The easiest way to travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi by bus is the RTA’s intercity service: the E100 runs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, and the E101 runs from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to the same Abu Dhabi terminus. The one-way fare is typically around AED 25 — check the RTA app or S’hail for the current fare — paid with your Nol card, and the journey takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic.
Quick facts
- Routes: E100 from Al Ghubaiba (Bur Dubai); E101 from Ibn Battuta (near Jebel Ali, ideal for Dubai Marina and JLT)
- Fare: Typically around AED 25 one way — check the official app/portal for the current fare; make sure your Nol balance covers it before boarding
- Frequency: Buses run from early morning to late evening, typically every 20–40 minutes at peak times — confirm today’s timetable in S’hail
- Journey time: About 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours; longer on Thursday evenings and public holidays
- Payment: Nol card only — no cash fares on board
How to take the bus, step by step
- Pick your departure station. Staying or living near Bur Dubai, Deira or Karama? Use Al Ghubaiba for the E100. Near the Marina, JLT, JBR or Discovery Gardens? Ibn Battuta and the E101 saves you crossing the whole city first.
- Check the live timetable. Open S’hail or the RTA website and check the next departures for E100 or E101. Frequencies change on Fridays and public holidays.
- Load your Nol card. You need enough balance for the full intercity fare before you board — top up at the station machines or in the app. A low balance is the most common reason people miss their bus.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. At busy times there is a queue and buses can fill up; seats are not reserved. Queue at the signed E100/E101 bay.
- Tap in when you board. Hold your Nol card on the reader as you get on. Keep the card handy — you may need it again on exit depending on the service setup.
- Settle in for the Sheikh Zayed Road run. The route is motorway almost the whole way, passing Jebel Ali and the Abu Dhabi border. There are no scheduled stops for most services until Abu Dhabi.
- Arrive at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. From there, Abu Dhabi city buses, taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the Corniche, Yas Island connections and the rest of the capital. Note: Abu Dhabi buses use their own Hafilat card, not Nol.
Which route suits you?
The E100 from Al Ghubaiba suits most visitors staying in old Dubai and anyone connecting from the Al Fahidi or Al Ghubaiba Metro stations on the Green Line. The E101 from Ibn Battuta is the smart choice for the south of Dubai — it connects directly with Ibn Battuta Metro station on the Red Line, so Marina and JLT residents can go door to door without a taxi. Both routes end at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station on Sultan Bin Zayed the First Street, a short taxi ride from the Corniche and downtown hotels.
Costs and comfort tips
At typically around AED 25 — check the official app/portal for the current fare — the bus is by far the cheapest motorised option: a taxi or ride-hail for the same trip commonly runs to several hundred dirhams. The coaches are air-conditioned with luggage space underneath for suitcases. Travel light if you can at peak times, keep water with you (there is no onboard service), and download your entertainment before you leave, as motorway mobile coverage dips in stretches between the two cities. If you are commuting regularly, compare the bus against carpool-free options carefully: driving yourself adds fuel, Salik and Abu Dhabi tolls (Darb) plus parking, which makes the E100/E101 hard to beat on cost.
Common mistakes
Boarding with insufficient Nol balance tops the list — the reader will decline and the queue behind you will not wait. Second is going to the wrong station: Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta are 40 minutes apart by Metro. Third is assuming Abu Dhabi transport takes Nol — it does not; carry a payment card or buy a Hafilat card on arrival if you plan to use city buses there.
FAQ
Can I pay cash on the E100 or E101?
No. Intercity RTA buses are Nol card only. Top up at the station before you queue, and keep a buffer above the fare in case of a second journey.
How early should I arrive for the Abu Dhabi bus?
Fifteen minutes is sensible, and more at peak times or holiday weekends when buses fill and boarding is first come, first served.
Does the bus stop at Abu Dhabi airport?
The E100 and E101 go to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, not the airport. For Zayed International Airport, take a taxi or a connecting airport bus service from the city.
