Abras in Dubai – Everything You Need to Know

The bustling Dubai is one of the most popular tourist spots and continues to attract visitors year-round. Not only exotic cars and upgraded public transport, but you can also explore the Emirate in ferry boats and abras. Abras are one of the oldest and most traditional transportation forms in the city. Dubai Abra is also considered a logistics tool for local traders and residents. 

This guide will let you discover the historic background of abra Dubai, its importance and the types of abra rides in Dubai. 

Abra Service Dubai

Abra – a half-boat, half raft – is the most important part of Dubai marine transportation. It is also quite popular to cruise around the Emirate. Abra is the Arabic verb ‘abara’ which means ‘to cross’. It was frequently used to transport goods from Bur Dubai and other markets of old Dubai.

Besides abras, you can also explore the Emirate by using public transportation in Dubai. 

Different Types of RTA Abra Ride Dubai

Dubai boasts four different types of abras services. These abras operate on different routes and timings. They are one of the affordable options for those who want to visit the cultural and heritage sites around Dubai. Read on and find out the routes and timings of the heritage abra Dubai.

Motorised Traditional Abra

You can explore and cruise around Dubai Creek with the help of a Motorised traditional abra. The motorised abra is perfect for sightseeing around Old Souk and other parts of Bur Dubai. Here is more about motorised traditional abra Dubai boats.

Route: The abra has two routes: 

• From Dubai Old Souk Station to Al Sabkha Abra Station and vice versa 
• Bur Dubai Abra Station to Deira Old Souk Abra Station and vice versa

Timings: 

• Bur Dubai Abra Station – Deira Old Souk Abra station every day from 06:00 am to 12:00 midnight
• Dubai Old Souk Abra station – Al Sabkha Abra station 24/7

Abra Fare: AED 1 per passenger for a single trip

Private bookings: Motorised traditional abra can also be booked privately 

• AED 60 for a 30-minute ride 
• AED 120 for a 1-hour ride

Air-Conditioned Abra

If you are looking for comfortable abras to travel alongside the Creek Metro Station, then these RTA air-conditioned abras are the right option for you. These Dubai abras are a perfect combination of tradition and technology, providing a fully air-conditioned trip. 

Route: 

• Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City (BM2)
• Marina Mall to Marina Walk (BM1)
• Marina Promenade to Marina Mall (BM1)
• Marina Walk to Marina Terrace (BM1)
• Marina Mall to Bluewaters (BM3)

Timings:

Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City (BM2)

• Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am to 12:10 am (after midnight)

Marina Mall to Marina Walk (BM1)

• Saturday: 11:00 am to 4:50 pm and 10:35 pm to 11:40 pm
• Monday to Thursday: 11:00 am and– 3:50 pm & 10:15 pm to 10:35 pm
• Friday: 11:00 am to 4:45 pm and 10:15 pm to 11:40 pm
• Sunday: 11:00 am to 4:50 pm and 10:30 pm to 11:40 pm

Marina Promenade to Marina Mall (BM1)

• Monday to Thursday: 1:55 pm to 3:55 pm
• Friday to Sunday: 1:55 pm to 4:45 pm

Marina Walk to Marina Terrace (BM1)

• Monday to Thursday: 2:00 pm to 3:40 pm
• Friday and Saturday: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Sunday: 2:00 pm to 4:45 pm

Marina Mall to Bluewaters (BM3)

• Monday to Thursday: 4:50 pm to 11:25 pm
• Friday: 4:50 pm to 11:25 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 4:10 pm to 11:45 pm

Full Route

• Monday to Thursday: 4:00 pm to 10:10 pm
• Friday and Sunday: 5:10 pm to 10:15 pm
• Saturday: 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm 

Abra Fare:

• Al Jaddaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City (BM2): AED 2 for one side per trip
• Marina Mall to Marina Walk (BM1): AED 5
• Marina Promenade to Marina Mall (BM1): AED 3
• Marina Walk to Marina Terrace (BM1): AED 3
• Marina Mall to Bluewaters (BM3): AED 4
• Full route: AED 3 to AED 11 depending on the number of stops you want to add

RTA Patrol Abra

The patrol Dubai abra is a modern or upgraded version of traditional abra. It is safe and kept with the latest technologies, providing comfortable rides to the users. The patrol abras can cater to 20 passengers at once.

Those who want to explore the Al Fahidi Historical District, architectural mosques and souks in the vicinity can take a ride on the petrol heritage abra. Besides, you can also visit the house of His Highness Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (late), Dubai Museum and Dubai Creek.

Route:

• Dubai Old Souq to Baniyas (CR3)
• Al Sabkha to Al Fahidi (CR4)
• Al Fahadi to Deira Old Souq (CR5)
• Al Seef to Baniyas (CR6)
• Al Seef to Al Fahidi – Dubai Old Souq (CR7)
• Dubai Festival City to Dubai Creek Harbor (CR9)
• Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah (TR6)

Timings:

Dubai Old Souq to Baniyas (CR3)

• Monday to Saturday: 7:30 am to 10:55 pm
• Sunday: 10:00 am to 11:35 pm

Al Sabkha to Al Fahidi (CR4)

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am to 10:25 pm
• Sunday: 10:00 am to 11:55 pm

Al Fahadi to Deira Old Souq (CR5)

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am to 10:25 pm
• Sunday: 10:00 am to 11:55 pm

Al Seef to Baniyas (CR6)

• Monday to Saturday: 7:30 am to 10:50 pm 
• Sunday: 10:00 am to 12:20 am (after midnight)

Al Seef to Al Fahidi – Dubai Old Souq (CR7)

• Saturday and Sunday: 3:10 pm to 11:00 pm (do not operate on weekdays)

Dubai Festival City to Dubai Creek Harbor (CR9)

• Saturday and Sunday: 4:00 pm to 11:55 pm (do not operate on weekdays)

Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah (TR6)

• Every Day: 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Abra Fare:

• Dubai Old Souq to Baniyas (CR3): AED 2
• Al Sabkha to Al Fahidi (CR4): AED 2
• Al Fahadi to Deira Old Souq (CR5): AED 2
• Al Seef to Baniyas (CR6): AED 2
• Al Seef to Al Fahidi – Dubai Old Souq (CR7): AED 2
• Dubai Festival City to Dubai Creek Harbor (CR9): AED 2
• Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah (TR6): AED 25 per Pax

Electrical Traditional Abra

The electrical traditional abras are environment-friendly and take you to some of the popular locations in Dubai such as Global Village, Dubai Mall, The Palace and Burj Plaza. The abra has a seating capacity of 8 passengers.

Routes:

• Dubai Mall / Burj Plaza / The Palace
• Global Village

Timings:

• Dubai Mall / Burj Plaza / The Palace: 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm (seven days a week)
• Global Village: 4:00 pm to 12:00 midnight (seven days a week)

Abra Fare:

• Dubai Mall / Burj Plaza / The Palace: AED 68.25 is for a single person for a 25-minute ride
• Global Village: AED 52.5 if you book the entire Abra per trip for 12 to 15 minutes

Self-Driving Electric Abra

In 2023, RTA added an autonomous electric wooden abra to the fleet of Dubai abras. The driverless marine vehicle can carry up to eight passengers. It houses the traditional design of abras and was manufactured at the RTA’s Al Garhoud Marine Maintenance Centre. 

The self-driving electric abra is powered by two electric motors and has a maximum speed of seven knots. Four lithium batteries and an autonomous control system provide the abra with a seven-hour operating time and zero-carbon emissions. Moreover, it is manufactured with fibreglass which makes it a lightweight marine vehicle.

The self-driving Dubai abra will add to the RTA’s initiative of smooth mobility in the Emirate including marine transport. The inclusion is in line with Dubai’s plan to reduce public transport carbon emissions by using autonomous vehicles by 2030.

With this, we conclude our guide about Abra Dubai timing, routes and fares. The RTA abras are still one of the historical parts of Dubai’s heritage and are known as a considerably affordable transport option in Dubai. You can also rent RTA marine transport after going through the proper channels.

If you are an adventure enthusiast and want to cruise around the UAE, then this guide might help you. Moreover, you can also buy a new or used boat in Dubai to explore the marine life of the Emirate.

For more updates about boating facilities, stay in touch with the UAE’s top auto blog.