Dubai Water Taxis and Ferry

Your handy guide to getting around Dubai's waters by public transport.

Posted on

5 November 2014

| Last updated on 11 March 2020

Your handy guide to getting around Dubai's waters by public transport.

These are several types of marine transportation services that exist in Dubai, and the public is encouraged to use both all in an effort to reduce road traffic. Plus, it's always fun going on a boat, right?

Visitors, residents, and citizens can pick from a small but interesting variety of marine public transport.

Abra in Dubai

Abras are a traditional means of water transport in the United Arab Emirates, and are considered to be one of the oldest modes of transportation. Abra comes from the verb abara, meaning "to cross" in Arabic.

There are four types of Abras that you can utilise while traveling around the city: the motorised Abra, the air-conditioned Abra, the petrol Abra, and the electric traditional Abra.

Motorised abra in Dubai

The motorised version runs to provide customers to move enjoyably across Dubai Creek sides, linking passengers within the Deira and Bur Dubai areas, for an affordable fare of AED 1 onwards. Abra operation times are from 5 am until midnight, but Abra route 2 runs 24 hours a day.

Route 1: From Deira Old Souk Abra Station to Bur Dubai Abra Station | 5 am to 12 midnight | 0.59 KM | 5 minutes -- from AED 1 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.
Route 2: From Sabkha Abra Station to Dubai Old Souk | 24 hours/day | 0.68 KM | 7 minutes | from AED 1 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.

Air-conditioned Abra

Perfect for warmer temperatures, the air-conditioned Abra offers a comfortable cruise across the waters in a fully-conditioned boat. The fare is affordable from AED 2.

Route 1: From Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City | 7 am to midnight daily | from AED 2 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.
Route 2: From Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City | 9 am to midnight on Fridays | from AED 2 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection made by Abra operator.

Petrol Abra

Petrol Abras operate using petrol while keeping the traditional Abra experience. This version offers more seating space for up to 20 passengers, from AED 2 per passenger, per trip. Fare collection is made by the Abra operator.

Route 1: Al Sabkha - Al Fahidi - Deira Old Souq | 7 am to 10 pm (Saturday to Thursday) / 10 am to 1 am (the next day).
Route 2: Dubai Old Souq to Baniyas | 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm (Saturday to Thursday) / 10 am to 1 am (the next day on Fridays).
Route 3: Al Seef to Baniyas | 7 am to 9:55 pm (Sun-Wednesday) / 7 am to 10:55 pm (Thurs-Sat) / 10 am to 0:50 am (the next day on Fridays).

Route 4: Dubai Water Canal | 4 pm to 11:30 pm (everyday) | AED 25 per person or AED 300 per hour. Children 0-2 years old ride free.
Route 5: Al Wajeha Al Maeyah - Marasi - Sheikh Zayed Road | 8 am to 9:30 pm (Sat-Thurs) | AED 2 per stop.

Electrical traditional Abra

The electrical traditional Abra is an environmental-friendly spin on the traditional Arab boat. It can seat up to 8 passengers and is a popular pick for UAE visitors while cruising along to sightsee the city's popular spots.

Route 1: Dubai Mall - Burj Plaza - The Palace | 6 pm to 11:30 pm (Tourist route) for AED 68.25 per person / 12 pm to 11:30 pm (Commuter route) for AED 20 per person.
Route 2: Global Village | 4 pm to midnight | AED 52.50 to book the entire Abra per trip.
Route 3: Al Seef Station | 4 pm to 10 pm (Sun-Wed) / 4 pm to 11:30 pm (Thurs-Sat) | AED 60 per trip of 30 minutes and AED 120 for a 1 hour trip.

Water buses in Dubai

The water buses in Dubai is a highly advanced and modern water transit service that provides luxury, comfort and further destinations to its passengers.

From Dubai Marina Walk

to Marina Terrace: AED 3 per person | 10 am to 11 pm (Sat-Thurs) / 12 pm to midnight (Fridays)
to Marina Promenade: AED 3 per person | 4 pm to 7 pm
to Dubai Marina Mall: AED 5 per person

From Al Jaddaf

to Dubai Design District Marine Transport: 12:45 pm to 6:15 pm
to Al Wajeha Al Maeyah Marine Transport Station: 1 pm to 6:30 pm
to Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Transport Station: 1:20 pm to 6:50 pm
to Dubai Canal Marine Transport Station: 1:25 pm to 7:05 pm

From Dubai Canal

to Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Transport Station: 2:30 pm to 8 pm
to Al Wajeha Al Maeyah Marine Transport Station: 2:47 pm to 8 pm
to Dubai Design District Marine Transport: 3 pm to 8:30 pm
to Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station 2: 3:25 pm to 9 pm

Fares for the Dubai Water Bus

1 stop: AED 2
2 stops: AED 4
3 stops: AED 6
4 stops: AED 8

Water taxis in Dubai

Dubai's water taxi is a marine transit mode that features ultimate privacy and luxury. You can book a trip on the water taxis online or dialing the toll-free number 8009090.

When booked, the water taxi will come to the station nearest to your location to ferry you across Dubai Creek and waterways, anywhere you might wish. Services are available from 10 am to 10 pm.

You can pay for the water taxi in cash or credit card, and fare collection is made by the Water Taxi operator.

Dubai Ferries

Dubai Ferry service was launched by the RTA to uplift the level of marine transit services and is considered an important linkage to the transport system of the emirate of Dubai.