Whether you’re new to the UAE or here for a visit, navigating the transportation system in any new city can be daunting, but you’ll find it really simple here. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the UAE public transport systems to help make your journeys as smooth as possible.
- Buses
- Metro
- Dubai Tram
- Taxis & Ridesharing
- Smart Renting Cars
- Private Transfers
- Waterways
- Payment Methods
- Disability Access
1. Buses
Buses are one of the most affordable ways to get around within UAE cities. Besides, both the buses and bus stations are equipped with air conditioning, making your bus trips much more comfortable.
Besides, in most emirates, buses use a smart payment system instead of cash, which we will elaborate more on below.
In terms of accessibility, all public-transport buses have dedicated wheelchair spaces available. You can have a look at the starting bus fares for a single trip at some emirates below.
Starting Bus Fares
- Abu Dhabi AED 2
- Ajman AED 3
- Dubai AED 3
- Sharjah AED 6
2. Metro
Currently, Dubai is the only Emirate with an operating metro; however, there is a metro under construction in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai metro system is currently made up of two lines with over 50 stations.
- Red Line
- Green Line.
The metro has air-conditioned carriages, wheelchair accessible and dedicated carriages for women and children. The trains and the stations are also equipped with Wi-Fi and CCTV.
Trains run every few minutes during peak hours, making the Dubai metro very reliable.
In addition, you will need a Nol card to use the Dubai metro, as you can not pay via cash. A trip on the Dubai metro can cost as little as AED 3 if it is within 1 metro zone.
Starting Dubai Metro Fares
- AED 3 to 17
3. Dubai Tram
The Dubai tram connects Dubai Marina to Palm Jumeirah, all the way to Al Sufouh. Consisting of 11 stations, it runs along Al Sufouh road, and you can use it to reach some popular communities like:
- Jumeirah Beach Residence
- Media City
- Jumeirah Lake Towers.
Besides, operating daily, the trams have a frequency of 10 minutes in peak hours and 12 minutes during off-peak hours. The trains are equipped with WiFi and there is a cabin dedicated exclusively for women and children.
The Dubai tram overlaps with the Dubai Metro’s red line and the Palm Jumeirah Monorail at the stations below:
| Dubai Tram X Dubai Metro | Dubai Tram X Palm Jumeirah Monorail |
| Dubai Marina StationJumeirah Lake Towers Station | Palm Jumeirah Station |
Dubai Tram Fares Regardless of Distance
- Nol Card Users: AED 3
- Red Nol Ticket: AED 4
- Gold Class: AED 6
4. Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps
If you’re seeking extra comfort taxis and ride-sharing apps like Uber and Careem are readily available in major cities in the UAE. You can either flag down a taxi on the street or order a Careem or Uber ride through their apps.
Taxi
You can pay for your taxi with cash or card, but it’s a good idea to ask the driver if they accept card payments just in case their card machine is not working.
Starting Daytime Fares
- Abu Dhabi AED 3.50
- Dubai AED 8
- Sharjah: Minimum trip fee AED 11.50.
Uber and Careem
While Uber is available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Careem is more widely accessible across the UAE as it is available in all of the emirates except for Al Fujairah.
The base fare of ride-sharing apps differs from city to city across the UAE, but you can check their websites/apps beforehand for an estimate of the ride’s cost.
5. Smart Renting Cars
Renting a car is made simple and easy in the UAE! With smart car rental, you can rent a car for minutes, hours or days in the following emirates:
- Abu Dhabi
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Ajman
Moreover, the best part is that everything is done through an app, from finding a nearby car to unlocking it and payment.
This service is provided by two private companies.
- Udrive
- Ekar
You can download their applications to find a vehicle near you.
Whether you need a car for personal use, business trips, or family vacations, smart car rental is a great option for getting around in the UAE.
Smartcar Rental Fares
- AED 24 – 40 per hour
6. Private Transfers
In the United Arab Emirates, private transfers are a popular and lavish kind of transportation. Offering a door-to-door service with specially trained drivers, they provide a relaxing and stress-free experience.
Furthermore, they are commonly used for airport transfers, business trips, and special events. That is because they offer a VIP experience and a degree of privacy that other forms of transportation simply cannot match.
Starting Private Transfer Price
- AED 100
7. Waterways
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has a ferry that transports people and cars between mainland Abu Dhabi and Dalma Island. To ride the ferry, you must have a valid Emirates ID and the car registration card if you will be transporting a car.
- Route: Between mainland Abu Dhabi (Mugharaq Port, Marsa Jabal Al Dhanna) and Delma Island.
- Operating Hours: Daily
- Prices:
- Under 12 years of age: Free
- Adults (over 12): AED 20
- Car transport: AED 100
Dubai
There are several modes of transport through Dubai’s waterways, including abras, ferries, water- taxis, and water buses. We’ve summarised the routes and costs of each of them below.
Note that you will need a Nol card or ticket to ride Dubai’s public water transport options, except for motorised abras.
1. Water-taxi
- Route: 32 pickup points, between Dubai Marina and Al Mamzar through Dubai Creek.
- Operating Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily.
- Capacity: 10 passengers
- Price:
- Fares depend on the distance.
- Private chartered water taxi: AED 400/hour
2. Water-bus
- Route: Cruises around Dubai Marina
- Operating Hours:
- Saturday – Thursday: 10 am – 11 pm (every 20 minutes)
- Fridays and public holidays: 12 pm – 12 am
- Price:
- Standard fare: AED 3 – 5
3. Ferries
- Routes: Deira, Bur Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. There is also a ferry that goes from Dubai Marina to Al Ghubaiba.
- Operating Hours: Refer to the Dubai Ferry route schedule.
- Prices:
- Gold class: AED 75/person, AED 210 family ticket (2 adults + 2 children)
- Silver class: AED 50/person, AED 140 family ticket
- Children (2 – 10 years): 50% off single ticket fare
- Children under 2: Free
4. Abras
- Routes: Between Deira and Bur Dubai, as well as scenic rides in Burj Khalifa lake and the water passage in Global Village.
- Prices:
- Motorised Abra: AED 2
- Air-conditioned Abra: AED 2
- Electric Abra: AED 50 – 120 (depending on trip length and location)
Payment Methods
Out of the seven Emirates, five have introduced automatic top-up cards to pay for several public transport modes instead of cash.
You can purchase the cards at different outlets in each Emirate, with some cards being available at ticket office machines and others at specific bus stations.
There are several reasons you should consider getting one of these cards:
- They are often the only way you can pay for a trip. For example, the Dubai Metro does not accept cash.
- The cards replace the hassle of paying with cash on public transport vehicles.
- They automatically calculate the cost of your trip when you tag on and off public transport vehicles.
You can see the name of the smart payment card for each Emirate below, along with the cost of each card and where you can use them:
| Emirate | Card Name | Validity | Starting Price (AED) |
| Abu Dhabi | Halifat | Public buses | For students, seniors, people of determination: AED 5Regular card: AED 10 |
| Dubai | Nol | All modes of transport, Public Parks in Dubai, Etihad Museum | Red Ticket: AED 2Silver Card: AED 25Gold Card: AED 25Blue Card: AED 70 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | E-Saqr | Public buses (only valid on routes within the city) | Blue Card: AED 30Silver Card (Students, Senior Citizens, Residents Over 60): AED 20Gold Card (People of Determination): Free, (but you must pay for the trips you take) |
| Ajman | Masaar | Public buses (valid on both inter and intracity trips) | AED 25 |
| Sharjah | Sayer | Sayer Discount Card Options:AED 50AED 90 |
Disability Access
Several Emirates across the UAE offer subsidised or free public transportation to people of determination (those with disabilities). You can check out the benefits offered by the different emirates to people of determination below.
Abu Dhabi
- Discounted costs for various forms of public transportation.
- Unlimited free transport on all buses across the city and suburbs of Abu Dhabi with the Halifat smart card.
- Special permits from the Abu Dhabi Police that allow you to park in specified locations in public parking lots and exempt you from Mawaquif parking fees.
Dubai
- Unlimited free transportation on public buses and Dubai Metro with a personalised Nol card.
- Exemption from paying Salik toll on one vehicle, which can be renewed yearly.
- Designated parking spaces.
- Dubai Taxi Corporation has a fleet of taxis that are well-equipped to accommodate the requirements of people of determination. The vehicles have wheelchair lifts, artificial respiratory systems, a wheelchair on board, and companion seating.
Ras Al Khaimah
- Free E-Saqr Card; however, you are not exempt from paying the cost of the trip.
FAQs
Yes, there is a public bus that goes from Sharjah Cement Factory to Union Square Bus Station in Dubai. Check the bus details below.
Yes, there’s a public bus that goes from Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi to Ibn Battuta Metro Station in Dubai. Check the bus details below.
As of now, Abu Dhabi, the vibrant capital of the United Arab Emirates, does not have an operational metro system. However, The city is known for its extensive public transportation network, but a metro system is not part of this network at the moment.
Riding the Dubai Metro involves a range of ticket prices, which vary from AED 2.00 to AED 6.50 for adults, depending on the travel distance. There are special fare discounts available for students and senior citizens who register for a monthly pass, as well as discounts for tickets purchased in advance.
Additionally, each train reserves its first carriage for Gold Class passengers, offering a premium travel experience.
Yes, the United Arab Emirates has a comprehensive network of public buses, that ensures connectivity within and across its emirates through air-conditioned vehicles.
These buses operate on a fixed schedule, providing reliable transportation options for residents and visitors alike.
The more you practice getting around UAE cities, you’ll see how user-friendly and organised the transport system in this country is. With the help of this comprehensive guide, you’ll be zipping across the country like a pro in no time!
