Dubai Bus Guide: Routes, Timings, Fares & How to Check Your Bus (S’hail)

Dubai bus timings are simple at the network level: RTA buses run from about 4 am until 1 am the next day, and route C01 runs 24 hours. Each route then has its own first bus, last bus and frequency, which you check in the S’hail app.

Fares use the same nol card as the metro. A ride inside one zone costs AED 3 on a Silver card, and you tap on and off every time.

Quick answer: Most RTA buses run 4 am to 1 am. C01 (Airport Terminal 3 to Al Satwa) runs 24 hours. Night routes N30 and N55 cover the late hours. Fares are AED 3, 5 or 7.50 on a Silver nol card, depending on zones. Check live times in the S’hail app.

Dubai bus timings at a glance

The 4 am to 1 am window and the 24-hour C01 come from theRTA timetable page. These are network hours. A quiet suburban route may start later and finish earlier, so always check your own route.

How Dubai bus route numbers work

The letter in front of a route number tells you what kind of bus it is. Once you know the letters, a route map makes much more sense.

Some routes come in pairs, such as 20A and 20B, or 37A and 37B. These usually run the same corridor in opposite directions, sometimes only at peak times.

Dubai’s main bus stations

Most long routes start at one of a handful of big stations. We have a full guide to each one, with route tables:

Other important hubs include Etisalat by e& (Fujairah E700, Ajman E411), Al Satwa, Al Quoz, Oud Metha, International City and Al Qusais.

Dubai bus fares

Buses use the same zone fares as the metro, set on theRTA nol fares page:

Buses have no Gold Class, so a Gold card pays the normal fare. Children aged 5 and under ride free. Students, seniors and People of Determination can get discounts on a personal Blue card; ourstudent nol card guide explains who qualifies.

Intercity routes cost more. For example, RTA set AED 12 for its Dubai to Sharjah route E308. Abu Dhabi buses (E100, E101) have been reported at AED 25. Check the exact fare before you travel.

There is no cash on board and drivers do not sell cards. Top up before you get on, at a metro station, a bus station machine or the nol Pay app. Ournol card recharge guide covers every option, andDubai Metro and bus fares shows how zones and transfers combine.

How to check your bus in the S’hail app

S’hail is RTA’s journey planner. It is the most reliable way to check a route, because RTA updates it when routes change.

1. Download S’hail from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Enter where you are and where you’re going. You can type a place, a station or an address.
3. Pick a journey. The app shows bus numbers, metro legs, walking time and total time.
4. Open the bus leg to see the stop list and upcoming departures.
5. Check live arrivals at your stop before you leave home, especially at night.

Many main stops also have digital boards showing the next buses. If your phone is flat, the board at the bus station is the next best option.

Our view: use S’hail rather than a printed timetable or a third-party list. Route changes happen several times a year, and older lists online are often out of date.

Many Dubai bus shelters are air-conditioned. Route numbers are shown on the board outside.

How to ride a Dubai bus

1. Load your nol card with enough for the full trip.
2. Board at the front door and tap your card on the reader.
3. Sit in the right section. Some seats are reserved for women and children; follow the signs on board.
4. Tap out on the reader as you leave. If you forget, the system can’t calculate your fare.
5. Change buses or switch to the metro within RTA’s transfer window, and the trip is treated as one journey.

The same RTA penalty table applies on buses as on the metro. Eating or drinking costs AED 100, and travelling without paying the fare costs AED 200. The full list is in ourDubai Metro rules and fines guide.

Route changes you should know about

RTA changes routes regularly, and many websites still show the old versions. Recent examples:

• May 2025: E16 to Hatta and route 17 stopped using Al Sabkha Bus Station. E16 now ends at Union and 17 at Baniyas Square metro. RTA also launched E308 from Stadium Bus Station to Sharjah, at AED 12. Source:RTA announcement.
• January 2026: four new peak routes (88A, 88B, 93A, 93B) from Al Satwa, and E100 and E201 now stop at Al Jafiliya Bus Station, per theDubai Media Office.
• July 2026: new routes 35, 37A, 37B and 85, while 67 now ends at Oud Metha instead of Al Ghubaiba, and 84 no longer runs to Mall of the Emirates.

The lesson: if a guide is more than a few months old, check its route numbers in S’hail before relying on them.

Intercity buses from Dubai

Route terminals are from RTA’s current route data. Times and fares change, so check the route in S’hail first. Our guides to theDubai to Hatta bus and theDubai to Oman bus cover two of the most asked-about trips.

Night buses and the 24-hour route

C01 runs around the clock between Airport Terminal 3 and Al Satwa Bus Station, through Deira, Karama and Bur Dubai. It is the safest bet after 1 am in the older parts of the city.

N30 runs between International City and Airport Terminal 2, and N55 between Al Ghubaiba and Al Maktoum International Airport. They fill gaps after the day routes stop.

Night frequencies are lower. If you are heading to a late flight, check the exact departure in S’hail and allow a buffer.

Seasonal routes: Global Village and more

During the Global Village season, RTA runs extra routes. In the 2025 to 2026 season, theRTA announcement listed:

The season usually starts in mid-October. RTA confirms routes each year, so check the new season’s announcement before you go.

Mistakes people make with Dubai buses

Trusting old route lists. Many guides still say E16 leaves from Al Sabkha or E700 from Union. Both changed. S’hail is the reliable source.

Getting on without enough balance. Drivers can’t top you up, and there’s no cash option.

Forgetting to tap out. Most bus fines and overcharges come from this.

Forgetting the late Sunday metro. The metro opens at 8 am on Sunday, so check the first feeder bus at your station before an early Sunday trip. SeeDubai Metro timings.

Waiting at the wrong side of the road. Many stops come in pairs, numbered 1 and 2 for each direction. Check that the stop list in S’hail matches the direction you need.

Frequently asked questions

What time do Dubai buses start and stop?

RTA says Dubai buses run from about 4 am to 1 am the next day. Each route has its own first and last bus, and some suburban routes start later or finish earlier. Route C01 runs 24 hours, and night routes N30 and N55 cover the late hours. Check your route in S’hail.

Which bus runs 24 hours in Dubai?

Route C01 runs 24 hours a day. It links Airport Terminal 3 and Al Satwa Bus Station through Deira, Karama and Bur Dubai. Night routes N30 and N55 also run when most day routes have stopped, but they are not 24-hour services, so check their times before relying on them.

How much is the bus fare in Dubai?

On a Silver nol card, a bus trip costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two zones and AED 7.50 for three or more. A Red Ticket costs AED 1 more per trip. Children aged 5 and under travel free. Intercity buses cost more, such as AED 12 to Sharjah.

Can I pay cash on Dubai buses?

No. Dubai buses are cashless and drivers do not sell or top up nol cards. Buy or top up your card before boarding, at a metro station ticket machine, a bus station machine or in the nol Pay app. Tap on as you board and tap off as you leave.

How do I check my bus route number in Dubai?

Use RTA’s S’hail app or the RTA journey planner on rta.ae. Enter your start and end points, and the app shows the bus numbers, stops and upcoming departures. Many stops also have digital boards. Avoid relying on older online lists, because RTA changes routes several times a year.

Using Dubai bus timings to plan your trip

For most trips, three facts cover Dubai bus timings: buses run roughly 4 am to 1 am, C01 runs all night, and your own route’s exact times are in S’hail. Pair that with a topped-up nol card and the right bus station, and the network is cheap and easy to use.

For how buses fit with the metro, tram, abras and taxis, see ourDubai public transport guide, or browse more guides on theLive In Gulf homepage.

Disclaimer: hours, fares and route terminals come from RTA pages and RTA route data checked in October 2026. RTA changes routes and timetables regularly, so confirm in the S’hail app before you travel.