The Dubai to Sharjah ferry (RTA route FR5) runs between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Bur Dubai and Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. A one-way ticket costs AED 15 in Silver Class or AED 25 in Gold Class, and the crossing takes about 35 minutes. There are five sailings each way on weekdays and four on Saturdays and Sundays.
Quick answer: Al Ghubaiba ↔ Sharjah Aquarium. AED 15 Silver, AED 25 Gold, one way. Children under 5 and People of Determination free. About 35 minutes. Pay by cash, card or nol, or book on marine.rta.ae.
The timetable and fares below are from RTA’s ferry schedule dated September 2026.
Dubai to Sharjah ferry timings
From Dubai (Al Ghubaiba → Sharjah Aquarium)
Day | Departures |
Monday to Thursday | 7:45am, 12:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm |
Friday | 7:45am, 10:00am, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm |
Saturday and Sunday | 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm |
From Sharjah (Sharjah Aquarium → Al Ghubaiba)
Day | Departures |
Monday to Thursday | 7:00am, 8:30am, 1:00pm, 4:45pm, 6:15pm |
Friday | 7:00am, 8:30am, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm |
Saturday and Sunday | 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, 9:00pm |
The pattern tells you who the service is for. On weekdays the early Sharjah departures (7am and 8:30am) and the evening Dubai departures carry commuters. At weekends there are no morning boats at all, and sailings shift to the afternoon and evening for leisure trips.
These sharjah ferry timings can change during Ramadan and public holidays, and RTA may cancel trips in bad weather.
Dubai Sharjah ferry price
Ticket | Fare |
Silver Class, adult, one way | AED 15 |
Gold Class, adult, one way | AED 25 |
Children under 5 | Free |
People of Determination | Free |
A return trip in Silver costs AED 30. For a daily commuter that is AED 600 or more over a 20-day working month, so compare it honestly with the bus before committing.
Stations: Al Ghubaiba to Sharjah Aquarium
Al Ghubaiba Marine Station (Dubai) sits on the Bur Dubai side of the creek mouth near Al Shindagha. It is a short walk from Al Ghubaiba metro station on the Green Line and the Al Ghubaiba bus station, covered in our Al Ghubaiba bus station guide. The AED 1 abras across the creek leave nearby; see our Dubai abra guide.
Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station (Sharjah) is next to Sharjah Aquarium. When the service launched, RTA said the station had a park-and-ride for up to 300 cars and a shuttle bus towards the Heart of Sharjah, Corniche and Al Majaz. Confirm both before relying on them, as they date from the launch.
How to buy a ticket
- At the station: the customer service desk takes cash, bank cards and nol cards.
- Online: book at marine.rta.ae and choose Silver or Gold.
- nol card: tap and pay at the station.
With four or five sailings a day, booking online for the 7am Sharjah departure or a weekend evening boat is worth the two minutes.
Ferry vs bus vs taxi to Sharjah
Option | Cost one way | Frequency | Best for |
Ferry FR5 | AED 15 Silver | 4–5 a day each way | Bur Dubai and Al Ghubaiba-side commuters, a calm ride |
Intercity bus (e.g. E306 from Al Ghubaiba) | AED 12 | Frequent through the day | Flexible times, cheapest |
Taxi | Meter + AED 20 Sharjah fee | Any time | Door to door, groups |
Bus details are in our Dubai to Sharjah bus guide, and taxi costs are in our Dubai taxi fare guide.
Our verdict: the ferry is the better choice if you live or work near Al Ghubaiba and your hours match a sailing, because it avoids the Al Ittihad Road traffic that slows buses and taxis at rush hour. If your schedule changes daily, the bus is cheaper and far more frequent. The taxi only makes sense for two or more people splitting the fare, since the AED 20 Sharjah fee alone exceeds a Silver ferry ticket.
What commonly goes wrong
- Turning up for a weekend morning boat. There are none on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The first weekend sailing from Dubai is at 3pm.
- Missing the last boat back. On weekdays the last departure from Sharjah is 6:15pm. Miss it and you are on the bus or in a taxi.
- Mixing up Friday and weekday times. Friday has its own timetable, with a 10am sailing from Dubai and different afternoon times.
- Forgetting the onward trip. Sharjah Aquarium is not in central Sharjah. Plan a taxi or bus from the station.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the ferry from Dubai to Sharjah?
A one-way ticket on the Sharjah ferry costs AED 15 in Silver Class and AED 25 in Gold Class, according to RTA’s September 2026 timetable. Children under 5 and People of Determination travel free. You can pay with cash, a bank card or a nol card at the station, or book online at marine.rta.ae.
How long does the ferry to Sharjah take?
The crossing between Al Ghubaiba in Dubai and Sharjah Aquarium takes about 35 minutes, according to RTA. Allow extra time to reach the station and board, since RTA asks passengers to arrive before the listed departure. Weather can slow or cancel sailings on rare days.
Does the Sharjah ferry run every day?
Yes, the FR5 ferry sails every day, but the timetable changes by day. Monday to Thursday and Friday each have five departures in each direction, while Saturday and Sunday have four, all in the afternoon and evening. RTA notes that some routes can be suspended temporarily, so check before you travel.
Where is the ferry station in Sharjah?
The Sharjah stop is Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station, next to Sharjah Aquarium. In Dubai, the ferry uses Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Bur Dubai, close to Al Ghubaiba metro and bus stations. Plan a short taxi or bus ride from the Sharjah station to reach central Sharjah.
Planning your Dubai to Sharjah ferry trip
Check the day’s column in the timetable above, aim for the 7:45am or evening sailings if you commute, and keep AED 15 per trip in mind. Confirm sailings on RTA’s ferry timetable or book on the RTA marine site before you leave.
For the other Dubai Ferry routes to the Water Canal, Bluewaters and Marina, see our Dubai Ferry guide. The bigger picture is in our Dubai public transport guide, and more guides are on the Live In Gulf homepage.
Timetable and fares checked against RTA’s ferry schedule (September 2026) on 14 October 2026.
