If you ever want to get a panoramic view of Dubai from the waters, the Dubai Water Ferry is your best shot. Rooted in its heritage, the idea of these Ferry stretches back to the time when Dubai was just a desert backwater port.
Unlike any other ferries in the world used for commuting, Dubai Water Ferry (run by the Roads and Transport Authority) organises trips for its passengers for a wondrous voyage. If you are planning to visit Dubai or are already in the city, the Dubai water ferry is a must-visit for you to deepen into the city’s tradition.
Let’s dive in to know all about the Dubai Water Ferry, its ticket prices, terminals, and time duration so that you can include it in your Dubai travel itinerary.
Different Modes of Water Transport In Dubai
The tall skyscrapers, exorbitant architecture and rich culture already transcend your Dubai travel to a luxurious experience, its elaborate transport system makes intra-city commute all the more easy. Land transportation facilities like taxis, Dubai Metro and RTA buses, you can also travel in Dubai’s traffic-free waterways.
Dubai travel and transport has several water commute options, including :
- The advanced air-conditioned water taxis take you through 44 different stations while you take pleasure in the serenity of water.
- The Dubai Abra boat is the most traditional mode of water transportation to travel across Dubai Creek. It is also one of the iconic tourist attractions in Dubai as it is reminiscent of the city’s heritage.
- The Dubai Ferry is another advanced mode of Dubai water transport. It encompasses all scenic locations of the city, attracting both residents and tourists.
What is the Dubai Water Ferry?
The Dubai Water Ferry is a popular mode of water commute operated by Dubai’s RTA (Road and Transport Authority). It is amongst the newest additions to the Emirate’s expanding public transport facility and is a tourist attraction in itself. It opens you to a unique perspective of the city and takes you across a traffic-free route in the water while crossing some major tourist spots just as Dubai Water Canal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Old Dubai, Burj al Arab, Jaddaf, and Ghubaiba.
Dubai Ferry has six major routes that open you to explore several renowned tourist spots of the city, as you witness the breath-taking coastline at the same time. Each Ferry can board 100 people at a time, including wheelchair and stroller users. The ferry offers you comfortable and air-conditioned seating. It is one of the most relaxed waterway transport amenities to travel across and explore the city’s most historic and iconic landmarks.
Features of Dubai Water Ferry
- There are 14 gold class seats, 84 silver class seats, and two disabled seats onboard Dubai Ferry.
- You can buy snacks and souvenirs from its kiosks.
- Educational videos on notable attractions are shown on an LCD screen on the ferry.
- Women, men, and disabled individuals have separate restrooms on board.
Dubai Ferry Terminals
There are 5 Dubai Ferry terminals situated around the city, via which you can board on and off the Ferry, as per your prefered route. These include:
- Dubai Marina
- Al Jaddaf
- Al Ghubaiba
- Dubai Canal
- Sheikh Zayed Road
Routes of Dubai Ferry
Launched in 2011, the Dubai Ferry has expanded to various routes, including the intercity route between Sharjah and Dubai. Allowing passengers to travel between two emirates offers you the ultimate escape from all the fuss of the busy road traffic. The inter-city route of the Dubai Ferry stops near the Sharjah Aquarium, where you can enjoy this trip with your family.
Dubai Water Canal is a new addition to the existing routes of Dubai Ferry. It offers beautiful canal views of the city horizon, enabling passengers to witness breath-taking sunsets. One of the longest routes of Dubai waterways, the highlight of this route is the experience of floating beneath the stunning Dubai Canal Waterfall. Dubai Ferry runs from all five terminals as per its schedule. You can plan your weekend visit by accessing the website of RTA. Check out the details of all its available routes below.
Routes | Stations Covered | Timings | Duration |
Route 1 | ● Ferry Station Al Ghubaiba
● Dubai Water Canal Station ● Dubai Marina Mall Station |
11:00 am
01:00 pm 06:30 pm |
1 hour 40 minutes |
Route 2 | ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station
● Floating Bridge ● Hyatt Regency Hotel ● Al Ghubaiba Station |
03:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
Route 3 | ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station
● Jumeirah Beach ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station |
05:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
Route 4 | ● Dubai Marina Mall Station
● Dubai Marina ● Atlantis ● Dubai Marina Mall Station |
03:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
Route 5 | ● Dubai Marina Mall Station
● Palm Jumeirah ● Atlantis the Palm ● Dubai Marina Mall Station |
05:00 pm | 1 hour (round trip) |
Route 6 | ● Al Ghubaiba Ferry Station
● Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station |
07:00 am – 09:00 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
02:00 pm -10:30 pm (Friday) 08:15 am – 08:00 pm (Saturday) |
35 minutes (round trip) |
Note : Confirm the timings before you make a visit as the ferry timings change during peak season.
Dubai Ferry Ticket Price
There are two types of Dubai ferry tickets to get a ride : silver class tickets and gold class tickets. The silver class ticket holders sit at the backside of the Ferry, while 14 more relaxing seats in the front are reserved for the gold class ticket holders.
Irrespective of the type of tickets you buy, on a Ferry, everyone gets access to the ferry deck at the back, offering majestic views of the city.
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Different Route Prices in Dubai Ferry
Route | Silver Ticket Price (in Dirhams) | Gold Ticket Price (in Dirhams) |
Al Ghubaiba – Dubai Marina | 50 | 75 |
Dubai Marina – Al Ghubaiba | 50 | 75 |
Dubai Marina (Circular Trip) | 50 | 75 |
Al Ghubaiba (Circular Trip) | 50 | 75 |
Al Ghubaiba – Sharjah Aquarium | 15 | 25 |
Dubai Marina – Dubai Canal Station | 25 | 35 |
Family Ticket Combo Price
Touristic Trips | Ticket Price – Silver | Ticket Price – Gold |
Family Bundle (2 adults and 2 children) | 140 Dirhams | 210 Dirhams |
Final Thoughts
Dubai has simplified the water commute by facilitating different water transportation facilities for the public, including Water Taxi, Dubai Water Ferry, and the Abra boat. All the waterways of the Dubai transport system have different ticket prices and routes according to the season. If you are planning to take a Dubai Water Ferry ride when in the city, this guide is a quick brief to help you choose your preferred ticket type, suitable timing, days, and route.
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Dubai Marina Yacht Club | Sharjah Aquarium |
Aqua venture Waterpark | Bluewater Island Dubai |
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Dubai ferry has a capacity of 100 passengers. However, getting seats during peak seasons isn't easy and needs to be pre-booked beforehand.
At present, the Dubai Ferry runs via three terminals: Dubai Canal Station, Al Ghubaiba, and Dubai Marina. The last two stations are operated by the terminal at Al Mamzar introduced in October 2014.
A boat service in Dubai is referred to as a Dubai water bus. It is a multi-decked air-conditioned vehicle bigger than other boats. Offering a breezy and pleasant ride, the water buses in Dubai run between Marina Mall and Marina Walk. Each water bus covers a 15-minute route across eight stations in the city, including Dubai Creek.
In Dubai, the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) operates the water-buses, water-taxis, abras, and ferries. In Dubai, the water-taxi is a luxurious mode of water transportation, which could also be chartered or rented for private use. An hourly cost for chartering the water taxi is AED 400. What is the capacity of Dubai Ferry?
What is the route of Dubai Ferry?
What is a water bus in Dubai?
How does Dubai transport regulate water commute?