Abra Dubai Guide: Routes, Stations, Fare & Timings

An abra is a small wooden water taxi that crosses Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira, and this abra Dubai guide covers every RTA route. The classic crossing costs AED 1, takes a few minutes and is paid in cash to the boat driver. RTA also runs AED 2 heritage and commuter abra routes along the creek and at Al Jaddaf, plus tourist rides in Dubai Marina and the Water Canal.

Quick answer: Two traditional crossings (CR1 and CR2) cost AED 1, cash only. Other RTA abra routes cost AED 2 per stop and take cash, card or nol. Children under 5 and People of Determination ride free. Tourist round trips cost AED 25 per person. Private abra hire starts at AED 60 for 30 minutes on the creek routes.

Routes, fares and payment rules come from RTA’s abra timetable dated September 2026.

Abra Dubai routes and fares

The AED 2 fare is per stop, so a CR7 ride from Al Seef to Dubai Old Souq passes through Al Fahidi and counts as two stops.

What is an abra ride on Dubai Creek like?

You walk down to the station, step onto an open wooden boat that seats about 20 people on a central bench, and sit with your back to the engine housing. When the boat fills, the driver pushes off. The abra ride Dubai Creek crossing on CR1 or CR2 lasts only a few minutes, and the driver collects AED 1 from each passenger on board.

There are no tickets, no gates and no life-jacket briefing beyond what is on board. It is the cheapest ride in Dubai and still a real commuter service for traders moving between the souqs.

Dubai abra stations and what is nearby

Coming from the bus or metro? Al Ghubaiba bus and metro stations are a short walk from Dubai Old Souq; our Al Ghubaiba bus station guide has the routes.

Abra timings

• CR1 and CR2 run on demand from early morning until around midnight, leaving whenever a boat fills. Several guides say CR2 runs 24 hours and CR1 stops at midnight, but sources disagree on which, so plan late crossings for CR2 and keep CR1 for daytime.
• CR3, CR4, CR5 and CR6 start between about 7am and 8am (later on Sundays) and run until about 11:30pm to 11:50pm. Boats leave every 10 to 30 minutes.
• BM2 (Al Jaddaf to Festival City) runs from 7am to 11:30pm every day.
• CR11 (Al Jaddaf to Creek Harbour) runs from 7am to about 11pm, every 15 minutes for most of the day.
• CR9 (Festival City to Creek Harbour) is an evening-only route, from about 4pm to 11:45pm, and does not run every day.

RTA warns that Ramadan and public holiday timings differ, and trips can be rerouted or cancelled in bad weather.

Abra fare and payment rules

Payment differs by route, and this catches people out:

• Cash works at every station.
• Bank cards work everywhere except CR1 and CR2.
• nol cards work everywhere except CR1, CR2 and the Global Village, Burj Khalifa, Burj Plaza and The Palace stations.

So for the AED 1 crossings, carry coins or small notes. Drivers on CR1 and CR2 cannot take your nol card. For other routes, our guide to nol card types explains which card to use.

Tourist abra rides worth knowing

Our take: for the classic Dubai experience, the AED 1 CR1 crossing beats every paid tour. If you want a slower look at the creek, TR10 rental between Al Seef and Al Fahidi is good value for a family or group of friends.

Abra, ferry or water taxi?

The abra is the short-hop option. For longer marine trips, RTA runs the Dubai Ferry between Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Water Canal, Bluewaters and Dubai Marina, covered in our Dubai Ferry guide. There is also a ferry to Sharjah from Al Ghubaiba; see our Dubai to Sharjah ferry guide.

What commonly goes wrong

• Paying by nol on CR1 or CR2. It will not work. Have AED 1 in cash.
• Going to the wrong side. Bur Dubai Abra Station and Dubai Old Souq are different stations on the same side. Check which route leaves from where.
• Expecting a fixed timetable on CR1 and CR2. They leave when full, so quiet hours can mean a short wait.
• Taking a private boat by mistake. Touts near the souqs sell private creek tours. RTA rental prices are fixed and posted at the station.

Frequently asked questions

How much is an abra ride in Dubai?

The traditional abra crossings between Bur Dubai and Deira (routes CR1 and CR2) cost AED 1 per person, paid in cash to the driver. Other RTA abra routes cost AED 2 per stop. Children under 5 and People of Determination ride free. Tourist round trips in Dubai Marina and the Water Canal cost AED 25.

Where do I catch an abra in Dubai?

The main stations are Bur Dubai and Dubai Old Souq on the Bur Dubai side, and Deira Old Souq and Al Sabkha on the Deira side. For the AED 1 crossing, go to Bur Dubai Abra Station for CR1 to Deira Old Souq, or Dubai Old Souq for CR2 to Al Sabkha.

Can I use my nol card on the abra?

On most routes, yes. RTA accepts nol cards on its AED 2 abra routes, but not on the AED 1 CR1 and CR2 crossings, and not at the Global Village, Burj Khalifa, Burj Plaza or The Palace stations. Carry a few dirhams in cash so you can ride either way.

Can I rent a whole abra in Dubai?

Yes. On the CR1 and CR2 creek routes, RTA rents a full abra for AED 60 per 30 minutes or AED 120 per hour. Tourist round trips TR6 and TR8 can be hired for AED 300 per hour. RTA also lists charters for up to 20 passengers, including wheelchair users, through its marine booking service.

Planning your next abra Dubai trip

Start with the AED 1 crossing from Bur Dubai to Deira Old Souq, walk the spice and gold souqs, and ride CR2 back from Al Sabkha. Bring cash for the crossings and a nol card for the AED 2 routes. Routes and timings change through the year, so check RTA’s abra timetable or the RTA marine booking site before you go.

For metro, bus and taxi connections across the city, see our Dubai public transport guide, or find more guides on the Live In Gulf homepage.

Routes, fares and payment rules checked against RTA’s abra timetable (September 2026) on 14 October 2026.