How to Use Public Transportation in Dubai?

Dubai's transportation system blends new and old methods. The main system is the Dubai Metro with its Red and Green lines, taking you to key city spots. The Dubai Tram offers a nice coastal route, and buses go everywhere. Traditional Abras cross the Dubai Creek, and there are water buses, taxis, and a monorail for various travel options. Taxis and ride-sharing services make travel easy, while bikes and electric scooters are eco-friendly choices. This variety makes exploring Dubai simple and fun.

1. Dubai Metro

Opened on 9th September 2009, the metro is popular for its ease and reliability. The metro covers 4114 square km of the city. You can travel from Al Qusais to Ibn Battuta Mall in about an hour, covering 45 km. Metro stations are well-placed, but you might need a taxi or bus to get there, especially in hot summers.

Metro Lines

The city has around 50 metro stations, divided into seven zones and two main lines:

• Red Line: From Rashidiya to UAE Exchange, covering major tourist spots along Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Green Line: From Etisalat to Creek, serving residential areas.

Metro Tickets

You need a single, return, or day-pass ticket, or a Nol card for contactless fare payment. Nol cards can be topped up at stations or online.

• Nol Red Tickets: Good for one-day use, needs pre-loading each time.
• Nol Silver Card: Useful for multiple trips, can be pre-loaded with cash.

You can buy tickets or Nol cards at metro stations, bus stations, and supermarkets like Carrefour, Spinneys, and Waitrose.

Metro Timings

Trains run every 3-8 minutes during peak hours and 7-15 minutes during non-peak hours. The metro operates seven days a week:

• Monday to Thursday: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
• Friday: 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM
• Saturday: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Dubai Metro Gold Class

The metro has three cabin types: Gold, Silver, and Women & Children cabins. Gold Class offers nice interiors and great views, with separate tickets available.

2. Dubai Public Buses

The metro doesn't go everywhere, so Dubai's bus system is important. Though slower, buses are cheap. The RTA runs the bus system, with 193 routes and over 1,500 stations, transporting 30 million people weekly. Buses and most stops are air-conditioned and have TVs.

Bus Routes

Routes are color-coded and cover the entire city, making buses a practical choice.

Night Buses

Night buses run from 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM, covering key areas.

Bus Tickets

Only Nol cards are accepted on buses. Swipe your card when boarding and take a seat.

3. Ride-Sharing and Taxis in Dubai

Dubai taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, but they are also the most expensive. Taxis are easy to find and well-maintained. If you need one quickly and can't find one, you can call the RTA for a cab at 8009090, but the fare will be higher. The minimum fare is AED 12. Fares are higher at night, from about 11 PM to 4 PM. Taxis are the safest way to travel at night. A red light on a taxi means it is occupied, while a yellow light means it is available. Private services like Uber and Careem are also available.

The Luxurious Alternatives

Luxury transport options are fancy but not widely available across the city. They are limited to specific areas.

4. Dubai Abras

Dubai Creek separates Deira from Bur Dubai. Abras are small wooden boats that cross the creek. They are cheap and offer a special experience. Many small vendors and tourists use Abras for transport. It costs just AED 1 for a trip.

Abra Route

Abras run between Bur Dubai and Deira for a short, scenic trip.

• Route 1: From Deira Old Souk Abra Station (near the Spice Souk) to Bur Dubai Abra Station (near the Textile Souk).
• Route 2: From Al Sabkha Abra Station (near Baniyas Square) to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station.

Abras run every four minutes throughout the day between four stations.

Abra Tickets

Abras only take cash for fare payment. The fare is AED 1 per person and it takes five minutes to cross the creek. You can buy a one-way ticket or rent a private Abra for an hour.

Abra Timings

6:00 AM to Midnight every day

5. Dubai Water Bus & Water Taxi

If you think abras are risky, you might like the water taxi better. It's air-conditioned and very safe, but it can be noisy, which might affect your experience. They are available in Dubai Marina, Dubai Creek, and other spots, offering nice views.

Routes

Water buses follow set routes, while water taxis can be hired for custom trips.

Tickets

You can use Nol Cards for water bus tickets. Water taxi fares depend on the distance traveled.

6. Dubai Trams

The trams are a new part of Dubai's public transport. They mainly run in Dubai Marina and near The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall. The trams are slow but convenient for getting around these areas. They pass through some of the most beautiful parts of Dubai, making the ride enjoyable. You need a ticket from the tram stations to travel, but if you have a Nol card, you don’t need to buy a separate ticket.

Tram Route

The tram route goes from Dubai Marina to Al Sufouh, passing popular spots like Jumeirah Beach Residence and Dubai Media City.

Integration With Dubai Metro

The tram is connected with the Dubai Metro, making it easy to switch between the two.

Tickets

You can use Nol Cards to pay for the tram ride.

7. Palm Monorail

These driverless trains go from Dubai Marina to Palm Jumeirah. They are great for seeing places like The Atlantis. They cost more because they are not run by the RTA. You can buy tickets at the stations or use Nol Cards.

8. Bicycles and Electric Scooters

Dubai has services where you can rent bikes and electric scooters. This helps with eco-friendly travel. You can rent them using apps like Skurtt, Tier, and Lime. You can also use the Careem BIKE Dubai app for bikes.

Tips for Using Public Transportation in Dubai

• Busy hours are 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Avoid traveling during these times to prevent crowds and delays.
• Follow the rules like no eating or drinking. There are fines, and CCTV cameras monitor everything.
• Get a Nol card if staying for more than a day and load it with money. You can buy these cards at any metro station.
• Traffic is heavy on weekends (Friday and Saturday). Mornings have less traffic, so plan trips to avoid long delays in the evenings.
• Use Wojhati.rta.ae to plan your trips. It has schedules, stops, and maps for buses and metros.

Dubai has many amazing places to see, like famous shopping malls and record-breaking hotels and buildings. It is a major tourist spot. You can visit places using public transportation. Metros, buses, and taxis are the safest, most convenient, and cheapest ways to get around and see the attractions.