Dubai’s marine transport network continues to play a growing role in facilitating the movement of residents and visitors within the city. From the historic crossings of Dubai Creek to the modern waterfronts of Dubai Marina and the Water Canal, travelling by water offers a practical alternative to road transport, especially in busy districts and during peak hours.
In this guide, we explore everything you need to know about water taxi Dubai in 2026, including routes, schedules, ticket pricing, booking options, stations, onboard rules, and how water taxis compare with abras, ferries, and land transport.
- What is the Dubai Water Taxi
- Dubai Water Taxi’s Zones
- Water transport modes in Dubai
- Dubai water taxi routes
- Schedules and operating hours
- Ticket pricing and 2026 fare guide
- How to book a water taxi in Dubai
- Rules to follow before renting a water taxi in Dubai
- Water taxi fines and passenger rules
- Water taxi vs other marine transport in Dubai
- Suggested itineraries using water taxi
- Practical tips for 2026 riders
- Future of water and air taxis in Dubai
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
What is the Dubai Water Taxi
The Dubai Water Taxi is a modern marine transport service operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It is designed to provide comfortable and flexible travel across Dubai’s waterways, including Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, and the Dubai Water Canal.
Unlike traditional abras, water taxis operate on scheduled routes or as private hire services. They are commonly used for short commutes, scenic journeys, and tailored trips for families, tourists, and corporate groups.
Dubai Water Taxi’s Zones
Dubai’s RTA has stationed 44 taxis in two main zones, Zone 1 and Zone 2, where they operate seamlessly and on a strict schedule. The schedule is designed to ensure that the water taxis are available at regular intervals, making them a reliable mode of transport. Zone 1 covers the areas between the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina, while Zone 2 covers the areas between the Dubai Water Canal and Dubai Creek.
Charter Zones
- Al Sufouh Station
- Jumeirah Beach Park station
- Jumeirah Beach Hotel station
- Al Mamzar station
- La Mer Marine Transport station
Zone 1
- Blue Waters
- Anantara station
- Marina Terrace station
- Sofitel Resort station
- One & Only The Palm station
- Marina Promenade station
- One & Only Royal Mirage station
- Dubai Marina Mall station
- Dubai Marina station
- Rixos Hotel station
Zone 2
- Souk al Marfa
- Dubai Design District station
- Business Bay station
- Marasi station
- Godolphon station
- Al Wajeha al Maeyah station
- Sheikh Zayed Road station
- Al Safa Park station
- Jumeirah Station
- Al Wasl station
- Jumeirah station
- Al Jaddaf station
- Dubai Canal station
- Al Ghubaiba station
- Creek Park A and B station
- Al Boom Tourist Village station
- Waterfront Market
- Al Fahidi station
- Al Seef station
- Al Shindagha station
- Dubai Festival City station
- Baniyal station
- Deira Old Souk station
- Al Sabkha station
Features
Indulge in luxury with the comfortable rides of the Dubai water taxi. Travel between the Marina Walk, Dubai Marina Mall, Marina Promenade, and Marina Terrace in style and comfort.
Its features include:
- 20 passenger capacity
- Comfortable seating
- Air-conditioned cabins
- Wheelchair allocation
- Hourly rental charter package options
- Decreased noise
Water transport modes in Dubai
Each option serves a different purpose, allowing passengers to choose between affordability, convenience, and scenic value.
- Abras: Traditional wooden boats mainly used for short, low-cost crossings, especially across Dubai Creek.
- Water taxis: Modern vessels offering higher comfort, faster speeds, and flexible routing.
- Ferries: Larger boats operating on longer coastal routes with fixed timetables and greater passenger capacity.
Dubai water taxi routes
In Dubai Marina and JBR, popular routes include BM1, which loops through Marina Mall, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace, and Marina Promenade, and BM3, which connects Marina Mall with Bluewaters Island. These routes are commonly used for short hops and sightseeing.
In Old Dubai, water taxi routes link Al Seef, Al Fahidi, and Deira, providing convenient access to heritage areas, souks, and museums. Canal routes through Business Bay and Sheikh Zayed Road offer scenic views of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa skyline.
Ticket pricing and 2026 fare guide
Dubai’s water taxis offer a range of fares, depending on the route, class, and type of service.
| Routes | Fare |
| Full Route | AED 7 to AED 21 |
| Marina Mall – Marina Walk – BM1 | AED 7 |
| One Day Pass | AED 25 |
| Marina Mall – Bluewaters – BM3 | AED 7 |
| Marina Mall / Bluewaters – Dubai Water Canal – Al Ghubaiba – FR1 & FR2 | AED 50 – 70 |
| Dubai Marina Mall – Palm Jumeirah – Atlantis The Palm – FR4 | AED 75 – 210 |
How to book a water taxi in Dubai
You can book water taxi services through the RTA Dubai app by selecting the ‘Marine Transport’ section, choosing a route, and completing the payment online. The RTA website offers a similar booking process with downloadable confirmations.
You can also purchase tickets at selected stations, depending on availability, or call the RTA call centre. Booking in advance is recommended during peak periods and major events.
Rules to follow before renting a water taxi in Dubai
Before renting a water taxi in Dubai, both residents and tourists must adhere to a set of important rules to ensure safety, smooth operations, and compliance with RTA regulations.
- Book your trip at least 24 hours in advance.
- Arrive at the station 15 minutes before departure.
- Misconduct may result in fines.
- Trips may be cancelled due to bad weather.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
- Present a valid Emirates ID before boarding.
- Vessels must be used only for the intended purpose.
- The captain cannot be instructed to change the pre-set route.
- Passengers are liable for repair costs if the vessel is damaged.
- Each adult can accompany up to two children.
- Booking fees are non-refundable.
- If the route is changed, fees will be recalculated.
Water taxi fines and passenger rules
Passengers must follow safety and behavioural regulations when using Dubai’s water taxi services. The RTA enforces fines to ensure the safety, comfort, and smooth operation of all trips. Key rules and fines include:
- Smoking inside the water taxi – AED 500
- Disruptive behaviour or unsafe actions – AED 1,000
- Polluting the water or station areas – AED 1,000
- Tampering with water taxi equipment or obstructing operations – AED 2,000
Suggested itineraries using water taxi
For heritage exploration, a half-day itinerary linking Al Fahidi, the Dubai Museum, and the Deira souks works well using creek routes. In the evening, Marina and Bluewaters routes are ideal for sunset views and dining.
Business Bay and canal routes offer a unique nighttime perspective of Downtown Dubai, especially when combined with waterfront walks and photo stops.
Practical tips for 2026 riders
Early morning or sunset rides offer the best views and weather. Check boarding points and fares, as water taxis, abras, and ferries operate separately.
- Ride early morning or at sunset.
- Travel on weekdays to avoid crowds.
- Confirm your boarding point and fare.
Future of water and air taxis in Dubai
Looking ahead to 2026, the RTA is continuing to enhance Dubai’s marine transport network with upgrades such as expanded station coverage and more efficient digital booking systems. These improvements aim to make water-based travel more convenient, accessible, and integrated with other modes of public transport.
In addition, Dubai is preparing for the introduction of electric air taxis. These innovative vehicles are designed to operate alongside existing water taxi services rather than replacing them, offering an alternative mode of transport for short urban trips.
Together, these developments reflect Dubai’s commitment to smart mobility and sustainability, ensuring that residents and visitors benefit from a modern, environmentally friendly, and well-connected transport system.
Key takeaways
Water taxi Dubai offers a comfortable and flexible way to travel across key waterfront areas, including Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, and the Water Canal. With multiple routes, modern vessels, and integration with the RTA transport network, it serves both daily travel and sightseeing needs.
In 2026, passengers can expect similar routes and fare structures to those of previous years, supported by improved digital booking tools and the continued expansion of Dubai’s innovative transport ecosystem.
FAQs
Advance booking is recommended during peak season, weekends, and major events.
Many fixed-route marina boats accept Nol cards. Some taxi-style or special cruises may require separate tickets or online payment, so it is important to check the specific route’s payment options.
Yes, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (maximum two children per adult) and wear life jackets. Crew instructions and safety briefings must be followed at all times.
The customer can report to the Al Ghubaiba main office within 24 hours. After that period, if the customer does not return to the office to retrieve their belongings, the items go to the police department. In the case of essential belongings, they are kept at the office until retrieved.
An abra is a traditional wooden boat mainly for short, low-cost crossings on Dubai Creek. Water taxis are modern, air-conditioned vessels offering more comfort, flexible routing, and private hire options across Marina, Creek, and canal routes at higher fares.
