F17 Bus Timings in Dubai: Complete Route, Schedule, Fares, and More

The F17 bus timings are especially important for residents and workers commuting between the Onpassive Bus Terminus and the Al Khail Gate in Al Quoz. Unlike major city routes, the F17 operates as a feeder service, running in a compact loop designed for short-distance travel within the district.

If you rely on public transport in this part of Dubai, understanding how the F17 runs, and when it doesn’t, can help you avoid unnecessary waiting.

• What Is the F17 Bus in Dubai?
• F17 Bus Route & Major Stops
• F17 Bus Timings (Operating Days & Hours)
• F17 Bus Frequency & Real-Time Schedule
• How the F17 Connects to Dubai’s Transport Network
• Real-World Commute Scenarios Using the F17
• Fare & Payment Information
• Who Uses the F17 Most?
• Is Living Near the F17 Practical?
• Tips for Using the F17 Bus Efficiently
• Is the F17 Reliable for Daily Commuters?
• Key Takeaways
• FAQs

What Is the F17 Bus in Dubai?

The F17 is a feeder bus operated by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Unlike long intercity routes, feeder buses are designed for short, local movement, connecting residential or industrial communities to nearby transport hubs rather than taking passengers across the city.

The F17 primarily serves:

• Onpassive Bus Terminus 1
• Al Khail Gate community
• Sections of Al Quoz Industrial Area

With just six stops, the F17 runs as a compact loop. That limited structure makes it efficient for short, everyday commutes rather than extended travel across Dubai.

F17 Bus Route & Major Stops

The F17 operates as a simple circular loop, beginning and ending at Onpassive Bus Terminus 1. Rather than covering multiple districts, the route stays focused within the Al Khail Gate and the surrounding Al Quoz area.

Main stops include:

• Onpassive Bus Terminus 1
• Al Khail Gate Entrance 1
• Al Khail Gate Entrance 2
• Al Khail Gate Entrance 3
• Return to Onpassive Terminus

The full loop typically takes around 25–30 minutes under normal traffic conditions. During busier hours, travel time can extend slightly due to congestion within industrial zones.

Because the F17 primarily serves Al Khail Gate residential clusters and nearby staff accommodation, demand is highest during morning and late-afternoon commuting windows. These peak periods often coincide with work shifts and school timings in the district.

F17 Bus Timings (Operating Days & Hours)

When checking F17 bus timings, the most important detail to remember is that this route does not run every day of the week.

Unlike many other feeder buses in Dubai, the F17 does not operate on Sundays. If you rely on this route for daily commuting, planning around that gap is essential.

Operating days:

• Monday to Saturday
• No service on Sunday

For regular commuters in Al Khail Gate and Al Quoz, this Sunday suspension is the main scheduling difference compared to other RTA feeder routes.

First & Last Departure (From Onpassive Terminus)

Service hours vary slightly depending on the day of the week. Below is a breakdown of the first and last departures from the Onpassive Bus Terminus, which serves as the starting point of the F17 loop. Always allow a few extra minutes during peak periods, as departure times reflect scheduled timings rather than exact arrival guarantees.

Sunday: No service

F17 Bus Frequency & Real-Time Schedule

The F17 bus timings vary slightly depending on the time of day. Service generally runs more frequently during morning and evening commuting hours, with slightly wider intervals mid-day.

How the F17 Connects to Dubai’s Transport Network

Although the F17 covers a compact loop, its value lies in last-mile connectivity. Feeder routes like this are designed to bridge the gap between residential clusters and larger transport corridors, making everyday commuting more practical.

Passengers typically use the F17 to:

• Travel from Al Khail Gate to Onpassive Bus Terminus
• Transfer to wider RTA bus networks
• Continue onward journeys toward the central Dubai districts

For many residents, the route functions as a reliable connector rather than a standalone transport option.

Real-World Commute Scenarios Using the F17

Understanding F17 bus timings becomes more useful when you see how the route works in everyday life. Because it operates as a short loop, the F17 is most effective when combined with other transport modes.

Here are a few typical commuting patterns:

• Al Khail Gate → Onpassive Terminus → Metro → Business Districts
  Residents often take the F17 from Al Khail Gate to Onpassive Terminus and then transfer to larger bus or metro routes. Total travel time depends on connection timing, but the feeder segment itself usually takes 10–15 minutes.
• Industrial Worker → Staff Accommodation → Worksite
  For workers in Al Quoz Industrial Area, the F17 is often a short daily shuttle between housing and nearby employment zones. In this case, the route functions more as an internal connector than a citywide commute solution.
• Student Commuting Within Al Quoz
  Because stops are concentrated around the Al Khail Gate entrances, students living in the area use the F17 for short-distance school travel, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak hours.

In all cases, the loop format means that missing one bus typically results in a short wait, provided you’re travelling during active service hours.

Fare & Payment Information

The F17 operates under Dubai’s standard zone-based public transport fare system. Because it runs within a single zone, most trips fall under the base fare category, making it one of the more affordable daily commute options.

Here’s what to expect:

• Single-zone fare: AED 3
• Payment method: NOL card only
• Cash payments: Not accepted on board

If you’re transferring from the metro to the F17 using the same NOL card within the permitted transfer window, integrated fare rules apply. This means you won’t be charged a full second fare, provided the journey falls within the RTA’s transfer timing policy.

Before boarding, it’s always worth checking your NOL balance, especially during peak hours when queues at ticket machines can slow you down.

Who Uses the F17 Most?

The F17 is built around local movement, not long-distance commuting. Its short loop and limited stops make it especially practical for people living or working in the same district.

The route primarily serves:

• Residents of Al Khail Gate, particularly those without private vehicles
• Workers in Al Quoz Industrial Area, commuting between staff housing and nearby workplaces
• Students travelling within the district, especially during morning and afternoon school hours

Because it doesn’t extend into central Dubai or major commercial hubs, the F17 is designed for short, repeat trips rather than cross-city travel. It functions as a reliable connector within Al Quoz, helping residents and workers reach larger transport links or move efficiently around the community.

Is Living Near the F17 Practical?

For residents without a private car, living near a feeder route like the F17 can make everyday movement significantly easier. Being within walking distance of a stop reduces reliance on taxis and eliminates the need for daily driving within the district.

That said, connectivity in Al Quoz remains more bus-dependent compared to metro-centric communities. Areas with direct metro access, such as those covered in the Dubai Marina community guide, offer faster cross-city movement, while Al Quoz relies more heavily on feeder-to-bus or feeder-to-metro transfers.

When evaluating housing near the F17, consider:

• Walking distance to the nearest stop
• Service frequency during your actual commute hours
• The lack of Sunday service
• How easily can you transfer to larger bus routes or metro stations

For residents working within Al Quoz or Al Khail Gate, the F17 is practical. For daily commuters heading across Dubai, transfer time becomes a more important factor.

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Tips for Using the F17 Bus Efficiently

Because the F17 runs on a limited weekly schedule and does not operate on Sundays, planning ahead is essential, especially if you rely on it daily.

• Double-check service days; the F17 does not run on Sundays
• Review Friday late-night timings if travelling after 11 PM
• Allow buffer time during morning and evening peak hours
• Keep your NOL card topped up to avoid delays
• Use official apps for live arrival tracking

Since the route mainly serves Al Khail Gate and parts of Al Quoz, buses can fill quickly during shift changes. Arriving a few minutes early during peak windows helps avoid waiting for the next loop.

Is the F17 Reliable for Daily Commuters?

For residents within Al Khail Gate and nearby staff housing, the F17 is predictable and straightforward. Its limited stop structure reduces variability, and loop-based routing ensures repeated circulation through the same points.

However, there are practical limitations to consider:

• No Sunday service
• No cross-city reach
• Full reliance on onward transfers for longer trips

For commuters working within Al Quoz, reliability is high. For those commuting to central Dubai daily, the total journey time depends heavily on the efficiency of connections at the Onpassive Terminus.

In short, the F17 works best as a neighbourhood connector rather than a primary long-distance transport solution.

Key Takeaways

• The F17 bus timings follow a Monday-to-Saturday schedule, with no service on Sundays. 
• First departures begin around 4:30 AM, and last buses typically run until late evening, with extended service on Fridays past midnight. 
• The route operates as a short loop between Onpassive Bus Terminus 1 and Al Khail Gate in Al Quoz, with six stops and a duration of roughly 25–30 minutes. 
• Frequency averages every 10–15 minutes during peak hours, making it a reliable feeder option for residents and workers within the district. 
• The standard fare is AED 3 within one zone, payable only via NOL card.

FAQs

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