From Dubai Airport to Sharjah, a taxi is the simple way: Dubai Taxi lists an AED 20 start fare, AED 2.62 per km and an extra AED 20 for passing through Sharjah. The cheaper way is the Metro to Union and then bus E303 at about AED 12. A Dubai taxi will drop you in Sharjah but cannot collect you there, so the ride back needs a Sharjah taxi or an app. This guide gives the fare, the rules, the routes and the rush-hour timing.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai — From $45 per person, 7 hours.
How much is a taxi from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
Dubai Taxi lists an AED 20 start fare for a normal taxi (AED 25 for a van), AED 2.62 per km and an extra AED 20 for passing through Sharjah, plus Salik tolls and 50 fils per minute of waiting. A 20 km meter run would be about AED 92 on that arithmetic. The final fare depends on your hotel and the traffic.
This guide also answers:
- How long does it take to get from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
- Is there a bus from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
- Can a Dubai taxi take me back from Sharjah to the airport?
Five ways to get from Dubai Airport to Sharjah
#1
Taxi from the DXB rank
Dubai Airports says taxis run around the clock at ranks in every terminal. Dubai Taxi lists an AED 20 start fare, AED 2.62 per km and an extra AED 20 for passing through Sharjah. The fare is metered, so the final price depends on distance, tolls and waiting time. It is the only door-to-door option after midnight.
#2
Ride-hailing app
Dubai Airports says Uber, Careem and Bolt are available at the airport, and you follow the signs to the pickup point after booking. An app shows a price in advance, which helps on a trip that crosses an emirate border. Compare it with the taxi rank, because prices can rise when many people book at once.
#3
Metro to Union, then bus E303
Terminals 1 and 3 have Red Line stations, and Union is the interchange where the E303 leaves for Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah. Gulf News lists the bus fare at AED 12 with a Nol card. Add the Metro fare and the walk or wait at Union, and expect a long trip with a large suitcase.
#4
SRTA bus 313 from Terminal 2
Khaleej Times lists Sharjah's SRTA route 313 as serving Dubai Airport Terminal 2 from Rolla, one of Sharjah's main bus areas. Terminal 2 has no Metro station, so this is the one direct public bus we could find for that terminal. Fare and timetable were not in the lists we read, so check the S'hail app.
#5
Metro to Centrepoint, then SRTA bus 113
Gulf News lists SRTA route 113 between Sharjah (Rolla and Muwailah) and Dubai Centrepoint, also called Al Rashidiya, at AED 12. Centrepoint is the end of the Red Line, near the airport. Check the direction and times in the S'hail app, because bus lists change.
Dubai Airport to Sharjah: the short answer
A taxi is the easiest way from Dubai Airport to Sharjah, and the price is the meter plus a fixed AED 20 for the Sharjah crossing. Dubai Taxi's airport page lists an AED 20 start fare for a normal taxi (AED 25 for a van), AED 2.62 per km and an extra AED 20 for passing through Sharjah. Dubai Airports' own page gives the starting fare as AED 25, so the first charge depends on the vehicle. Salik toll gates add to the fare as well.
The cheapest way is public transport: the Metro from Terminal 1 or 3 to Union, then RTA bus E303 to Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah. Gulf News lists the bus at AED 12 with a Nol card. It works for one bag in daytime and is slow with luggage.
One rule matters for the return trip. Dubai Taxi says it picks up passengers only inside Dubai, so a Dubai taxi will drop you in Sharjah but cannot collect you there. To go back, use a Sharjah taxi or a ride app.
The options compared
Prices and timetables change, so treat the figures as the latest we could read and check them in the S'hail app or your ride app. The sources are Dubai Airports, Dubai Taxi, Gulf News and Khaleej Times.
| Option | When it runs | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi from the DXB rank | 24 hours | AED 20 start (AED 25 van) + AED 2.62 per km + AED 20 for Sharjah | Door to door; Salik gates and waiting time are extra |
| Ride app (Uber, Careem, Bolt) | 24 hours | Price shown in the app | Follow the signs to the pickup point |
| Red Line to Union, then E303 | Metro: see the hours below. Dubai buses run about 4 AM to 1 AM | Metro fare + about AED 12 for the bus | Buses need a Nol card; no cash on board |
| SRTA 313 from Terminal 2 | Check the S'hail app | Not stated in the lists we read | Terminal 2 has no Metro station |
| Red Line to Centrepoint, then SRTA 113 | Check the S'hail app | Metro fare + about AED 12 for the bus | Ends in Rolla and Muwailah, Sharjah |
Our airport terminals guide says which terminal has a Metro station and which airlines use it. Terminals 1 and 3 have Red Line stations; Terminal 2 does not. If your flight lands in Sharjah instead, read Sharjah Airport to Dubai.
Taxi: how the fare adds up
Dubai Taxi publishes the building blocks of the airport fare. There is no fixed price to Sharjah, because the meter counts the distance.
| Part of the fare | Amount |
|---|---|
| Start fare, normal taxi | AED 20 (Dubai Airports' page says AED 25) |
| Start fare, van | AED 25 |
| Distance | AED 2.62 per km |
| Passing through Sharjah | AED 20 extra |
| Waiting time | 50 fils per minute |
| Salik toll gates | Added to the fare; amount not listed |
As an example of the arithmetic only, a meter run of 20 km would be AED 20, plus AED 52.40 for distance, plus AED 20 for Sharjah: AED 92.40 before tolls and waiting. Dubai Taxi also says fares can change at peak hours and during events, and the per-kilometre rate can change over time. Our taxi and Careem guide explains the Dubai meter and ride apps in more detail.
Sharjah taxi rules in plain words
Dubai and Sharjah have separate taxi systems, and a few rules affect your plan:
- Dubai Taxi cabs can take you from Dubai to any place in the UAE, but they pick up only inside Dubai. A Dubai taxi will not collect you at a Sharjah hotel.
- Taxis from both emirates add AED 20 for crossing between Sharjah and Dubai, according to Khaleej Times, and Dubai Taxi's page lists the same charge.
- Sharjah Taxi cabs are metered, and family and ladies-only taxis exist. The Sharjah Taxi number on the airport website is 600 525 252.
- Ride apps work in both emirates, so an app is a simple way to get a car for the return to Dubai.
- Sharjah is a dry emirate: no alcohol is sold in hotels, and dress is more conservative than in Dubai. Our Dubai to Sharjah guide covers what to expect, and the alcohol laws guide says where you can drink in Dubai.
By Metro and bus, step by step
This is the cheap route from Terminal 1 or 3. It is not suited to heavy suitcases or a night arrival.
- 1. Get a Nol card. Dubai Airports says buses need one because cash is not accepted. You can buy and top up a card at the airport terminals and at Metro stations.
- 2. Take the Red Line to Union. The Red Line station is inside Terminals 1 and 3. Our Deira guide puts the Metro at 10-15 minutes to the Deira hotel strip, and Union is a little further. The Metro fare is AED 3-7.5.
- 3. Board E303 at Union bus station. Khaleej Times lists the E303 from Union Square bus station to Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah, and Gulf News gives the fare as AED 12. Check the live time in the S'hail app.
- 4. Ride to Al Jubail bus station. It is on the Sharjah side of Khalid Lagoon, near the Blue Souk. A short taxi from there reaches the Al Majaz waterfront hotels.
- 5. For Terminal 2, use SRTA 313 instead. The route is listed from Rolla in Sharjah to Terminal 2; check its direction and timetable first.
Journey time, rush hour and late arrivals
Our Dubai to Sharjah guide gives 20-40 minutes by taxi outside the peaks from Deira, the district nearest the airport, and up to an hour in the peaks. The peaks are 7 to 9 AM towards Dubai and 5 to 8 PM towards Sharjah. Leaving the airport for Sharjah in the morning goes against that flow, so a morning arrival is the easy direction. Leaving between 5 and 8 PM is the slow one.
The Red Line runs Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 5 AM to midnight, on Friday from 5 AM to 1 AM and on Sunday from 8 AM to midnight, according to the airport, and Dubai buses run about 4 AM to 1 AM. After a late flight, take the taxi or a ride app.
Our Sharjah or Dubai: where to stay guide compares hotel prices and commute times if you have not booked yet, and the Sharjah day trip guide lists what to see once you are there.
After you arrive: our tours collect in Sharjah
If you are staying in Sharjah, you do not have to cross to Dubai for our trips. The full-day desert safari collects guests from hotels in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman in an air-conditioned 4x4, lasts 7 hours and costs from $45 per person, with no prepayment. The Abu Dhabi city tour also collects in Sharjah, earlier than its 8:00 AM Dubai pickup, and costs from $45 shared for the 9-hour day. Message us on WhatsApp with your hotel name and dates, and we will confirm the pickup time.
FAQ
How much is a taxi from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
Dubai Taxi lists an AED 20 start fare for a normal taxi (AED 25 for a van), AED 2.62 per km and an extra AED 20 for passing through Sharjah, plus Salik tolls and 50 fils per minute of waiting. A 20 km meter run would be about AED 92 on that arithmetic. The final fare depends on your hotel and the traffic.
How long does it take to get from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
Our Dubai to Sharjah guide gives 20-40 minutes by taxi outside the peaks from Deira and up to an hour at 7 to 9 AM towards Dubai or 5 to 8 PM towards Sharjah. A morning arrival leaving the airport for Sharjah goes against the commuter flow. Buses take longer, because you change at Union or Centrepoint.
Is there a bus from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
Not one direct bus from Terminals 1 and 3 in the lists we read. Take the Red Line to Union and RTA bus E303 to Al Jubail, which Gulf News lists at AED 12. For Terminal 2, Khaleej Times lists SRTA route 313 from Rolla in Sharjah. Check the S'hail app for live times.
Can a Dubai taxi take me back from Sharjah to the airport?
Not if you hail it in Sharjah. Dubai Taxi says it picks up passengers only inside Dubai. For the return, book a Sharjah taxi (the airport website gives 600 525 252) or use a ride app. Taxis from both emirates add AED 20 for crossing between Sharjah and Dubai.
Is there a Metro from Dubai Airport to Sharjah?
No. The Dubai Metro stops inside Dubai. The Red Line at Terminals 1 and 3 takes you to Union or Centrepoint, where buses to Sharjah leave. Visit Abu Dhabi says Etihad Rail plans a Sharjah station from 30 March 2027, but that date can move.
Can I drink alcohol in Sharjah hotels?
No. Sharjah is a dry emirate and no alcohol is sold in its hotels or restaurants. If you want a drink, plan the evening in Dubai and a taxi back. Our alcohol laws guide lists where licensed venues are in Dubai.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai
It is the slow-travel version of the classic safari: more time on the dunes, sunset without the crowds and a full evening programme at a premium camp with air-conditioned tents, unlimited drinks and a large BBQ buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Everything is arranged from the hotel door — a licensed English-speaking driver, the 4x4, the camp and the shows.
- Duration
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- Area
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- Format
- Full-day desert safari
- Best for
- families, couples and first-time desert visitors who want the full evening programme
From $45 per person No prepayment
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Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai
It is the classic capital day in one organised loop: the mosque before the midday heat and crowds, the newly opened BAPS Mandir, the skyline from the Corniche, Bedouin history at Heritage Village and a photo op at Ferrari World. Transport, a licensed guide, mosque registration assistance and bottled water are included; the $45 shared tour covers all free-entry sites, and a private VIP car for up to 7 people is $245.
- Duration
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- Area
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- Format
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From $45 per person No prepayment
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