Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus: E100 & E101 Complete Guide
Travel comfortably between the UAE's two largest emirates for just AED 25. Complete guide to departure stations, timetables, Nol card requirements, and travel tips.
E100 vs E101: Which Bus Should You Take?
Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
Best if you are staying in Deira, Bur Dubai, Karama, or Old Dubai. Departs from Al Ghubaiba (adjacent to Green Line Metro). Travel time: ~2 hours.
Ibn Battuta Bus Station
Best if you are staying in Dubai Marina, JLT, JBR, Barsha, or Downtown. Departs outside Ibn Battuta Metro Station (Red Line). Travel time: ~1 hr 45 mins.
Fare, Payment & Nol Card Rules
- Payment Method: Paid strictly via RTA Nol card e-purse credit. Cash and international credit cards are NOT accepted by drivers.
- Minimum Card Balance: Your Nol card must have at least AED 25.00 stored before the bus doors open. The entry reader will reject any card with lower balance.
- Where to Buy / Top Up: You can purchase or top up your Nol card at the ticket offices and TVM machines located directly inside Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta bus stations.
- Return Journeys: When returning from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station back to Dubai on the E100 or E101, you also tap your Dubai Nol card at the boarding gate. Make sure to top up with at least AED 50 before leaving Dubai.
Route E100: Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Operating Timetable: Departures run 24 hours a day on select schedules. General departures begin at 04:30 AM on weekdays and continue through 12:00 AM midnight, with late-night services operating at 30 to 45-minute intervals.
Key Stops En Route: Leaves Al Ghubaiba via Bur Dubai, picking up at intermediate points before entering the E11 highway, with stops at Samha and Shahama in the outskirts of Abu Dhabi before reaching Central Bus Station.
Route E101: Ibn Battuta to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Operating Timetable: Daily services run from 04:45 AM until 11:30 PM on weekdays, and up to 12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Connection Advice: Take the Dubai Metro Red Line to Ibn Battuta Station (R39). Follow the overhead signs directly down the escalators into the covered bus concourse at Platform 1.
Route E102: Ibn Battuta to Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station
For commuters heading directly to Abu Dhabi's southern industrial and commercial zones without crossing through central Abu Dhabi city:
- Route: Ibn Battuta Metro Station ↔ JAFZA ↔ Mohammed Bin Zayed City ↔ Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station.
- Fare: AED 25.00 via Nol card.
- Headway: Departs approximately every 60 minutes throughout the day.
Onboard Amenities & Luggage Regulations
Connect to the 'UAE WiFi by du' network using your local mobile number for free browsing.
Each rider is permitted up to 2 medium-to-large suitcases stored in the bus luggage bays underneath.
The first 3 to 4 rows behind the driver are priority seating reserved for female passengers and families.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus
How much is the bus fare from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
The fare is exactly AED 25.00 each way for routes E100, E101, and E102. It must be paid using a Nol card e-purse balance; cash and bank cards are not accepted by bus drivers.
Can I pay for the Abu Dhabi bus with cash or an Abu Dhabi Hafilat card in Dubai?
No. When boarding any intercity bus in Dubai, you must use an RTA Nol card. Once you arrive in Abu Dhabi and board local Abu Dhabi city buses, you will then need an Abu Dhabi Hafilat smart card.
Which bus station is faster to Abu Dhabi: Al Ghubaiba or Ibn Battuta?
Ibn Battuta (Route E101) is significantly faster (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes) because it is situated in south Dubai right on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), bypassing central Dubai urban traffic.
How often do buses run between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
During peak commuter periods, departures occur every 15 to 20 minutes from both Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta stations. Late-night services run every 30 to 45 minutes.
Every fare, schedule, and rule in this guide is referenced against direct primary source documents published by Dubai transit authorities:
- RTA Intercity Bus Routes Official Schedule— Official RTA intercity fleet operational frequencies and terminal alignments.
- Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) Abu Dhabi— Abu Dhabi municipal transport regulator governing Al Wahda central bus terminal arrivals.