One reason for UAE’s impressive economic growth and social integration is its vast public transport network. Not only do tourists and residents of the UAE have excellent public transport options for journeys within individual emirates, but they can also utilise an affordable inter emirate bus service to travel between the cities. In fact, thousands of people benefit from the inter-emirate buses in the UAE each day.
INTER-EMIRATE BUS TRAVEL IN THE UAE
People travel between emirates for multiple reasons. For example, many people who work in Dubai will live in Sharjah to cut down on the cost of living. Others travel to meet family and friends regularly and look for budget-friendly transport. Whatever the reasons, the UAE’s inter-emirate buses have proven to be an efficient and vital service.
Several inter-emirate buses were suspended because of the ongoing pandemic, and transport authorities altered some routes. The good news, however, is that suspensions have been lifted. Let’s look at the inter-emirate bus services and their respective operation status.
ABU DHABI TO RAS AL KHAIMAH BUS SERVICE
Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah bus started recently when the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The journey takes a little under three hours, and you can use this bus three times a week.
Passengers can board the RAK bus at the Al Dhait Bus Station, whilst the bus leaves from Abu Dhabi’s Downtown Bus Station. You will have to pay AED 47 for the trip.
Note: The Abu Dhabi to RAK bus service is operational at the time of writing. Nevertheless, it is advisable to contact the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700 and confirm the status before finalising your plans.
ABU DHABI TO DUBAI BUS SERVICE
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most populated emirates in the UAE, and multiple buses are operating between the two. Due to coronavirus restrictions, this bus route was suspended earlier. However, Abu Dhabi to Dubai bus service has now resumed. For instance, the E101 bus service restarted in September 2021.
If you plan to use Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus service, you can always call the RTA at 800-9090 to confirm the current status.
RAS AL KHAIMAH TO AJMAN BUS SERVICE
The Ras Al Khaimah to Ajman bus service (Also known as Al Hamra bus service) is managed by the RAK Transport Authority (RAKTA). You can travel from Al Hamra Bus Station to Ajman City Centre twice a week. AED 17 is the ticket cost.
Note: The RAK Ajman route is currently operational. However, we recommend contacting the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700 before proceeding with your travel plans.
DUBAI TO AJMAN BUS SERVICE
Bus E400 travels from Dubai to Ajman in under an hour. The journey starts at Union Metro Station and ends at Ajman Bus Station. Given the number of people who travel daily, the Dubai to Ajman bus operates seven days a week. To confirm the status of bus operations, you can call 800-9090.
DUBAI TO AL AIN BUS SERVICE
The Public Transport Agency of RTA and the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi collaborated to start the E201 bus service. Passengers can board at the Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai, where the journey begins. It is estimated that over 250,000 passengers use Dubai to Al Ain bus service annually.
Because of pandemic related restrictions, the inter emirate bus service between Dubai and Al Ain is suspended until further notice. To confirm status at the time of travel, you can call the RTA toll-free number 800-9090.
DUBAI TO FUJAIRAH BUS SERVICE
The starting point for the Dubai to Fujairah bus route is the Union Station Dubai. It runs seven days a week, and depending on the traffic conditions, the journey can take roughly two hours. You can pay for the service with your Nol Card.
Like most routes, the inter-emirate bus service between Dubai and Fujairah is also suspended due to coronavirus restrictions. To confirm the latest status, please contact the RTA on 800-9090 and then finalise your travel arrangements.
DUBAI TO RAS AL KHAIMAH BUS SERVICE
Those looking for the inter-emirate bus service between Dubai and RAK can either use the RAK Shuttle Bus service or the Al Hamra Bus service. While the shuttle service takes you to major landmarks in RAK from Dubai International Airport, the Al Hamra Bus’s journey starts from Union Station Dubai. The ticket cost is AED 27.
When you are planning your journey, it’s best to call the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700 to confirm the current status of the Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah bus service.
DUBAI TO SHARJAH BUS SERVICE
This bus service between the two neighbouring emirates is used extensively, especially by those living in Sharjah and working in Dubai. There are multiple bus routes for passengers making this journey to easy choose from. Due to coronavirus, some restrictions and alterations were made, but the bus services are currently operational.
SHARJAH TO ABU DHABI BUS SERVICE
Sharjah to Abu Dhabi bus takes roughly two and a half hours to complete the entire journey. The bus starts from the Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah, and its last stop is the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station in Al Wahda.
The route was suspended due to coronavirus restrictions. However, it resumed in September 2021. Before your journey, you can call Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority on 600-525-252 to confirm the current status.
You can also read our blog on public transport in Abu Dhabi.
SHARJAH TO RAS AL KHAIMAH BUS SERVICE
To travel from Sharjah to RAK on a public bus, you can take Bus 115 or Bus 116. Bus 115 is suitable for people who want to travel to the central city of RAK, whereas the latter is ideal for people who wish to travel to Ras Al Khaimah’s Masafi area. The charges would be AED 27.
Currently, the service is operational, but depending on when you plan to travel, you can call the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700 to confirm the status.
AJMAN TO UMM AL QUWAIN BUS SERVICE
Ajman to Umm Al Quwain bus services, which were suspended earlier, have also restarted their operations. The buses run from 07:00 am to 09:00 pm at regular intervals, starting at the Al Musalla Bus Station in Ajman and terminating at the Lulu Bus Station in Umm Al Quwain.
RAK TO UMM AL QUWAIN BUS SERVICE
You can travel from RAK to UAQ via bus on Fridays and Saturdays. The journey duration is around two hours and will cost you AED 12. For any queries, you can call the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority on 800-1700.
FAQS
ARE ALL INTER-EMIRATE BUS SERVICES IN THE UAE OPERATIONAL?
Many inter-emirate bus services in the UAE have been restored to full operations. However, as mentioned above, some inter emirate bus routes are suspended due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. It’s best to contact the transport authority for confirmation before finalising the travel plans.
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL BY BUS DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Transport Authorities are enforcing strict COVID-19 prevention guidelines and safety precautions. Public transport users have to follow these restrictions to make the journey safe for everyone on board.
That wraps up our update regarding inter-emirate buses in the UAE. Recently, several bus services were suspended due to coronavirus, but some bus routes are operational again. It is recommended that you check the emirate’s transport authority website or call the helpline at the time of travel. You can also read our guide about upcoming projects in Abu Dhabi to know more about the budget-friendly ways to travel around the city. There is also the Dubai to Oman bus option if you want to head out of the UAE for a vacation.
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