Public Transport: Bus, Boat & Metro Services in Dubai

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Public Transport: Bus, Boat & Metro Services in Dubai

The Roads & Transportation Authority (RTA) is responsible for all public transportation in Dubai. The RTA operates buses, trains, taxis, water taxis and Inter-Emirate buses. In general, public transportation is safe to use, convenient and reliable.

• Roads & Transport Authority

Planning a Trip

With proper planning, it is easy to get around Dubai using public transport only. The RTA has an online tool to help travellers plan their trip.

• For the RTA online trip planner: Click here

Using Public Transport in Dubai

• Eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking and littering are all prohibited: A person can receive a ticket, an on-the-spot fine, or be detained if caught
• A person may not transport alcohol on public transport or ride while intoxicated
• If property is forgotten on public transport, make a note of the route information and report it immediately to the RTA. Lost items may also be returned to the police
• Taxi drivers may round the fare up to avoid making change. A person is only only obliged to pay the amount on the metre and tipping is also optional
• Animals are not allowed on public transportation. Service dogs accompanying passengers with special needs are allowed

Public Transport Fares and Travel Cards

Only cash may be used in a taxi, abra or Inter-Emirate bus. All other public transport requires passengers to use a Nol card.

Nol cards

Nol cards are prepaid smart cards that are used when travelling on the Metro, bus and water bus. There are four types of cards: Silver, Gold, Red and Blue. All cards can be reloaded with travel credits to avoid buying a new Nol card for each trip except Red cards, which are only valid for 90 days or ten trips.

A Nol card can be purchased and topped up at ticket offices and vending machines in Metro stations, RTA customer service centres and authorised sales agents. Additionally, Nol Blue cards can be purchased online.

• To find the nearest place to purchase a Nol card: Click here

Proof of identity is all that is required. For Nol Blue cards a passport sized photo is also required.

Dubai is divided into five separate zones to determine fees for buses and the Metro. Passengers are charged for each zone crossed, per single trip on each mode of transportation.

• For further information on zones and fares: Click here 

Children who are under the age of five and are below 90 cm in height travel for free.

How to use a Nol card

Nol cards are easy to use. Simply touch the card to the card reader until a beep is heard. This signals that a person has enough credits to go through. 

The Nol card must be presented upon entry and exit. If the card is not presented when exiting, a person is charged the maximum amount (AED 14) for the day.

• For tips on using a Nol card: Click here 

Discounted fare Nol cards

Full time students and special needs passengers are eligible for discounted Nol Blue cards. Students aged 5 to 23 years must provide proof of enrolment at an accredited school in the UAE. People with special needs must have a permanent disability and submit proof of this from the Ministry of Social Affairs. Senior citizens discounts only apply to UAE nationals aged 60 and over.

Application for the card can be submitted online or at a Metro or bus station ticket counter. Cards are delivered via courier within two weeks.

Applicants must submit:

• UAE National ID card
• Photograp
• Stamped letter from school with student details (students only)
• Copy of Permanent Disability Card (special needs riders only)

Metro in Dubai

The Metro rail system was launched in September 2009. There are several underground stations, but the Metro mostly runs above ground. All trains are fully automated and have air conditioning.

• For full details on the Metro see AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Dubai Metro

Red Line: There are 26 Red Line stations currently open in Dubai. They stretch from Al Rashidiya Station in the north-east to Ibn Battuta Station (Jebel Ali) in the south. Trains run every 6-8 minutes and arrive on-time about 90 percent on-time rate.

Green Line: The RTA plans to open the Green Line in August 2011. It will cover densely populated areas within the Deira and Bur Dubai areas. Once the Green Line opens, Union Square and Khalid Bin Al Waleed stations will serve as transfer stations between the Red and Green lines.

The Metro operates Saturday to Wednesday from 06:00-23:00, Thursday from 06:00-00:00 and Friday from 13:00-00:00.

• For a map of Dubai Metro: Click here
• For a list of Metro stations and the feeder buses operating at each station: Click here 

Bus Travel in Dubai

There are nine bus stations and over 1,800 bus stops throughout the Emirate of Dubai. Approximately 500 of these bus stops have air-conditioned passenger shelters.

All public buses were custom-built for the RTA and include automated destination displays, electronic fare machines and air-conditioning. There are also more than 50 feeder bus routes that solely transport passengers to and from the Metro Stations and various living areas.

• For further information on bus travel in Dubai: Click here
• For information on using public buses: Click here

Inter-Emirate Bus

Inter-Emirate buses transport passengers from Dubai to cities in the other Emirates. The main stations in Deira and Bur Dubai operate from 06:00-00:00.

• For information on routes and fares: Click here 

Abra Boats

An abra is a traditional wooden boat (also called a water taxi) used to cross the Dubai Creek. There are four Abra stations and two routes of travel between them:

• Bur Dubai Station to Deira Old Souk Station, operates from 05:00-12:00
• Dubai Old Souk Station to Sabhka Station, operates 24 hours a day

It takes between five and seven minutes to travel by Abra from one side of Dubai Creek to the other.

Fares

Tickets cost AED 1 per passenger for each one-way trip. Payable in cash only.

Water buses 

Water buses are larger enclosed versions of Abras, that passengers can take to cross certain points of Dubai Creek. It takes less than ten minutes to cross the creek by water bus. There are eight stations in total from the Shindagha area of Deira to Creekside Park.

Water buses run every 15-30 minutes (depending on the route) from 07:00-19:00.

Fares

Passengers must pay with Nol cards. The rate is AED 4 for each round trip, per day.

There is a special tourist rate that allows passengers the flexibility to ride the water bus to unlimited destinations throughout a one day period. This costs AED 50 (adult) and AED 25 (child). Fares must be paid in cash.

Taxis

The RTA runs the Dubai Taxi Corporation, which is the largest fleet of taxis in Dubai. In addition to traditional taxis, the Dubai Taxi Corporation has ladies' only taxis (driven by female drivers) and taxis for people with reduced mobility.

All taxi companies run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• For a list of all taxi companies in Dubai, see The AngloFILE, Taxis, Shuttle, Transfers & Minibus

Taxi fares

Starting fares depend on the time of day a person is travelling, and whether a car is booked in advance through the dispatch centre or flagged down on the streets.

Once a journey begins, the fare increases by AED 1.60 per kilometre travelled. Regardless of distance travelled, the minimum fare a person pays is AED 10. For trips originating at Dubai International Airport, the starting fare is AED 20 for a regular taxi or AED 25 for a large taxi.

Transport for People with Disabilities 

Most areas of the public transport system have been built with provisions for passengers with special needs. About 70 percent of buses and all Metro stations and trains are fitted with a wheelchair lift and spaces. Buses that have a blue placard in the front right window can transport wheelchairs.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation has vehicles that are specially fitted for passengers with physical disabilities. These taxis run on a separate fare than regular taxis and can be reserved through the Booking and Dispatch centre:

• Dubai Taxi Corporation
  Tel: 04 208 0808
  Website

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Dubai Airport Contacts
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Dubai Metro

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