Dubai to Sharjah Airport Bus: Routes, Fares, Timings and Travel Tips

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) sits about 30 km from central Dubai, but getting there isn’t as simple as hopping on a single numbered bus. Many travellers searching for a Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus expect one direct city service, only to find two quite different options with different stops, fares, and schedules. Add rush-hour traffic and a flight to catch, and the planning stress is real.

This guide clears that up. If you want a dependable Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus plan, you will find the key routes, boarding points, published fares, timing windows, and honest journey-time estimates here. We also compare the bus with taxis, explain how to combine public transport options, and share practical tips on luggage and check-in. For anyone still organising their stay in the UAE, our guide to the Dubai tourist visa application is a useful companion read.

How this guide was checked: On 27 October 2026, we reviewed the official Sharjah Airport transport page, together with recent transport guides updated between September and October 2026 that summarise RTA route data. Air Arabia’s own shuttle page could not be opened during research, so some operator details rely on the airport page and secondary sources. Where details conflict or could not be confirmed, we say so. Always check the latest timetable before you travel.

Is There a Bus From Dubai to Sharjah Airport?

Yes, but “bus” can mean two different things, and mixing them up is the most common mistake.

Option 1: Air Arabia airport coach

This is the closest thing to a direct service. According to the Sharjah Airport transport page, Air Arabia runs air-conditioned coaches between Sharjah Airport and Dubai, with baggage trolleys available. The Dubai stop listed by the airport is Al Ghurair Centre in Deira. This service is designed around the airport, so it takes you to the terminal area itself.

Option 2: RTA intercity buses to Sharjah city

RTA operates intercity buses that connect Dubai with Sharjah’s Al Jubail Bus Station. These are commuter routes, and they do not stop at the airport. To finish your journey, you need to change to a local Sharjah bus or take a taxi. One transport guide reports Sharjah route 99 as the local link from the Jubail area to the airport, but this should be confirmed on the day.

In short, the Air Arabia coach is your one-ride airport option, while RTA buses are the cheapest option if you are happy to change vehicles.

Which one should you choose?

Think about three things: your flight time, your luggage, and your starting point. A traveller leaving from Deira with a mid-afternoon flight and two suitcases will usually find the coach calmer and more predictable. Someone staying in Bur Dubai with a single backpack and plenty of spare time may be happy to take an RTA route and finish by local bus. If your departure is early in the morning, neither bus option may fit, and you should look at a taxi or a pre-booked transfer from the start. Deciding this the day before, rather than at the bus stop, removes most of the stress.

Bus Route and Boarding Points

This section covers the main routes for any Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus journey, starting with the airport coach.

Air Arabia coach route

• Boarding point in Dubai: Al Ghurair Centre, Deira (as listed by Sharjah Airport)
• Destination: Sharjah International Airport
• Other pick-up points: One guide mentions Al Shindagha City Centre, but the airport page does not, so treat this as unconfirmed. Check Air Arabia’s current pick-up list when you book.

Al Ghurair Centre is easy to reach from much of Deira. If you are staying in Bur Dubai, Downtown or the Marina, you will first need to travel to Deira by metro, taxi or local bus.

RTA intercity routes to Al Jubail

Three RTA routes are widely listed for the Dubai–Sharjah corridor:

• E303: Union Square Bus Station (Deira) to Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah
• E306: Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Bur Dubai) to Al Jubail Bus Station
• E307: Deira City Centre Bus Station to Al Jubail Bus Station

Choose the one closest to your hotel or metro stop. All three end in Sharjah city, not at the airport. We did not find an official source confirming a direct RTA bus to the airport, so do not rely on one.

Getting from Al Jubail to the airport

Once you reach Al Jubail Bus Station, you have two practical choices: take a local Sharjah bus (reported as route 99 by one source) or hop in a taxi for the final stretch. The taxi is faster and easier with luggage, though it adds to the cost.

Bus Departure Timings and Timetable Verification

Timings are where plans most often go wrong, so check them carefully. Anyone searching for the latest Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus timings should start with the official airport page and then confirm directly with the operator.

Air Arabia coach timings

The Sharjah Airport transport page lists these windows for the Dubai service:

• Dubai to the airport: 10:30 am to 11:30 pm
• Airport to Dubai: 8:00 am to 11:30 pm

Notice what this means. There is no morning departure from Dubai to the airport before 10:30 am on the published schedule. If you have an early flight, this coach will not suit you. The page also describes services as round-the-clock, but the listed hours do not cover 24 hours, so the published times should be taken as the guide.

RTA bus operating hours

According to transport guides that summarise RTA data (page updated 11 October 2026), the daily operating windows are roughly:

• E303: around 12:00 am to 11:25 pm
• E306: around 12:58 am to 11:52 pm
• E307: around 5:00 am to 10:50 pm

Frequency is not consistently published. One source suggests buses run about every 15 minutes in the daytime and less often at night, but this is not an official figure.

Verify before you travel

Timetables change for holidays, events, and seasonal reasons. Before leaving, check the RTA journey planner or app for Dubai routes, and Air Arabia or Sharjah Airport for the coach. Keep a backup plan, such as a taxi or ride-hailing app, in case a service is delayed or full.

Bus Fare and Ticket Booking

Fares are one of the main reasons people choose the bus, and the gap with taxis is considerable. If cost drives your choice, the Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus options are the cheapest ways to travel.

Air Arabia coach fare

The Sharjah Airport page lists a single fare of AED 20 from the Dubai stop at Al Ghurair Centre. Another source mentions a handling fee of about AED 20 per person at a different pick-up point, which suggests the pricing may depend on how and where you board. Confirm the exact fare when you book.

Online pre-booking is recommended by one guide, which recommends it during busy periods and public holidays. For the return leg, another source says tickets can be bought at the Air Arabia kiosk in the terminal. Neither detail could be confirmed on the operator’s own page, so check before relying on them.

RTA bus fares

Summaries of RTA data put the single fare for E303, E306 and E307 at about AED 10 to AED 12. These buses do not take cash. You tap in and out with a Nol card, and a standard Silver card works for most riders. Cards can be bought or topped up at metro stations, Nol machines, ticket offices, and through the Nol Pay and RTA apps.

Keep in mind that you still need to pay for the last leg from Al Jubail to the airport, whether by local bus or taxi. One source suggests a combined total of up to AED 20 per person for bus plus local travel, but this is an estimate rather than an official fare.

Quick fare example

Suppose a group of four travels from Deira:

• Air Arabia coach: 4 × AED 20 = AED 80 in total
• Taxi: roughly AED 70 to AED 120 in total, based on third-party estimates

For small groups, the coach and a taxi can end up costing about the same. The coach becomes clearly cheaper when you are travelling alone or as a pair.

Estimated Journey Duration and Traffic Considerations

Official travel times are not published, so every figure below is an estimate from recent guides. A realistic Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus journey takes longer than the distance suggests, mainly because of traffic.

Typical journey times 

When traffic hits hardest

The Dubai–Sharjah corridor is one of the busiest in the UAE. Guides generally point to these pressure points:

• Morning rush, towards Dubai: roughly 6:30 am to 9:30 am
• Evening rush, towards Sharjah: roughly 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (sources differ on the exact window)
• Quieter periods: midday and later in the evening

During peak hours, a trip can take 30 to 60 minutes longer than normal. As a rule, build in a generous buffer and aim to reach the airport well before your check-in deadline.

Alternative Public Transport Connections

If the airport coach does not match your plans, you have other ways to piece the journey together.

Metro to a bus station

From areas such as Downtown, Business Bay, the Marina or Mirdif, the simplest approach is to use the metro or a local RTA bus to reach Union, Al Ghubaiba or Deira City Centre. From there, take the relevant intercity bus to Al Jubail.

Local bus or taxi from Al Jubail

After reaching Al Jubail, a local Sharjah bus or a short taxi ride takes you to the airport. This is the budget route, but it involves a lot of waiting and walking, so it is not ideal with heavy suitcases.

Ride-hailing and private transfers

Ride-hailing apps and pre-booked private transfers are available. Prices vary by time of day, vehicle type, and demand. One source quotes private car transfers from around AED 199, though the numbers differ widely between sites, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Bus vs Taxi Comparison

For many travellers, the real decision is Dubai to Sharjah Airport taxi vs bus. The table below summarises what the sources suggest. All prices and times are estimates.

When the bus makes sense

• You are travelling alone or as a pair on a budget
• Your flight leaves in the afternoon or evening
• You are staying near Deira or can easily reach Al Ghurair Centre

When a taxi is better

• You have an early-morning flight
• You are travelling with a family or a lot of luggage
• You are short on time or arriving close to check-in cut-off
• Your hotel is far from Deira, such as in the Marina or Palm Jumeirah

One more point on taxis: some sources note that cross-emirate rules can affect where a taxi may pick you up on a return trip. If you plan to leave Sharjah by taxi, confirm the options available at the airport.

Practical Travel Tips for Luggage, Airport Arrival and Flight Check-In

A little preparation makes the trip smoother, especially when you are carrying bags and watching the clock.

Luggage

• Travel light if you plan to use the RTA buses and a local connection
• Keep your passport, boarding pass, and phone within easy reach
• Ask the driver or staff about luggage space before boarding
• Use the coach if you have larger suitcases, as it is designed for airport travellers

Arriving at the airport

• Aim to reach Sharjah Airport well before your check-in desk closes
• Many airlines recommend arriving about three hours before an international flight, but follow your own airline’s guidance
• Keep a small amount of cash and a charged phone in case of a change of plan

• Check in online if your airline allows it
• Confirm your terminal, airline desk and baggage allowance before leaving
• Low-cost carriers often enforce strict baggage and check-in deadlines, so give yourself extra time

Planning your wider trip

If you have a long layover or a spare day, you could add some sightseeing before your flight. Our upcoming guide to Dubai attractions is a helpful place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus?

Yes, in the form of the Air Arabia coach, which the Sharjah Airport page lists from Al Ghurair Centre in Deira. RTA intercity buses do not go to the airport itself, so those require a further connection.

How much does the Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus cost?

The Sharjah Airport page lists a single fare of AED 20 for the Air Arabia coach from Dubai. RTA intercity buses to Al Jubail are about AED 10 to AED 12, plus the final leg to the airport. Prices can change, so confirm before you travel.

How long does the journey take?

Estimates range from about 50 to 70 minutes on the airport coach, and 70 to 120 minutes using RTA buses with a connection. Peak-hour traffic can add considerably more.

Can I use a Nol card?

Nol cards are used on RTA buses, and cash is not accepted on them. For the Air Arabia coach, check the accepted payment methods when you book, as these could not be confirmed.

Is a taxi better than the bus?

It depends. A taxi is faster, more flexible, and better for early flights and heavy luggage. The bus costs less per person, especially for solo travellers.

Conclusion

Travelling between the two emirates is straightforward once you know the difference between the Air Arabia coach and the RTA intercity buses. For most visitors, the coach from Al Ghurair Centre is the easiest budget choice, while RTA routes suit those who want the lowest fare and do not mind a change. A Dubai to Sharjah Airport bus works best for afternoon and evening flights, whereas taxis are safer for early departures and large groups.

Whichever you choose, check the latest timetable and fare on the day, leave extra time for traffic, and keep a backup option ready. With a little planning, the journey to Sharjah Airport is simple and affordable. Safe travels!