Bus – Dubai Airport Terminal 3 Complete Guide 2026
Your complete guide to bus services at Dubai Airport Terminal 3 — all RTA bus routes, bus stop locations, fares, timings, night buses, intercity services to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, NOL card guide, and when to take the bus vs Metro vs taxi.
Bus Service at Dubai Airport Terminal 3 — Overview
Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 is served by RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) bus stops at the arrivals level — providing connections to Dubai city, Deira, Bur Dubai, and neighbouring emirates. Buses are the cheapest public transport option from Terminal 3 — with fares starting from AED 3 — but are generally slower than the Metro due to road traffic.
The bus network at Terminal 3 is primarily useful for passengers travelling to areas not well-served by the Metro, for late-night travel when Metro service has ended, and for intercity connections to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and other emirates. For most city-centre destinations, the Dubai Metro Red Line (directly accessible inside Terminal 3) is faster and more convenient.
💡 Key fact: The C01 bus is the only 24/7 bus route operating from Terminal 3 — making it the most important bus service for passengers arriving after Metro operating hours (after midnight Sunday–Thursday, after 01:00 Friday). All other bus routes from T3 operate on standard schedules from approximately 04:00–00:00.
⚠️ No cash on buses: All RTA buses in Dubai are cashless — you must have a prepaid NOL card to board. If you arrive at Terminal 3 without a NOL card, purchase one at the ticket vending machines inside the Airport Terminal 3 Metro Station (2–3 min walk from arrivals) before heading to the bus stop. Silver NOL cards cost AED 25 (AED 11 card fee + AED 14 credit).
Where Are the Bus Stops at Terminal 3?
Bus stops at Terminal 3 are located at the arrivals level, outside the terminal building. After clearing Customs and exiting the arrivals hall, the RTA bus stands are clearly marked with green and white RTA signage. The main bus stop is approximately 81 metres from the terminal entrance — about a 2-minute walk.
Airport Terminal 3 Bus Stop
Main bus stop — 81 metres from terminal entrance · 2 min walk from arrivals · Serves routes C01, C1, 24, 25, N30 · Clearly marked with RTA green/white signs · Covered waiting area with seating · Open 24 hours
Airport Terminal 3 – 1 Bus Stop
Secondary bus stop — 168 metres from terminal entrance · 3 min walk · Serves additional routes · Some routes only stop here and not the main stop — check the Moovit or S’hail app for your specific route
💡 Bus stop vs Metro station: The Metro station entrance is inside Terminal 3 (covered, air-conditioned). The bus stops are outside the terminal building. In Dubai’s summer heat (June–September, up to 45°C), this makes a meaningful difference — plan accordingly and carry water if you plan to use the bus stop in summer months.
All Bus Routes Operating from Terminal 3
The following RTA bus routes serve Dubai Airport Terminal 3 or stop within a 2–3 minute walk of the terminal entrance:
The only 24-hour bus route from Terminal 3. Connects the airport to Al Satwa Bus Station in central Dubai, passing through key areas. Critical for late-night arrivals after Metro service ends. Runs every 30–60 minutes overnight.
Urban circular route connecting Terminal 3 to Al Satwa Bus Station. The C1 and C01 cover similar corridors — C01 is the 24/7 variant. Key stops include areas around Garhoud, Al Qusais and Deira. Good for passengers needing to reach Satwa or connect to onward services from there.
Connects Terminal 3 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai — a major intercity bus hub where you can connect to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Fujairah buses. Key stops include City Centre Deira area. Journey takes 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Another city route connecting Terminal 3 to Deira and Bur Dubai. Useful for passengers heading to Gold Souk, Deira Spice Market, or Al Ghubaiba Bus Station for onward intercity connections. Operates during standard hours.
Night bus service providing connectivity after most regular buses stop. Runs from approximately 21:00 to 05:00, connecting Terminal 3 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station through the city. Frequency is lower than daytime services — expect waits of 30–60 minutes. Critical option for late-night arrivals when Metro is closed.
Route 401 connects Terminal 3 to Union Square bus station in Deira — a key hub connecting to Green Line Metro, Gold Souk, and multiple onward bus routes. A practical route for passengers heading into old Deira and needing bus connections rather than Metro.
💡 Always verify before travel: RTA bus routes and timings are subject to change. Always check the official RTA website or the S’hail App for the most current route, stop, and timing information before your journey.
Route C01 — The Only 24/7 Bus from Terminal 3
The C01 is the single most important bus route at Terminal 3 for travellers — it is the only bus route at Dubai Airport that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This makes it uniquely valuable for passengers arriving on overnight flights when the Dubai Metro has stopped running.
🚌 Route: Airport Terminal 3 ↔ Al Satwa Bus Station
⏰ Operating hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week — including after Metro closing time
🕒 First bus from T3: C01 is the first bus to Terminal 3 at approximately 03:00 AM
🔁 Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes during day · Every 30–60 minutes overnight
💰 Fare: AED 3–5 depending on zones crossed (Silver NOL card)
⏱️ Journey time: 45–60 minutes to Al Satwa Bus Station (traffic-dependent)
🗺️ Key stops en route: Airport area → Garhoud → Deira areas → Al Satwa
From Al Satwa Bus Station, you can connect to:
• Dubai Metro (Al Jafiliya or World Trade Centre stations — short walk/taxi)
• Night buses to other Dubai areas
• Taxis to anywhere in Dubai city
💡 When to use C01: If your flight lands between midnight and 05:00 Sunday–Thursday or between 01:00 and 05:00 on Friday, the Metro is closed. C01 is your most affordable public transport option. After reaching Al Satwa, you can take a taxi to your final destination — combining C01 + taxi gives you a much cheaper journey than a direct airport taxi.
City Bus Routes from Terminal 3
Routes C1, 24, and 25 connect Terminal 3 to key areas of Dubai city including Deira, Bur Dubai, and Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. These operate during standard daytime hours (approximately 04:00–00:00) and are useful for passengers whose final destination is not served by the Metro, or who prefer the lower cost of bus travel.
Route 24 — Terminal 3 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
Route 24 is particularly useful because it connects Terminal 3 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station — Dubai’s main intercity bus hub from which buses depart to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah. For passengers needing to connect to another emirate, this route provides the cheapest way to reach the intercity bus hub from Terminal 3.
🗺️ Route 24 key stops: Airport Terminal 3 → Al Garhoud area → Deira City Centre → Union Square area → BurJuman area → Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
⏱️ Journey: ~45–60 minutes (traffic-dependent)
💰 Fare: AED 5 (Silver NOL)
🕐 Hours: Approximately 04:00–midnight
Night Bus from Terminal 3 — Route N30
The N30 is a dedicated night bus service connecting Terminal 3 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station during late-night and early-morning hours. Together with the C01 (24/7), it provides connectivity after the regular bus network and Metro have closed.
🌙 Route N30: Airport Terminal 3 ↔ Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (via city)
⏰ Operating hours: Approximately 21:00 – 05:00
🔁 Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes — lower frequency than daytime
💰 Fare: AED 3–5 (Silver NOL card)
⏱️ Journey time: 45–60 minutes depending on traffic
💡 Night bus planning tip: Night buses run at longer intervals than daytime services. If you arrive at Terminal 3 late at night, use the RTA S’hail App to check the exact next departure time for your route. Waiting 45 minutes for a night bus in Dubai’s summer heat is uncomfortable — the Moovit app also shows real-time bus positions.
Intercity Bus from Terminal 3 — Connecting to Other Emirates
There are no direct intercity buses departing from Terminal 3 itself. To travel by intercity bus to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, or other emirates, you need to first travel to one of Dubai’s main intercity bus stations:
🚌 Main intercity bus departure points from Dubai:
🏢 Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Bur Dubai) — Dubai’s primary intercity hub. Buses to Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, and Hatta. Take Bus 24 or 25 from T3 (or Metro to BurJuman then walk). Journey from T3 to Al Ghubaiba: 45–60 min by bus.
🏢 Union Square Bus Station (Deira) — Buses to Sharjah and some Abu Dhabi routes. Take Metro from T3 to Union station, or Bus 401. Journey from T3 to Union: ~20 min by Metro.
🏢 Ibn Battuta Bus Station — Abu Dhabi routes (E100, E102 etc.). Reach via Metro Red Line from T3 to Ibn Battuta station (~55 min). No bus change needed.
Dubai Airport Terminal 3 to Sharjah by Bus
There is no direct bus from Terminal 3 to Sharjah. The most common route is:
Option 1 — Via Metro + Sharjah Bus (Recommended):
1. Take Metro Red Line from Airport T3 (R13) to Union Station (R18) — ~15 min, AED 3
2. Walk to Union Square Bus Station (2 min from Union Metro station)
3. Board intercity bus to Sharjah Al Jubail Bus Station (Route E303, E307, or E307A)
4. Journey Sharjah: ~30–60 min depending on traffic
💰 Total fare: AED 3 (Metro) + AED 12 (RTA bus to Sharjah) = AED 15
⏱️ Total time: 45–75 minutes
Option 2 — Via Bus to Al Ghubaiba then Sharjah bus:
Take Bus 24 from T3 to Al Ghubaiba → Intercity bus to Sharjah. Slower but cheaper overall.
⚠️ Sharjah traffic warning: The Dubai–Sharjah route is notorious for traffic congestion, especially during morning (07:00–09:30) and evening (16:00–19:30) rush hours. A journey that takes 30 minutes off-peak can take 90+ minutes in peak traffic. If possible, avoid this route during rush hours.
💡 SRTA buses for Sharjah: In addition to RTA buses, the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) operates its own intercity services between Sharjah and Dubai. SRTA buses charge AED 17 (slightly more than RTA’s AED 12) but operate from additional pickup points. Check the SRTA website for their current schedule.
Dubai Airport Terminal 3 to Abu Dhabi by Bus
There is no direct bus from Terminal 3 to Abu Dhabi. The most practical public transport route involves connecting to one of Dubai’s intercity bus stations first:
Via Metro + Intercity Bus (Most Common Route):
1. Take Metro Red Line from Airport T3 (R13) to Ibn Battuta Station — ~55 min, AED 7.50
2. Take RTA E100 or E102 intercity bus from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi
3. Journey Dubai→Abu Dhabi: ~1.5–2 hours depending on traffic
💰 Total fare: AED 7.50 (Metro) + AED 25 (E100 bus to Abu Dhabi) = ~AED 32.50
⏱️ Total time: 2.5–3 hours
Alternative — Via Al Ghubaiba:
Take Bus 24 from T3 → Al Ghubaiba Bus Station → intercity bus to Abu Dhabi (E101 or similar). Takes 30+ extra minutes but slightly cheaper overall.
💡 For Abu Dhabi visits, taxi or car rental from T3 is recommended — the AED 250–320 taxi fare saves 2+ hours of travel time, which may be worth it for a one-night stopover or business visit. See our taxi service guide and car rental guide for alternatives.
Bus Fares from Terminal 3 — NOL Card Guide
Dubai bus fares use the same zone-based system as the Metro — the fare depends on how many zone boundaries you cross. Terminal 3 is in Zone 5. All RTA buses are cashless — you must use a NOL card.
| Zones Crossed | Silver NOL (AED) | Gold NOL (AED) | Red Ticket (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | 3.00 | 6.00 | 4.00 |
| 2 Zones | 5.00 | 10.00 | 6.00 |
| 3+ Zones | 7.50 | 15.00 | 8.50 |
| Daily cap (Silver) | 14.00 | 28.00 | N/A |
💡 30-minute free connection: If you tap out of the bus and board another RTA bus, Metro, or Dubai Tram within 30 minutes using the same NOL card, the second journey is treated as part of the same trip — only the total zones are charged. This makes bus + Metro combinations very cost-effective. Maximum 3 connections per trip apply.
Buying a NOL Card at Terminal 3
NOL cards are available from ticket vending machines inside the Airport Terminal 3 Metro Station — a 2–3 minute walk from the arrivals hall. The machines accept cash and cards. You cannot buy a NOL card at the bus stop itself — purchase it inside before heading to the bus stop.
🪙 Silver NOL Card — recommended for most visitors:
Cost: AED 25 (AED 11 card fee + AED 14 initial credit)
Works on: Metro, all city buses, Dubai Tram, water buses and abras
Daily cap: AED 14 (travel as much as you want after hitting the cap)
Top-up: At any Metro station machine, RTA app, or selected supermarkets
Refundable: Yes — balance refunded at Metro station ticket offices (minus small admin fee)
Bus vs Metro vs Taxi from Terminal 3 — Which to Choose?
Cheapest option — AED 3–7.50. Slower due to traffic. Stops outside terminal (short outdoor walk). Only C01 runs 24/7. Best for late nights when Metro is closed or for areas without Metro access.
Inside Terminal 3 — covered, air-conditioned. AED 3–7.50. ~28 min to Burj Khalifa. Not affected by traffic. Runs 05:00–midnight (01:00 Fri). Best option for most city destinations during operating hours.
AED 50–320+ depending on destination. Door-to-door convenience. Available 24/7. Best for multiple bags, late-night arrivals, non-Metro destinations, or when time is more valuable than money.
From AED 39/day. Full freedom, no schedule. Best for UAE road trips, Abu Dhabi day trips, or multi-day stays where repeated taxi costs add up. See our car rental guide.
| Destination | Bus Fare | Bus Time | Metro Fare | Metro Time | Taxi Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deira / Union | AED 3 | ~25–40 min | AED 3 | ~15 min | AED 30–45 |
| Burj Khalifa / Downtown | Via Metro | N/A direct | AED 5 | ~28 min | AED 50–70 |
| Al Ghubaiba (intercity hub) | AED 5 | ~45–60 min | AED 5 | ~25 min via BurJuman | AED 40–55 |
| Mall of Emirates | Via Metro | N/A direct | AED 7.50 | ~45 min | AED 75–95 |
| Sharjah | AED 15 (Metro + bus) | ~60–90 min | N/A | N/A | AED 80–120 |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 32 (Metro + bus) | ~2.5–3 hrs | N/A | N/A | AED 250–320 |
| After midnight (any) | C01 bus available | Varies | ❌ Closed | N/A | AED 25+ flagfall |
Bus Travel Tips from Terminal 3
💡 Tip 1 — Buy NOL card before the bus stop: The bus stop has no ticket machine. Purchase your Silver NOL card at the Airport Terminal 3 Metro Station machines (2–3 min walk inside the terminal, air-conditioned) before heading to the outdoor bus stop.
💡 Tip 2 — Use S’hail App for real-time bus tracking: Download the RTA S’hail App before travelling. It shows real-time bus positions, exact next departure from Terminal 3, and all route options. This prevents unnecessary waiting at the bus stop.
💡 Tip 3 — C01 for late arrivals: If you land after midnight (Sunday–Thursday) or after 01:00 (Friday), the Metro is closed. C01 is your public transport option. Otherwise, a taxi will be faster and more comfortable for most passengers with luggage.
💡 Tip 4 — Avoid peak hours on Sharjah routes: The Dubai–Sharjah bus route (via Union Square) is heavily impacted by traffic. During morning (07:00–09:30) and evening (16:00–19:30) rush hours on weekdays, a 30-minute journey can extend to 90+ minutes. Travel off-peak whenever possible.
💡 Tip 5 — Metro is usually better for city destinations: For most popular Dubai destinations (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Marina, Jumeirah), the Metro is faster, more reliable, air-conditioned, and similarly priced. Use the bus mainly for destinations not served by Metro or when travelling late at night.
💡 Tip 6 — Keep NOL card topped up: You cannot pay extra or purchase a ticket on the bus. If your NOL card runs out mid-journey, you will not be able to tap out and may face a fine. Keep at least AED 15–20 balance on your card when departing Terminal 3.
💡 Tip 7 — Luggage awareness: Buses can get crowded during peak hours, and manoeuvring large suitcases in a full bus is difficult. For passengers with multiple large bags, a taxi or the Metro (less crowded off-peak) is significantly more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions — Bus at Terminal 3
Quick answers to common questions about bus services at Dubai Airport Terminal 3.