How to Travel from Dubai to Al Ain by Bus

Al Ain is a city in the United Arab Emirates located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is known as the Garden City due to its greenery.

The city is home to many historical sites including the Al Jahili Fort. Al Ain Zoo is also located here.

The city is a popular tourist destination. Many of its visitors depart from Dubai. Taking a public bus is the cheapest way to travel from Dubai to Al Ain.

RTA Bus Service – E201

The E201 bus travels between Dubai and Al Ain. It is managed by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The E201 bus departs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and goes to Al Ain Bus Station in Al Ain city centre.

There are a handful of stops on the way (e.g. Wasl Club and Nad Al Sheba). The distance from Dubai to Al Ain is approximately 85 miles by road.

Al Ghubaiba Bus Station is located in Bur Dubai. It is an important public transport hub and is close to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station.

Al Ghubaiba Metro Station is a station on the Green Line.

Bus Timings

The bus service between Dubai and Al Ain is first-rate, with numerous departures every day. The direct bus service begins in the early hours of the morning and continues until well into the night.

The bus takes around 2 hours to reach Al Ain, and the journey is comfortable and safe. There are a few stops along the way, but these are generally short and do not delay the journey time by much.

Installing the RTA’s S’hail app on your mobile phone is the best way to find accurate bus departure and arrival times. This app offers up-to-the-minute schedule information for all bus routes.

Bus Fares and Tickets

The bus fare from Dubai to Al Ain is just 25 AED (£5.38, €6.29, $6.81).

The cost of a one-way ticket is very reasonable, especially when compared to the cost of taking a taxi or renting a car.

Bus and public transportation fares are paid using a Nol Card, a contactless travel card.

Nol Cards can be purchased and topped up at Dubai Metro stations and Dubai Bus stations. They can be used to pay for both bus and metro fares.

To pay a bus fare, simply tap your card on the reader as you board and alight from the bus. The fare will be automatically deducted from your card balance, making it quick and easy to pay for your journey.

Although taking the bus is not the quickest way to travel between the two cities, it is without a doubt the most cost-effective alternative, making it the best option for people travelling on a tight budget.

It is not possible to book a ticket in advance. Fortunately, buses to Al Ain are relatively frequent, and they are usually not full.

Other Transport Options

Al Ain International Airport is located just outside the city. There are currently no scheduled flights between Dubai and Al Ain.

Aside from public bus services, alternative ways of travelling between the two cities include:

Taxi

Transportation from Dubai to Al Ain by taxi can be arranged by using either Uber or Careem.

Because of the distance, the taxi fare will be significantly more than the cost of taking the public bus.

To find the current taxi fare just enter the trip into the relevant app.

Car Hire

While travelling by rental car may be more expensive than taking public transport, it offers a great deal of flexibility. Renting a car gives you the freedom to stop and explore along the way.

The UAE offers a large selection of car rental agencies.

Other Intercity Bus Routes

We also provide information on the following intercity bus services from Dubai:

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