1. Transportation
  2. Public transport

Public transport

Air-conditioned buses connect most areas within each emirate and inter-emirates. They operate according to schedule.

Public buses

Air-conditioned buses connect most areas within each emirate and inter-emirates. They operate according to schedule.

 

Public buses are operated by:

 

Refer to the respective entity for schedules and fares.

 

In some emirates, special cards are used for payment. They are:

 

For more information, refer to the following links:

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed from the roadside or can be booked in advance. There are special taxis for women and children, families and for people of determination.

 

To book a taxi in:

 

Booking charges apply and differ from emirate to emirate, type of taxi booked and time of the day.

 

Fares

In Abu Dhabi city, daytime starting fare for regular taxi is AED 3.50.

 

In Dubai city, daytime starting fare for regular taxi is AED 8.

 

In Sharjah city, the minimum fee of the trip in regular taxi is AED 11.50.

 

For updated fares, refer to the respective transport authority. 

 

Passengers are required to pay an additional charge of AED 4 when passing through toll gates in Dubai and 20 AED for trips between Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Metro

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi metro will be 131 km. It will provide optimal connectivity between Abu Dhabi island and its suburbs and the communities of Saadiyat island, Yas island and Al Raha Beach. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport, under its initiative, the Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), is studying implementing metro system in Abu Dhabi city. The study will accordingly be phased out on three different stages as follows: 

  1. Feasibility study
  2. Preliminary design
  3. Final Contract Documentation and Tender Award.

 

Study of Abu Dhabi metro will include:

  • Determining parameters of the metro line covering its alignment, track rail systems and station locations
  • selecting optimal project urban insertion
  • providing capital, operation and maintenance cost estimates of the metro line
  • preparing the project implementation schedule
  • revising alternative options for design, construction, procurement and operations
  • specifying optimal functional/output characteristics of the project to maximise its patronage and financial viability.

 

Source: the official website of Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi

 

Dubai

The Dubai metro is the world's longest driver-less and fully automated metro rail network with a length of 74.6 km. It runs along red and green lines. It stops at 49 stations of which 9 are underground. Every station has bus connections, taxi stops, bicycle stands, in addition to electric escalators and lifts.

 

All stations and trains are provided with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi connectivity. One compartment is reserved for women and children and one for Gold class ticket holders.

 

Read about the:

Pay fines for offences relating to illegitimate use of metro.  

 

To travel on the metro, you need to buy a Nol card or ticket. Read about:

 

Useful links:

Source: Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai

Tram

Dubai tram is considered as the first type of tram service outside Europe that works on underground power supply. Dubai tram network covers a distance of 10.6 km with 11 stations. Trams are provided with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi connectivity. Each tram consists of seven cabins distributed amongst gold and silver class. One silver class cabin compartment is reserved for women and children.

 

Read about the rules and code of conduct and baggage policy. 

Pay fines for offences relating to illegitimate use of tram.  

 

 

To travel on the tram, you need to buy a Nol card or ticket. Read about:

 

Source: Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai

Smart renting

Abu Dhabi

Free-floating car sharing

Through free-floating car-sharing service you can rent a vehicle in Abu Dhabi for a specified period (minutes, hours, or days). 24/7 vehicle rental services are available on-demand in different areas across the emirate.

The service is provided in coordination with private sector operators. Current private sector service providers available in the Emirate are:

Download the service operator's application to find the nearest vehicle to you.

 

Dubai

Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai offers the smart car rental service through which you can rent a car for not more than six hours.

 

Steps to smart renting

  1. Download the ekar or Udrive apps and register yourself.
  2. You will receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN), after which you can book a car.
  3. Locate the car parked in RTA parking lots.
  4. Open the door by clicking an icon in the app.
  5. Enter the PIN in the device fitted in the vehicle and turn the engine on.
  6. The bill will be dispatched to customers via the e-system.

 

Fares range from 40 to 50 fils per minute i.e. Dh24 to Dh30 per hour and vary according to the location of returning the vehicle.

Vehicles are deployed at over 45 locations including the following metro stations: Rashidiya, Burjuman, Ibn Battuta, Union and Business Bay.

 

Useful links:

Facilities for women

Read about transport and parking facilities for women.

Carpooling

You can carpool legally only after registering with local transport authorities. To carpool in Abu Dhabi, register with Department of Transport for their Darb programme.

Unauthorised carpooling could attract heavy fines.

Updated on 07 Dec 2022

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