Dubai Ferry News

Ferry Subject to Possible Delays

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Due to the adverse weather conditions that seem to be approaching Dubai, there is a possibility that ferry services may be interrupted or cancelled tomorrow (Wednesday 20th November).

There is wind and rain forecast, together with possible thunderstorms which will likely affect driving conditions and the running of public transport and the RTA has advised anyone who is thinking of travelling on the Ferry tomorrow to contact them to check if the service they want to travel on is still running.

The Tweet from the RTA advised calling their service center on 800 9090 to check details of sailings.

Drivers were also advised to take great care when travelling and schools in Dubai are likely to be shut for the day due to the heavy rain.

Dubai Ferry Timings, Public Holidays

Dubai Ferry Eid Al Adha Timings 2019

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Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced new business hours of transit-related services during Eid Al-Adha holiday. Services affected by the holiday timing include customers’ happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro and Tram, marine transit modes, and service-provider centres (Technical Testing).

Accordingly, customers’ happiness centres will close from (9 to 12 Dhu al-Hijjah 1440H) (10-13 August 2019) and resume duty on the following day. Smart Customers Happiness Centres at Umm Al Ramool and RTA Head Office will be operating as usual 24/7.

Marine transit services during Eid Al-Adha holidays will observe the following timing: The Water Bus will operate at Marina Stations (Marina Mall, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace, Marina Promenade) from 12:00 (at noon) up to 00:00 (midnight).

The Ferry will run services from Jaddaf station to Dubai Water Canal Station at 12:40 pm, 3:30 pm, and 6:15 pm. The service from Dubai Water Canal to Jaddaf Station will be at 2:05 pm, 4:50 pm and 7:40 pm.

The Ferry service between Ghubaiba and Dubai Marina Stations will be at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. From Sheikh Zayed Road Station, the Ferry will run roundtrips from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

The newly opened Ferry line between Dubai and Sharjah will operate during Eid Al Adha as follows: From Sharjah Aquarium, the service will run from 02:00 pm to 07:00 pm. At Ghubaiba Station, the service will be at running from 03:00 pm to 08:00 pm.

Dubai Ferry News, Dubai Ferry Routes, Ferry Stations, Marine Transport

New Route Between Dubai and Sharjah

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The RTA has introduced a new ferry route between the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah.

This is the first route between 2 emirates as all other routes are within Dubai.

The ferry service will run 42 times each day and you can find full details of the service here.

Dubai Sharjah ferry
The route and timings for the new Dubai Sharjah Ferry

The service is a welcome addition to the commuters from Sharjah who often have to battle through traffic jams to get to Dubai.

There are also free shuttle buses running to the Sharjah terminal with the possibility of these expanding in the future as the demand grows for the service.

Dubai Ferry News, Dubai Ferry Routes, Marine Transport

RTA Plan to Improve Marine Transit Services on Dubai Canal

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has endorsed a three-phase 10-year plan to improve marine transport services on Dubai Water Canal 2020-2030. The plan envisages upgrading marine transit services on Dubai Water Canal to keep pace with the urban development on the two shores of the Canal.

“The initial phase covers a short-term plan 2019-2020, which already started in April. It includes modifying the current marine transport line on the Canal to link Jaddaf, Dubai Design District and Sheikh Zayed Road Stations. The revised line excludes Marasi Station and endorses the deployment of the Water Bus instead of Dubai Ferry to run the service. The Water Taxi service at these stations remains unchanged,” explained Mohammed Abu Bakr Al Hashimi, Director of Marine Transport at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

“In concurrence with these changes, abra service will be running on two new lines to commute riders between the Al Wajeha Al Maeyah, Marasi and Sheikh Zayed Road Stations. By 2020, marine transit modes will be beefed up to include two water buses on the revised line, and three abras on the new line. The plan contributes to shortening the service frequency and meeting the needs of riders on these lines.

“The second phase is a Medium-Term Plan 2025. It covers the operation of nine stations in the central sector of the Canal over and above the existing stations, which will be served by five new lines. It involves modifying the current line of the Water Bus to serve two stations, namely Dubai Creek Marina Station and Business Bay Promenade Station. One Water Bus and five abras will be added in 2025 and 2026,” explained Al Hashimi.

“The Long-Term Plan 2030 covers the addition of four stations on Dubai coastal line namely Jumeirah 2, Al Safa 2, Sheikh Zayed Road 2, and Godolphin. The proposed modes here are one waterbus and two ferries that will bring the total number of water transport modes in the network to four waterbuses and ten abras by the end of the plan.

“The improvement of water transport services on the Dubai Water Canal is linked to the projected development on the shores of this vital facility. The plan has been conceived following the assessment of the current services and the listing of marine transport assets and lines. It conforms to RTA’s strategic vision of uplifting water transport network considering it a key contributor to Dubai’s profile in offering excellent passenger and tourist transport services in the Emirate,” he added.

Dubai Ferry News, Dubai Ferry Routes, Dubai Ferry Trips

New Tourist Route – SZR Station on Dubai Water Canal

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Dubai Water Canal signThe RTA have announced that they are starting a new circular trip starting from the Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Station on Dubai Water Canal on a trial basis.

The trip will leave Sheikh Zayed Road station and travel towards Business Bay and Festival City and then enter the Creek. It will take in quite a few of the landmarks of the area including the Burj Khalifa and Al Seef so would be a really great route for tourists to take to see a lot of the city from the water. It will exit the creek and return to SZR Marine station via the sea and Dubai Water Canal Station, thus taking a circular route.

We are endeavouring to find out the duration of the trip but by the looks of the route we believe it should take at least 90 minutes to complete.

The RTA announcement is as follows:

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a new circular marine line served by Dubai Ferry starting from Sheikh Zayed Road Station. The service, which will run on a trial base, aims to explore tourist attractions and increase the marine tourism amongst visitors, citizens and residents.

“The new line is launched as a test-run on a route starting from Sheikh Zayed Road Station on Dubai Water Canal. It passes through Burj Khalifa, Festival City, Dubai Creek, Old Souq, Al Seef, Spice Souq, La Mer (Jumeirah) and back to Sheikh Zayed Road Station. The launch of this line is part of RTA’s efforts to enhance the tourist profile of these areas, which have an attractive array of captivating urban landmarks,” said Mohammed Abu Baker Al Hashimi, Director of Marine Transport at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

RTA has provided parking spaces for users of this service around Sheikh Zayed Road Station on Dubai Water Canal. The service is available on Thursday at 09:00 pm or 10:00 pm, and on Friday from 04:00 pm up to 10:00 pm every week.

The service is subject to demand and will be operated if there is a minimum of 21 adult riders. The fare is AED50 for silver class and AED75 for gold class. Children from age 2 to 10 years will have a 50% discount, and the journey will be free for those under the age of two. Interested riders can communicate with RTA Call Center (8009090) to know more about the journey.

“RTA is always keen on launching initiatives to boost beach tourism in Dubai, especially as Dubai has a long coastal line with huge tourist attractions. The launch of this line will support RTA’s strategic plans aimed at attracting more fans to marine tourism,” added Al Hashimi.

Dubai Ferry Timings, Dubai Ferry Trips, Public Holidays

Eid al Fitr Ferry Timings 2019

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The RTA has announced the timings for marine transport for the period over the Eid holiday and they are as follows:

The timing of marine transit services during the first three days of Eid Al-Fitr holiday will be as follows: The Water Bus will operate at Marina Stations (Marina Mall, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace, Marina Promenade) from 12:00 (at noon) up to 00:00 (midnight).

During the first three days of Eid Al-Fitr holiday, Dubai Ferry will be calling at Ghubaiba and Marina Stations at 11:00 am, 01:00 pm, 03:00 pm, 05:00 pm and 06:30 pm. It will call at Jaddaf Water Canal at 08:00 am, 11:50 am and 03:40 pm.

and 05:30 pm. At Dubai Marina Station it will operate (round journey) at 05:00 pm and 10:00 pm. It will operate journeys from Dubai Water Canal to Jaddaf Station at 09:55 am, 01:45 pm and 5.35 pm. At Sheikh Zayed Road Station and Al Seef Station, the Ferry will be calling at 09:55 am, 01:45 pm, and 05:35 pm. Sheikh Zayed Road Station and Al Seef will run roundtrips from 04:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

The Ferry service from Al Wajeha Al Maeyah Station to Marasi Station will be at 08:00 am, 09:15 am, 11:05 pm, 12:35 pm, 02:05 pm, 03:55 pm, 05:20 pm, 06:30 pm and 08:20 pm. From Marasi Station to Al Wajeha Al Maeyah Station, the Ferry service will be at 08:55 am, 10:25 am, 12:15 pm, 01:45 pm, 03:15 pm, 05:05 pm, 06:15 pm, 07:40 pm and 09:30 pm.

The timing of the Ferry service from Marasi Station to Sheikh Zayed Road Station will be at 08:15 am, 09:35 am, 11:25 am, 12:55 pm, 02:25 pm, 04:15 pm, 05:35 pm, 06:50 pm, and 08:40 pm. From Sheikh Zayed Road Station to Marasi Station, the Ferry service will be running at 08:35 am, 10:00 am, 11:50 am, 01:20 pm, 02:50 pm, 04:40 pm, 05:55 pm, 07:15 pm, and at 09:05 pm.

Marine Transport

Al Tayer opens smart floating marine transport station at Dubai Festival City

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an image of Al Tayer opening the floating station at Dubai Festival City

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has opened the smart floating marine transport station at Dubai Festival City; the first floating station in the UAE. The station, which accommodates more than 25 passengers, contributes to the integration of marine transit modes by linking Jadaf-Dubai Festival City line with public buses and Creek Metro Station.

Abra service will be running every 10 minutes between Dubai Festival City and Jadaf Stations daily from 07:00 am up to 00:00 am (midnight) at a fare of two dirhams.

Al Tayer toured Dubai Festival City Station which has witnessed a considerable rise in the number of visitors from 42,863 riders in 2016 to 187,000 riders in 2017. The numbers continued the upward trend in 2018 recording a 24% increase to hit 245,000 riders.

Featuring a design inspired by marine habitats, the station is in harmony with green buildings standards and is connected with a pier and shaded outdoor areas. It is also open for future expansions and relocatable as well. The building provides spaces dedicated to people of determination and top security and safety standards. It has ticket sale service facilities and waiting places overlooking Dubai Creek. The station is capable of accommodating various marine transit means comprising the ferry, water bus, water taxi, traditional abra and air-conditioned abra. Its location is in close proximity to Jadaf Marine Transport Station, Dubai Metro Creek Station, and the public bus station on the opposite side of Dubai Creek.

Full text on the RTA website.

Dubai Ferry Timings, Marine Transport, Ramadan

Marine Transport Ramadan Timings 2019

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The RTA have announced the timings for the marine transport services during Ramadan and they are as follows:

The timing of marine transit services during Ramadan will be as follows: The Water Bus will operate at Marina Stations (Marina Mall, Marina Walk, Marina Terrace, Marina Promenade) from 12:00 (at noon) up to 00:00 (midnight). On Friday from 01:00 pm to 01:00 am (of the following day). At the Dubai Water Canal, the Water Bus will operate from 09:00 am to 5:00 pm and from 9:30 pm to 12:30 am (past midnight).

Dubai Ferry will be calling at Ghubaiba and Marina Stations (interchange journeys) at 11:00 am, and 05:30 pm. At Dubai Marina Station it will operate (round journey) at 05:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

So this means that the trips between the Marina and Al Ghubaiba will change in the evening to run at 5.30pm instead of 6.30pm and the lunchtime sailing at 1pm will not run during Ramadan.

The round trip at 3pm will not run during Ramadan and there will be an extra round trip at 10pm from the Marina.

It appears from the RTA announcement that no round trips will run from Al Ghubaiba during Ramadan.

We have also been advised that the service running between the Marina and Dubai Mall will not run during Ramadan.

If you are in any doubt about whether any trips are running then you should call the RTA on 800 9090 or visit the Marine transport station from which you wish to depart and they should be able to advise you of specifics.

Ramadan 2019 in Dubai is likely to run from Sunday May 5th to Tuesday June 4th, although final dates will be confirmed nearer the time corresponding to the sighting of the moon.

Dubai Ferry News, Dubai Ferry Routes

New Route Between Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina

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Update: This route is no longer running

The RTA, in partnership with Emaar properties, has announced a new route for the ferry service that will start next week.

A new route is being introduced for the Dubai Ferry
A new route is being introduced for the Dubai Ferry

The route will run from Dubai Marina to Wajeha al Maeyah and then return back to Dubai Marina station.

There will be a shuttle service that will run from Wajeha al Maeyah to Dubai Mall and back so that ferry passengers have a direct route to Dubai Mall from the Marine transport station.

We are waiting to confirm when the route will start and whether it will operate one or twice a day. At present there is one sailing each way.

This means that if you want to take a return trip on this route and have time to visit Dubai Mall you will need to take the 3.15pm ferry from Dubai Marina and return at 5.15pm.

On the trip you will be able to see the iconic sights of Dubai including the Burj Khalifa and the Burj al Arab.

Alternatively you could just take a one way trip either from or to Dubai Mall or the Marina.

The cost of a ticket is Dh68.25 (inclusive of VAT) per adult and Dh52.50 for children from 5 to 12 years. Children under 5 travel free of charge.

Tickets can be bought at Marine Transport stations or from the Burj Khalifa. They are also be available to purchase from the Burj Khalifa website. You can also buy them from the guest services desks at Dubai Marina Mall or The Dubai Mall.

Ahmed Al Falasi, Executive Director of Group Operations at Emaar Properties, said: “The new ferry service is a remarkable addition that will add to the touristic attractions in the city. Following the promotion of Dubai Ferry to visitors and tourist groups touring At the Top, Burj Khalifa, we had seen a growing interest in using the ferry service. Now with this exclusive service for Emaar’s visitors, residents and tourist groups, they have the added convenience of touring of the city’s most popular lifestyle destinations.”

Dubai Ferry Tickets

Online Booking Available

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The RTA has been announcing for a few years on their website that online booking for the Dubai Ferry would soon be available.

This is now the case for a limited number of options but it is not booked through the RTA website, instead you can book through the website for the Burj Khalifa.

The options available are to book one of the ferry trips that runs from Dubai Marina or from Al Ghubaiba.

You can book either the round trips that run from the Marina at 3pm and 5pm, or you can book the trips that run to and from the Marina and Al Ghubaiba at 11am, 1pm and 6.30pm. These trips all cost 50 dirhams for adults in the silver class cabin.

At present there are only options to book tickets for adults and children in the silver class cabin and not the gold class. You also cannot yet book tickets to go on the ferry down the Dubai Water Canal.

You can also only book tickets up to a maximum of 30 days in advance.

For the round trips (3pm and 5pm), children under 2 go free and children aged 2-10 pay half price. For the one way trips, children 5 and under go free and 6-12 pay half price.

There is a booking fee of 5 dirhams per ticket applied to the total cost when you book online.

There is also the option to book a combined ferry and Burj Khalifa ticket online. This enables you to also get off-peak access to the viewing platform at the Burj Khalifa on the same day. (185 AED)

The link to the booking page is here.

Please note that available booking options may change.