I understand that it might be difficult for you to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, especially if you are a tourist. However, the Abu Dhabi to Dubai bus service is one of the most affordable, reliable, and comfortable options for those who commute through these emirates for work, visiting attractions, or weekend gateways. Plus, thousands of passengers like you rely on these intercity buses every day because they offer multiple services and seamless connectivity across both emirates.
Today, I will provide you with a complete guide that covers routes, ticket prices, timings, journey duration, nol card details. In addition, you will get useful tips to make your journey smooth and hassle-free.
Why Travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus Service?
I can understand that you may think bus travel would be uncomfortable. Still, these buses offer the following perks to make your journey easier:
- Budget-friendly, as the ticket price starts from only AED 25 per trip
- Comfort with reclining seats, AC, free WiFi, USB ports (on some routes)
- Eco-friendly, as it has Lower emissions than taxis/cars
- Frequent timings, ranging from early morning to late night
- It is ideal for residents, tourists & daily commuters
Nol Card: Required for Dubai Intercity Buses
Do you want freedom from physical tickets or cash to get the Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus service? In that case, you should use the Nol Card. It is a smart card that allows you to pay for your journey more conveniently. However, it comes in the following types:
- Nol Red Ticket: AED 2 (single-trip paper ticket)
- Silver Card: AED 25 (with AED 19 credit included)
- Gold Card: AED 25
- Personal Card: AED 70
You can purchase or recharge the card at the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station. However, you can also purchase or top up it at Dubai Metro Station, Ticket Vending machine, ot Nol card mobile app.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus Routes (E100, E101 & E102)
There are three main Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus services between the emirates. The following table will provide you with the quick details of these services:
| Route | Start Point | End Point | Journey Time | Fare |
| E100 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Al Ghubaiba, Dubai | ~2 hours | AED 25 |
| E101 | Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | Ibn Battuta, Dubai | ~1 hr 25 min | AED 25 |
| E102 | Mussafah Shabiya | Ibn Battuta, Dubai | ~1 hr 40 min | AED 25 |
Now, it is the right time to learn about them in detail:
- E100 Bus – Abu Dhabi Central → Al Ghubaiba (Dubai)
This bus service is a great option if you are heading towards Bur Dubai, Dubai Creek, Dubai Mall, and Jumeirah. Fare for this bus is AED 25, and the travel time is around 2 hours.
Main Stops:
- Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
- Shahama Village
- Samha
- Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Dubai)
Timings:
The first bus of the day departs at
- 12:00 PM between Sunday and Wednesday,
- 12:25 PM on Thursday
- 05:00 AM on Friday
- 12:14 PM on Saturday.
However, you can take the last bus of the day, which departs at 11:40 PM from Sunday to Thursday.
11:54 AM on Friday and 11:30 PM on Saturday.
- E101 Bus – Abu Dhabi Central → Ibn Battuta (Dubai)
It is another great Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus for those who are travelling to Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, JBR, and JLT. Similar to the E100 bus, you need to pay AED 25 to travel in this bus. However, you can cover the journey in 85 to 90 minutes.
Main Stops:
- Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
- Shahama Village
- Samha
- Ibn Battuta Metro Station
Timings:
The first bus of the day departs at 05:00 AM, and the last bus of the day departs at 10:00 PM.
- E102 Bus – Mussafah → Ibn Battuta (Dubai)
It is also popular for connecting Abu Dhabi International Airport to Ibn Battuta bus station. Hence, it is ideal for you if you are travelling from the airport. However, the ticket price could range from AED 25 to AED 35, and the journey duration could range from 1:40 to 2 hours.
Main Stops:
- Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station
- Mussafah Park
- Al Najah Private School
- Al Ain University
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (Terminal 1 & 3)
- Ibn Battuta Metro Station
Timings:
- First bus: 06:20 AM
- Last bus: 11:40 PM
- Frequency: Every 60 minutes
New Route: Capital Express (Non-Stop)
It is a newly launched express service between Al Qouz Bus Station and MBZ city. So, you can also consider travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus. Below are the details about this bus:
- Frequency: Every 3 hours
- Seats: 50 per coach
- Journey Time: ~1 hr 30 min
This bus service is ideal for you if you are looking for a fast and nonstop option.
Abu Dhabi Airport Express (Special Route)
Similar to the E102 bus, you can use this Abu Dhabi to Dubai bus service. However, the fare for this bus is expensive compared to E102 because you need to pay AED 35. Below are the details about this bus:
- Fare: AED 35
- Destination: Ibn Battuta Bus Station
- Timing: Every hour
- Requires a valid boarding pass (airport → Dubai only)
Free Bus: Yas Island Express (Dubai ↔ Yas Island)
This bus service is ideal for the ticket holders of the following attractions:
- Ferrari World
- Warner Bros. World
- Yas Waterworld
- SeaWorld Yas Island
Al Barsha, Marina, JBR, Downtown Dubai, Karama, Deira, Jebel Ali, etc, are the pickup points of this service.
How Long Does Travel Take With the Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus?
Travel time depends on traffic and routes. Below are the details related to the average travel time with the Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus service:
- Fastest: Capital Express (1 hr 30 min)
- E101: ~85 minutes
- E102: 1 hr 40 minutes
- E100: 2 hours
Tips for Smooth Travel
- Keep your Nol card topped up.
- Reach the station 10–15 minutes early.
- Avoid peak-hour buses if possible.
- Carry light luggage
- Check updated timings on RTA’s website or the Nol Pay app.
Final Words
The Abu Dhabi to Dubai Bus service is one of the most convenient and economical ways between the two cities of the UAE. However, it is the perfect alternative to taxis and private cars due to many routes, frequent service, and affordable rates.
FAQs:
How much does it cost by bus from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
A one-way ticket between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is AED 25.
Is there a free shuttle from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?
Yes, you can get a free shuttle between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, it is only available to passengers of some airlines, like Emirates, Wizz Air, etc.
How much is the E100 bus fare?
The fare for the E100 bus is AED 100.
Is there any metro station between Abu Dhabi and Dubai?
There are no metro stations between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Are Abu Dhabi to Dubai buses pet-friendly
No pets are allowed on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai bus.
Are Abu Dhabi to Dubai buses wheelchair-friendly?
Yes, most public Abu Dhabi to Dubai bus services are wheelchair friendly.
What is the validity of the Nol card?
The Nol card does not have any validity. Instead, it is tied to its balance, which expires after a certain period if the card is not topped up.
Do Abu Dhabi to Dubai buses accept hybrid payments?
No, hybrid payment is not accepted in these buses. Instead, you need to use the Nol card to travel in these buses.
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