Abu Dhabi Bus Station: Location, Routes, Fares and Travel Guide

Abu Dhabi Bus Station is a great place to visit by bus, as you can also travel to the other emirates without the need for a private car. The Main Bus Station, also called Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, is an essential transportation hub for the residents, commuters and tourists in the city. It’s situated in the Al Wahda area with links to Dubai, Sharjah, and Al Ain. There are intercity trains and buses to various parts of the UAE. Having the location and bus routes of the station, ticket price, and the bus departure times makes the journey easier.

Abu Dhabi Bus Station: Quick Facts

It’s here that people can use the central terminal, which is beneficial for those who need to travel between Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. But a passenger must be aware of the difference between the main terminal and other bus stations set up in residential, industrial, and suburban areas.

The above is based on the service information published by the transport authority and is subject to change. Service conditions, ticket requirements and departures may be subject to change; please refer to the official timetable for the relevant service at the ticket office.

Location and Directions

Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station is located in the Al Wahda area, which happens to be a central part of the city that offers shopping, housing, and transport links to all other parts of the city. When heading to the terminal, Al Wahda Mall can be handy as an aid.

The station is usually identified with Sultan Bin Zayed the First Street and the adjacent streets in Al Wahda and Al Nahyan districts. Road names and road listings on maps may vary, so don’t use an abbreviated address on your navigation device.

How to reach the terminal

From various origins, passengers will be able to get to the station by different modes of transport.

• On Taxi: Request for Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station or Al Wahda Bus Station.
• Local bus: Search for the existing city bus network to find if there is one that has a stop at or near the terminal.
• Private car: Use the address of the station in your navigation system and find out about parking before you leave the station.
• Walking: If in residence close to Al Wahda Mall, check the pedestrian route and the location of the pedestrian entrance before walking.

Always use a current map and double-check the exact drop-off location for the most accurate directions. For large transport terminals, separate sections for local buses, intercity coaches and passenger pick-up can be provided.

Nearby landmarks

To find the central terminal, you can easily remember “Al Wahda Mall.” There are also some hotels, shops and everyday services in the surrounding Al Wahda district, making it convenient for travelers who require accommodation or have to buy necessities prior to a trip.

If you’re not used to the area, give yourself some extra time. Getting to the right bay to get on and off the train could be a longer process than getting into the neighbourhood.

Bus Routes and Destinations

The main terminal is a key hub for inter-emirates travel. When checking a journey, passengers should check the right category of information, as Abu Dhabi Mobility publishes separate information about inter-emirate services and routes operating within the emirate.

Buses to Dubai

One of the main destinations from Abu Dhabi’s main terminal is Dubai. The official transport authority states that there are three services between Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station and Dubai, namely E100, E101 and E102.

These are not necessarily the same services to the same destinations in Dubai. This should be based on the area you need to get to and the current stopping pattern.

Before travelling, check:

• The specific Dubai end-of-trip selected on your chosen route.
• Next departure and expected journey time.
• The cost of the ticket and how it can be bought.
• If you have to take a bus, taxi or metro after arriving.

Do not use a number as a criterion for choosing a route. To ensure the correct destination on the official timetable when travelling to a hotel, workplace or airport.

Buses to Sharjah

Routes 117 and 118 are offered by Abu Dhabi Mobility to get from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station to Sharjah. The published Fare by the Authority for these services is AED 30.

Please refer to the latest timetable and destination terminal before purchasing tickets for Sharjah before departure. A connecting local service (or taxi) may be necessary if the end point is located in a residential zone, and not at the arrival terminal.

Buses to Al Ain

Passengers travelling to Al Ain can use the intercity services listed by Abu Dhabi Mobility. Daily trips are priced at AED 30 (regular fare) or AED 40 (premium fare) and are listed every hour by the authority. Please refer to the official service page for the relevant timetable and prevailing weather conditions.

Intercity services should not be confused with local city services that are operated within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as Al Ain is a separate city within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Other inter-emirate destinations

The official service information also mentions its connectivity to Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. Fares are AED 35 per destination; departure times are shown on the authority’s website.

The fare shown is as per the official inter-emirate services page of Abu Dhabi Mobility, which was checked for this article. Check up-to-date fare, route, and departure information before travelling.

Useful to commuters, visitors and residents who travel between emirates, these services make the central terminal useful. But not all places offer the same frequency of departures, and some places have restricted scheduled departures. Use the published timetable; do not assume that all routes run at short intervals.

Ticket Prices and Payment

There are different ticketing requirements depending on whether you are riding a local bus or intercity service. This should not be the case where the rate is set for one set of services and then applied to a different set of services, even if they both begin at the same terminal.

Abu Dhabi Mobility identifies customer happiness offices at the station as places where the services provided on its official page can be purchased. The published fares will be AED 25 for Dubai and AED 30 for Sharjah.

See the authority’s published service timetables and fare and payment conditions for local travel. Timetable information is available on the official public transport services web page, and there are links to the Darbi application.

How to buy a ticket

One simple way is to verify the destination and time of travel, and then purchase as directed for that particular service.

1. Open the relevant page of the Abu Dhabi Mobility service.
2. Choose your destination and check out the available timetable.
3. Confirm the fare and where the ticket is to be purchased.
4. Go to the designated counter or follow the payment instructions given by the operator.
5. Hold onto your ticket/payment confirmation until the trip is over.

For any card or payment that you do not know is accepted on an intercity route, please check with the customer service staff of the station before boarding. Please note that all rules relating to payment for local buses do not necessarily apply to all coach services.

Timings and Official Bus Schedules

The bus departures may differ depending upon destination, route and day of the week. Be aware that a timetable from an older travel site may not be up to date with the new services.

Abu Dhabi Mobility also runs a standard-schedule timetable for local services, which includes Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. It also links people to Google Maps and to the Darbi app for timetable data.

How to check departure times

Before you go to the terminal, follow the steps below:

• Check the official public transport page of Abu Dhabi Mobility.
• Open your page for the type of service (local, intercity or inter-emirate).
• Check the route number, departure time, and destination.
• Verify any service announcements and/or service changes.
• Recheck the information close to your departure, particularly for journeys late in the evening or early in the morning.

The official website also helps you to identify those routes departing from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station from those travelling from Al Ain or from any other bus station.

Important: This is not a definitive opening and closing time for all of the services at the central terminal. Operating times for a station, for a customer service counter and for a single bus route are not necessarily the same. Check the appropriate service before traveling early in the morning or late in the evening.

Facilities at the Central Terminal

The primary use of the terminal is to serve as an access point for public bus services, ticketing, and onward transportation. Information about facilities provided to passengers should be checked locally and not taken for granted based on information about other bus stations in the UAE.

Customer service and travel assistance

Abu Dhabi Mobility considers customer satisfaction offices located in the station as sales locations for a number of inter-emirate services. It’s a handy office to inquire about departure arrangements, ticket sales and route information.

The authority has put 800 850 on its standard service page for general public transport enquiries. Please ask for assistance before boarding if you have a ticketing problem or need to know which station to board from.

Waiting arrangements and refreshments

Passengers are advised to take time to identify their departure bay and read any notices in the terminal. If food, drinking water, restroom or prayer room is needed, check what is available within the station or at a local store.

There is a nearby shopping and refreshment centre, Al Wahda Mall. Opening hours and access routes to the individual services, however, should be checked separately and, if travelling outside of normal shopping hours, you should check availability.

Accessibility and luggage

Please arrange for assistance if you need step-free access, wheelchair assistance or if you require some assistance when boarding a coach; please contact the relevant transport operator before you travel. This is particularly important on transfers from local buses to intercity services.

Large suitcase passengers are also advised to check their luggage policy. Please note that baggage allowances, storage space and restrictions may vary from service to service and you should not presume that all services operate in the same way.

Local Bus Connections and Other Stations

Buses aren’t just running from the central terminal within the emirate. The public transport system in Abu Dhabi encompasses city neighbourhoods, suburbs, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

This is important if you start outside of the center of Abu Dhabi. If you can get to your destination from another stop or station, it may not be necessary to go to the main terminal.

Central terminal versus local bus stops

For passengers travelling on the inter-emirate lines mentioned above, the main terminal will be of particular significance. Individual neighbourhoods and city connections are provided by local bus stops.

When travelling within Abu Dhabi, please be aware that not all city buses will operate from and to the central terminal – check the full route before travelling. The official timetable and the Darbi service can help you find appropriate connections.

Other bus stations in the emirate

If you are travelling from a district other than the city centre, you might be going from another terminal or departure point. The appropriate station is not just the emirate that you are travelling in, but the route.

When taking a taxi or travelling across town, make sure that the station for departure is as stated in the official route information. This is done just to avoid one trip being missed due to arriving at the wrong terminal. YUI0-

Travel Tips for First-Time Passengers

If you are coming from the bus station for the first time, there’s a little preparation that helps make the journey easy and comfortable. To prevent confusion or delays, please check the route, ticket price and departure time beforehand. Be sure to follow these helpful hints before you travel.

• Be on time: Make sure to arrive at the station before the train leaves.
• Ask for your bus number and where it is going: Check Your Route.
• Confirm the fare: Make sure the ticket’s price is the most up-to-date.
• Be Prepared to Test Your Ticket: Be ready to present your ticket for checking.
• Plan Connections: Organise travel onwards.
• Review Luggage Rules: Ensure that there are no restrictions on luggage prior to travelling.
• Check Times: Always check the most up-to-date bus timetable before departure.

Conclusion

The Abu Dhabi bus station network provides practical travel solutions for both residents and visitors of Abu Dhabi, connecting them to various destinations within the capital and other emirates. The central terminal is particularly convenient for trips to Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain, and local buses link to the broader public transport system.

To ensure a smoother travel experience, check your outgoing terminal, check the up-to-date official timetable, check the fare before you leave, and arrange your further travel. If you are looking for the latest information about services and schedules, the Abu Dhabi Mobility website is your source of information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main bus station in Abu Dhabi called?

It is known as Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station or Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station. It operates intercity services to Dubai and Sharjah.

Where is the Abu Dhabi bus station located?

It is located in the central terminal in Al Wahda, close to Al Wahda Mall. For your navigation app, enter the full name of the station to get directions.

How much is a bus ticket from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

Publication price: AED 25. For current fares and ticket info, please refer to the official inter-emirate timetable.

Which buses travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

There are three Abu Dhabi to Dubai routes: E100, E101, and E102. Be sure to verify the arrival terminal before choosing a route.

How much is the bus fare from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah?

The published fares are AED 30 for routes 117 and 118. Check the most up-to-date timetable before travel.

How can I check bus timings?

Head to the official Abu Dhabi Mobility website or the app ‘Darbi’ to see bus timetables and routes.

Can I travel from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain by bus?

Yes, there are intercity buses between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Fares are published: AED 30 for regular service and AED40 for premium service; please check the latest information before travelling.