Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station is the city’s main public bus terminal, connecting passengers with Abu Dhabi’s local network and major destinations across the UAE. It offers bus services to Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and other places. The station is situated in the Al Wahdah area, near Al Wahda Mall. Bus rides on public buses in Abu Dhabi can be made using Hafilat cards, and inter-emirate travel will be charged separately. This guide provides information on the station location, routes, fares, timings, facilities, and useful travel information. 

Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station at a Glance

The capital’s primary bus station is Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, which serves city, regional, and inter-emirate trips. The current list of transport information from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station to destinations such as Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah is available from Abu Dhabi Mobility. 

The station also connects to Abu Dhabi’s local bus network. City buses and suburban buses are available, as are regional buses between areas of the emirate. There are current timetables published on Abu Dhabi Mobility, Darbi, and Google Maps. 

Quick facts

Detail	Information
Main name	Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Area	Al Wahdah, Abu Dhabi
Main road	Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street / Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street area
Main function	City, regional and inter-emirate bus services
Major destinations	Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
Local bus payment	Hafilat Smart Card
Local standard fare	AED 2 boarding fee + AED 0.05 per km
Dubai inter-emirate fare	AED 25
Official journey information	Abu Dhabi Mobility, Darbi, and Google Maps

Travel plans must always be checked for times of departure, as well as the route taken, due to the possibility of changes to schedules throughout the weekend, public holidays, and in special periods. Abu Dhabi Mobility in particular targets users to its website, Darbi, and the Google Maps application. 

Location and Nearby Landmarks

The Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station is located in the Al Wahdah district of Abu Dhabi, near Al Wahda Mall and the capital’s central districts. The official mapping by the RTA labels the terminal as Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station 1, and the tourism information provided by Abu Dhabi labels the bus station on Muroor Road as Central Bus Station.

This is because it is in the center of the city and can be of benefit to both the residents and the visitors of the city. Abu Dhabi’s travellers can get from the inter-emirate bus to local public transport or travel on by taxi.

Nearby landmarks include Al Wahda Mall. The central location also makes the terminal easily accessible to various locations like the city centre and Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Getting there by public bus

Abu Dhabi city buses run from the city centre to the bus terminal and other parts of the city. Passengers should not depend upon an old list of routes, as routes and operating patterns may change – use the Abu Dhabi Mobility timetable or the Darbi journey planner instead. 

The A1 Airport bus links Zayed International Airport to Central Bus Station. At this time, the A1 is marked as an AED 4 route to the central station for Experience Abu Dhabi. 

Getting there by taxi

When traveling with multiple people or carrying luggage, taxis offer a convenient option. According to Abu Dhabi’s official information on tourism, taxis are available throughout the city and can be ordered via the Abu Dhabi Taxi app. 

In the event that you are travelling through a busy time, leave ample time to reach the terminal, and do not count on the bus leaving at a particular minute.

Bus Routes and Destinations

Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station is one of the main reasons travellers use the bus station, thanks to its inter-emirate network. At present, Abu Dhabi Mobility only has direct bus service from the main bus station to some emirates.

The network is more extensive than simply the popular Abu Dhabi–Dubai connection.

Dubai buses

E100, E101 and E102 services are currently available for Dubai with a fare of AED 25 per ride, according to Dubai Mobility. This official information lists these services as running from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station for the Dubai connection. 

Both services are important, but there is a difference between them. The E100 service runs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, and the current route material from RTA shows E101 running from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. 

The E102 is not connected to the central terminal, but rather to Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station in Abu Dhabi; therefore, passengers should take note of the departure point before travelling. Abu Dhabi Mobility also classifies E102 as a service in Dubai that is provided by Mussafah Shabiya. 

For instance, RTA’s journey planner shows 100 journeys from Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station with a fare of AED 30 in its journey-planning system on the Dubai side. 

This is what you should consider when reading a specific trip’s information from the official Abu Dhabi inter-emirate fare information or the information provided by the route planner.

Sharjah buses

Abu Dhabi Mobility currently offers routes 117 and 118 from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station to Sharjah. The published fare will be AED 30. 

These are also helpful for passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and not going through Dubai first. Service frequency may change so please check departure times in relation to the current timetable.

Ajman buses

Additionally, there is an inter-emirate service from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station to Ajman. The cost of the current service is listed as AED 35, with two trips currently departing at 10:00 AM and 9:30 PM from the Abu Dhabi Mobility current service page. 

It’s a fairly restricted timetable, so you need to be well aware of the time before travelling to the station with this connection.

Ras Al Khaimah buses

Abu Dhabi Mobility quotes a fare of AED 35 from the main bus station to Ras Al Khaimah, with two services currently running there, one at 1:30 PM and the other at 7:30 PM. 

There is also a second service from Al Ain to Ras Al Khaimah on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as mentioned on the official page. This is in addition to the departures from the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station. 

Al Ain and Al Dhafra

The terminal also plays an important role in travel within Abu Dhabi Emirate. At present, Abu Dhabi Mobility has established regular service between Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

The regular fare is AED 30 and the premium service is AED 40. According to the official website, daily trips run every hour, and tickets are available for sale from the Customer Happiness Office at the station. 

Currently, Abu Dhabi Mobility offers ticket prices of AED 30 for the Al Dhafra region, AED 35 for Liwa and AED 37 for Al Ruwais. Daily services are said to run hourly. 

The services have not just made the terminal relevant to travellers between emirates but also travellers going further into the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Fares and Hafilat Card

There is a distinction between local public buses and inter-emirate buses, so it is important to understand this difference, as they don’t charge the same fare.

The current fare for Abu Dhabi’s Standard Service is AED 2 for an in-town journey with a rate of 5 fils per kilometre, with a maximum fare of AED 5 for trips exceeding 60 km. Abu Dhabi Mobility says the Standard Service will include trips within Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. 

Inter-emirate services charge separately from main inter-city services. For example, Abu Dhabi Mobility currently lists Dubai at AED 25, Sharjah at AED 30, Ajman at AED 35, and Ras Al Khaimah at AED 35 from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station. 

What is a Hafilat card?

The payment card for Abu Dhabi public transportation is a Hafilat Smart Card. When the passenger gets on the bus, he or she taps the card, and the same is repeated when he or she leaves the bus; this enables the system to determine the appropriate fare for the trip. 

The current price of an anonymous Hafilat card is AED 10, without any pre-purchase requirements. Purchase locations listed on Abu Dhabi Mobility include sales and recharge machines, Customer Happiness Offices at bus stations and the airport itself and select retail partners. 

Users of the system for ordinary local travel should ensure that there is sufficient balance in their accounts before embarking on the service, and should not forget to deplete their account at their destination. If one fails to make a tap out, Abu Dhabi Mobility states that the whole trip will be deducted when the next one is used, the warning also applies to those who haven’t used the system yet.

Hafilat passes

Public transport passes (Hafilat) are available for regular travellers. The 7-day pass is currently AED 35, while the 30-day pass is currently AED 95 for Standard Service travel on Abu Dhabi Mobility. These passes are valid for local or regional travel only, and exclude intercity services.

This is important to those who frequently fly AUBD-DUBA and would prefer not to change airlines. Do not presume that a local Hafilat pass will be valid on an inter-emirate trip.

Timings and How to Check the Latest Schedule

The opening hours specification does not have a single number to represent the opening hours of all the bus services that run from the terminal. Schedules vary between routes, and Abu Dhabi Mobility adapts services on weekends, during public holidays, and special occasions.

The official page of public transport offers timetables of routes and refers to the Darbi app and Google Maps to organize a trip. 

RTA also offers route-specific details about Dubai services. For instance, its current E100 service has been operating with various departure times to the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station from Al Ghubaiba. 

To get the most accurate planning:

1. Confirm the number of the route and the destination.
2. State the station from which you are departing.
3. Please refer to the timetable on Abu Dhabi Mobility or Darbi.
4. When traveling in Dubai, please refer to the relevant RTA data.
5. Leave extra time for getting to the terminal and boarding the correct area.

Do not depend on old blog posts for exact times of departure. When travelling is reliant on a specific bus, the official transport timetables are a more reliable source.

Facilities at the Bus Station

The terminal is designed to cater to short- and medium-haul traveler needs. Visitor information is generally published information about facilities including waiting areas, ticketing and recharge facilities, shops and food outlets, toilets and prayer facilities. 

The transport-related practical facilities are the most important for travellers: ticket and information services, sales/recharge of Hafilat cards and access to information on bus departure.

Al Wahda Mall is also close by, providing a far greater choice of stores, restaurants and other services outside the terminal.

Hrs per outlet and facility availability are variable and can change; please check in advance if a specific outlet/service is required to travel.

Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station to Dubai

One of the most popular trips from the terminal is from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. According to Abu Dhabi Mobility, E100 and E101 leave from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station to Dubai, and the inter-emirate tariff is AED 25 (published). 

The arrival in Dubai is dependent upon the route. RTA classifies Al Ghubaiba Bus Station as E100 and Ibn Battuta Bus Station as E101.

The distinction is helpful when planning your trip at the end. For instance, if a passenger wants to go to Bur Dubai, he might have to take a different line from someone who wants to go somewhere nearer to Ibn Battuta.

Don’t assume a set amount of time for travel. The journey can be influenced by traffic, stops, and the specific service, and RTA’s live journey planner can display the journey timetables and, where available, real-time information. 

Using the Station for Local Abu Dhabi Travel

The terminal is not just a place to get on an intercity train. It is part of the broader Abu Dhabi public transportation network, which enables passengers to extend their journeys into other neighbourhoods in the capital.

Abu Dhabi Mobility’s Standard service operates in Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs, and its official timetable system enables passengers to book based on bus number. 

The local fare structure is also fairly simple with an AED 2 boarding charge and a charge of 5 fils per kilometre, up to a maximum of AED 5 on trips longer than 60 km.

Abu Dhabi’s rules for transfers can be advantageous for those who are travelling between flights. Abu Dhabi Mobility says that transfers between public transport services can be made free of charge if the passenger taps on to the next service within 60 minutes of the last tap-off, and does not travel in the opposite direction, while remaining within the limits of the public transport system. 

Tips for First-Time Passengers

With a bit of preparation, the terminal will be easy to use, especially for tourists who are not very familiar in Abu Dhabi’s public transport system. Look at the place you are leaving from first. Not all buses from Abu Dhabi–Dubai run from the central terminal. For the Dubai connection, for instance, E102 starts from Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station.

Have a Hafilat card available for local trips. Tap twice when getting on and off the bus, and check the balance before getting on. Don’t use an old timetable. Abu Dhabi Mobility will offer the current timetable information on their website, Darbi, and on Google Maps; RTA will give route information for Dubai services. 

Arrive before departure. This is especially good for lesser-used inter-emirate flights like Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, where if a flight is missed, it could be a long wait until the next one. According to the updated official timetables, there are only two trains a day from the main station to either of these destinations. Always have the final destination in mind. A bus might not ride directly to your neighbourhood but instead take you to a bigger terminal. Ensure that onward local bus, taxi or walking service has been checked prior to the journey.

Conclusion

Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station continues to be a vital starting point for public transport trips in and to Abu Dhabi and other emirates. The greatest practical benefit is the wide network of connectivity, with Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

The secret to a hassle-free journey is to check the journey, the departure station, any fare, and the latest timetable before setting off. The most useful information has been provided by Abu Dhabi Mobility and RTA, and Hafilat is responsible for paying for Abu Dhabi’s local public bus network.

Read Also: Deira City Center Bus Station

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station the main bus station?

Yes. It is the bus station where all the buses in Abu Dhabi depart and arrive.

Which buses run from Abu Dhabi to Dubai?

E100 and E101 are from the main station to Dubai. The E102 bus comes from Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station.

How much is the Abu Dhabi to Dubai bus?

The quoted price is AED 25 per inter-emirate journey between Dubai.

Can I use a Hafilat card?

Yes. The Abu Dhabi public buses use Hafilat Smart Cards. When boarding and exiting the bus, passengers tap.

Does the Hafilat monthly pass cover Dubai?

There are no inter-emirate services included in 7-day or 30-day passes in Abu Dhabi.

How can I check bus timings?

For the latest schedules, please refer to Abu Dhabi Mobility, the Darbi app, or Google Maps. RTA information is for Dubai routes.

Is the bus station close to Al Wahda Mall?

Yes. The main bus station is in the Al Wahdah area, which is near Al Wahda Mall; thus, the mall is a handy landmark.