Al Raffa is one of Bur Dubai’s older, busier districts, and the good news for anyone living there without a car is that you are genuinely well connected. Sat between Mankhool, Al Jafiliya and the Al Fahidi historic quarter, the area mixes clinics, small hotels, apartment blocks and the businesses around the port and consulate district. There is no tram here — the Dubai Tram only serves the Marina and JBR side of the city — but between the Green Line metro stations on your doorstep, a dense bus network and easy taxi access, daily life without driving is entirely realistic.
Metro: Your Two Main Stations
Most Al Raffa residents use one of two Green Line stations. Sharaf DG, on the Mankhool side, suits the northern part of the neighbourhood and the roads around Al Raffa’s clinics and hotels. ADCB station — still called Al Karama by many long-time residents — is a short walk or one bus stop away to the east and handy for the southern streets. Both stations run trains every few minutes at peak times, from early morning until around midnight, with later services on Fridays. From either station you can reach Union Square in roughly ten minutes, where the Green and Red lines cross, opening up Deira, the airport, Media City and Jebel Ali without a car.
Fares are charged by zone with a Nol card. A short hop within one zone costs only a few dirhams — typically around AED 3 to AED 5 as a guide — and you should always check the RTA website for the current fare table, as prices and zone boundaries can change.
Buses Through and Around Al Raffa
Buses are where Al Raffa really shines, because several routes thread through its main roads on the way between Al Ghubaiba bus station and the rest of Bur Dubai and Deira. Al Ghubaiba, just west of the neighbourhood, is one of the city’s biggest bus hubs, with routes to Satwa, Jebel Ali, Abu Hail and intercity services to other emirates. Within Al Raffa itself, stops along Kuwait Street and Al Mankhool Road are served by frequent local routes linking the area to Karama, Oud Metha and the Rashid Hospital side of town.
- Al Ghubaiba station: the main hub, a short walk or bus ride west
- Kuwait Street stops: handy for clinics and the consulate area
- Routes toward Karama and Oud Metha for schools and offices
- Feeder buses timed to meet Green Line trains at peak hours
Use the RTA’s S’hail app to plan journeys — it combines metro, bus and walking legs and shows live bus positions, which saves standing at a stop guessing.
What About the Tram and Other Options?
There is no tram stop in or near Al Raffa, and plans residents sometimes hear about do not change that today. If your commute ends in the Marina, your practical route is metro to Sobha Realty or DMCC on the Red line, then a short walk or the tram from there. Taxis are plentiful around the hotels and hospital, and the Careem and Uber apps both cover the area well. For the creek, the traditional abra from Al Sabkha or Baniyas across to Deira costs around AED 1 per crossing as a guide — one of the best-value trips in the city — and the Dubai Ferry and water taxis at Al Ghubaiba marine station serve longer leisure routes.
Tips for Daily Travel
Keep your Nol card topped up through the app so you are never stuck at a gate. If you commute daily, a monthly Nol pass can work out cheaper than pay-as-you-go; compare the pass price against your typical monthly spend on the RTA portal, since pass products and prices change. Summer walking distances matter: the walk from the far side of Al Raffa to a station can feel long in August, so many residents take a feeder bus or taxi for the last stretch and budget that into the month.
FAQ
Which metro station is best for Al Raffa?
Sharaf DG suits the north of the neighbourhood and ADCB (Al Karama) the south and east. Both are on the Green Line, so pick whichever is the shorter walk from your building.
Is there a tram in Al Raffa?
No. The Dubai Tram runs only around Dubai Marina, JBR and Al Sufouh. From Al Raffa, ride the metro to the Marina area and change to the tram there.
Can I get to the airport by public transport?
Yes. Ride the Green Line to Union, change to the Red Line, and get off at Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. Allow extra time at peak hours and for the walk inside the stations.
Living in or moving to Bur Dubai? Explore more area guides on DXB Talk and browse the full Dubai Areas archive for neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood advice.
