Airport bus Dubai
Bus routes to Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport > Transport > Bus shuttle
Guide to Bus Transfers from Dubai International Airport
Dubai Buses, managed by the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority), offer efficient services aboard modern, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, covering almost the entire city of Dubai. Each bus has reserved seats for women and children. The bus network is divided into four categories: express buses, which stop at a limited number of stations, and local buses, which serve numerous intermediate stops to connect all parts of the city.
Connecting buses (F), recognizable by their blue and white colors (as opposed to the standard red and white buses), depart from metro stations and connect areas of the city not served by the metro. Finally, central buses (C) provide transfers from Dubai's business center, mainly the Deira and Bur Dubai districts, to other transport areas of the city.
DXB airport is linked to Dubai by local and central buses and an express bus service. Although bus services are frequent and almost non-stop, the network is vast and sometimes complex. As a result, visitors unfamiliar with the city may find it difficult to reach their exact destination. What's more, large pieces of luggage are not allowed on RTA buses.
Local bus services from Dubai airport
Bus stops are located outside each DXB airport terminal. If you follow the signs from the baggage reclaim area, you'll easily find the bus stations just opposite the exits from the Arrivals levels of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. However, each terminal is served by specific bus routes:
Dubai International Airport Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is connected to the city by the following local bus routes:
- Bus 11A Gold Souq - Al Awir bus station
- Bus 24 Al Nahda 2 - International City
- Bus 32C Al Qusais bus station - Al Satwa bus station
- Bus 33 Al Ghubaiba bus station - Al Qusais bus station
- Bus 64A Gold Souq bus station - Samari residence in Ras Al Khor
- Bus 77 Place Baniyas MS - Al Garhoud, RTA headquarters
Dubai International Airport Terminal 2
The more remote Terminal 2 is also linked to the city by several local bus routes:
- Bus 20 Terminus Al Nahda - Al Warsan 3
- Bus 31 Terminal 2 DXB - Oud Al Mateena
- Bus 43 Gold Souq bus station - Al Qusais Industrial Zone 2
Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport
Terminal 3, mainly dedicated to Emirates, has only one local bus service:
- Bus 77 Place Baniyas MS - Terminal 3 DXB
Our tips
Tip 1 The night bus N30 serves the airport's three terminals between 9pm and 5am. It runs hourly from DXB airport to Dragon Mart 2 and the International City bus station.
Tip 2 DXB passengers can also take the express bus 13B from terminal 2. This bus departs from the Al Qusais bus station and reaches the Gold Souq bus station via the airport's Terminal 2, making few stops along the way.
| Bus Route | Destination | Served Terminal(s) | Fare (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11A | Al Awir | Terminal 1 | 3 |
| 24 | Al Nahda 2 | Terminal 1 | 3 |
| 32C | Al Satwa Bus Station | Terminal 1 | 5 |
| 33 | Al Qusais Bus Station | Terminal 1 | 3 |
| 64A | Ras Al Khor | Terminal 1 | 5 |
| 77 | Baniyas Square Metro Station | Terminals 1 & 3 | 3 |
| 20 | Al Warsan 3 | Terminal 2 | 3 |
| 31 | Oud Al Mateena | Terminal 2 | 3 |
| 43 | Al Qusais Industrial Area 2 | Terminal 2 | 3 |
| C01 | Al Satwa Bus Station | Terminals 1 & 3 | 3 |
| N30 (Night) | Dragon Mart 2 & International City | Terminals 1, 2 & 3 | 5 |
Remarks :
- Nol card requirements Nol cards: to use RTA bus services, passengers must purchase a reloadable Nol card, as cash payments are not accepted. Nol cards are available at the airport's metro stations and from cash machines in the arrivals areas of each terminal.
- Pricing structure Dubai is divided into seven transport zones. Fares are calculated according to the number of zones crossed during the journey:
1 zone: 3 AED
2 adjacent zones: 5 AED
More than 2 zones: 7.5 AED
- Baggage policy Large luggage is not allowed on RTA buses.
- Opening hours Most bus routes operate from 4am to 1am. Line C01 operates 24/7.
- Night bus service Night bus N30 serves all three terminals from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am, with departures every hour.
For the latest information on routes, schedules and fares, please consult the official RTA resources.
Flexible bus timetables to suit your arrival time
| Bus line | Destination | Terminals served | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11A | Al Awir | Terminal 1 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| 24 | Al Nahda 2 | Terminal 1 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| 32C | Al Satwa bus station | Terminal 1 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 20 min) |
| 33 | Al Qusais bus station | Terminal 1 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| 64A | Ras Al Khor | Terminal 1 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| 77 | Baniyas Square metro station | Terminals 1 & 3 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 20 min) |
| 20 | Al Warsan 3 | Terminal 2 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| 31 | Oud Al Mateena | Terminal 2 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| 43 | Zone industrielle Al Qusais 2 | Terminal 2 | 04:00 - 01:00 (every 30 min) |
| C01 | Al Satwa bus station | Terminals 1 & 3 | 24/7 service (every 15 minutes) |
| N30 (Night) | Dragon Mart 2 & Cité Internationale | Terminals 1, 2 & 3 | 21:00 - 05:00 (every hour) |
Affordable pricing and convenient payment options
Bus fares from Dubai International Airport (DXB) vary according to the number of zones crossed. Dubai's transport network is divided into seven zones, and fares are calculated accordingly. To use the buses, you need a Nol card, available from the airport's metro stations or from vending machines located in the arrival areas of each terminal. Nol cards must be loaded with a minimum balance of AED 7.5 (approx. €1.88).
Bus tickets to Dubai airport
To reach downtown Dubai from Dubai International Airport (DXB), there are several bus options:
1. RTA urban bus network :
- Lines serving the airport Buses depart from Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to various destinations in Dubai.
- Opening hours : Service from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, with frequencies varying between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the line.
- Pricing Journeys start from 2 AED. The use of a NOL Card is compulsory; cash payments are not accepted. The card must be validated on boarding and exiting the bus.
FAQ
Is there a bus service available in Dubai?
Dubai has a large fleet of public buses connecting all parts of the city. From local lines to express buses, connecting buses to metro stations and routes to Dubai's CBD, the city's bus network is extensive and well-structured. However, due to its complexity, it can be confusing for newcomers.
How do you pay for buses in Dubai?
In Dubai, it's impossible to buy a ticket directly from the bus driver. Before boarding, you need to obtain a contactless Nol card and top it up with sufficient credit. Once you have the card, simply swipe it at the automatic terminals located at the bus entrance to validate your journey.