Dubai: If you want to make your New Year’s Eve unforgettable, how about enjoying the midnight fireworks aboard the Dubai Abra, Ferry or Water Taxi?
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) unveiled a special service for the firework shows that will be organised at the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and The Palm on the eve of the New Year 2023. However, you would need to reserve your seat and book your tickets in advance. Here are the details.
Burj Khalifa Fireworks
If you are planning to watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks, you can choose the option of booking a spot on the Dubai Abra. Here are all the stations from where the service will start:
1. From Al Ghubaiba 2 (Dubai Creek)
Abra Sation: Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport Station (The station is located in the Al Shindagah neighbourhood in Bur Dubai, and is a two-minute walk from the Al Ghubaiba Metro Station on the Green Line)
Departure time: 10pm (According to RTA, passengers must be at the station 30 minutes before departure.)
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 1.30am
Viewing point: Dubai Design District Station, from where passengers will be able to view the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
Cost: Dh125 per person, free for children under two years old.
2. From Al Fahidi (Dubai Creek)
Abra Station: Al Fahidi Marine Transport station. The nearest Metro station is Sharaf DG (on the Green Line), from where you would need to take an 11-minute walk to the Al Fahidi Marine Transport Station.
Departure time: 10pm. Youmust be at the station 30 minutes before departure.
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 1.30am
Viewing point: Dubai Design District Station, from where passengers will be able to view the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
Cost: Dh125 per person, and free for children under the age of two.
3. From Al Jaddaf (Dubai Creek)
Abra Station: Al Jaddaf Marine Station. Creek Metro station on the Green Line service is the closest to the Al Jaddaf Waterfront, as it is only a four-minute walk away.
Departure time: 10.30pm. You must be at the station 30 minutes before departure.
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 1am
Viewing point: Dubai Design District Station, from where passengers will be able to view the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
Cost: Dh125 per person, and free for children under the age of two.
Burj Al Arab and The Palm fireworks
If you want to enjoy the Burj Al Arab or The Palm fireworks instead, you have to take the Dubai Ferry, from any of the following marine stations:
1. From Dubai Marina Mall 1
Marine Station: Dubai Marina Mall Marine Transport Station
Departure time: 10pm (You must arrive 30 minutes before departure)
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 1.30am.
Viewing point: The Sofitel Resort Palm Station, from where passengers will be able to view the Burj Al Arab and The Palm fireworks.
Cost:
• Dh300 per person – for a silver class ticket.
• Dh450 per person – for a gold class ticket.
Children between the ages of two to 10 years will get a 50 per cent discount; children under two years do not need a ticket.
How to get to the Dubai Marina Mall marine station
If you are planning to take public transport to get to the marine station, you can take the Metro Red Line to the Sobha Realty Metro Station in Dubai Marina. From there, you can take the Dubai Tram to the Marina Towers Tram Station. You can then walk towards the Dubai Marina Mall Marine Transport Station, which will take around five minutes.
2. From Bluewaters Island
Location: Bluewaters Marine Transport Station. If you are looking to take public transport, you can go to the Jebel Ali Metro station, from where you can take the F57 feeder bus, to the Bluewaters Marine Transport Station.
Departure time: 10.30pm. You must be at the station 30 minutes before departure.
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 12.45am.
Viewing point: The Sofitel Resort Palm Station, from where passengers will be able to view the Burj Al Arab and The Palm fireworks.
Cost:
• Dh300 per person – for a silver class ticket.
• Dh450 per person – for a gold class ticket.
Children between the ages of two to 10 years will get a 50 per cent discount; children under two years do not need a ticket.
3. From Al Ghubaiba 1 (Dubai Creek):
Location: Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport Station
Departing time: 10.30pm. You must be at the station 30 minutes before departure.
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 1.30am.
Viewing point: The Sofitel Resort Palm Station, from where passengers will be able to view the Burj Al Arab and The Palm fireworks.
Cost:
• Dh300 per person – for a silver class ticket.
• Dh450 per person – for a gold class ticket.
Children between the ages of two to 10 years will get a 50 per cent discount; children under two years do not need a ticket.
Jumeirah Beach Residence and Bluewaters Island fireworks
To watch the fireworks at JBR and Bluewaters Island, these are your options:
1. Water taxi from Dubai Marina:
Location: Any Marine station in Marina, except Marina Mall waterbus station.
Departing time: 10.30pm. Passengers must be at the station 30 minutes before departure.
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 12.55am
Cost: Here, you would only have the option to book the entire boat, which is a cost of Dh3,000 per boat. There are 20 seats on the Water Taxi.
Estimated arrival: 12.55am
Apart from the Water Taxi, visitors and tourists will also be able to view the Jumeirah Beach Residence and Bluewaters fireworks onboard an Abra. However the cost and location for the abra is different compared to the Water Taxi.
2. Dubai Abra From Marina Mall 2:
Location: Marina Mall Marine Station
Departure time: 10.30pm. Passengers must be at the station 30 minutes before departure.
Arrival time (back to the station, after the fireworks): 1am.
Cost: Dh125 per person, and free for children under the age of two.
How can I book a ticket?
To book a ticket, you will need to visit the special booking platform for marine tickets: https://marine.rta.ae/rta_b2c/opentickets.html and follow the steps below:
- Under the 'area' category, select 'New Year Fireworks trip'.
- Select your mode of transport, for example - ferry, Abra, or Water Taxi.
- Choose the route, and click on the 'search' button.
- Next, select one of the available timings.
- Enter the ticket details, for example the number or guests or whether you prefer gold or silver class.
- Next, fill in your personal details, and confirm the tickets.
- Then pay for the booking online via credit or debit card.
