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.
Free ride for ENBD card is applicable?
Please see this page.
Good evening! Is there a discount for disabled people and their accompanying person on FR1 and FR4? Thanks
Hi, the RTA does not currently publish any discounts for people of determination so it may be worth calling on 800 9090 to check.
Is there a ferry service from Dubai to Gwadar? Or maybe from Muscat? Thank you
Hi, this site only has details of the internal ferries that run within Dubai. We don’t have any details of privately run ferry services out of country, sorry.
Hi,
Is there any ferry available from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
If yes, please let me know the timings and where to book it’s tickets.
There are no ferry services as far as we are aware.
Can you tell me i am indian passport holder i want to go qatar what is cost of your service
Hi, this service only operates within Dubai.
Hello,
there was a special tour on friday at morning from Ghubaiba to Marina. Does it still run, how much is the ticket?
Hi, we are not aware of a Friday morning trip from Al Ghubaiba to the Marina, only 2 trips in the afternoon/evening.
Hello, ist there a boat today from chanal marina to marina near palm? And if what time and price we are two persons. Thanks
Hi Peter, there are special late night sailings to see the fireworks – see here. The timings for all the other services today are here.
Hello
Is the Dubai – Sharjah ferry still operational?
Hi, no it has not started up again as far as we are aware.
Is the ferry operational on New Year’s Eve?
Night time ?
Hi, yes there is usually a trip organised for New Year’s Eve to enjoy the fireworks. Details are not normally released until mid December but we will post as soon as we have the information.
Hello again … can’t seem to find any info regarding new years ? Is it still on for this year ?
Hi, we are still waiting for information but expect there will be a trip as usual.
We have posted the information here.
Hi the ferry on the round trip to the Atlantis and back did not take place today. Will it run on Monday.
Regards
Roland
Hi, that could be because the ferry will only run with a minimum number of passengers (usually 10) so it may well be that there weren’t enough to run the service. It should run tomorrow if there are sufficient numbers assuming there aren’t any other problems.
Is the DC1 route open? Canal Station to Al Jadaf? Anyway to sightsee the canal through fountain bridge and downtown area? Thank you. I am visiting today until Thursday.
Hi, no the DC1 route is not open. However, you should be able to get an electric abra from Sheikh Zayed Road station to view the bridge and lights.
Is there a possibility of you opening a route from Abu Dhabi to Doha by November 2022 for the fifa world cup?
Hi Javier, the Dubai Ferry only operates within the Dubai area. There are no external ferry services to Doha and I think it unlikely that something will be launched at this stage.
Hola Dubai Ferry, hoy 12/08/2022, que posibilidades para viajar a Dubai/Doha y Doha/Dubai, durante Qatar 2022.
Gracias.
Hi, this ferry does not go to Doha, it is just within Dubai.
Is there any type of water transportation from dubai to umm ul quwain. Please reply thank you
Hi, no there is no public transport between the 2 places as far as I am aware – you may need to look for private transportation.
Dear could you advise me about schedule of travel from Bahrain to dubai via sea on 1st week of August 2022 price.
Thanks
Hi, we only have details of the internal ferry within Dubai here I am afraid.
Is ferry working now?
The ferry is working but on restricted routes compared to pre covid.
Will the ferry run roundtrip from Dubai to Doha during World cup?
This ferry only runs internally within Dubai. There may be other options for travelling to Doha.
Dubai to doha can travel Ferry?
Will Marina-Al Ghubaiba, who is leaving at 13:00, leave for Atlantis now, bypassing Palm Island?
One map shows the other does not.
Thanks!
The Marina – Al Ghubaiba route goes between the mainland and the Palm and does not go around past Atlantis.
Hello, is ferry Dubai – Sharjah available this year?
Hi, it is still not running as far as we are aware.
Hello how often the ferry go at day from Dubai to Qatar? How many hours does it take and the price for person.than you.
Hi, this is a ferry service within Dubai.
Hi, is the visa on arrival facility available at Dubai port? Thanks
Hi, sorry we don’t have that information as this site is about the local ferries that run in Dubai.
Where do you post your vacancies? RTA?
This site is not run by the RTA so you would need to contact the RTA for vacancies.
Hi,
Anyone knows if Dubai Ferries are directly operated by Dubai RTA, or is it in hands of a private. I know RTA regulates all transport in de Emirate, but who is the actual operator of the system?
Any info/help would be great! thanks!
Yes Dubai Ferries are operated by the RTA
Is the ferry service from dubai to sharjah operating nowadays?? There is no info on your webpage but on RTA page they say “no”.
Hi Mark, sorry, I have updated the relevant page. As far as we are aware the Dubai/Sharjah route is currently not operating.
what are the available routes open as of November 2020? he have a long weekend comming, planning to have a ferry trip.
Hi eros, you can call the RTA to clarify what is available on a specific date – 0800 9090
Hi, is bringing cycle allowed in the ferry? Thank
Hi, you will need to call the RTA to confirm on 800 9090.