Is this dua authentic?

Yes — it is recorded in Sahih Muslim 1342, which is among the highest tier of authenticated hadith collections.

Do I recite this every time I get into a vehicle?

The basic boarding tasbih (Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha) is recommended every time you board. The longer travel dua is for the start of a meaningful journey, not every short ride.

Travel

Full Dua for Starting a Journey

A travel supplication from the Sunnah, narrated in Sahih Muslim.

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَٰذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَىٰ، اللَّهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَٰذَا وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqaliboon. Allahumma inna nas'aluka fi safarina hadhal-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-'amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin 'alayna safarana hadha watwi 'anna bu'dah. Allahumma antas-sahibu fis-safari wal-khaleefatu fil-ahl. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min wa'tha'is-safari wa ka'abatil-manzari wa su'il-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahl

Meaning

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts); and surely to our Lord we shall return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey for righteousness, piety, and deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and fold up its distance. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Successor over the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, gloomy sights, and an evil outcome with respect to my wealth and family.

Reference

Source: Sahih Muslim 1342. This narration appears in Sahih Muslim, alongside Sahih al-Bukhari among the highest-authenticity hadith sources.

When to recite

Say this dua when you arrive somewhere new, before stepping out into the unfamiliar town. It's a Prophetic habit recorded by the Companions when they entered new lands.

About this dua

Sahih Muslim, compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (d. 261 AH), is paired with Sahih al-Bukhari as the two most rigorously authenticated hadith collections. Together they form the highest tier of hadith literature. The dua of the traveller is considered a time when Allah is especially responsive — the Prophet (peace be upon him) listed it among the three duas that are not rejected. The travel supplications are meant to keep that responsiveness in the traveller's mind.

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Arabic text and references are presented as recorded in the source collections. For detailed authenticity grading or in-depth tafsir, consult a qualified scholar.