By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
What public boats run in Dubai?
RTA operates four kinds of boat. Which one you want depends on the water.
| Boat | Where it runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Abra | Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai to Deira Old Souq | A short Creek crossing |
| Dubai Ferry | Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Water Canal, Dubai Marina Mall, Bluewaters, Atlantis the Palm, Sharjah Aquarium | A scenic leg between districts |
| Water taxi | Dubai Marina, lines BM1 and BM3 | Marina Walk and Bluewaters |
| Water bus | RTA marine stations; routes in RTA’s timetable PDF | Fixed-route hops |
Timings and per-trip fares for the Ferry, the water taxi and some abra lines sit in PDFs linked from RTA’s timetable page. Read the current PDF on the day, because they change.
How much does an abra across Dubai Creek cost?
RTA’s timetable lists AED 1 per passenger per trip between the Bur Dubai abra station and the Deira Old Souq abra station, paid in cash. A second line, Dubai Old Souq to Al Sabkha, has the same listed fare.
The crossing is short, so you pay little and see the old Creek, with the Bur Dubai bank behind you. Keep coins for it. Our guide to the abra ride in Dubai covers the ride itself, and the Dubai city tour includes it.
Charter abras are priced separately. RTA lists AED 300 or AED 580 per hour for up to 20 passengers. To see the Creek at dinner time instead, look at the dhow cruise on the Creek.
Which Dubai Ferry routes link Al Ghubaiba, the Marina and Sharjah?
RTA numbers the Ferry lines like this:
- FR1: Dubai Water Canal Marine Station to Al Ghubaiba Marine Station.
- FR2: Dubai Marina Mall Marine Station to Bluewaters Marine Station.
- FR4: Dubai Marina Mall Marine Station to Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis the Palm, as a round trip.
- FR5: Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station to Al Ghubaiba Marine Station.
FR5 is the Sharjah crossing. It takes you between the two cities by water instead of by road. At the Sharjah end, plan how you will get onward: read getting around Sharjah. On the Dubai side, Al Ghubaiba sits in Bur Dubai, near the Creek.
The ferry carries 100 seats on the charter, split into 14 Gold Class and 84 Silver Class, with 2 wheelchair spaces. RTA lists the charter at AED 2,800 per hour.
How do you book a Dubai water taxi?
The water taxi runs two lines in Dubai Marina: BM1 between the Dubai Marina Mall North station and the Marina Walk station, and BM3 from Dubai Marina Mall South to Bluewaters. RTA lists a charter at AED 400 per hour for up to 20 passengers.
RTA’s page does not state how to book a charter, so ask RTA on 800 90 90 or at a marine station. Heat and wind affect Gulf sailings, so weather matters. Cooler months suit the water best, as the best time to visit Dubai explains.
Can you pay with a Nol card?
Abras take cash. For the Ferry and the water taxi we could not confirm how fares are paid, so ask at the marine station before you board. If you hold a card already, the Nol card guide lists what it covers.
Pairing a boat ride with a car pickup on the other side
A boat solves one leg. The last mile is where the plan breaks, for example when you land at Al Ghubaiba with luggage or finish at Sharjah Aquarium at dusk.
Ask a driver to meet you at the far station. A car with driver can take you on from the marine station or back to the hotel after the boat. For how boats fit with the Metro, taxis and buses, read how to get around Dubai and the wider Dubai travel guide.
Photos in this guide
Wooden abra boats with UAE flags moored on Dubai CreekJpbowen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
An RTA Dubai Ferry catamaran passing under a bridgeGuilhem Vellut / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
An abra crossing Dubai Creek with the Deira waterfront behind itCT Cooper / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Burj Khalifa and the Downtown Dubai skyline seen from the waterJpbowen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
