Best areas to live in Dubai if you don’t drive
Dubai has a well-planned and efficient network of public transport that makes getting around the city worry-free and easy. No matter where you live in Dubai, there is constant availability of taxis and buses, and even the metro in most districts to help you commute. However, it’s natural that there are some areas with better availability of public transport than others. So, if you’re a non-driver looking for a home, here are the areas with best public transportation in the emirate
AREAS WITH THE BEST PUBLIC BUS TRANSPORTATION
BUS STATION
|
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
|
AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS
|
---|---|---|
BUS STATION
Al Satwa
|
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Al Badaa
|
AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS
AED 58,000
|
BUS STATION
Deira City Centre
|
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Deira
|
AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS
AED 55,000
|
BUS STATION
Al Karama
|
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Al Karama
|
AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS
AED 64,000
|
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 802 SQFT
- STUDIO
- |
- 1 BATH
- |
- 335 SQFT
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 944 SQFT
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 786 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 1340 SQFT
If you’re looking for Dubai neighbourhoods with public transportation options for cheap, it’s recommended to find a home near a bus station. Travelling via RTA buses is the most affordable way to commute in Dubai. Let’s look at the main bus stations in Dubai and the residential areas located near them:
STATION: AL SATWA
The residential area closest to the Al Satwa Bus Station is Al Badaa. The bus station in Al Satwa has nine different routes that cover most of the major areas and attractions in both old and new Dubai. Residents living in nearby areas can get direct buses to The Dubai Mall and the Al Makhtoum International Airport from the Al Satwa Bus Station.
Al Badaa offers a mix of affordable apartments and villas for rent. Tenants can easily find rental apartments in Al Badaa for an average rental price of AED 58k per annum.
STATION: DEIRA CITY CENTRE
The Deira City Centre Bus Station provides direct routes to Internet City, Al Hamriya Port and the Al Qusais Industrial area. The station also connects commuters to Al Nahda 1 and Al Jubail in Sharjah. If any of these destinations are part of your daily or frequent commute, you’re better off finding a home within walking distance of the Deira City Centre Bus Station.
The apartments for rent in Deira are a good option to consider. They are spacious and located close to Deira City Centre station. The average cost to rent apartments in the area stands at AED 55k per annum. For a more focused approach, consider the flats for rent in Deira near Metro.
STATION: AL KARAMA
Serving the residents of Karama Dubai, the Al Karama Bus Station has two main routes that cover most of the old Dubai area. The routes connect you with the Burjuman and Abu Hail metro stations on the Green Line.
To live near the Al Karama Bus Station, you can consider the apartments for rent in Al Karama and those near the Karama Shopping Centre. The annual rent here averages at AED 64k.
BEST RESIDENTIAL AREAS NEAR METRO TRANSPORT
The Dubai Metro is hands down one of the most popular modes of public transportation in Dubai. The metro currently operates on three routes – the Red Line, the Green Line and Route 2020.
Those in search of accommodation in areas with the best public transit options in Dubai should definitely explore the apartments for rent near Dubai metro stations.
Here’s a quick overview of the Dubai Metro routes and the adjoining residential areas near different metro stations.
RED LINE ROUTE
The Metro Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and the Airport Road (D89). If you want to find flats closer to the metro stations on the Red Line route, these are your best options:
METRO STATION | RESIDENTIAL AREAS | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS |
---|---|---|
METRO STATION Dubai Internet City Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Barsha Heights | Internet City | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 76,000 | AED 117,000 |
METRO STATION Business Bay Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Business Bay | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 111,000 |
METRO STATION Mashreq Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Barsha | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 71,000 |
METRO STATION ADCB Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Karama | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 64,000 |
METRO STATION DMCC Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS JLT | Dubai Marina | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 92,000 | AED 150,000 |
ROUTE 2020
Route 2020 connects the far-lying residential areas of Dubai to the rest of the city. These areas may not have the best public transportation network, but the availability of the Metro mass transit system nearby makes a whole lot of difference. Consider the following residential areas near metro stations on Route 2020.
METRO STATION | RESIDENTIAL AREAS | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS |
---|---|---|
METRO STATION Discovery Gardens Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Discovery Gardens | The Gardens | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 46,000 | AED 77,000 |
METRO STATION Al Furjan Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Furjan | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 58,000 |
BEST RESIDENTIAL AREAS NEAR COMMERCIAL HUBS FOR NON-DRIVERS
If most of your daily commute involves going to and coming back from work, you don’t necessarily need to look for housing in areas with the best public transportation. Instead, you can simply look for homes in the same commercial hub.
Most popular commercial districts in Dubai come with a mix of commercial and residential properties. So, when you’re looking for apartments for rent in Dubai, especially when you live without a car – living close to your workplace is a great idea.
DIFC
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a key financial hub for global businesses, particularly in the South Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets. Aside from being a thriving business district, DIFC is also a lively and vibrant residential community that offers a modern urban lifestyle.
As far as public transportation is concerned, DIFC has access to two metro stations – Emirates Towers and Financial Centre. There is also a robust network of bus routes that connect the area to other parts of the city.
Potential tenants interested in apartments for rent in DIFC must have a average annual budget of AED 159k. The units here come in studio, 1, 2 and 3-bed configurations.
BUSINESS BAY
Courtesy of the Roads and Transport Authority, Business Bay is one of the Dubai areas with the best public transportation. Being a convenient home for professionals who work in the area, Business Bay offers a variety of apartment accommodations that include lavish studios, 1, 2, 3 and even 4-bed apartments.
But even for those who don’t work in the area, the availability of public transport in Business Bay to get around make it a great place to live. Apartments for rent in Business Bay average at AED 111k.
JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS
Non-drivers with offices in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) can find affordable apartments in the area. This vertical community offers an excellent selection of apartments located close to major entertainment districts like Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
JLT is pedestrian-friendly with a mix of apartments and offices distributed over 26 different clusters. Prospective tenants can expect to pay an average of AED 92k to live in the apartments for rent in JLT.
MEDIA CITY
Those who work in Dubai Media City can find lavish accommodation within the area. Dubai Media City is ideally located adjacent to Dubai Marina, which puts it in proximity to Palm Jumeirah and its monorail. The area also has its designated metro station. So, even if you don’t work in the same area, you’ll have adequate access to public transport for your daily commute.
Apartments for rent in Dubai Media City typically range more towards the higher end of the rent scale, with flats averaging at AED 239k. If you’re looking for cheaper apartments closer to Media City, explore the properties in Barsha Heights and JLT.
BARSHA HEIGHTS
Located along the main Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Barsha Heights is another great place to live if you don’t drive. This commercial-residential hybrid district brings you a variety of living options to choose from, including flats, hotel apartments and penthouses.
The area is connected to other parts of the city via the Dubai Internet City Metro Station and several RTA bus routes. Apartments for rent in Barsha Heights have an average price of AED 76k per annum.
JEBEL ALI
Jebel Ali is a commercial hub that offers residential options for those working in the same area. The apartments for rent in Jebel Ali fall in the affordable category, with average rents at AED 58k.
The area has a bus station and is connected to a couple of metro stations that make commuting simple and easy for residents.
Other than the commercial hubs listed above, you can also look for properties in commercial-residential hybrid districts like Deira, Bur Dubai, Silicon Oasis and Internet City. Apartments for rent in Dubai Silicon Oasis and Deira range on the cheaper side if you’re working with a strict budget.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO TRAVEL IN DUBAI?
The cheapest way to travel in Dubai when you don’t own a car is by bus. RTA bus routes cover almost every area in the emirate. Travelling by bus takes longer than it would take you to commute via taxi or the metro, but it doesn’t hit your wallet to the same extent.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE CHEAPEST APARTMENTS FOR RENT NEAR A METRO STATION IN DUBAI?
There are several areas with affordable apartments for rent near metro stations in Dubai. Your options include Deira and Bur Dubai to name a few.
That’s all we have for you now on the areas with the best public transportation in the emirate. While the Dubai Metro and RTA buses offer cheap modes of daily commute, it should also be noted that living within walking distance from metro or bus stations often results in higher rents.
That said, even when you don’t have a metro or bus station nearby, you can always book an RTA taxi to travel in the city. Some residential areas also offer public transit in the form of abras and trams.
If you’re a frequent user of public transport in Dubai, make sure you get a digital NOL card for hassle-free commute. Another thing that helps in getting around the city easily is the set of public transport apps in Dubai that provide everything from updated bus schedules to ride-hailing services. Lastly, make sure you know the offences that can lead to public transport fines in Dubai.