Serving residents, daily commuters, and tourists, Sabkha Bus Station provides access to historic souks, shopping districts, and Dubai Creek, while connecting to other emirates through express routes. Its close proximity to the metro, abra crossings, and major roads makes it an essential interchange for both short city journeys and longer regional trips.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Overview and Significance
- Location & Accessibility
- Facilities & Station Layout
- Operating Timings & Frequency
- Major Bus Routes from Sabkha Bus Station
- How to Use the Station Effectively
- FAQs
Overview & Significance
Sabkha Bus Station is a major transport hub located in the Al Sabkha area of Deira, Dubai. Strategically positioned on Al Sabkha Road, it serves as a vital gateway for both local commuters and visitors, offering easy access to the city’s historic markets, bustling souks, and the scenic Dubai Creek.
The station is significant not only for its central location but also for its role in connecting Dubai with neighbouring emirates.
Key intercity routes, such as the E16 to Hatta and E303A to Sharjah, depart from Sabkha, facilitating travel for tourists, residents, and business travellers alike. Its integration with the nearby Al Ras and Baniyas Square metro stations, as well as traditional abra services, ensures seamless transfers across multiple transport modes, making it a cornerstone of Dubai’s public transport network.
By linking cultural, commercial, and residential areas across Dubai and providing reliable connections to other emirates, Sabkha Bus Station plays a central role in enhancing mobility, supporting commerce, and promoting the exploration of the city’s heritage. It is not just a station-it is a hub that underpins efficient travel and connectivity throughout the region.
Location & Accessibility
Sabkha Bus Station is situated along Al Sabkha Road in the Deira district of Dubai, placing it in the heart of one of the city’s most historic and vibrant areas.
Its central location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring nearby attractions. Passengers can easily reach the iconic Gold Souk and Spice Souk, stroll along the scenic Dubai Creek, or access Baniyas Square and Al Ras Metro stations within minutes.
Connectivity with Metro & Other Transport
Sabkha Bus Station offers seamless connections to multiple modes of transport, ensuring smooth transfers across the city and beyond. The closest metro access points are the Green Line stations at Al Ras and Baniyas Square, with Union Station providing a Red-Green Line interchange accessible via feeder buses.
For a more scenic route, traditional abras (water ferries) connect Al Sabkha with Al Fahidi and Deira Old Souq, offering both convenience and a glimpse of Dubai’s heritage. Additionally, the station serves as a hub for an extensive network of bus routes, supporting both local travel within Dubai and intercity journeys to neighbouring emirates.
This combination of metro access, bus connections, and abra services makes Sabkha Bus Station one of Deira’s most accessible and well-connected transport nodes.
Facilities & Station Layout
Sabkha Bus Station is designed to offer a convenient and comfortable experience for all passengers. The station is equipped with ticket vending machines for Nol cards and top-ups, allowing travellers to quickly purchase or reload their travel cards.
Real-time digital displays provide up-to-date information on arriving and departing buses, helping commuters plan their journeys efficiently.
Covered waiting areas offer shelter from the sun and weather, while public restrooms and accessible platforms ensure comfort and convenience for all, including people of determination. Multilingual staff are available at information desks to assist passengers with route guidance, fare inquiries, and general travel support.
Operating Timings & Frequency
Sabkha Bus Station operates daily with services running from early morning until late at night, offering frequent departures that cater to both local commuters and intercity travellers.
| Service | Start Time | End Time | Frequency |
| General Bus Services | ≈ 5:00 AM | ~11:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Every 7-15 mins during peak, every 15-30 mins off-peak |
| E16 (Al Sabkha → Hatta) | 5:30 AM | 10:30 PM | Every 30-60 mins depending on day and time |
| F04 (GGICO MS ↔ Sabkha Turnoff) | ≈ 4:19 AM | 11:59 PM | Every 30-60 mins |
Major Bus Routes from Sabkha Bus Station
Sabkha Bus Station serves a variety of local and intercity routes, providing passengers with convenient connections across Dubai and to neighbouring emirates. Key routes offer direct access to markets, metro interchanges, and longer regional journeys.
| Route | Destination / Corridor | Duration | Fare (AED) | Notes |
| E16 | Hatta via major stops like Al Ras and Deira Old Souq | ≈ 1 h 57 m | 25-30 | Inter-emirate express route, scenic for travellers |
| F04 | GGICO Metro Station to Sabkha Turnoff (via Bur Dubai, Deira, etc.) | ~30-40 mins | 3-5 | Feeder/circular route; useful for metro transfers |
| E303A | Sharjah (Al Jubail Bus Station) | ~25-35 mins | 5-7 | Intercity route; frequent service during the day |
| 13D | Qusais ↔ Gold Souq via Sabkha | ~36-38 mins | ≈ 5 | Local route; good connection for souks and markets |
How to Use the Station Effectively
- Get a Nol card and top up your balance before boarding.
- Check digital boards or use the RTA S’hail app for real-time departure information.
- Locate the correct bay or platform based on your route.
- Tap your Nol card when boarding; fares vary by number of zones and route type.
- Plan ahead on weekends and public holidays, as schedules may change.
Key Takeaways
Sabkha Bus Station is centrally located in Deira, close to historic markets and well-connected by both metro and abra services. The first buses generally start around 5:00-6:00 AM, with the last services ending between 11:00 PM and midnight, depending on the route.
Key services include the E16, which provides intercity travel to Hatta in approximately two hours for AED 25-30, and the F04, which connects passengers to GGICO and nearby metro lines. Many local routes within Dubai are priced under AED 10, with fares determined by the number of zones crossed. Passengers are advised to use Nol cards and consult RTA tools, such as the mobile app, website, or station displays, for accurate schedule and fare information.
FAQs
Fares depend on the number of zones and the route type. Local services are generally AED 3-10; intercity routes like E16 cost AED 25-30. Children under 5 and people with special needs travel free with a Nol card.
Yes. The E16 route runs directly from Sabkha to Hatta, operating daily from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM with a 30-60 minute frequency.
F04 begins around 4:19 AM and ends near midnight, with 30-60-minute intervals and a travel time of ~30 minutes between GGICO Metro Station and Sabkha Turnoff.
Yes, including Green Line metro stations at Al Ras and Baniyas Square, as well as abra services across Dubai Creek.
Use the RTA S’hail app or website, refer to station display boards, or send an SMS with the bus stop ID to 5223 (“D [stop-ID]”) for real-time arrivals.
