Abu Dhabi and Dubai Public Transport Guide

Imagine going to Dubai Mall Dubai Shopping Festival opening weekend And no parking issues or taxi queues. Even better, imagine listening to your favourite podcast, lugging your suitcases and heading from Dubai Marina to Terminal 3 for just AED 7.50.

Travelers can travel across Abu Dhabi and Dubai in a clean and convenient way. Cost and convenience are the biggest benefits, here is a guide to using the public transport network in the UAE.

Dubai International Airport

Travelling to and from any airport is often a long journey, so you are welcome to prepare accordingly and avoid any stress. Passengers passing through Dubai International Airport can take the Dubai Metro directly to Terminals 1 and 3 on the Red Line.

Visitors can also take the metro to Dubai Mall for pre-flight shopping and dining, as the mall’s concierge has partnered with Dubz, a service that allows passengers to store or check-in luggage at home and have their luggage delivered to the airport. Deposits start from AED 50 per bag and AED 150 per checked bag.

While the subway is the most convenient form of public transport for tourists or those unfamiliar with the extensive bus network, if you miss a train, bus line C01 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs on 1 and 3 Terminal 1 stops at the main city bus station. One way does not exceed Dh7.50.

Abu Dhabi International Airport

In the capital, city buses stop at all three Abu Dhabi International Airport terminals and travel directly to the city for AED 4 each way. Buses into the city run 24 hours a day, every 40 minutes, to all major bus stops.

If you are travelling to or from Dubai, the new Abu Dhabi Express shuttle service costs AED 35 and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, between Abu Dhabi Airport and Ibn Battuta Bus Station, Every hour.

Between Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s RTA has a bus line that runs between the two emirates every 20 minutes throughout the day. You can take the E100 from Dubai’s Al Ghubaiba bus station, which takes you to the capital in 2 hours and 15 minutes, or the E101 from Ibn Battuta bus station, which takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. Both bus stops are directly connected to the Dubai Metro. Tickets cost AED 25 and you will be taken to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station next to Al Wahda Mall.

Within Dubai

One of the easiest ways to get around the emirate by public transport is to use Dubai Metro. The red and green lines run from Al Qusais to the newly reopened Expo 2020 city.

With 64 stations, travellers have direct access to places such as Dubai International Airport, Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall, as well as tram lines, bus stops and ferry terminals.

Dubai is divided into seven zones, and it costs Dh4 to pass through one zone. Included in the price if you transfer to a bus or tram during the same journey. To travel on the metro, tram, bus or ferry, simply buy a Nol card at any metro station. These are disposable red Nol tickets or reusable cards.

Tiakala Sangtam, a Dubai resident who uses Dubai Metro and bus lines every day, said: “It’s convenient, clean and most importantly safe. The S’hail app makes planning your journey easy, and with your Nol card, go from metro to rail Tram or bus is just a tap away.” Sangtam estimates her transportation costs are no more than Dh200 a month and loves that she doesn’t have to worry about rush hour traffic jams.

For rare stops not covered by Dubai Metro, there is a fleet of 1,500 buses.Timetables, maps and Nol card balances are available at RTA/S’hail application. Occupational health coach Sana Basharat, who uses the bus to work in Sharjah, estimated the cost of transport, including daily use of the subway, to be Dh500 per month.

DMCC and Sobha Realty MRT stations are also directly connected to the city’s tram lines, Throughout Dubai Marina, there are 11 stations connecting JBR, Dubai Marina, Al Sufouh and the Palm Jumeirah Monorail.

This Unique to Palm Jumeirah, the monorail carries passengers through five stations on the island, from Palm Gateway, Golden Mile Galleria shopping centre to Atlantis Aquaventure water park.

At Dubai Marina, hop on Water Bus use Your Nol card can be used at different stations in the area.Or, travel via the pier The Dubai Ferries carry around 100 passengers on a scenic route around the Palm Jumeirah, past the Burj Al Arab, all the way to the Dubai Canal and Dubai Creek.

For downtown transportation, Careem bikes and Lime scooters are convenient alternatives to buses and subways. Bicycles can be easily found in most pedestrian areas and outside bus and subway stations. Just download the app on your phone, scan the QR code, and start, the app will time you. Careem bikes are available in daily (Dh20), weekly (Dh50) and monthly (Dh75) plans, while Lime scooters cost Dh35 per hour or Dh45 per day.

Inside Abu Dhabi

Getting around Abu Dhabi is just as efficient and affordable. Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station serves more than 500 local and regional buses on 124 routes. The City Centre Line provides direct access to all corners of the capital 24 hours a day for just AED 2 each way.

Local lines cover city centre traffic, connecting residential communities such as Al Amerah, Al Bahya, Rabdan and Shakhbout City, while regional lines connect areas such as Al Zahiyah, Al Reef and Saadiyat Island.

To get to Al Ain, passengers can take the X90 line from Abu Dhabi Central Station to Al Ain City Central Station. The journey takes 2 hours and 35 minutes, with a bus leaving the capital every hour from 6.45am. The last train leaves at 10.45pm. Sharjah, Dubai, Al Ain, Liwa and Al Ruwais are also accessible from the bus terminal.

Timetables and maps can be found on the Darbi app. Passengers need to use the Hafilat travel smart card, which, like Dubai’s Nol card, automatically deducts the fare after scanning. Cards can be purchased and topped up at the many ticket machines located throughout the city, most notably in all Lulu supermarket branches in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Dhafra area, as well as hafilat.darb.ae.

Seniors and determined people who get a special edition of the Khalifa Smart Card can travel for free on the bus. It costs AED 5 and is valid for five years.

Bus numbers prefixed with “A” operate to and from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The “M” prefix is ​​for minibuses, while the “X” before the bus number stands for express. Last year, Abu Dhabi implemented a number of air-conditioned bus stops throughout the emirate and provided free Wi-Fi to all vehicles.

In addition to local buses, visitors can also take advantage of the Visit Abu Dhabi shuttle bus network, which provides free transportation around the city’s attractions after staying at the hotel.

Lime Scooter and Careem Bike Best choice for city centre transportation and can be found in most areas, including along the Corniche.

If you want to spend the day on the water, you can take a ferry from Jabal Al Dhanna port to Delma Island, or from Saadiyat Island to Al Aliah Island for AED 20.

Updated: 11/2/2022 4:03AM