Inter-emirate bus services in the UAE
One reason for UAE’s impressive economic growth and social integration is its extensive public transport network. Not only do tourists and residents have excellent public transport options for journeys within individual emirates, but they can also utilise an affordable inter-emirate bus service to travel between the cities. In fact, thousands of people benefit from inter emirate buses in the UAE each day.
INTER EMIRATE BUS TRAVEL IN THE UAE
People travel between emirates for multiple reasons. For example, many people who work in Dubai will live in Sharjah to cut down on the cost of living. Others travel to meet family and friends regularly and look for budget-friendly transport. Whatever the reasons, the UAE’s inter-emirate buses have proven to be efficient.
Many inter-emirate buses were suspended during the pandemic, and transport authorities altered some routes. The good news, however, is that most bus routes are now operational. Let’s look at the inter-emirate bus services you can use to travel around the UAE.
INTER EMIRATE BUS SERVICE OPERATED BY RTA
Intercity buses managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA Dubai) are prefixed with an ‘E’. Some services were suspended during the pandemic. However, most inter-emirate routes are now operational throughout the week.
RTA buses serving inter-city travellers are available at bus stations dotted across the city. Here’s an overview of the operational buses.
Route ID | Starts from | Ends at |
|---|---|---|
Route ID E16 | Starts from Al Sabkha Bus Station | Ends at Hatta Bus Station |
Route ID E100 | Starts from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Ends at Abu Dhabi CBS |
Route ID E101 | Starts from Ibn Battuta MS | Ends at Abu Dhabi, Central Bus Station |
Route ID E201 | Starts from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Ends at Al Ain Bus Station |
Route ID E303 | Starts from Union Square MS | Ends at Sharjah, Al Jubail Bus Station |
Route ID E306 | Starts from Ghubaiba Bus Station | Ends at Sharjah, Al Jubail Bus Station |
Route ID E307 | Starts from Deira City Center Bus Station | Ends at Sharjah, Al Jubail Bus Station |
Route ID E315 | Starts from Etisalat MS | Ends at Sharjah, Al Muwailah |
Route ID E400 | Starts from Union Square MS | Ends at Ajman Bus Station |
Route ID E411 | Starts from Etisalat MS | Ends at Ajman Bus Station |
Route ID E700 | Starts from Union Square MS | Ends at Fujairah Bus Station |
DUBAI TO ABU DHABI BUS SERVICE
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most populated emirates in the UAE, and multiple buses are operating between the two. You can travel via the E100 or E101.
- E101 goes to Abu Dhabi, Central Bus Station in the capital, after starting at Ibn Battuta Bus Station.
- E100 runs between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Abu Dhabi, Central Bus Station.
The cost per ticket is AED 25.
If you plan to use Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus service, you can always call the RTA at 800-9090 to confirm the current status.
DUBAI TO AJMAN BUS SERVICE
Buses E400 and E411 from Dubai to Ajman are your two options. E400 travels from Union Square Bus Station and ends at Ajman, Al Musallah Bus Station. Whereas, the journey for E411 starts at Etisalat Bus Station and ends Ajman, Al Musallah Bus Station. The cost of ticket from Dubai to Ajman is AED 12 and AED 15 for Ajman to Dubai.
To confirm the status of bus operations, you can call RTA at 800-9090.
DUBAI TO AL AIN BUS SERVICE
RTA Dubai and the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi collaborated to start the E201 bus service. Passengers can board the bus at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai, where the journey begins. A single ticket will cost you AED 25.
Read all about how to go to Al Ain from Dubai via bus in our guide. For any queries, you can call the RTA toll-free number 800-9090.
DUBAI TO FUJAIRAH BUS SERVICE
The starting point for the Dubai to Fujairah bus is the Union Square Bus Station in Dubai. E700 runs seven days a week. Depending on the traffic conditions, the journey to Fujairah Bus Station from Dubai can take roughly two hours. You will have to pay AED 25 for the service.
Don’t hesitate to contact the RTA on 800-9090 to confirm the status before finalising your travel arrangements.
DUBAI TO SHARJAH BUS SERVICE
This bus service between the two neighbouring emirates is used extensively, especially by those living in Sharjah and working in Dubai. There are multiple Dubai to Sharjah bus routes to choose from, including E303 and E315, E306, E307.
INTER EMIRATE BUS SERVICE OPERATED BY RAKTA
RAK Transport Authority manages many inter-city travel routes to facilitate tourists and residents. You can visit the official RAKTA website and social media channels to know more about the operational routes, bus bookings and timetables.
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO ABU DHABI BUS SERVICE
Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah bus started when the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The journey takes about 2.5 hours, and you can use this bus three times a week.
- RAK To Abu Dhabi Bus
- Friday, Saturday & Sunday
- 10:00 am| 03:00 pm
- Abu Dhabi to RAK Bus
- Thursday, Friday & Saturday
- 02:30 pm | 07:30 pm
Passengers can board the RAK bus at the Al Hamra Bus Station whilst the bus leaves from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station. You will have to pay AED 47 for the trip.
For more details, contact RAKTA at 800-1700 and confirm the status before finalising your plans.
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO DUBAI BUS SERVICE
Those looking for the inter-emirate bus service between Dubai and RAK can use the RAK Shuttle Bus service. The journey starts from Union Bus Station Dubai and the ticket cost is AED 27.
When planning your journey, it’s best to call the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700 to confirm the current status of the Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah bus service.
- RAK To Dubai Union Bus Station
- Saturday to Friday
- 05:30 am to 09:00 pm
- Dubai Union Bus Station to RAK
- Saturday to Friday
- 07:30 am to 11:00 pm
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO SHARJAH BUS SERVICE
RAKTA’s bus service to Sharjah is operational between Al Hamra Bus Station and Sharjah Al Jubail Bus Station. The charges are AED 27 for a single trip.
The first bus from RAK to Sharjah leaves at 07:00 am and the last one at 09:00 pm. Currently, the service is operational. But depending on when you plan to travel, you can call the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700 to confirm the status.
- RAK To Sharjah
- Saturday to Friday
- 07:00 am to 09:00 pm
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO AJMAN BUS SERVICE
The Ras Al Khaimah to Ajman bus service (Also known as Al Hamra bus service) is managed by the RAK Transport Authority (RAKTA). You can travel from Al Hamra Bus Station to Ajman City Centre. The first bus leaves at 05:30 am, and the last vehicle leaves at 09:00 pm. AED 20 is the ticket cost.
The RAK Ajman route is currently operational from Saturday to Friday. However, we recommend contacting the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority at 800-1700 before proceeding with your travel plans.
RAK TO UMM AL QUWAIN BUS SERVICE
You can also travel from RAK to UAQ via bus from Al Hamra Bus Station to Umm Al Quwain – Salama Supermarket Station. The service is operational from Saturday to Friday and a single ticket would cost you AED 15. For any queries, you can call the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority at 800-1700.
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO ALAIN BUS SERVICE
Now you can travel between RAK and Al Ain conveniently for less than AED 50.
OTHER BUSES
SHARJAH TO ABU DHABI BUS SERVICE
It takes two hours and forty-five minutes to travel via Sharjah to Abu Dhabi bus. The bus starts from the Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah, and its last stop is the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. The ticket cost is AED 33.
Before your journey, you can call Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority at 600-525-252 to confirm the current status.
SHARJAH TO RAK BUS SERVICE
To travel from Sharjah to RAK on a public bus, you can take Bus 115 or Bus 116. Bus 115 is suitable for people who want to travel to the central city of RAK, whereas the latter is ideal for people who wish to travel to Ras Al Khaimah’s Masafi area.
AJMAN TO UMM AL QUWAIN BUS SERVICE
Ajman to Umm Al Quwain bus service is operational from 07:00 am to 09:00 pm at regular intervals, starting at the Al Musalla Bus Station in Ajman and terminating at the Lulu Bus Station in Umm Al Quwain. For any queries, you can call 600-599-997.
FAQS ABOUT INTER EMIRATE BUS SERVICE
WHAT IS A NOL CARD?
Nol Card is the popular payment card for public transport in Dubai. You can also use a Nol card to pay for RTA’s inter-emirate bus service.
CAN I TRAVEL TO HATTA FROM DUBAI ON A BUS?
Yes, you can. In fact, the newly introduced Dubai Hatta Express Service by the RTA is a quick and cheap option.
That wraps up our update regarding inter-emirate buses in the UAE. Now you can easily travel between cities without spending too much money. However, check the emirate’s transport authority website or call the helpline to avoid inconveniences.
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