Did you believe that the only ways to go around Dubai’s city boundaries were via car or train? If you enjoy taking to the water, you should be aware of a few options that provide you with traffic-free ways across the city as well as a wonderful way to experience some of Dubai’s most distinctive vistas.
Dubai travel and transport have several water commute options, including
- While you go via 44 various stations in the lopping, air-conditioned water taxis, you may enjoy the serenity of the water.
- The most traditional means of getting across Dubai Creek is by boat, specifically the Dubai Abra. As a reminder of the city’s past, it is also one of Dubai’s most recognizable tourist attractions.
- The Dubai Ferry is another advanced mode of Dubai water transport. It encompasses all scenic locations of the city, attracting both residents and tourists.
What is Dubai Water Taxi?
The Dubai Water Taxi is a mode of transportation that operates just like a regular taxi on land, with the exception that it navigates the city’s waterways. These little air-conditioned water taxis can be utilized for some sightseeing, but they are often used mainly for transportation.
Each Water Taxi can accommodate 10 passengers in comfort, and each one has its own LCD monitor.
Abra in Dubai
In the United Arab Emirates, abras are a common kind of water transportation and are regarded as one of the earliest modes of transportation. Abra is derived from the Arabic verb abara, which means “to cross.”
You can use one of four different varieties of abras to go around the city: a motorized abra, an air-conditioned abra, a petrol abra, or a traditional electric abra.
Motorised abra in Dubai
For a reasonable cost starting at AED 1, the motorised version operates to allow passengers to go leisurely along the shores of Dubai Creek, connecting Deira and Bur Dubai. Abra is open from five in the morning till twelve at night, while route 2 is always open.
- Route 1: From Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Bur Dubai Abra Station | 5 am to 12 midnight | 0.59 KM | 5 minutes — from AED 1 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.
- Route 2: From Sabkha Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk | 24 hours/day | 0.68 KM | 7 minutes | from AED 1 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.
Air-conditioned Abra
The air-conditioned Abra provides a relaxing boat ride through the seas that is ideal for warmer weather. From AED 2, the food is reasonably priced.
- Route 1: From Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City | 7 am to midnight daily | from AED 2 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.
- Route 2: From Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City | 9 am to midnight on Fridays | from AED 2 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.
Petrol Abra
Petrol Abras maintain the typical Abra experience while running on petrol. With prices starting at AED 2 per person, for each trip, this variant provides greater seating for up to 20 passengers. The Abra operator is responsible for collecting fares.
- Route 1: Al Sabkha – Al Fahidi – Deira Old Souq | 7 am to 10 pm (Saturday to Thursday) / 10 am to 1 am (the next day).
- Route 2: Dubai Old Souq to Baniyas | 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm (Saturday to Thursday) / 10 am to 1 am (the next day on Fridays).
- Route 3: Al Seef to Baniyas | 7 am to 9:55 pm (Sun-Wednesday) / 7 am to 10:55 pm (Thurs-Sat) / 10 am to 0:50 am (the next day on Fridays).
- Route 4: Dubai Water Canal | 4 pm to 11:30 pm (every day) | AED 25 per person or AED 300 per hour. Children 0-2 years old ride free.
- Route 5: Al Wajeha Al Maeyah – Marasi – Sheikh Zayed Road | 8 am to 9:30 pm (Sat-Thurs) | AED 2 per stop.
Electrical traditional Abra
An environmentally friendly variation on the traditional Arab boat is the electrical traditional Abra. Visitors to the UAE often choose this vehicle to travel in while taking in the popular sites of the city; it has room for up to 8 passengers.
- Route 1: Dubai Mall – Burj Plaza – The Palace | 6 pm to 11:30 pm (Tourist route) for AED 68.25 per person / 12 pm to 11:30 pm (Commuter route) for AED 20 per person.
- Route 2: Global Village | 4 pm to midnight | AED 52.50 to book the entire Abra per trip.
- Route 3: Al Seef Station | 4 pm to 10 pm (Sun-Wed) / 4 pm to 11:30 pm (Thurs-Sat) | AED 60 per trip of 30 minutes and AED 120 for a 1-hour trip.
What Is The Dubai Ferry?
The Dubai Ferry is proof of the city’s unwavering commitment to being one of the world’s premier tourism destinations. The Road and Transport Authority initially created Dubai Ferry in 2011 with the goal of enhancing water route transit. Currently, this activity involves getting on a posh boat and travelling across Dubai’s waterways. This traffic-free route gives you a distinctive perspective of the international city as it travels from the Dubai Canal to the Dubai Marina. You can purchase tickets based on your level of comfort due to the two different ticket classes. A trip on the Dubai Ferry is the ideal way for your family to explore Dubai from the water because children under the age of five are admitted free of charge.
Routes of Dubai Ferry
The Dubai Ferry, which was introduced in 2011, has grown to serve a number of routes, including the intercity route between Sharjah and Dubai. Giving passengers the option to travel between two emirates gives them the chance to get away from the chaos of the congested road traffic. The Dubai Ferry’s intercity route makes a stop close to the Sharjah Aquarium, where you may take the family on an excursion.
The Dubai Ferry’s current routes now include the Dubai Water Canal. Passengers can enjoy stunning canal views of the city skyline and breathtaking sunsets. The sensation of floating beneath the magnificent Dubai Canal Waterfall is the highlight of this route, one of the longest of Dubai’s waterways. According to its schedule, Dubai Ferry operates from all five terminals. You can use the RTA website to schedule your weekend visit. See all of its available routes’ details below.
| Routes | Stations Covered | Timings | Duration |
| Route 1 | ● Ferry Station Al Ghubaiba
● Dubai Water Canal Station ● Dubai Marina Mall Station |
11:00 am
01:00 pm 06:30 pm |
1 hour 40 minutes |
| Route 2 | ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station
● Floating Bridge ● Hyatt Regency Hotel ● Al Ghubaiba Station |
03:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
| Route 3 | ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station
● Jumeirah Beach ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station |
05:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
| Route 4 | ● Dubai Marina Mall Station
● Dubai Marina ● Atlantis ● Dubai Marina Mall Station |
03:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
| Route 5 | ● Dubai Marina Mall Station
● Palm Jumeirah ● Atlantis the Palm ● Dubai Marina Mall Station |
05:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
| Route 6 | ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station
● Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station |
07:00 am – 09:00 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
02:00 pm -10:30 pm (Friday) 08:15 am – 08:00 pm (Saturday) |
35 minutes (round trip) |
Note : Confirm the timings before you make a visit as the ferry timings change duri
- Different Route Prices in Dubai Ferry
| Route | Silver Ticket Price (in Dirhams) | Gold Ticket Price (in Dirhams) |
| Al Ghubaiba – Dubai Marina | 50 | 75 |
| Dubai Marina – Al Ghubaiba | 50 | 75 |
| Dubai Marina (Circular Trip) | 50 | 75 |
| Al Ghubaiba (Circular Trip) | 50 | 75 |
| Al Ghubaiba – Sharjah Aquarium | 15 | 25 |
| Dubai Marina – Dubai Canal Station | 25 | 35 |
Family Ticket Combo Price
| Touristic Trips | Ticket Price – Silver | Ticket Price – Gold |
| Family Bundle (2 adults and 2 children) | 140 Dirhams | 210 Dirhams |
What is a Water Bus in Dubai?
Although it exclusively operates in Dubai Marina, the Dubai Water Bus is a similarly cutting-edge method of transportation across the water to the Water Taxi.
It is the perfect way to take in this traffic-free route between the tall high-rise structures of this bustling city because there are only small distances between each station. On the journey, you’ll witness a lot of contemporary scenery, including bridges and rows of privately owned yachts.
Sail after sunset or after dark to capture the lights shining from the various buildings and watch the cafes along the promenade fill with people, making the experience even more memorable and photogenic.
Each Water Bus can accommodate 20 passengers, including those with difficulties, and has an enclosed, air-conditioned interior. They are currently replacing the outdated white and red water buses in the fleet with contemporary, air-conditioned abras.
Dubai Water Bus Routes
The Dubai Water Bus operates in Dubai Marina, between four scenic locations:
- Marina Terrace
- Marina Walk
- Dubai Marina Mall
- Marina Promenade
There are plans underway to extend an additional route to Blue Waters.
Price of Dubai Water Bus
The Nol cards can be used to pay for the Water Bus fare, and the holders can swipe their cards once upon boarding and once more upon reaching their destination. The price is:
- Dubai Marina Walk – Marina Terrace: AED 3
- Dubai Marina Mall – Marina Promenade: AED 3
- Dubai Marina Walk – Dubai Marina Mall: AED 5
- Marina Promenade – Marine Terrace: AED 11
The RTA Customer Happiness Center, RTA’s app, or the marine transport stations are all places where Nol cards can be topped off. On the RTA website, you can also purchase tickets for ships.
Frequency of the Dubai Water Bus
Every 15 to 20 minutes, Dubai Water Buses run between the four destinations in Dubai Marina. They work throughout the following hours:
Saturday to Thursday Dubai Water Bus schedule
- From Marina Mall to Marina Walk: Between 11:00 am – 03:15 pm and 10:15 pm – 10:35 pm
- From Marina Promenade to Marina Walk, via Marina Mall and Marina Terrace: Between 02:05 pm – 04:00 pm
- Full Route: Between 04:00 pm and 10:15 pm
Friday Dubai Water Bus Schedule
- From Marina Mall to Marina Walk: Between 12:00 pm – 05:00 pm and 10:35 pm – 11:45 pm
- From Marina Promenade to Marina Walk, via Marina Mall and Marina Terrace: Between 02:05 pm – 04:50 pm
- Full Route: Between 05:05 pm and 10:45 pm
Also Read: 3 ways to save money on transport in the UAE
