Al Sabkha bus station in Deira is no longer the starting point for its two best-known routes. Since 2 May 2025, the E16 to Hatta starts at Union Bus Station, and route 17 to Muhaisnah starts at Baniyas Square metro station,according to RTA.
Many guides still send people to Sabkha for these buses. If you came here for Hatta or Muhaisnah, the sections below show where to go instead. The area is still useful for abras and for Gold Souq Bus Station, a few minutes’ walk away.
Quick answer: E16 to Hatta now leaves from Union Bus Station. Route 17 to Muhaisnah now leaves from Baniyas Square metro. For other Deira buses, use Gold Souq Bus Station. For the creek, Al Sabkha marine station has abras to Al Fahidi.
What changed at Al Sabkha bus station
Route | Before May 2025 | Now |
E16 to Hatta | Al Sabkha | Union Bus Station |
17 to Muhaisnah 4 | Al Sabkha | Baniyas Square metro station |
E303A to Sharjah | Listed from Al Sabkha in older guides | Not in RTA’s current route data |
RTA announced the E16 and route 17 changes with effect from 2 May 2025. In RTA’s route data for October 2026, we found no route that starts or ends at Al Sabkha. The nearest terminal still in use is F04’s “Sabkha, Turnoff” stop on its loop from Al Garhoud.
That doesn’t necessarily mean no bus passes the area. Some city routes run along the nearby roads. Before you travel, put “Al Sabkha” into S’hail and it will show any route that still stops there.
Where to catch the buses that used to start here
E16 to Hatta: go to Union Bus Station
Union is beside Union metro station, where the Red and Green Lines meet. From Sabkha, walk to Baniyas Square metro (G21) and take the Green Line one stop to Union (G20).
RTA’s data shows the E16 taking about 2 hours 30 minutes, with trips every 60 to 120 minutes. Full details are in ourUnion bus station guide.
Route 17 to Muhaisnah: go to Baniyas Square
Route 17 now starts at the Baniyas Square stop by the metro station. It runs out through Abu Hail, Hamriya, Al Nahda, Dubai Airport Free Zone and Al Twar to Muhaisnah 4, with buses about every 30 minutes and a trip of roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Other Deira routes: go to Gold Souq Bus Station
Gold Souq Bus Station is the main working bus hub in this part of Deira. Routes from there go to Al Qusais, International City, Dubai Mall, Al Quoz, Ras Al Khor and Dubai Investment Park.
Al Sabkha marine station: the abra option
The creek is different. Al Sabkha marine station, next to the old bus station area, is a stop on RTA’s creek abra network.
Route CR4 crosses from Al Sabkha to Al Fahidi on the Bur Dubai side. It is the quick way over to the Al Fahidi historical district and the textile souk. RTA’stimetable page lists CR4 among its creek routes, alongside CR2 (Dubai Old Souq to Al Sabkha, on demand).
RTA finished upgrading Al Sabkha and Old Dubai Souq marine stations in September 2025. It added 50% more shaded waiting space, better lighting, accessibility features and small shops, according to theRTA announcement.
OurDubai abra guide covers fares, routes and how to pay.
The creek crossing to Al Fahidi is the most useful trip from Al Sabkha today.
Getting around the Al Sabkha area
Need | Nearest option | Notes |
Metro | Baniyas Square (G21) or Al Ras (G23) | Both on the Green Line |
City buses | Gold Souq Bus Station | Short walk |
Hatta bus | Union Bus Station | One Green Line stop from Baniyas Square |
Creek crossing | Al Sabkha marine station | CR4 to Al Fahidi |
Bur Dubai bus hub | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Across the creek, by abra or Green Line |
From the Bur Dubai side,Al Ghubaiba Bus Station handles routes to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah. You can reach it by abra and a short walk, or by Green Line from Al Ras.
Fares around Al Sabkha
City buses and the metro use normal nol zone fares: AED 3 within one zone on a Silver card, AED 5 across two zones and AED 7.50 for three or more, perRTA’s nol fares. Most trips around Deira stay within one or two zones.
Abras have their own fares, set by RTA for each creek route. Check our abra guide or the RTA timetable before you go.
Why so many guides are still wrong
Most Al Sabkha pages online were written before the May 2025 change and never updated. Some even list abra routes (CR4, CR5) as if they were bus numbers. Others still show E16 leaving from Sabkha in early 2026.
That’s why we recommend checking any Dubai bus route in S’hail, not in a blog post, before you travel. RTA adjusts routes several times a year, as ourDubai bus guide explains.
Mistakes to avoid
Going to Sabkha for the Hatta bus. It now leaves from Union.
Waiting for route 17 at Sabkha. It now starts at Baniyas Square.
Reading CR codes as bus routes. CR4, CR5 and so on are abra routes on the creek.
Walking along the creek in the midday heat. In summer, even the short walk between Sabkha, Gold Souq and the metro stations is hard going, and there is little shade on some stretches. Use the metro.
Frequently asked questions
Is Al Sabkha bus station still open?
RTA moved the station’s main routes away in May 2025, and its route data for October 2026 shows no route starting or ending there. Some buses may still pass through the area, so check S’hail for “Al Sabkha” before you go. The nearby Al Sabkha marine station is open for abras.
Where does the Hatta bus leave from now?
Since 2 May 2025, route E16 to Hatta starts at Union Bus Station in Deira, not Al Sabkha. Union is beside Union metro station on both the Red and Green Lines. The trip takes about two and a half hours, with buses every 60 to 120 minutes.
Where does bus 17 start now?
Route 17 now starts at Baniyas Square metro station instead of Al Sabkha. It runs through Abu Hail, Hamriya, Al Nahda and Al Twar to Muhaisnah 4, with buses about every 30 minutes. Baniyas Square is a short walk from the old Sabkha bus station area.
What is the nearest metro to Al Sabkha?
Baniyas Square (G21) and Al Ras (G23) on the Green Line are the closest metro stations, both a short walk away. Union (G20), one stop from Baniyas Square, is where you change to the Red Line and where the E16 Hatta bus now starts.
Can I take an abra from Al Sabkha?
Yes. Al Sabkha marine station has abras across Dubai Creek, including route CR4 to Al Fahidi on the Bur Dubai side. RTA upgraded the marine station in 2025 with more shade, better lighting and accessibility features. Check fares and times on the RTA timetable page.
Using the Al Sabkha bus station area today
Al Sabkha is now more of a landmark than a bus hub: the E16 leaves from Union, route 17 from Baniyas Square, and most Deira buses from Gold Souq. The creekside abra is the best reason to come here.
For every station, see ourDubai bus guide. For the metro, abras and taxis together, read theDubai public transport guide, or visit theLive In Gulf homepage.
Disclaimer: route changes are from RTA’s May 2025 announcement and RTA route data checked in October 2026. RTA can change routes again, so confirm in the S’hail app before you travel.
