How to go to malls without metro stations in Dubai
Dubai is home to some of the world’s most impressive shopping malls, offering everything from luxury brands and gourmet dining to entertainment and leisure activities. While many malls are directly linked to metro stations, some require alternative transport options. If you’re wondering about the best ways to get to the malls in Dubai without using the metro, you’re in the right place.
This guide will explore how to get to malls without metro stations in Dubai, whether by bus, taxi or ride-hailing services.
WAYS TO GET TO THE MALLS IN DUBAI USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
REACHING SHOPPING MALLS IN DUBAI VIA BUS
RTA buses are one of the most affordable and convenient ways to get to malls without metro stations in Dubai. Here are some major malls and the best public transport routes to reach them.
DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL
A favourite for shoppers, foodies and entertainment lovers, Dubai Festival City Mall houses IKEA, Ace Hardware and a stunning waterfront promenade. To get to Dubai Festival City Mall by bus, you can take:
- Bus 44 from Centrepoint Metro Station (previously Rashidiya Metro Station)
- Bus 53 from Gold Souq, Deira City Centre and International City
- Bus F08 (Feeder bus) from Emirates Metro Station and Al Nahda
- Bus 24 from Al Nahda
- Bus 64 from Gold Souq
Note: Dubai Festival City Mall also offer an AC Abra service route from Dubai Creek Metro Station every 10-15 minutes.
NAKHEEL MALL
Located in the heart of Palm Jumeirah, Nakheel Mall offers a mix of shopping, dining and entertainment, with stunning rooftop views of Dubai’s skyline.
The best way to reach Nakheel Mall is via taxi or ride-hailing apps. However, if you’re staying in Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Monorail stops directly at the mall.
Note: Nakheel Mall also offers complimentary shuttle services for hotels in Palm Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha and JBR. You can find the complete list of hotels and timings on the official Nakheel Mall website.
CITY CENTRE MIRDIF
City Centre Mirdif is a sprawling shopping destination with everything from high-end fashion to iFLY Dubai, an indoor skydiving experience.
Located on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, hop on bus F10 from Centrepoint Metro Station for a direct route to the mall.
DUBAI OUTLET MALL
If you’re looking for designer brands at discounted prices, Dubai Outlet Mall is worth the trip. The mall is located on Dubai – Al Ain Road (E66), and you can take buses 66 and 67 from Bur Dubai to reach your destination. Both buses stop at Al Menhad 2 station near the mall.
Note: If you are a tourist, many hotels in Dubai offer shuttle services to the Dubai Outlet Mall.
WAFI MALL
With its striking Egyptian-inspired architecture, Wafi Mall is one of Dubai’s unique shopping destinations. It’s home to luxury boutiques, artisanal stores and various dining options.
To reach Wafi Mall, take the Dubai Metro to Dubai Healthcare City Station and then continue by taxi. If you prefer the bus, multiple routes stop nearby. Ride-hailing services like Careem and Uber are also readily available.
CITY CENTRE DEIRA
One of the city’s most visited malls, City Centre Deira, is also one of the oldest shopping centres in Dubai. Route C15 operates from Hamriya Port, Control tower to the Deira City Centre Bus Station.
DUBAI MARINA MALL
Dubai Marina Mall offers a mix of high-street brands, waterfront dining and entertainment options in one of the city’s most scenic locations.
To get there, take bus 8 and alight at Marina Promenade, which is a short 10-minute walk from the mall. If you prefer a quicker option, taxis are easily available throughout Dubai Marina.
DUBAI FESTIVAL PLAZA
One of Dubai South’s hotspots, Dubai Festival Plaza, is an urban lifestyle mall owned and operated by Al-Futtaim Group. You can reach it by taking a free shuttle bus from the Garden Metro Station, St Francis Church and Energy Metro Station in Jebel Ali.
DRAGON MART
Dragon Mart is the largest hub for Chinese products outside mainland China, offering an extensive range of household goods, electronics and fashion. To reach Dragon Mart, take bus 50, which runs from 06:00 am to 12:00 am.
MERCATO MALL
Moving on, the Italian-themed Mercato Shopping Mall is a community favourite in Jumeirah. Located on Jumeirah Beach Road, the mall is accessible via Route 8 and Route 88, which runs between City Centre Deira and Dubai Internet City. You can also take bus C10 from Hamriya Port, Control Tower, to reach Mercato Shopping Mall.
AL GHURAIR CENTRE
Finally, we have Al Ghurair Centre, another historic mall in the city. Located on Al Rigga Road in Deira, you can take a bus to Al Ghurair Centre from Union Metro Station.
REACHING SHOPPING MALLS IN DUBAI VIA TAXI
RTA Dubai taxis are another common, albeit costlier, way to reach shopping malls in the emirate. There are designated taxi stops at shopping malls in the city. You can easily book a cab through the Dispatch Centre, SMS service or online through the S’hail, Careem or DTC app. Fares for a standard taxi are:
- From 06:00 am to 10:00 pm, the meter starts at AED 5. The kilometre is calculated at AED 2.14.
- From 10:00 pm to 06:00 am, the meter starts at AED 5.50. The kilometre is calculated at AED 2.14.
For a complete breakdown of taxi charges in the city, read our guide on RTA Dubai taxi price.
RIDE-HAILING SERVICES
You can also use ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem to reach malls in Dubai without metro stations. Charges for these services depend on factors like choice of ride, location, travel distance and traffic conditions.
Popular malls with metro station
Let’s explore some of the most popular malls that are conveniently connected to metro stations.
DUBAI MALL
Dubai Mall is easily accessible from the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station, and you can catch buses 27 and 29 to reach the venue.
The Route 27 bus departs from Deira Gold Souk station, while you can catch the Route 29 bus from Ghubaiba Bus Station. The buses leave every 16 minutes. They arrive and depart in front of the Grand Drive Entrance at the mall’s lower ground floor.
MALL OF THE EMIRATES
The mall with the biggest indoor ski resort, Mall of the Emirates, is one of the most-visited places for shopaholics in the UAE. Located on the Red Line, the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station offers seamless access via an enclosed overhead walkway. The metro link can be accessed from the mall’s first floor, providing effortless connectivity.
IBN BATTUTA MALL
Named after the Arab explorer, Ibn Battuta Mall is the world’s largest themed mall directly serviced by the Dubai Metro. The station is conveniently located right next to the mall, with bus links to all nearby communities. Ibn Battuta Metro Station is part of the Red Line in Zone 2.
BURJUMAN MALL
With a central location in Bur Dubai, BurJuman Mall remains a popular shopping destination despite being one of the oldest malls in the country. The mall is located on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road D88 and is accessible via the BurJuman Metro Station and its adjacent bus stops.
FAQS
Which malls in Dubai have free shuttle services?
Several malls, including Nakheel Mall, Dubai Festival Plaza and Dubai Outlet Mall, offer free shuttle buses from nearby metro stations or hotels. Check the mall’s official website for updated schedules.
How can I know the bus timings at my stop?
Download RTA’s Journey Planner app – S’hail. It displays real-time updates of bus timings at your chosen stop. You can also refer to the RTA official website for more info.
How do I pay for buses in Dubai?
All fares for public buses in Dubai must be paid using a Dubai nol card with a minimum balance of AED 7.50. Paying the bus driver directly is prohibited.
And that’s a wrap to everything you need to know about how to go to malls without metro stations in Dubai. Needless to say, public transportation in Dubai is one of the finest in the world. There are several alternative Dubai transport options to reach your desired destination at any given location.
You can also find the list of bus routes in our RTA Dubai Bus guide so you can navigate easily around town.
