Budget travel across the UAE using safe, efficient, and easy public transport

Dubai: It is holiday weather in the UAE. Time to explore the country. And this can be done on a budget – public buses in the country help residents and visitors travel from one Emirate to another with ease, as most buses ply these routes around the clock.

Whether you want to travel to another Emirate for work or to meet family, or are simply looking to explore different Emirates, here’s how you can take advantage of the affordable public bus options in the UAE.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates buses to almost all Emirates in the UAE, as well as from Dubai city to Hatta, which is a city within the Emirate of Dubai. All these bus routes are two-way, so you can also use them to travel to Dubai, if you happen to be living in or visiting any of these cities or Emirates.

Dubai to Abu Dhabi

The following bus routes currently ply from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back:

Dubai to Al Ain

Dubai to Sharjah

Dubai to Ajman

Dubai to Fujairah

Dubai to Hatta

The S’hail app from RTA, which is available for both Apple and Android devices, allows commuters to check the latest bus schedule to and from Dubai and plan their journey. The bus fare for the trip can vary depending on the timings and routes.

The app also provides details on the bus, Metro, tram or abra (or other marine transport options) you can take within Dubai, to reach your destination.

From Sharjah, you can take an inter-Emirate bus to:

To find out the schedule for intercity buses from the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), including the timings and ticket fares, visit this link - https://eforms.srta.gov.ae/eforms/BusSchedule.aspx?Route=Intercity&StopFrom=54&StopTo=55

Ajman Transportation Authority also runs an inter-Emirate bus service that takes people from Ajman to Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. The easiest way to find the bus schedules for inter-Emirate travel is by visiting this link from Ajman Transportation Authority: https://ta.gov.ae/en/bus-schedules .

However, it is always advisable to contact the Ajman Transport Authority on 600599997 before you plan your trip, as the timings and locations on the website may change.

All intercity buses in Ajman depart from the main bus station - Al Musalla bus station on Sheikh Abdullah Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Street. You can buy a ticket from the ticket counter at the main bus station or even use the public bus card, Masaar, to pay for the trip.

Here is a breakdown of the ticket costs when using the public buses to travel from Ajman:

Abu Dhabi
• Masaar card: Dh30
• Without Masaar card: Dh35

Dubai
• Masaar card: Dh15
• Without Masaar card: 19

Sharjah
• Masaar card: Dh5
• Without Masaar card: Dh9

Sharjah Industrial Area
• Masaar card: Dh6
• Without Masaar card: Dh10

Umm Al Quwain
• For Masaar card holder: Dh10
• Without Masaar card: Dh15

Ras Al Khaimah
• Masaar card: Dh20
• Without Masaar card: Dh25

Intercity buses in Ras Al Khaimah are operated by Ras Al Khaimah Transportation Authority (RAKTA) and connect Ras Al Khaimah with the following Emirates and cities:

All intercity buses from Ras Al Khaimah depart from the main bus station, Al Hamra Bus Station.

Ras Al Khaimah to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Cost: Dh47

Ras Al Khaimah to Union Metro Station in Dubai
Cost: Dh27

Ras Al Khaimah to Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah
Cost: Dh27

Ras Al Khaimah to Al Musalla Bus Station in Ajman
Cost: Dh20

Ras Al Khaimah to Al Ain Central Bus Station
Cost: Dh47

Ras Al Khaimah to Salama Supermarket in Umm al Quwain
Cost: Dh15

You can buy the ticket from the main bus station in Al Hamra, or online, through the RAKTA website – rakta.gov.ae. The service is also available on the ‘RAKTA’ app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices.

To book through the website, follow these steps:

1. Visit rakta.gov.ae and select ‘services’ from the top menu.

2. Select ‘public transport’ and then select ‘intercity bus’.

3. The website will then provide you with all the options for intercity travel, with the option to book tickets for your trip.

4. You can complete the payment using a debit or credit card.

5. You will receive an e-receipt of the ticket payment, which you can use as proof of payment.