Dubai’s public transport infrastructure in 2026 stands as a global benchmark for smart urban mobility. Designed for speed, comfort, and seamless connectivity, the city’s transport ecosystem—managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)—efficiently links residential districts, commercial centers, tourist landmarks, and suburban communities. RTA buses routes

Whether commuting via the fully automated Dubai Metro or relying on the expansive RTA Bus Network, residents and visitors benefit from a system engineered for reliability, accessibility, and sustainability. This guide explains how to navigate Dubai’s RTA services in 2026 with confidence.

Dubai Metro & Bus Integration (2026)

1. Red Line – The Economic & Airport Corridor

The Red Line is your primary connection for high-speed travel along Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR) and direct access to Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Key Stations & Their Bus Connectivity

• Centrepoint (Rashidiya): The eastern terminal and a massive bus hub.
  • Feeder Routes: F03 (Mirdif West), F05 (Mizhar), F06 (Rashidiya Residential), F10 (Dubai Safari Park/Al Warqa’a).
  • Intercity: 102 (Seasonal to Global Village).
• Airport Terminals 1 & 3: * Bus Stops: Directly outside arrivals. Route C01 (24/7 service) connects the airport to Satwa and Al Ghubaiba.
• Union & BurJuman (Interchange Stations): These are the only two stations where you can switch between the Red and Green lines.
  • Union Stops: F01 (Al Baraha), E303 (Sharjah Al Jubail), E400 (Ajman).
• Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall:
  • Feeder Routes: F13 (The Dubai Mall circular).
  • Urban Routes: Route 29 (recently updated to stop at the Museum of the Future).
• Sobha Realty & DMCC (Marina/JLT Hub):
  • Feeder Routes: F37 (Marina Loop), JLT1 (JLT Cluster loop).
• Expo City Dubai (2026 Direct Link):
  • Feeder Routes: F55 (Direct to Al Maktoum International Airport/DWC).

2. Green Line – The Cultural & Heritage Hub

The Green Line is the best way to explore “Old Dubai,” serving traditional markets and administrative centers.

Key Stations & Their Bus Connectivity

• Etisalat by e& (Al Qusais): The terminal station with a massive park-and-ride.
  • Feeder Routes: F02 (Al Muhaisnah 4), F07 (Al Qusais DM Housing).
  • Intercity: E315 (Sharjah Muwailah), E411 (Ajman).
• Stadium (Al Nahda Area):
  • Feeder Routes: F22 (Qusais Industrial), F23 & F23A (Al Nahda 1 & 2), F24 (Qusais Industrial 3).
• Gold Souq: A critical station for traditional trading hubs.
  • Bus Station Hub: Route 8 (Jumeirah/Ibn Battuta), Route 27 (Dubai Mall), Route 91A (Jebel Ali Express).
• Al Ghubaiba (The Multi-Modal Hub):
  • Intercity Bus Hub: E100 (Abu Dhabi), E201 (Al Ain), X92 (Dubai Investment Park).
  • Urban Routes: Route 12 (Al Quoz), Route 15 (Al Khail Gate), Route 21A/21B (Al Quoz Industrial).
• Dubai Healthcare City:
  • Feeder Routes: F18 (Oud Metha/Lamcy Plaza loop), Route 6 (serves Dubai People of Determination Center and Mayo Clinic).

2026 New & Upgraded Bus Routes

As of January 2026, the RTA has implemented several “peak support” routes to ease Metro congestion:

• Route 88A & 88B: Direct morning/evening peak support between Al Satwa and Jumeirah 3.
• Route 93A & 93B: Peak support between Al Satwa and Al Wasl.
• Route X91 (Express): A new high-speed link from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station directly to Jebel Ali, bypassing the Business Bay traffic.

3. Blue Line – The Future of Connectivity

As of early 2026, the Blue Line project has reached a 30% completion milestone. While full operations are slated for 2029, its impact is already being felt through transit-oriented developments along its path.

• Planned Vision: A 30 km route with 14 stations linking the Red and Green Lines.
• Key Hubs: It will serve high-density areas such as Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City, and Mirdif.
• Iconic Landmark: The line will feature the world’s tallest metro station at Dubai Creek Harbour, standing 74 meters high.

🚌 RTA Bus Network: Reach & Integration

In January 2026, the RTA launched four new peak-hour routes (88A, 88B, 93A, and 93B) and upgraded over 70 existing lines to improve reliability.

Major Bus Station Hubs

• Al Ghubaiba Bus Station: The main hub for intercity travel to Abu Dhabi (E100) and Al Ain (E201).
• Al Jafiliya Bus Station: Recently relocated from the Max Metro stop to provide a more spacious, high-tech interchange.
• Union Square & BurJuman: Critical interchange stations linking Metro lines with multiple bus routes.

Smart Mobility & Autonomous Taxis

2026 marks the commercial launch of autonomous taxis in Dubai. Through partnerships with global leaders like Cruise and Baidu, these self-driving vehicles are now operating in select areas like Jumeirah 1, marking a decisive step toward Dubai’s goal of 25% autonomous trips by 2030.

Nol Card System: Fares & Types

All RTA services require a Nol Card; cash is not accepted on buses or the metro.

Nol Card Types (2026)

2026 Fare Structure

• 1 Zone: AED 3.00
• 2 Adjacent Zones: AED 5.00
• More than 2 Zones: AED 7.50

To save even more on your daily commute, the RTA offers Nol Travel Pass packages. These allow for unlimited travel within your chosen zones for a fixed price, which is ideal if you commute at least 20 days a month.

📅 Nol Monthly & Subscription Packages (2026 Prices)

The 30-day pass is the most popular option for residents. Prices depend on the number of zones you choose and your card type.