Abu Dhabi to Dubai by Bus: Routes, Fares & Timings Explained
The bus is by far the cheapest way to travel between the UAE's two biggest cities: around AED 25 for a two-hour, 140 km journey on a comfortable air-conditioned coach. Two main routes — the E100 and E101 — run between Abu Dhabi and Dubai throughout the day, every day. Here's exactly how they work, which one to take, and how the bus compares with taxis and ride-hailing.
- Routes
- E100 (to Al Ghubaiba, Bur Dubai) · E101 (to Ibn Battuta, near Dubai Marina)
- Fare
- ~AED 25 one way (Hafilat / Nol card required)
- Journey time
- ~2 hours, traffic depending
- Frequency
- Roughly every 15–30 minutes through the day
- Departure point
- Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda), Hazza Bin Zayed Street
Top photo: Jay Galvin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (see credits).
E100 vs E101 — which bus should you take?
| E100 | E101 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai terminus | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Bur Dubai | Ibn Battuta Bus Station |
| Best if you're going to | Old Dubai, Deira, gold souk, creek, Bur Dubai hotels | Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Palm Jumeirah, Expo City side |
| Metro connection | Al Ghubaiba station (Green Line) next door | Ibn Battuta station (Red Line) next door |
The rule of thumb: E100 for old Dubai, E101 for new Dubai. Both termini sit directly on the Dubai Metro, so wherever you're staying, you can usually reach it with one metro ride after the bus.
Where the bus leaves from in Abu Dhabi
Both routes depart from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (often called Al Wahda bus station), on Hazza Bin Zayed Street near Al Wahda Mall. Inter-emirate buses have their own signed bays — follow the "Dubai" signs inside the terminal. Arrive 15–20 minutes early on weekends; Friday afternoon and Sunday evening see the longest queues, and buses board on a first-come basis.
Tickets, Hafilat and Nol cards
Cash is not accepted on board. From Abu Dhabi you pay with a Hafilat card, bought and topped up at ticket machines or the counter inside the bus station — get at least AED 30 of balance for a one-way trip. Coming back from Dubai, you'll tap a Nol card instead (sold at every metro station and the bus terminals). If you plan a same-day return, buy both cards at the start and top each up once; it saves queueing later.
Timings and frequency
Services run from early morning (around 5–6 am) until close to midnight, departing roughly every 15–30 minutes depending on the time of day. You don't need to book — just turn up, tap in and take a seat. The front section of inter-emirate buses is reserved for women and families; solo male travellers sit in the main cabin.
Coming from Abu Dhabi Airport?
There is no single direct public bus from Abu Dhabi International (Zayed International) Airport to Dubai. Your options: take a taxi or the local airport bus into Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and board the E100/E101 there; book an intercity coach or hotel shuttle where available; or take a direct taxi/ride-hail to Dubai, which costs roughly AED 250–350 depending on destination and time. If you land late at night, the direct taxi is usually worth it.
Bus vs taxi vs ride-hailing
| Option | Cost (one way) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 / E101 bus | ~AED 25 | ~2 hrs + metro leg | Budget travellers, solo trips |
| Intercity taxi | ~AED 250–350 | ~1 hr 20 min door to door | Groups of 3–4, luggage, late nights |
| Careem / Uber | ~AED 250–400 | ~1 hr 20 min | Door-to-door comfort, fixed price upfront |
For two or more people travelling together with bags, a shared taxi often beats the bus on convenience for a tolerable price difference. Solo, the bus wins every time.
Return journey: Dubai to Abu Dhabi
The same routes run in reverse — board the E100 at Al Ghubaiba or the E101 at Ibn Battuta, tap your Nol card, and you'll arrive at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. From there, local Hafilat buses and taxis fan out across the island; Yas Island and Saadiyat are each about 20–30 minutes onward by taxi.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
Around AED 25 one way, paid by Hafilat or Nol card — no cash on board.
How long does it take?
About 2 hours in normal traffic; allow extra at rush hour and on weekend evenings.
Do I need to book in advance?
No. Buses are frequent and unreserved — arrive a little early at busy times.
Can I take luggage?
Yes, standard suitcases go in the luggage racks; oversized cargo may be refused.
Arriving in Dubai? Start with our guides to Al Mamzar Beach Park and Dubai Safari Park.