You can get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus for just AED 25 one way, and the trip usually takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. If I want the lowest-cost option, the main choices are E100, E101, and E102. Most buses start from around 5:00 am and run until late evening or midnight, with buses every 20 to 30 minutes on the busier routes.
Before I go, I’d keep these points in mind:
Fare: AED 25 for a one-way trip
Payment: Nol Card only - no cash or bank cards on board
Main routes: E100, E101, E102
Travel time: usually around 2 hours, but it can stretch to 2.5 hours with traffic
Best times to allow extra time: 6:30 am to 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Best check before leaving: use the RTA S'hail app for live departure times
Station tip: arrive 15 minutes early
Basic luggage rule: usually 1 personal item + 1 cabin bag
This guide covers the route choices, timings, fares, Metro links, payment rules, luggage limits, and the small things that can stop delays or extra charges.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus Routes: E100 vs E101 vs E102 Compared
How to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai for Cheap! (Full Budget Breakdown)| Marina, JBR Walk | Day 4
Quick Comparison
Route | Starts From | Ends At | Typical Frequency | Trip Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E100 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Al Ghubaiba | Every 20–30 mins | About 2 hours | Bur Dubai, Deira, Creek |
E101 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Ibn Battuta | Every 20–30 mins | About 2 hours | Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, Red Line links |
E102 | Mussafah Shabiya | Ibn Battuta / Al Jafiliya | About hourly | About 2 hours | Mussafah travellers, Al Jafiliya side |
Bottom line: if I’m heading to Bur Dubai, I’d look at E100. If I’m going towards Marina or Jebel Ali, I’d check E101 first. If I’m starting from Mussafah, E102 is the one to look for.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus Routes and Stops
There are three main bus routes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the right one depends on where you want to end up in Dubai. Pick the stop closest to your final destination and you can save yourself time once you arrive.
E100: Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
The E100 leaves from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and arrives at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai. This route works well if you're heading to Bur Dubai, Deira, or the Dubai Creek area.
E101: Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station to Ibn Battuta Bus Station
The E101 also leaves from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station but goes to Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Jebel Ali. It’s a good fit for Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, and places connected by the Dubai Metro Red Line.
E102: Mussafah Shabiya to Ibn Battuta or Al Jafiliya
The E102 starts from Mussafah Shabiya, which makes it useful for people coming from Mussafah’s industrial and residential districts. Depending on the service, it ends at either Ibn Battuta Bus Station or Al Jafiliya.
Here’s a quick side-by-side look:
Route | Departs From | Arrives At | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
E100 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Bur Dubai, Deira, Creek |
E101 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Ibn Battuta Bus Station | Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina |
E102 | Mussafah Shabiya | Ibn Battuta / Al Jafiliya | Mussafah, Ibn Battuta, Al Jafiliya |
Timings, Frequency, and Travel Time
Once you’ve chosen your route, the next step is simple: check when the bus runs and how often it leaves.
Typical Operating Hours by Route
E100 runs from early morning to midnight, E101 runs from early morning to late evening, and E102 runs from morning to late evening.
Arrive 15 minutes early, especially at peak times.
Frequency and Peak-Hour Travel
E100 and E101 usually run every 20–30 minutes, while E102 is about hourly.
Traffic during rush hours makes the biggest difference across all three routes. The busiest commuting windows are 6:30 am–9:30 am and 4:30 pm–8:30 pm. During these times, roads get busier and queues get longer. If you can travel outside those hours, the trip is often faster and a lot less stressful.
For live timing checks and service updates, use the RTA S'hail app. It’s a handy way to see what’s happening in real time.
Route Comparison Table
Route Comparison Table
Route | Departure Station | Arrival Station | Hours | Frequency | Travel Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E100 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Early AM – Midnight | Every 20–30 mins | Around 2 hours, traffic dependent | Bur Dubai, Deira, Creek area |
E101 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Ibn Battuta Bus Station | Early AM – Late PM | Every 20–30 mins | Around 2 hours, traffic dependent | Dubai Marina, JLT, Jebel Ali |
E102 | Mussafah Shabiya | Ibn Battuta Bus Station or Al Jafiliya | Morning – Late PM | Roughly hourly | Around 2 hours, traffic dependent | Mussafah residents heading to Dubai |
Across all three routes, travel time is usually around the 2-hour mark in normal conditions. If you’re travelling at peak times, give yourself a bit of extra buffer time.
Next, check fares, Nol Card payment, and boarding rules before you travel.
Fares, Nol Cards, and Boarding Rules
Standard Fare and Trip Cost
The standard one-way fare for Abu Dhabi–Dubai intercity buses is AED 25.
How to Pay With a Nol Card
You can’t pay on board with cash or bank cards, so you’ll need a Nol Card before you travel.
If you don’t have one yet, pick up a Silver Nol Card or a Red Ticket at:
Dubai Metro and Tram stations
RTA Customer Happiness Centres
authorised retailers
You can also top up through the RTA app or website.
Before boarding, make sure you have at least AED 25 loaded on the card. When you get on, tap in. When you get off, tap out. If you miss the tap-out, you may be charged the maximum fare.
As a simple rule, the Silver Nol Card suits regular use, while the Red Ticket works better for occasional trips.
Boarding, Luggage, and On-Board Rules
Once payment is sorted, follow the platform signs and board from the marked area. Priority seating should be given to women, children, older passengers, and People of Determination.
Passengers are generally allowed one personal item and one cabin bag. Put larger bags in the luggage area, and keep aisles and exits clear at all times.
A few on-board rules are worth keeping in mind. Do not eat, drink, or sleep on the bus. The buses are air-conditioned and have dedicated luggage space, which makes the trip more comfortable, especially if you’re travelling with a small bag or backpack.
The next step is choosing the route that fits your Dubai destination.
Choosing the Right Route and Pre-Departure Checklist
Which Route Suits Your Dubai Destination
With fares and timings sorted, the next step is simple: pick the route that gets you closest to your final stop in Dubai.
Use your end destination as the main decider.
Your Dubai Destination | Best Route | Metro Connection |
|---|---|---|
Bur Dubai, Deira, Creek | E100 | Green Line via Al Ghubaiba Metro Station |
Marina, JLT, JBR, or other Red Line destinations | E101 | Red Line (Ibn Battuta) |
Mussafah/Shabiya origin, Al Jafiliya | E102 | Red Line (Ibn Battuta / Al Jafiliya) |
If you're heading to Bur Dubai, Deira, or the Creek area, E100 is usually the better fit because it links you to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station and the Green Line.
If your destination is Dubai Marina, JLT, JBR, or anywhere else along the Red Line, E101 makes more sense since it connects through Ibn Battuta.
Coming from Mussafah or Shabiya and heading towards Al Jafiliya? Go with E102, which connects through Ibn Battuta / Al Jafiliya.
Final Summary and Departure Checklist
Once you've chosen the route, do a quick check before you board. It saves hassle later.
Nol Card balance: Make sure your Nol Card has at least AED 25 loaded.
Arrival time: Get to the station 15 minutes before departure.
Same-day departures: Check live departures before you leave.
Identification: Carry your Emirates ID or passport.
Your next transfer: Know which Metro line you need after arrival, and allow enough time to switch before heading to your final stop.
FAQs
Which bus should I take to Dubai Marina?
Take the E101 or E102 bus from Abu Dhabi to Ibn Battuta Bus Station.
From there, you can switch to the Dubai Metro or use other local transport to get to Dubai Marina.
Make sure your Nol card is ready for payment. The fare is AED 25 per trip.
Where can I buy a Nol Card?
You can buy a Nol Card at Dubai Metro stations and major bus stations from ticket offices or vending machines.
You can also get one through RTA Customer Happiness Centres, the official RTA website, the s'hail app, authorised sales agents, and major supermarkets like Spinneys, Waitrose, and Carrefour.
Nol Travel cards are also sold at Zoom, Al Ansari Exchange, Europcar at Dubai Airport, and Rayna Tours.
What if I miss tap-out?
Always tap out at the end of your journey so your fare is worked out the right way. The system needs both a tap-in and a tap-out to confirm your trip.
If you miss the tap-out, you may be charged the wrong fare. It can also lead to card balance problems or possible penalties. When you leave the bus, make sure you complete the tap-out process.
