Search "how far is Al Marjan Island from Dubai" and you will find anything from 45 minutes to over an hour. I drove it from Jumeirah Village Triangle and it took 1 hour 20 minutes.
First: it is not in Dubai
Al Marjan Island is in Ras Al Khaimah, a separate emirate. It is a man-made archipelago of four islands on RAK's western coast, near Al Hamra.
What the published numbers say
| Source | Trip | Time |
|---|---|---|
| RAK tourism site | Dubai Airport to RAK (emirate), 85 km | 45 min |
| A resort on the island | Dubai Airport to the island | 45 min |
| A broker guide | Island to Dubai Airport, 85 to 95 km | 60 to 75 min |
| A route planner | Al Rashidiya to the island, ~74 km | 52 to 59 min |
Most start at the airport and assume light traffic. They are not wrong; they measure different trips.
My drive, and my estimates
| Starting point | Time | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah Village Triangle | 1h 20 | Measured |
| Dubai Airport | ~1h 05 | Estimate |
| Downtown Dubai | ~1h 15 | Estimate |
| Dubai Marina | ~1h 30 | Estimate |
Estimates apply the pace of the measured drive to each road distance. Treat each as roughly 10 minutes either way; Downtown and Marina start in heavier traffic, so expect the high end.
The route
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) towards Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, exit 110, then Al Alyaah Street (E11) to Marjan Island Boulevard. The E611 is an alternative. Always check live navigation.
Without a car
Direct flights land at RAK International Airport, about 30 minutes from the island according to one resort there. Taxis and buses link Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. There is no passenger train to RAK yet.
My view
A drive you do ten times a year is different from one you do every day. At 1 hour 20 each way, I would not plan a five-day Dubai commute from the island. It is a place for holidays, weekends and second homes. If your working week is in Dubai, the drive time is the whole decision.