in the desert
Because you are already out in the dunes, some riders add a slower activity on the same booking form:
| Add-on | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Camel Ride in Desert 20 - 25 min | AED 150 | Per person |
| SandBoarding | AED 50 | Per person |
| Standard Camp ( BBQ Dinner + Live Entertainment Shows) | AED 125 | Per person |
| Premium Camp ( BBQ Dinner + Live Entertainment Shows ) | AED 250 | Per person |
The BBQ camp needs a private transfer. Camp pickup times change with the season: in winter (October to March) pickup is 2:45 to 3:30 PM and drop-off 9:00 to 9:30 PM; in summer (April to September) pickup is 3:45 to 4:30 PM. See the camel ride and sandboarding pages for more.
What does riding on red sand feel like?
Sand is not like a road or a gravel track, and it helps to know what to expect before you arrive. These are general points that apply to most riders, whatever they book.
On the KTM 450
Soft sand moves under the front wheel, so the bike will feel lighter at the front and looser than on firm ground. Experienced off-road riders keep their weight back on descents, stand on the footpegs over rougher sections and use a steady throttle rather than sudden bursts. The guide picks the line and reads the dunes ahead, so your job is to ride the bike, not to find the way. This is exactly why the KTM is for riders 18 and over with off-road experience: the skills above are learned on dirt, not on the day.
On a quad bike
A quad stays upright on its own, so the effort goes into steering and throttle control. On sand, a quad turns more slowly than you might expect, and a gentle throttle keeps it predictable. In the fenced area you get space to try this with no slopes in the way. In the open deep desert, you follow the guide's line over the dunes.
In a dune buggy
A dune buggy has a steering wheel and pedals, like a small car. The driver steers and controls the speed while passengers hold on. It is the least physical way to experience the dunes, which is why it suits mixed groups and families. Choose between the Polaris RZR and the Can-Am Maverick X3 models, in 2 or 4 seats, on our dune buggy page.
Planning a mixed group in one ride area
One of the best things about every ride running in the same place is that a group with different experience levels can still have one shared day. A typical plan looks like this:
- The experienced rider books the KTM 450 for 1, 2 or 3 hours.
- Adults new to off-road riding book an open-desert quad, such as the Kymco single seater or the Double Seater Quad Bike, or share a dune buggy.
- Children ride the Kids Quad Bike or the COBRA quad in the fenced area, with the guidance ages above.
- Everyone travels out together, either in one Private Transfer for up to 5 to 6 people or by car, and meets at the same meeting point.
Pick start times that let the group arrive together. Ride lengths differ by machine: the KTM starts at 1 hour, while most quads and every buggy start at 30 minutes. If you want everyone to finish at a similar time, choose lengths that line up, or add a camel ride or sandboarding for whoever finishes first. Message us with your group and we will help you plan it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Going to the JBR office on ride day. It is a booking office only. Rides start at the Al Badayer meeting point.
- Leaving it too late. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the drive from Downtown Dubai, plus time to find the meeting point.
- Booking a sharing transfer alone. It needs at least two people from the same pickup location.
- Choosing the wrong area. Children and nervous beginners belong in the fenced area; the KTM and the bigger quads ride in the open deep desert.
- Expecting landmarks. Our rides are about the dunes themselves. We do not promise views of city landmarks.
A quick planning checklist
- [ ] Every rider matched to a ride and an area
- [ ] Start time chosen between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM
- [ ] Transfer chosen, or meeting point saved for the drive
- [ ] 45 to 60 minutes allowed for the drive
- [ ] Sports clothes, closed shoes and water ready
- [ ] Add-ons chosen, if any
Glossary
- Al Badayer: the red-dune desert area where all of our rides run.
- Meeting point: where you check in with your guide. Its location is emailed after booking.
- Fenced area: a closed riding space for younger riders and learners.
- Open deep desert: the wider dunes where riders follow a guide.
- Private Transfer: a car for 5 to 6 people, AED 450 per car.
- Sharing Transfer: a shared ride at AED 175 per person, for two or more people from one pickup location.
In short
You ride in the Al Badayer red dunes, 45 to 60 minutes from Downtown Dubai. Drive yourself to the meeting point we email you, or add a Private Transfer at AED 450 per car or a Sharing Transfer at AED 175 per person, with pickup 1 hour before your ride. The fenced area is for younger riders and learners; the open deep desert is for the KTM, the buggies and the bigger quads. For directions and the map, see our location page. When you are ready, book your ride and the meeting point will arrive by email. If you are still deciding who can ride what, read the licence and age rules.
Last reviewed November 2026. Ride areas, transfer prices and pickup times come from our own booking form and ride rules.
