Dubai Bus Guide: City Routes, Intercity to Abu Dhabi & Fares
Bus Network Essentials
- No Cash: Drivers do not sell tickets; you must tap a valid Nol card.
- Both Taps Required: Tap in upon boarding, and tap out upon exiting to calculate accurate zonal fare.
- Abu Dhabi Route: E100 (from Al Ghubaiba) and E101 (from Ibn Battuta) run every 20-30 mins for AED 25.
- Feeder Savings: Metro-to-Feeder (F-bus) transfers within 30 minutes are charged as a single journey.
- Climate Shelters: Over 1,000 enclosed, air-conditioned bus stops across the emirate.
Dubai Public Bus Network Structure
While the Dubai Metro serves as the primary high-speed backbone along the central Sheikh Zayed Road corridor, the RTA Public Bus Agency covers the rest of the city, reaching outer residential communities, industrial zones, heritage districts, and neighboring emirates.
The fleet includes standard single-decker city buses, high-capacity articulated "bendy" buses for dense routes, double-decker commuter buses, and luxury long-distance intercity coaches equipped with free passenger Wi-Fi.
Route Prefixes: Feeder (F), Express (X), Standard (C/D)
RTA bus numbers follow an intuitive prefix system that signals the route's function and stopping pattern:
Example: F13 (Dubai Mall to DIFC), F55 (Expo Metro to Al Maktoum Airport). These short-distance neighborhood loops circulate between metro stations and nearby residential or office clusters.
Example: X28 (Lulu Village to Dubai Internet City), X23 (Gold Souq to International City). Faster journeys skipping minor neighborhood stops along major expressways.
Example: C01 (24-hour route from DXB Airport T3 to Al Satwa), C09 (Hor Al Anz to DXB T2). Dense local service throughout historic Deira, Bur Dubai, and inner suburbs.
Example: E100 (Dubai to Abu Dhabi), E303 (Union Station to Sharjah), E400 (Union to Ajman). Coaches operating across emirate boundaries.
How to Pay: No Cash Accepted (Nol Card Only)
Every Dubai bus passenger must carry a valid smart card. Bus drivers never handle cash and do not issue paper tickets under any circumstances.
Before boarding, verify that your Nol card has at least AED 7.50 in e-purse balance. If your balance is lower, the card validator mounted next to the bus doors will buzz loudly, illuminate red, and decline your check-in. Boarding without a successful check-in constitutes fare evasion subject to an AED 200 fine.
Crucial Tap-In & Tap-Out Rules on Buses
Electronic card readers are installed beside every bus door (front, middle, and rear):
- Tap In Upon Boarding: Hold your Nol card flat against the reader until you hear a single confirmation chime and the screen flashes green with your check-in confirmation. (Women traveling alone can enter via the front door to access dedicated front seating).
- Tap Out Upon Exiting: When preparing to get off at your stop, tap your card against the reader next to the exit doors. The validator computes the exact number of zones traversed, deducts the fare, and displays your remaining balance.
- What Happens If You Forget to Tap Out? The system assumes you remained on the bus until the final terminus station in the furthest zone, deducting the maximum all-zones tariff (AED 7.50). Additionally, your 30-minute transfer window will be broken.
Intercity Buses: Traveling to Abu Dhabi & Sharjah
RTA operates clean, air-conditioned luxury intercity coaches connecting Dubai directly to the other six emirates:
| Route | Departure Station (Dubai) | Destination | One-Way Fare | Typical Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Bur Dubai) | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | AED 25.00 | Every 15 to 20 minutes |
| E101 | Ibn Battuta Bus Station (South Dubai) | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | AED 25.00 | Every 20 to 30 minutes |
| E102 | Ibn Battuta Bus Station | Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station (Abu Dhabi) | AED 25.00 | Every 60 minutes |
| E303 | Union Metro Bus Terminal (Deira) | Al Jubail Bus Station (Sharjah) | AED 10.00 - 12.00 | Every 10 to 15 minutes |
| E400 | Union Metro Bus Terminal (Deira) | Ajman Bus Station | AED 12.00 - 15.00 | Every 15 to 20 minutes |
Payment Note for Intercity Routes: All intercity bus fares are debited directly from your standard Silver or Gold Nol card. You do not need to buy paper coach tickets in advance. Ensure you have at least AED 25 balance before boarding the Abu Dhabi coach.
Air-Conditioned Smart Shelters & Accessibility
Waiting for a bus during summer months in Dubai is protected by Dubai's network of over 1,000 enclosed, air-conditioned bus passenger shelters. Shelters are maintained at approximately 22°C and equipped with digital next-bus arrival display panels, route maps, and solar power lighting.
Every standard RTA urban bus is low-floor and equipped with a hydraulic kneeling system and automated boarding ramp at the center doors, ensuring seamless access for wheelchair users and parents with strollers.
Tracking Buses in Real Time (S'hail & RTA Apps)
Because Dubai traffic conditions can vary during morning and evening rush hours, always track live bus positions using the official S'hail app.
S'hail uses GPS telemetry transmitted from onboard bus computers to show live countdown arrival minutes for your exact bus stop, avoiding unnecessary waiting in the heat.
Every fare, schedule, and rule in this guide is referenced against direct primary source documents published by Dubai transit authorities:
- RTA Dubai Bus Network Route & Schedule Directory— Verified feeder, express, and intercity route timetables.
- RTA Intercity Bus Services Fares to Abu Dhabi & Sharjah— Confirmed AED 25 Abu Dhabi one-way fare via Nol card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you pay cash to the bus driver in Dubai?
No. Cash is strictly not accepted on any Dubai RTA public bus or intercity bus. Every rider must tap a valid Nol card upon entering and exiting the bus.
What happens if I forget to tap out when getting off the bus?
If you fail to tap out upon exiting, the system cannot verify your destination and automatically bills your card the maximum possible route fare (up to AED 7.50 for city routes, or full intercity tariff). It will also break the 30-minute transfer window.
How do I take the bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
RTA operates regular intercity express buses to Abu Dhabi: Route E100 departs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Route E101 departs from Ibn Battuta Bus Station. The fare is AED 25 one-way paid using your standard Nol card.
What is a Metro Feeder Bus (F-route)?
Feeder buses (routes beginning with 'F', e.g. F13 or F55) provide short-distance neighborhood connectivity between metro stations and nearby residential or commercial districts. Transferring between a Metro train and an F-bus within 30 minutes counts as a single continuous journey.