Best areas to live in Dubai if you don’t drive
Dubai boasts a well-planned and efficient public transport network, ensuring easy and worry-free commutes across the city. Taxis, buses and the metro are readily available in most districts. However, some areas offer better public transport access than others. If you’re a non-driver looking for a home, here are the top areas in Dubai with the best public transport options.
AREAS WITH THE BEST PUBLIC BUS TRANSPORT
BUS STATION S | RESIDENTIAL AREAS | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS |
|---|---|---|
BUS STATION S Al Satwa | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Badaa | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 72,000 |
BUS STATION S Deira City Centre | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Deira | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 62,000 |
BUS STATION S Al Karama | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Karama | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 64,000 |
If you’re looking for Dubai neighbourhoods with public transport options for cheap, it’s recommended to find a home near a bus station. Travelling via RTA buses is the most affordable way to commute in Dubai. Let’s look at the main bus stations in Dubai and the residential areas located near them.
STATION: AL SATWA
The closest residential area to the Al Satwa Bus Station is Al Badaa. The bus station in Al Satwa has nine different routes that cover most major areas and attractions in both old and new Dubai. Residents living nearby can get direct buses to Dubai Mall and the Al Maktoum International Airport from the Al Satwa Bus Station.
Al Badaa offers a mix of affordable apartments and villas for rent. Tenants can easily find rental apartments in Al Badaa for an average rental price of AED 72k per annum.
STATION: DEIRA CITY CENTRE
The Deira City Centre Bus Station provides direct routes to Internet City, Al Hamriya Port and the Al Qusais Industrial area. The station also connects commuters to Al Nahda 1 and Al Jubail in Sharjah. If any of these destinations are part of your daily or frequent commute, you’re better off finding a home within walking distance of the Deira City Centre Bus Station.
The apartments for rent in Deira are a good option to consider. They are spacious and located close to Deira City Centre station. The average cost to rent apartments in the area is AED 62k per annum. Consider the flats for rent in Deira near the metro station for a more focused approach.
STATION: AL KARAMA
Serving the residents of Karama Dubai, the Al Karama Bus Station has two main routes that cover most of the old Dubai area. The routes connect you with the Burjuman and Abu Hail Metro Station on the Green Line.
To live near the Al Karama Bus Station, you can consider the apartments for rent in Al Karama and those near the Karama Shopping Centre. The annual rent here averages at AED 64k.
AREAS NEAR BEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT: DUBAI METRO
The Dubai Metro is hands down one of the most popular modes of public transport in Dubai. The metro currently operates on three routes – the Red Line, the Green Line and Route 2020.
Those searching for places to live near metro Dubai should explore the apartments for rent near Dubai metro stations.
Here’s a quick overview of the Dubai Metro routes and the adjoining residential areas near different metro stations.
RED LINE ROUTE
The Metro Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and the Airport Road (D89). If you want to find rental places near metro station on the Red Line route, these are your best options:
METRO STATIONS | RESIDENTIAL AREAS | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS |
|---|---|---|
METRO STATIONS Dubai Internet City Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Barsha Heights | Internet City | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 84,000 | AED 37,000 |
METRO STATIONS Business Bay Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Business Bay | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 112,000 |
METRO STATIONS Mashreq Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Barsha | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 90,000 |
METRO STATIONS ADCB Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Karama | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 64,000 |
METRO STATIONS DMCC Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS JLT | Dubai Marina | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 101,000 | AED 147,000 |
ROUTE 2020
Route 2020 connects the far-lying residential areas of Dubai to the rest of the city. These areas may not have the best public transportation network, but the metro mass transit system’s availability makes a lot of difference. Consider the following residential areas near metro stations on Route 2020.
METRO STATIONS | RESIDENTIAL AREAS | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS |
|---|---|---|
METRO STATIONS Discovery Gardens Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Discovery Gardens | The Gardens | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 53,000 | AED 70,000 |
METRO STATIONS Al Furjan Metro Station | RESIDENTIAL AREAS Al Furjan | AVERAGE RENT FOR FLATS AED 72,000 |
BEST RESIDENTIAL AREAS NEAR COMMERCIAL HUBS FOR NON-DRIVERS
If most of your daily commute involves going to and coming back from work, you don’t necessarily need to look for housing in areas with the best public transport. Instead, you can simply look for homes in the same commercial hub.
Most popular commercial districts in Dubai come with a mix of commercial and residential properties. So, when you’re looking for apartments for rent in Dubai, especially when you live without a car – living close to your workplace is a great idea.
DIFC
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a key financial hub for global businesses, particularly in the South Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets. Aside from being a thriving business district, DIFC is a lively and vibrant residential community offering a modern urban lifestyle.
Regarding public transportation, DIFC has access to two metro stations – Emirates Towers and Financial Centre. A robust network of bus routes also connects the area to other parts of the city.
Potential tenants interested in apartments for rent in DIFC must have an average annual budget of AED 98k. The units here come in studio, 1, 2 and 3-bed configurations.
BUSINESS BAY
Courtesy of the Roads and Transport Authority, Business Bay is one of the Dubai areas with the best public transport. Being a convenient home for professionals working in the area, Business Bay offers various apartment accommodations, including lavish studios, 1, 2, 3 and even 4-bed apartments.
But even for those who don’t work in the area, the availability of public transport in Business Bay to get around makes it a great place to live. Apartments for rent in Business Bay average at AED 112k.
JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS
Non-drivers with offices in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) can find affordable apartments in the area. This vertical community offers an excellent selection of apartments located close to major entertainment districts like Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
JLT is pedestrian-friendly, with a mix of apartments and offices distributed over 26 different clusters. Prospective tenants can expect to pay an average of AED 101k to live in the apartments for rent in JLT.
MEDIA CITY
Those who work in Dubai Media City can find lavish accommodation within the area. Dubai Media City is ideally located adjacent to Dubai Marina, which puts it close to Palm Jumeirah and its monorail. The area also has its designated metro station. So, even if you don’t work in the same area, you’ll have adequate access to public transport for your daily commute.
Apartments for rent in Dubai Media City typically range more towards the higher end of the rent scale, with flats averaging at AED 211k. If you’re looking for cheaper apartments closer to Media City, explore the properties in Barsha Heights and JLT.
BARSHA HEIGHTS
Located along the main Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Barsha Heights is another great place to live if you don’t drive. This commercial-residential hybrid district brings you a variety of living options to choose from, including flats, hotel apartments and penthouses.
The area is connected to other parts of the city via the Dubai Internet City Metro Station and several RTA bus routes. Apartments for rent in Barsha Heights have an average price of AED 84k per annum.
JEBEL ALI
Jebel Ali is a commercial hub that offers residential options for those working in the same area. The apartments for rent in Jebel Ali fall in the affordable category, with average rents of AED 59k.
The area has a bus station and is connected to several metro stations, making commuting simple and easy for residents.
Besides the commercial hubs listed above, you can also look for properties in commercial-residential hybrid districts like Deira, Bur Dubai, Silicon Oasis and Internet City. Apartments for rent in Dubai Silicon Oasis and Deira range on the cheaper side if you’re working with a strict budget.
FAQS ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN DUBAI
WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO TRAVEL IN DUBAI?
The cheapest way to travel in Dubai when you don’t own a car is by bus. RTA bus routes cover almost every area in the emirate. Travelling by bus takes longer than it would take you to commute via taxi or the metro, but it doesn’t hit your wallet to the same extent.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE CHEAPEST APARTMENTS FOR RENT NEAR A METRO STATION IN DUBAI?
There are several areas with affordable apartments for rent near metro stations in Dubai. Your options include Deira and Bur Dubai, to name a few.
That’s all we have for you now on the areas with the best public transport in Dubai. While the Dubai Metro and RTA buses offer cheap modes of daily commute, it should also be noted that living within walking distance from metro or bus stations often results in higher rents.
That said, even when you don’t have a metro or bus station nearby, you can always learn how to book an RTA taxi in Dubai to travel in the city. Some residential areas also offer public transit through abras and trams.
If you’re a frequent user of public transport in Dubai, make sure you get a digital NOL card for a hassle-free commute. Another thing that helps get around the city easily is the set of public transport apps in Dubai that provide everything from updated bus schedules to ride-hailing services. Lastly, ensure you know the offences that can lead to public transport fines in Dubai.
Want to make smarter property decisions in Dubai? Bayut’s Dubai Rental Transactions page provides a comprehensive overview of real estate deals, including historical rent data, annual rental trends and localised transaction values.
