RTA- the Roads and Transport Authority in the UAE is the only operating transportation office in the region responsible for everything commotion within the state. To people’s much-expected elatedness, RTA recently announced the opening of a new bus route between Dubai and Sharjah to ease up the lives of hundreds of people traveling between the two states on daily basis thus spending extended hours of time and huge sums of money for the same.
For all the people residing within the region, it is not a revelation that a huge chunk of Sharjah’s population travels to Dubai on daily basis either because of their jobs in the Emirate, their children’s schools or even for plain recreational purposes- all three basic facilitations being at a bit of a lag in Sharjah itself. Many of the people have opted to reside within Sharjah given the lower rents and larger living spaces dynamic and therefore, they have to take the toll this way by going back and forth between the two Emirates incessantly. This daily commotion certainly is quite exhaustive both mentally and physically and certainly not to miss monetarily. Upon that, metro and bus are most people’s preferred and only viable options of commotion, the presence of just one single, indirect and overcrowded metro and bus joining route to Sharjah was causing a mayhem in the commotion situation of the Emirate from the past few years.
Given this chaos inflicted upon the transportation situation in Dubai, RTA finally broke its silence on the situation and announced the opening of E311- a bus route that connects Rashidiya Metro Station in Dubai to Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah. The Public Transport Agency has deployed (6) standard buses, at a headway time of (30) minutes to serve this route between Rashidiya Metro Station in Dubai and Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah,” stated Mohammed Abu Bakr Al-Hashimi, Director of Planning & Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
The road from Dubai to Sharjah, one of the busiest in the UAE, is of paramount importance to residents and tourists alike. It connects metropolitan Dubai to Sharjah and serves as one of the most important links connecting charismatic localities with commercial, entertainment, and cultural centers of the two cities. A sizeable chunk of residents travels on a daily basis between the two cities for work, education, and other purposes. Tourists make regular use of this route to visit important sites, such as museums, parks, and traditional souks, present there.
Inauguration of the new route between Dubai and Sharjah is a boon, providing relief from recurrent traffic snarls and costing less for the residents and travelers between these two buzzling cities. The new road has been built using modern environment-friendly designs and constructs with an extended capacity aimed at minimizing travel times between these cities, particularly in periods of peak traffic congestion. And this new route also implies reduced distance between Sharjah and Dubai, allowing fuel costs and vehicle maintenance to be minimal, making trade and leisure trips affordable for commuters. The phrase ‘the new Sharjah-Dubai route’ encompasses a number of benefits.
The distance from Sharjah to Dubai may be short but is one of substantial economic, cultural, and social importance. The cities linked by this stretch of a little less than 30 km can be reached in around 20 to 45 minutes. For the short distance, we would rather recommend affluent stopping in Sharjah to enjoy its wonders and sights along the way.
In recent years, the authorities have taken concerted efforts to optimize transportation in Dubai because of the growing population and increased number of tourists. Other available means of selecting inter- or intra-city travel include metro, buses, and taxis operating on the route from Dubai to Sharjah. There are future plans for extending the metro line between Dubai and Sharjah. Here are the facts concerning the Dubai Metro: the possibility for expansion is discussed.
Construction of Dubai Metro began in 2006 and it was formally inaugurated in 2009 with 10 stations that make up the Red Line, which runs rudimentary services. The present operational status shows that the Jubilee City has two metro lines using the Red Line and the Green Line; so they, moreover, do away with time wastage as well as the money spent to manage other commuting means and enhance the nice feeling of public transport. The ensuing discussion brings forth a bit more on Dubai’s metro lines.
The Red Line runs today from the Centerpoint Station (formerly Rashidiya) to the UAE Exchange Metro Station, at a current distance of 52 km, featuring 29 stations. Scope of the service is between 5:00 a.m.-midnight from Saturday to Wednesday, 5:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. on Thursdays and 10:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. on Fridays.
Since 2011, the Green Line has 20 stations and runs from Etisalat Station on Al Nahda Street to the Creek Metro Station in Dubai. The operating hours of the Green Line are between 5:30a.m. and midnight on Saturday through Wednesday. On Thursdays from 5:30 AM until 1 a.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Thus, with further introduction of the Blue, Pink, and Gold metro lines in Dubai will serve to expand its transport any further!
Another comfortable option of public transportation in Dubai is the bus system. All buses operating in Dubai are equipped with air conditioning and designated seating areas for the disabled. While on your way to Sharjah from Dubai, do take note of some of the best restaurants in Sharjah. Each of these restaurants has an elevated menu to make your trip one to remember. Here, we’ll dive into all details for you to travel from Dubai to Sharjah by bus.
For those wondering about the exact route of E311, this is how it goes:
“Route E311 starts from Rashidiya MS and passes through Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to enter Sharjah, serving the following bus stops: Industrial Area’s National Paints (1), Maliha Road Industrial Area Intersection, Maliha Road Sabah Industries (1), Maliha Road GECO Minerwa (1) and Maliha Road Municipality Office (1), Maliha Road 2nd Industrial Junction (B1), Maliha Road 2nd Industrial Junction (A1), Maliha Road J&P Junction (1), Maliha Road Maza Signal Junction (1B), Maliha Road Maza Signal Junction (A1), King Faisal Road Maza Signal Junction (1), King Faisal Road Bridge (1), King Faisal Road Jumbo (Sony) (1), King Faisal Road ADNOC Petrol Station (1) and King Faisal Road Gold Souq (Old), and Al Jubail Station. This Route will serve riders in both directions between the two stations in Dubai and Sharjah,” as illustrated by the Director of Public Transport Projects RTA, Mr. Al Ali.
The one-way intercity bus fare ranges from 2 AED to 8 AED and depends on the travels’ serviced route; however, when traveling between, for instance, Dubai and Sharjah, this can rise to up to 25 AED. All fares are payable with the help of transportation cards: Nol Card in Dubai and Sayer Card in Sharjah, which we will discuss below.
A public transport card essential for using the bus is termed a Nol card. The Variants of the Nol card include Red, Blue, Gold, and Silver. A choice out of these is available depending on an individual’s needs. For bus travel, the Red Nol card is recommended and used for single travel in return.
The service generally operates from about 5 AM until midnight. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) also has a free app through which you can access real-time information regarding schedules, routes, fares, and maps related to public transportation.
The public bus and metro are some of the cheapest modes of transport in Dubai, allowing the cities’ easy mobility. Important tips for using either the Dubai to Sharjah bus or the metro include:
The trip takes about 20 minutes in light traffic by car or motorcycle from Sharjah to Dubai. While this route is mainly on E611, the approximately 30-kilometer stretch can be completed in less than 40 minutes on a typical day. This trip can turn out to be quite taxing in the morning and evening rush hours.
Another convenient way to travel from Dubai to Sharjah is by taxi. Taking a taxi offers a fast and comfortable journey, with travel times ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic. The taxi fare from Dubai to Sharjah is approximately 40 AED.
If you plan to take a taxi, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:
Shared vans are one of the most common transport options available between the two emirates of Dubai and Sharjah. Travel time on a shared van is similar to that of a taxi, although cost-effective.The only issue with it, though, is that you may not be able to transport that much luggage while using the van as transport compared to other forms. Usually, an adult will spend about AED 46 on each van ride.
Those partial to scenic getaways from Dubai to Sharjah, which keep them away from road traffic jams, can use a nice alternative of water transport. This service is operated in collaboration with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, leaving Al Ghubaiba Station in Dubai en route to Sharjah Aquarium Station. The charge for this scenic journey is Dh15 for the economy class and Dh25 for the Gold Class section. On regular days, two trips from Sharjah leave at 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM, while one trip from Dubai departs at 7:45 AM.
Sharjah Airport is approximately 25 kilometers away from Dubai, and one option for public transport is the bus, as discussed at the start of the article. Alternately, should you so wish for a more compact and private option, there are airport shuttle services available. Although such a service is slightly pricier than the bus, it will pick you up from Sharjah Airport and take you directly to your hotel or elsewhere in Dubai, thus making it the most hassle-free airport transport option.
The even more personalized option is to hire a car. There are different companies at Sharjah Airport that give 24/7 service. If you want a more private trip, you can do it this way; it would allow you to enjoy a private trip by stopping to check Saudi shopping malls on the way to Dubai and its attractions as you like before heading toward it.
For travelers commuting between Dubai and Sharjah, several practical apps provide real-time tracking, schedules, and locations of buses and the metro. Some of these apps include:
These apps, with features like delay notifications, trip planning, and fare calculations, create a more convenient and precise experience for travelers, helping them reach their destinations without wasting time.
There are highly effective and efficient method by which the commuting costs between Sharjah and Dubai can be slashed. Using public transport like buses and the metro instead of taxis or private cars should be taken into consideration-as it is less expensive and saves parking fees. A monthly pass or Nol special transportation card also gives a discount to the traveller. Traveling at off-peak hours will also save traveling time and the amount spent on fuel, thereby making an overall cheaper commute.
There is a wide variety of options for reaching and travelling between Dubai and Sharjah that are drawn from different travel budget orientations and needs-a private car, taxi, bus, metro, and even water transport. It is really a question of advantages of each-while taxis and private cars have relatively more freedom associated with them, buses and the metro are more economical and environmentally sustainable. In this regard, using the relevant transportation apps and planning for getting to the destination at a convenient time will ensure a smooth, easy, and inexpensive journey between those two colorful cities. We also reviewed the best options of travelling from Dubai to Sharjah including the metro option. It is also advisable, For those who like to pay less to travel from Dubai to Sharjah, investing in Dubai property may reduce their travel costs in the long run.
Buses generally start operating around 5 AM and run until midnight.
To use public transportation in Dubai, you need a "Nol" card. There are different types of Nol cards, including Red, Blue, Gold, and Silver, which you can choose according to your needs.
You can use the airport shuttle service. This option is slightly more expensive than the bus, but it picks you up directly from Sharjah Airport and takes you to your hotel or Dubai city center.
The Dubai to Sharjah metro line is still under development and is expected to provide a faster, more convenient public transportation option soon. Currently, buses and taxis are the main public options.
The fastest options are taxis and private cars, although the metro (when completed) is also expected to significantly reduce travel time, especially during peak traffic hours.
To avoid traffic, the best times are early in the morning (before 7 AM) and late at night (after 8 PM). During peak hours (mornings and evenings), the route is more congested, making travel time longer.
Using public transportation like buses and (soon) the metro, purchasing monthly passes, avoiding peak traffic hours, and carpooling with friends or colleagues are among the best ways to save on travel costs.
The distance from Sharjah Airport to Dubai is around 15 to 20 kilometers, and depending on traffic conditions and the chosen route, it typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
