Complete guide to public transport in Dubai

• Modes of Public Transport in Dubai
• Apps for Public Transport in Dubai
• Fares for Using Dubai Public Transport
• Rules for Using Public Transport

One of the common questions by new residents or tourists in Dubai is about the best way to get around the city. Fortunately, the emirate of Dubai is well-connected by a robust public transport system, which is affordable, rapid and convenient! Today, MyBayut brings you an overview of the public transport in Dubai. Find out the popular modes of Dubai public transport, fares, common rules and etiquette and all there is to know about commuting around the city.

MODES OF DUBAI PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK

Residents and tourists can comfortably commute within the city using the Dubai public transport network, which connects different parts of the city in a secure and efficient manner. Let’s take a look at the different options.

DUBAI METRO

Perhaps the most popular public transport mode in Dubai, the Dubai Metro allows commuters to travel in a state-of-the-art, automated, driverless railway system. Currently, two metro lines are operating – the Red Line and the Green Line.

The Dubai Metro seamlessly connects many city residential and commercial districts while also stopping near several of Dubai’s top attractions near metro. Dubai Metro stations are located at the Dubai International Airport Terminals, making it easy for tourists and visitors travelling to Dubai to commute within the city as soon as they arrive.

In January 2021, Dubai Metro extended its operations to Dubai Metro Route 2020, connecting Jabal Ali Metro Station to the Expo 2020 site via seven metro stations located in areas like The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, and Dubai Investment Park and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

You can find out more about the metro stations, fares, parking and more in Bayut’s detailed guide to Dubai Metro line.

• Mode of payment: NOL Card

DUBAI TRAM

One of the newer modes of local transport in Dubai, the Dubai Tram is a world-class tramway serving notable areas in New Dubai such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Al Sufouh.

The Dubai Tram also links to the Dubai Metro and Palm Monorail, reducing traffic congestion and allowing commuters to easily access the leisure destinations of JBR and Dubai Marina and professional hubs of Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City.

There are currently 11 Dubai Tram stations with Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers stations linking to the Dubai Metro.

• Mode of payment: NOL Card

PUBLIC BUS

With a fleet of 1,518 buses connecting residents and visitors within the city, the bus network is one of the most affordable options for public transportation in Dubai. The RTA public buses cover 87% of urban areas in the city with 119 internal lines, including those that link to the Dubai Metro, intercity lines and express lines.

With its vast network, air-conditioned bus stations and separate compartments for women and families, the public bus system is a convenient mode of transport.

• Mode of payment: NOL Card

TAXIS

Another one of the popular mode of public transport in Dubai is taxis, which commuters can find in nearly every part of the city. Taxis in Dubai are the quickest and most comfortable ways to get around the city, although they are more expensive than other public transport.

Not only are there dedicated Dubai taxis for the airport, but there are also special taxis solely for women and families, which come with a female driver.

• Mode of payment: NOL Card, cash or credit/debit card

RIDE-HAILING APPS

Apps such as Uber and Careem have also gained popularity in Dubai and are commonly used by residents to move within the emirate. These ride-hailing apps in Dubai allow commuters to choose the type of vehicle they want and provide the estimated journey cost upfront when booking a ride.

• Mode of payment: Cash, credit/debit card or rewards points

MARINE

Commuters can also sail via public transport in Dubai to get to their destination. The marine transport options in Dubai include Dubai Ferry, Dubai Water Bus, Dubai Water Taxi and Abras, which provide a scenic journey for travellers.

• Mode of payment: NOL Card, cash or credit/debit card

DUBAI PUBLIC TRANSPORT APPS

There are several Dubai public transport apps that travellers can use to plan their journey within the emirate, make inquiries and transactions. Take a look at the various public transport apps in Dubai to have a seamless and comfortable journey:

• Wojhati: The Wojhati app uses a real-time map to assist users in planning their journey in advance. Users can enter their destination and the app will display the best route using public transport in Dubai, including bus, metro and marine options.
• Public Transport: The RTA Public Transport Dubai app is a handy tool that allows users to check or top up their NOL card balance online. Additionally, this is one of the public transportation apps in Dubai that allows you to check the timetable for metro, bus, tram and more.
• S’hail: Residents and visitors will find that this is one of the apps for public transportation in Dubai that allows them to get around the city easily. The S’hail app does this by integrating information on various modes of public transport onto a simple and hassle-free app. Users can find out Dubai metro and tram timings, taxi fares, and available options for ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem and car-sharing services like UDrive and Ekar.

As discussed earlier, besides these, apps for Uber and Careem can also be used to book ride-hailing services. Commuters can now use the Careem app in Dubai to also book the Hala Taxi, considered the most affordable taxi service in the city.

DUBAI PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES

The emirate of Dubai is divided into seven zones, each with metro, tram, bus and marine stations. The fare for using public transport in Dubai will be charged depending on the number of zones that travellers cross in a single trip.

Commuters can also transfer between the different modes of transport (Dubai Metro to Dubai Tram, or Public Bus to Dubai Metro) within 30 minutes for the journey to be considered a single trip.

Public transport tickets can be paid with a NOL Card, which is a contactless smart card that can be used to check-in and check-out each time you use a mode of public transport. There are various types of NOL Cards in Dubai available, which gives travellers access to different classes of cabins.

You can take a look at the public transport prices below, depending on the NOL Card used and the length of your journey:

Alternatively, if you are a frequent public transport user, you can opt for a personal NOL Card. This type of NOL Card allows students, senior citizens and residents, to receive a 50% discount on fares for public transport in Dubai.

Please note that public transport in Dubai prices mentioned above is applicable to Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and Public Bus. Taxis and ride-hailing apps have different fares based on the length of your trip.

The prices for Dubai Ferry differ. For instance, one-way journeys from Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport to Marina Mall Marine Station and vice versa in silver class start from AED 25 and gold class starting from AED 35. The Dubai to Sharjah ferry has a fare of AED 15 for silver class and AED 25 for gold class.

RULES FOR USING RTA PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN DUBAI

When using Dubai public transportation to move within the city, there are certain rules and etiquette that passengers must follow:

• Do not smoke when using Dubai public transport. Fine: AED 200.
• Do not cause a disturbance or distraction when commuting via public transport. Fine: AED 100.
• Do not attempt to use an expired, invalid or counterfeit card when boarding or leaving public transportation. Fine: AED 200 (expired or invalid card), AED 500 (counterfeit card).
• Do not put your feet on the seat when using Dubai public transport. Fine: AED 100.
• Do not bring animals on public transportation, except guide dogs for blind passengers. Fine: AED 100.
• Do not eat or drink in areas where it is not permitted. Fine: AED 100.
• Do not carry bulky luggage on public transportation. On Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro, one large suitcase and one small suitcase are permitted.

These are just some of the rules for public transport in Dubai that passengers must be aware of.

Keep an eye out for each transport section on RTA’s website to know about Dubai public transport timings. Please note that timings are subject to change and availability.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MyBayut answers some of the most commonly-asked questions by those looking to use Dubai public transportation.

How to get via public transport from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

Inter-emirate travelling is pretty easy, given there are several modes of public transportation in Dubai. Considering Dubai is the starting point of your journey, there are many ways to travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

What is the best way to get around Dubai?

Public transport in Dubai is a good option if you’re looking for an affordable and convenient way to get around. These modes of public transport connect passengers to all of the popular districts in the city, as well as notable landmarks.

How do you pay for buses in Dubai?

You can pay for your journey on Dubai buses via an NOL Card, a smart card that you can tap against the checkpoint when boarding and alighting from a bus.

Can I pay cash in Dubai bus?

No, passengers cannot use cash to pay for their journeys on public buses in Dubai. Instead, they will need to use the NOL Card to avail services of RTA public buses in Dubai.

How much does public transport cost in Dubai?

The price for your journey will vary based on which NOL Card you are using.

How to reach Sustainable City using public transport in Dubai?

Take buses like F29 and F30 to reach Sustainable City using public transport in Dubai.

How to reach Dubai Parks & Resorts by public transport from Sharjah?

You can hop aboard a bus or taxi from Sharjah to visit Dubai Parks & Resorts. Travelling via bus will cost you less. There are quite a few routes to get to the park via bus. Catch the line 8 bus from a stop located at King Faisal Road, Jumbo. It will take you all the way to Ibn Battuta Metro Station. Take the metro from there to reach Dubai Parks & Resorts.

And that brings an end to MyBayut’s guide to public transportation in Dubai! We hope this article will help you easily move to the city of Dubai. You may also be interested in the RTA-approved service called Hubun, which provides a taxi service exclusively for families and has only female drivers.

If you work in the buzzing commercial hub of Business Bay, you can read up on the public transport network in Business Bay. Planning a visit to the UAE’s capital?

It’s a good idea to read up on the public transport options in Abu Dhabi, too. Apart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you can check out the Sharjah bus routes and timings to enjoy stress-free, inter-city travel.

While the transportation system in each emirate is robust, the UAE government is making further developments to enhance the transportation network of the country. Keep yourself aware of these upcoming transportation developments in the UAE.