The Dubai Marina water taxi costs AED 7 a segment, and the RTA ferry costs AED 25 per stop on a Silver ticket (AED 35 in Gold). There is no single boat from the Marina to Old Dubai: you change twice, over three legs, and the ferries sail only twice a day on most legs. This guide gives the routes, timetable, fares, the abra option, the children's rules and how a one-hour cruise from $32 compares.
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 the water taxi in Dubai Marina?
AED 7 a segment on the Marina Walk route (BM1), AED 7-21 for the full route depending on the number of stops, and AED 7 on the Bluewaters crossing (BM3). RTA publishes the fares, and you can pay with a Nol card, cash or card at the station.
This guide also answers:
- Is there a ferry from Dubai Marina to Old Dubai?
- Can you pay for the Dubai ferry with a Nol card?
- How much is the ferry to Atlantis from Dubai Marina?
Five boats worth knowing
#1
Water taxi BM1: the Marina Walk loop
A 20-seat, air-conditioned boat hopping between four stops, at AED 7 a segment and AED 7-21 for the whole route. It runs from about noon (2 PM on Fridays) until late evening, every 10-20 minutes in the busy hours. It is a pleasant way to see the canal rather than a time-saver: the Marina Walk is flat and short enough to walk.
#2
Water taxi BM3: Marina Mall to Bluewaters
AED 7 for the crossing from Marina Mall South to the Bluewaters stop, from about 4 PM until close to midnight, every 25-45 minutes depending on the day and direction. Ain Dubai is a landmark to look at from the island, not a ride. It beats the long walk around by road, and it is the cheapest boat in this guide.
#3
Ferry FR4: Marina Mall to Atlantis and back
A round trip with sailings at 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM, costing AED 50 on Silver and AED 75 on Gold, with AED 25 or AED 37.50 for children aged 2-10 and a family fare of AED 140 or AED 210 for two adults and two children. It is good value, but only two sailings a day mean you cannot improvise.
#4
Ferry FR1 and FR2: the Dubai Canal link
FR1 runs between Al Ghubaiba on the Creek and the Dubai Canal station, and FR2 continues from the Canal to Bluewaters. Each leg costs AED 25 on Silver or AED 35 on Gold, with two sailings a day in each direction. This is the backbone of any Marina-to-Old Dubai trip by boat, and it needs a spare half day.
#5
The Creek abra: AED 1 in Old Dubai
The traditional wooden abra costs AED 1 in cash and leaves when it is full; the heritage petrol abras cost AED 2. It is the one boat in Dubai that is still a real commuter service and a tourist ride at once. Go in the late afternoon, and read our abra guide for the stations and the best light.
Dubai water taxi and ferry in one minute
Dubai runs three kinds of public boat for visitors, all operated by the RTA. The water taxi is a 20-seat boat in Dubai Marina at AED 7 a segment. The Dubai Ferry is a larger, air-conditioned boat, with four routes on the current flyer, at AED 25 per stop on Silver (AED 35 on Gold). The abra is the wooden boat that crosses Dubai Creek for AED 1-2.
They are tidy, cheap and good for a short ride on water, but they are not a fast way to cross the city. Most ferry legs sail only twice a day, so you plan around the timetable. There is no single boat from the Marina to Old Dubai: you make three legs and two changes, which is covered below. For the rest of your transport, how to get around Dubai and the Dubai Metro guide are faster.
The water taxi in Dubai Marina
The water taxi links four stops on the Marina canal: Marina Promenade, Marina Mall North, Marina Walk and Marina Terrace. A separate short route (BM3) crosses from Marina Mall South to Bluewaters Island. RTA says Nol cards work on its marine transport, and a full-route ride costs between AED 7 and AED 21 depending on how many stops you cover; ask at the station about cash or card.
The timetable is for the evening. On the Marina Walk route boats run from about noon to roughly 11 PM or midnight (from 2 PM on Fridays), every 20 minutes before 4 PM and every 10 minutes from 4 PM to about 10 PM. The Bluewaters route starts around 4 PM and runs to nearly midnight every 25-45 minutes.
| Route | Stops | Fare | When it runs (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BM1 | Marina Mall North and Marina Walk | AED 7 a segment | Noon to late evening; 2 PM start on Fridays |
| BM1 full route | Marina Promenade, Mall North, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace | AED 7-21 | About 4 PM to 9:30 PM, every 32 minutes |
| BM3 | Marina Mall South and Bluewaters | AED 7 | About 4 PM to near midnight, every 25-45 minutes |
RTA timetables change with the season, Ramadan and public holidays; check the RTA website or the S'hail app on the day.
Is it worth it? As transport, no: Marina Walk to the Mall is a short stroll or a AED 3 tram hop. As an outing, yes, particularly after 4 PM when the towers light up. Pay by Nol card if you hold one; our Nol card guide explains how to buy it.
The Dubai Ferry: routes, times and fares
RTA's current ferry flyer lists four routes and fares per stop. Cash, Nol cards and bank cards are accepted at all stations. Children under 5 travel free, and the AED 50 round trip to Atlantis has child and family fares.
| Route | Between | Sailings | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1 | Al Ghubaiba and the Dubai Canal station | 2 a day each way: 1 PM and 6 PM from Al Ghubaiba; 2:25 PM and 7:25 PM from the Canal | AED 25 | AED 35 |
| FR2 | Dubai Canal, Bluewaters and Marina Mall South | 2 a day on each leg | AED 25 | AED 35 |
| FR4 | Marina Mall South, Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis, round trip | 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM | AED 50 | AED 75 |
| FR5 | Al Ghubaiba and Sharjah Aquarium | 4-5 a day each way, from 7 AM to 10 PM | AED 15 | AED 25 |
Times are from RTA's flyer, dated September 2026, for the Marina and Canal legs on weekdays. Some routes may be temporarily non-operational, and Ramadan and holiday times differ.
Be at the station before the printed time, because departure times vary from station to station. The ferry seats up to 98 passengers, with toilets and screens on board, and weather can reroute or cancel any sailing. If you plan to go to Sharjah, compare the boat with the bus and the taxi before you commit.
Marina to Old Dubai by water: the honest version
It can be done, but it is a day out. The three legs are Marina Mall South to Bluewaters, Bluewaters to the Dubai Canal station, and the Dubai Canal to Al Ghubaiba, the stop on the Creek in Bur Dubai. RTA quotes ferry fares per stop, so expect to pay roughly AED 75 on Silver for the three legs, and confirm at the station.
| Leg | Boat | Departs | Silver fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Mall South to Bluewaters | Ferry FR2 | 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM | AED 25 |
| Bluewaters to Dubai Canal | Ferry FR2 | 1:20 PM and 6:20 PM | AED 25 |
| Dubai Canal to Al Ghubaiba | Ferry FR1 | 2:25 PM and 7:25 PM | AED 25 |
Weekday times from RTA's September 2026 flyer; check for changes before you go.
The gap between leaving Bluewaters and the Canal departure suggests about an hour on the water, and the later sailing arrives at Al Ghubaiba after dark. By Metro and Green Line the trip takes roughly an hour for AED 7.5 and runs all day; a taxi is quicker. Do it by boat for the experience, then finish in Old Dubai: the Creek abra stations are a short ride away, and our Old Dubai walking tour from $35 covers Al Fahidi, Al Seef, the abra, the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk in 3-4 hours. Its start point is near Sharaf DG metro on the Green Line, so you can reach it by Metro too. The Old Dubai area guide turns it into a half-day plan.
Abra, canal boats and charters
RTA runs several other boats that visitors confuse with the ferry. The fares below are RTA's published ones.
| Boat | Where | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional abra | Bur Dubai and Deira Old Souq | AED 1 per trip, cash |
| Heritage petrol abra | Creek routes such as Al Seef to Baniyas | AED 2 |
| Air-conditioned abra | Al Jaddaf to Dubai Festival City | AED 2 per trip |
| Electric abra (8 seats) | Dubai Mall, Burj Plaza and The Palace; Global Village in its season | AED 75 per person for 25 minutes |
| Canal heritage abra | Sheikh Zayed Road marine station, 45-minute round trip | AED 25 per person; needs at least 6 passengers |
| Water taxi charter | Dubai Marina, up to 20 passengers | AED 400 per hour |
| Ferry charter | Up to 100 seats | AED 2,800 per hour |
Charter and tourist fares as published by RTA; check the booking page for current rates.
The abra guide, abra rides on Dubai Creek, covers the stations and the best time of day. If you want a private boat for a group, the charter prices above are for RTA's own vessels; our fleet is at yacht rental in Dubai.
Public boat or a proper cruise?
A public boat is transport. A cruise is a different product, and the difference is the commentary, the route and the photo stops. The 1-hour shared yacht tour from $32 leaves hourly from the marina pier behind Al Majara Tower. It covers Dubai Marina, JBR and Bluewaters, stops for photos at Ain Dubai, and includes chilled water, a red carpet boarding, a crew who help with photos and safety equipment. Full pre-payment secures the slot, check-in is 20 minutes before departure, and you need an original passport or Emirates ID; shoes come off on the deck.
For more distance, the 90-minute speedboat tour from $45 adds Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis and a photo stop at the Burj Al Arab, with live English commentary; children under 5, guests aged 65 and over and pregnant women cannot join. The honest comparison: the FR4 ferry to Atlantis at AED 50 is cheaper than any cruise, but it is a public sailing with two departures a day; the yacht leaves hourly, the speedboat up to nine times a day, and both are built for the view. See the Marina route, stage by stage, for what you pass.
Children, weather and what to carry
RTA does not allow unaccompanied children under 12 on its marine transport, and a valid ID for the child must be shown at the marine station ticket office. Children under 12 with an adult must wear a life jacket on board. Sailings can be rerouted or cancelled in adverse weather.
Carry a Nol card or small notes, and an original passport or Emirates ID if you book a cruise. The ferry and the water taxi are air-conditioned; the traditional abra is open to the sun, so bring a hat and water for it.
FAQ
How much is the water taxi in Dubai Marina?
AED 7 a segment on the Marina Walk route (BM1), AED 7-21 for the full route depending on the number of stops, and AED 7 on the Bluewaters crossing (BM3). RTA publishes the fares, and you can pay with a Nol card, cash or card at the station.
Is there a ferry from Dubai Marina to Old Dubai?
Not a direct one. You change at Bluewaters and the Dubai Canal station, over three ferry legs, each AED 25 on a Silver ticket, ending at Al Ghubaiba on the Creek. There are two sailings a day on each leg, so plan a half day. The Metro and Green Line take about an hour for AED 7.5.
Can you pay for the Dubai ferry with a Nol card?
Yes. RTA's ferry flyer says cash, Nol cards and credit or debit cards are accepted at all stations. Fares are AED 25 (Silver) or AED 35 (Gold) per stop on the Canal and Bluewaters routes, AED 50 or AED 75 for the Atlantis round trip, and children under 5 travel free.
How much is the ferry to Atlantis from Dubai Marina?
The round trip (FR4) from Marina Mall South via Palm Jumeirah to Atlantis costs AED 50 on Silver and AED 75 on Gold, with sailings at 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Children aged 2-10 pay AED 25 or AED 37.50, and a family fare for two adults and two children is AED 140 or AED 210.
What time does the Dubai water taxi stop running?
The Marina Walk route runs until about 11 PM on most days and around midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and the Bluewaters route until close to midnight. Times shift with the season, Ramadan and public holidays, so check the RTA timetable or the S'hail app on the day.
Can children go on the Dubai water taxi and ferry?
Yes, with an adult. Unaccompanied children under 12 are not allowed on RTA marine transport, a valid ID for the child must be shown at the station, and children under 12 must wear a life jacket. On the ferry, children under 5 travel free and children aged 2-10 have a discounted fare on the Atlantis round trip.
How much is an abra ride on Dubai Creek?
AED 1 in cash on the traditional wooden abra for one crossing, and AED 2 on the heritage petrol abras on routes such as Al Seef to Baniyas. A private traditional abra is about AED 120 an hour for the boat. The crossing takes a few minutes and there is nothing to book.
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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- Duration
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- Format
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From $35 per person Full prepayment
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Photos: Water taxi BM3: Marina Mall to Bluewaters — Paasikivi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Ferry FR1 and FR2: the Dubai Canal link — Komban Girls, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).