A Dubai city bus costs AED 3, 5 or 7.5 a ride on a Nol card, the same zone fares as the Metro, and there is no cash on board. Buses run from about 4 AM to 1 AM from air-conditioned shelters and stations. For most visitors the Metro and taxis are quicker, but the bus is the answer for Terminal 2, the Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Hatta routes, and Old Dubai's bus stations. This guide covers fares, hours, routes and the rules.
By SB Excursions · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour — From $32 per person, 1 hour.
How much is a bus in Dubai?
AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.5 for more, on a Silver Nol card, which is the same fare table the Metro and tram use. Gold card fares are double. You tap in when you board and out when you leave, and check the S'hail app for the exact zones.
This guide also answers:
- Can you pay cash on a Dubai bus?
- What time do Dubai buses run?
- Is there a bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Five bus services visitors actually use
#1
City buses from the central stations
City routes fan out from RTA's bus stations at the same AED 3, 5 and 7.5 fares as the Metro. They share the road with everyone else, so in rush hour a ride that takes 20 minutes can take twice that. They are best used where the Metro does not reach, such as hopping between Creek-side districts. Ask the S'hail app for the route number.
#2
Airport bus stands
Buses leave from stands at Arrivals in all three terminals, which makes them the only public transport from Terminal 2, where there is no Metro station. A Nol card is required, because cash is not accepted. Routes and frequencies vary by time of day, so check the RTA journey planner before you fly, and keep the taxi in reserve with big bags.
#3
E100 and E101 to Abu Dhabi
Intercity coaches run roughly every 20-30 minutes, take about 2 hours and cost around AED 25 on a Nol card. The catch is the far end: they stop at a bus station, not at the Grand Mosque or the Corniche, so every sight costs a taxi. Check RTA for current fares. A guided day tour from $45 solves the last-mile problem.
#4
Hatta Express H02 and Hop on Hop off H04
RTA runs the H02 Hatta Express from the Dubai Mall Bus Station to Hatta between 7 AM and 7 PM, about every two hours, at AED 25 a journey. In Hatta the H04 circular route runs from 7 AM to 9 PM every 30 minutes at AED 2 a stop, passing the Wadi Hub, Hatta Hill Park, the dam and the Heritage Village.
#5
Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses
These are private tourist buses, not RTA services, and your Nol card does not pay for them. A 24-hour ticket costs many times the price of a day on city buses, in return for commentary and attraction stops on two loops. We compare them with the Metro and taxis in a separate guide, linked below.
Dubai buses in one minute
RTA's city buses are air-conditioned, cheap and run from about 4 AM to 1 AM. A ride costs AED 3, 5 or 7.5 on a Silver Nol card depending on the zones you cross, which is the same fare table the Metro and tram use, and cash is not accepted on board. Tap in as you board and out as you leave.
The honest advice: for most tourist journeys, the Metro is faster, because it ignores the traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road, and a taxi is easier with bags. Buses earn their place on five jobs: Terminal 2, Old Dubai's bus stations, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Hatta. If you do not yet hold a card, start with our Nol card guide, and read how to get around Dubai for the full comparison.
When a bus is the right answer
Use this table to decide before you walk to a stop. The fares are RTA's zone fares or the figures quoted for each service, and they change, so check the S'hail app.
| Trip | Bus? | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| Marina to Downtown | No | Metro Red Line, AED 5-7.5, no traffic |
| Terminal 2 into the city | Yes, from the Arrivals stand | Bus with a Nol card, or a taxi from the rank |
| Bur Dubai to Deira | Sometimes | Abra for AED 1, or the Green Line; bus for a longer hop |
| Abu Dhabi | Yes: E100 or E101 | About 2 hours, roughly AED 25, then a taxi; or the train or a tour |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain | Yes: E-series routes | Intercity coach; see the Sharjah guide |
| Hatta | Yes: H02 Express, H04 loop | AED 25 each way; AED 2 a stop on the loop |
| The desert, the balloon | No | Tour with hotel pickup |
Fares and routes as published by RTA; confirm in the S'hail app or on rta.ae before you go.
The Sharjah route is covered in Dubai to Sharjah by bus, taxi or tour, and the other intercity numbers (E201, E303, E306, E307, E315, E400, E411 and E700 are on RTA's list) are named in the S'hail app against your destination.
Hours, stops and air-conditioned shelters
RTA says Dubai Bus is fully operational from 04:00 to 01:00 the next day, so plan on a taxi after 1 AM. Many stops on busy routes are air-conditioned shelters, which matters between May and September when a 10-minute wait in the open is a trial; the buses themselves are air-conditioned too. Look for the stop name and number on the pole, and check the departure board in the RTA app.
Wave to the driver at a stop, board at the front and tap in. Press the button before your stop and tap out at the exit door. Priority seats are marked, so leave them for those who need them, and the airport bus stands have dedicated seating and boarding areas for passengers with disabilities. Eating and drinking on RTA vehicles is not allowed, as on the Metro.
Intercity buses: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain
RTA lists a family of E-series intercity routes linking Dubai with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Hatta, Fujairah and Al Ain. For Abu Dhabi, the E100 leaves from Al Ghubaiba and the E101 from Ibn Battuta, every 20-30 minutes, for about 2 hours and roughly AED 25 on a Nol card. It is the cheapest option, with the problem at the other end: the Grand Mosque, the BAPS Mandir and the Corniche are all a taxi from the bus station.
There is a second public option. According to Gulf News, the Etihad Rail passenger train from Dubai to Abu Dhabi started on 30 September 2026, takes about an hour, and costs from AED 39 online in Comfort class, or AED 60 at a station machine. It stops at Al Yalayis Station in Jumeirah Golf Estates and Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station, neither of which is in the middle of a city, so you still need a taxi at each end. Our Etihad Rail guide has the details.
If your aim is the sights, compare the total, not the ticket. Our Abu Dhabi city tour from $45 picks up at your hotel at 8:00 AM and returns after about 9 hours, covering the Grand Mosque with registration help, the BAPS Mandir, the Corniche and Heritage Village, with a licensed guide and bottled water. You agree the date on WhatsApp and pay on the day. Dubai to Abu Dhabi by bus, taxi, car or tour sets out every option.
Hatta by bus: the Express and the loop
RTA's Hatta Express (H02) leaves the Dubai Mall Bus Station for Hatta Bus Station daily between 7 AM and 7 PM, about every two hours, in a deluxe coach at AED 25 a journey. In Hatta the H04 Hop on Hop off circuit starts and ends at the Hatta Bus Station, calls at four landmarks (Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta Hill Park, Hatta Dam and the Heritage Village), runs from 7 AM to 9 PM every 30 minutes, and costs AED 2 per stop.
A full Hatta day by public bus is therefore around AED 50 plus stops, with a long wait if you miss the two-hourly Express. Plan the return so you are not stuck: the last Express back is the one that matters. Our Dubai to Hatta guide compares the bus with a taxi and a car.
Airport and DWC buses
At DXB, buses leave from stands at Arrivals in Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and the Nol card is required. They link with the Metro, tram and water bus network, and the RTA journey planner tells you the route for your hotel. From Terminal 1 or 3 the Metro is usually the better choice; our airport terminals guide says which terminal has which options.
DWC (Al Maktoum) has no Metro, and the public link is the F55 bus to Ibn Battuta station on the Red Line, as our DWC airport guide explains. With luggage and a late flight, a taxi is simpler.
Bus, Metro, taxi or tour: the quick comparison
A bus wins on price for a long intercity run and on reach in districts without a station. It loses to the Metro on speed along Sheikh Zayed Road, to a taxi on convenience and to a tour on anything that needs pickup. Our 1-hour shared yacht tour from $32 illustrates the point: it meets at the marina pier behind Al Majara Tower, no bus goes there directly, and the clean route is the Red Line to DMCC and then the tram or a short taxi. Check-in is 20 minutes before departure, and it needs full pre-payment.
For a different way to see the city by road, the sightseeing buses are compared in our hop-on hop-off bus guide, and taxis are the usual fallback after the last bus at 1 AM.
FAQ
How much is a bus in Dubai?
AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.5 for more, on a Silver Nol card, which is the same fare table the Metro and tram use. Gold card fares are double. You tap in when you board and out when you leave, and check the S'hail app for the exact zones.
Can you pay cash on a Dubai bus?
No. RTA buses need a Nol card or a Red Ticket, and the airport says cash payments are not accepted. You can buy and top up a card at airport terminals, Metro stations and some bus stations. Our Nol card guide shows the types, from the AED 25 Silver card to the AED 2 paper ticket.
What time do Dubai buses run?
RTA says Dubai Bus is fully operational from 04:00 to 01:00 the next day. Hours vary by route and during Ramadan and public holidays, and there is no general night service after 1 AM. After the last bus, use a taxi or a ride-hailing app.
Is there a bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Yes: the E100 from Al Ghubaiba and the E101 from Ibn Battuta, about every 20-30 minutes, taking around 2 hours for roughly AED 25 on a Nol card. The Etihad Rail train from AED 39 online is the alternative. Both leave you a taxi ride from the sights, unlike a guided day tour.
Is there a public bus to Hatta?
Yes. The H02 Hatta Express runs from the Dubai Mall Bus Station to Hatta Bus Station between 7 AM and 7 PM, about every two hours, for AED 25 a journey. In Hatta, the H04 loop runs from 7 AM to 9 PM every 30 minutes at AED 2 per stop.
Are there buses from Dubai airport to the city?
Yes: buses leave from stands at Arrivals in Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and you need a Nol card. They are the only public option from Terminal 2, which has no Metro station. From Terminals 1 and 3, the Red Line is faster, at AED 5-7.5 to Downtown.
Are Dubai buses and bus stops air-conditioned?
Buses are air-conditioned, and many stops on busy routes are air-conditioned shelters, which makes a summer wait bearable. Smaller stops are open to the sun, so carry water between May and September. The airport stands have dedicated seating and boarding areas for passengers with disabilities.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
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- Format
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- Duration
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- Area
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- Format
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- Best for
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- Duration
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- Area
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- Format
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- Best for
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From $35 per person Full prepayment
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Photos: Hatta Express H02 and Hop on Hop off H04 — Tms2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses — Laika ac, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).