The Dubai Ferry has now been running in the Emirate for a number of years and is popular with tourists mainly as it allows visitors to see the sights of Dubai from the water.
If you take the ferry between Al Ghubaiba and Dubai Marina then you will get a great view of the coastline and the Palm Island. It is a leisurely trip along the coast that is great just to see the sights from the sea.
The RTA is constantly updating and reassessing the needs of its marine transport system and the Dubai Ferry is being frequently improved and expanded.
Since 2009 Dubai has built up its public transport network including the opening of the Dubai Metro and the Dubai Tram. It now transports millions of passengers each year.
In most countries the term ‘ferry’ would imply a boat that takes you from one place to another for more of a public transport purpose. However, although the Dubai Ferry is run by the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority), the Ferry is more of a tourist trip as many of the trips that are run on the Dubai Ferry, start at one of the ferry stations, tour round areas of local interest, and return to the same station, with each trip lasting for an hour to 90 minutes.
Added to the circular and commuter routes, there are routes that go from one port to another to enable people to get a good view of the shoreline and the canal within Dubai.
There are a number of stations served by the Dubai Ferry at either end of Dubai in Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Marina and although there were also some stations running through the Dubai Water Canal, these have stopped for now.
The ferry runs multiple times a day from each location, for a duration of 60-90 minutes (frequency and times may change so check out the routes page for more info) and the boats are designed for comfort with a snack bar on board and facilities for two classes of passenger as well as two spots for those in wheelchairs.
There are tickets available for gold class and silver class passengers just like on the Dubai Metro, so you can choose your level of comfort. As the ferries are very new they are also very modern and stylish.
The Dubai ferry was opened in 2011 and each boat can take up to 100 passengers. Although it is scheduled to run at certain times, the round trips will only run if there are a minimum of 10 passengers on each trip. (One way trips will run however many people are on them).
The boats can also be hired for private use from the RTA on hourly rental charter packages either with or without seats installed. Contact the RTA on 800 9090 for more info (this site is not run by the RTA but provides information for those who want to use the Dubai Ferry.)
The Dubai Ferry can be a great option for tourists as it enables them to see the city from the sea and get a view of some of the most popular parts of Dubai including the Burj al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah at a great price. Other options for this kind of tourist trip exist but are usually much more expensive so it is worth taking a trip on the Ferry if you are on holiday in Dubai.
Hi, I can see that there are 2 sight-seeing round-trips (from Dubai Marina station) on a daily basis (3 pm trip to Burj Al Arab & back / 5 pm trip to Atlantis & back)….however, if one wants to cover both Burj al Arab & Atlantis in one sight-seeing round-trip, is that not possible? Rgds!
No!
Hello..
can you please inform me ferry between al ghubaiba to al jadaf on 1st September or 2nd September
Check out the routes/timings page. You will need to change at Dubai Water Canal Station.
Is there a WiFi connection on the ferry please?
No, I don’t believe there is.
That is a shame but thank you for the information
I am holiday in Dubai in September I would like to do the 3 following trips, is this all possible and if so how should I do it. I am staying at The Royal Mirage so my nearest ferry would be the marina.
A trip around the marina, Palm and Burj and back .
A trip from the marina along the coat to the start of the new canal.
A trip down the canal under the all new bridges inc the water fall one and carry on into the creek passing festival city and the floating bridge back to the sea opening again .
Yes it is possible. The first one is the 3pm trip from the marina. The second one is the ferry that goes to Al Ghubaiba but stops at the canal (but goes a similar route to the first trip so not sure you would gain much from doing both). You could pretty much do the 2nd and 3rd one in 1 day. 1pm from Marina, change at DWC to get the 1405 to Jadaf. Arrives Jadaf at 1550 then return trip at 1730 arriving DWC at 1915. Depart DWC at 1920.
Thank you that’s very helpful
Hi.Can you provide me to marketing department or business development dpt.Contact no.Thank you anyway
If you call the RTA on 800 9090 they should be able to put you through to the relevant person.
hi, As i found from the websites that if i had emirates NBD card ( i had both debit and credit cards ) , then i would be able take free round trip at marina station at 1.00 pm . Having understood that there might be long queues , reached there by 10.30 am , went to the station and was informed that i should come at 1.00 pm , before i left i showed them my cards and was informed that my cards were fine . but at 1.00 pm , when i was to take the tickets , they informed me that my cards dont have the RTA logo on it . My doubt is whether this is true ?
Please do let me know as i went there with my family and was in the hot sun for a very long time .
thanks
I believe it is the Go4it Emirates NBD cards that give you the free ferry trip but you will need to confirm with the bank if the card was refused at the ticket office.
thanks for the reply . but it would have been nice if its clearly mentioned that only the above mentioned card can be used .
We don’t have specific confirmation that only this card can be used. Ferry users need to check with Emirates NBD if they have the correct card.
hi
where i get ferry form sharaf DG Metro station.
thanks
It depends which route you want to take – you can get the metro to Al Ghubaiba or the Marina if you want to take that route.
I want to see the new canal from creek metro station.
What’s best for me ??
You can get the ferry from Al Jadaf which is only one stop down from Creek Metro Station.
Hii,
I am planning to make ferry round trip on 30/06/17
Do I need to book in advance? is it sure trip will be there?
which route is it covered during 5 Pm Trip
No, you cannot book in advance. The trip will only run with a minimum of 10 passengers. You can see the route on the routes page.
Hello I want to take a Ferry todas?
Is it posible?
Hoy much it cost?
Where colud we geT the ferry?
Thanks
Beatriz
Yes the routes are all shown on the routes page and prices are on the tickets page. However, check details on Ramadan timings on this post
Hi Good Day,
Im currently Visit Visa expired month of July 2017, i searching new career, im have experience Sea Base as Ordinary Seaman, and F&B 3 yrs dubai.
How to apply RTA FERRY please send me directly email for HR.
You need to contact the RTA directly about job vacancies.
Hello,
Is it possible to do a specific drop off? say we wanted to go to pearl Jumeirah area (nikki beach) from dubai marina station.
thanks
No, the ferry has a fixed timetable and locations. Check out http://www.dubai-water-taxi.com as you may be able to use the Water Taxi.
How can I join the Dubai Ferry and contact RTA for employment.
You can call the RTA on 800 9090.
Please I need work at dubai ferry, I have what it takes to get the job. Thanks
You will need to contact the RTA for any job vacancies.
Hi, I would like to get the timing for ferry route Ghubaiba to Mariba Circular.. what is the last evening timing?
Check out the Routes page for all of the timings.
Would like to know if gold tickets are still available for the new year eve fireworks route ?? Also is there a sitting for gold class
You will need to check from the departure point that you wish to go from or else call the RTA on 800 9090.
Hi, I have 4 tickets on waterbus for thenew year eve.leaving from Marina. I am not sure I can make it. I can sell it to you. 125was each.
I would be interested
I would be interested to buy the tickets .
can i have ur number
How can I contact u
Dear Admin
This is a complaint regarding Dubai Canal Ferry.
Yesterday i booked 10 tickets for my family from Jumeirah Marine station upto Dubai Design Distt. My family boarded at 7.35pm and i went to Dubai Design Distt to pick them up.
My complaint is that there is no signing no presence on google map for location of DUBAI DESIGN DISTT marine station.
I roamed around IN DDD for 1 hour 30 minutes to locate the marine station but in vain. I called RTA for 16 minutes but he knew nothing about location.
they gave me some GPS guidance number 700017000 which wasnt working,
i asked the ticket booking person at Jumeirah Canal take off marine station, he said the stop is at DDD and there are lots of branded restaurants. this was his location information.
I roamed around in DDD for 90 minutes , i entered all restricted project sites to get a trace of information or a small CARD BOARD Playcard saying RTA but none.
For such a huge project such basic information not avaiable.
You dont have any staff level guy who can pin point or flag locations of google map or smart drive or just list coordinates.
I lodged a compalaint with RTA , 1279743 mentioning same facts.
i still cant believe that such mega project is so ill administered and operated . till the time you can get proper sign boards you can just use paint , mark arrows or even wooden placards to guide.
Dubai which is known for IT integration par excellence , such non availability of information is not believable,
I hope you can do something at the earliest to not to let anyone else suffer like i did.
It was a bad experience for my visiting family with 4 kids and 2 senior citizen to see such mismanagement.
Thanks
Amjad
Hi Admin,
Just wana ask about having our BABY STROLLER with us on the boat ? is this allowed
Many thanks in advance,
Yes that’s no problem
How to book tickets. .?
you need to buy your tickets from the marine station that you are leaving from.
We plan to take the circular trip – Dubai marina – Atlantis – Dubai marina ( 5 pm) this week , since advance booking is not available, what time does the ticket counter open and what time should we come to be able to get the gold tickets. can we buy tickets in the morning. pl advice
Tickets are normally available just before the trip. So you could get there probably up to a maximum of half an hour before.
I would like to cruise through the Dubai Water Canal on the Ferry. What are the charges for that and from where can we catch the ferry from the Canal.
Check out the routes and tickets pages for all these details.
Hi Admin
Are the tickets available from Marina before getting onboard or is this necessary to book in advance?
Kashif
yes you just get the tickets at the marine station – you can’t currently book in advance.