The Sharjah to Al Ain bus is SRTA route 118, a direct intercity service between Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah and Al Ain Central Bus Station. Whether you search for the al ain to sharjah bus timing or the outbound trip, the pattern is the same: buses run daily from 3:45 AM to 11:00 PM, roughly every 45–60 minutes, and the one-way sharjah to al ain bus fare is AED 33. At around 2 hours 45 minutes for the 151 km trip, it is the only direct public transport link between the two cities — and hundreds of dirhams cheaper than a taxi.
Below you will find the full 118 timetable pattern, the stops, how to pay (Sayer card or cash), and step-by-step directions for both directions.
Quick Facts: Sharjah to Al Ain Bus (Route 118)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | 118 — Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah ↔ Al Ain Central Bus Station |
| Operator | Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) |
| First bus | 3:45 AM |
| Last bus | 11:00 PM |
| Frequency | Every 45–60 minutes |
| Fare | AED 33 one way |
| Payment | Sayer card or cash |
| Journey time | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Distance | About 151 km |
| Service days | Daily, including weekends |
Last verified: 2 November 2026. SRTA can adjust intercity schedules — confirm on the day at srta.gov.ae or by calling SRTA on 600 525252.
Sharjah to Al Ain Bus Timings: Route 118
Route 118 has one of the longest operating days of any UAE intercity bus. The first departure from Al Jubail Bus Station is at 3:45 AM — early enough for Al Ain’s morning hospital and university traffic — and buses continue until the last departure at 11:00 PM. Departures run every 45–60 minutes through the day in both directions.
| Direction | First bus | Last bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjah Al Jubail → Al Ain Central | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Every 45–60 minutes |
| Al Ain Central → Sharjah Al Jubail | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Every 45–60 minutes |
The first bus of the day reaches Al Ain Central Bus Station at about 6:30 AM. Timings are the same Monday to Sunday, although SRTA occasionally trims late-evening departures on public holidays — if you are relying on the 11:00 PM bus, verify it on the SRTA website before you set out.
A note on older information: some websites still list a 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM start and fares of AED 25–30 for this route. Those pages predate the current schedule. The timetable above and the AED 33 fare reflect the service as it operates now.
Route 118 Stops
The 118 is an intercity express with a short stop list. The stops you need to know:
- Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah — the departure point, next to Al Jubail Fish Market and the Sharjah Gold Centre area. This is Sharjah’s main intercity terminal, also used by the Sharjah to Ajman buses and the Sharjah to Fujairah bus.
- Al Wahda Street, Sharjah — the main city pickup after Al Jubail, near Al Wahda Park. Boarding here can cost slightly less than the full Al Jubail fare because the remaining journey is shorter.
- Al Ain Central Bus Station — the terminus in Al Jahili, near Al Ain Mall and Al Ain Oasis.
Between the two cities the coach runs the desert highway via the Sharjah–Kalba road corridor and the E66/E40 approaches into Al Ain, with only limited intermediate boarding. If you need an intermediate town, ask the driver or SRTA before travelling — most intermediate requests are not served by this route.
Sharjah to Al Ain Bus Fare: AED 33
The al ain to sharjah bus ticket price is AED 33 one way, whichever direction you travel. You can pay:
- Cash — paid for your ticket at the station or to the driver, the traditional way on SRTA intercity routes
- Sayer card — Sharjah’s smart card, the faster option if you also use Sharjah city buses
Your Dubai Nol card and Abu Dhabi Hafilat card are not accepted on SRTA buses. For comparison, a taxi between Sharjah and Al Ain costs around AED 300 — the 118 does the same trip for a tenth of the price.
How to Reach the Stations
Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah
Al Jubail sits in the Al Jubail district by the Sharjah creek side, a short walk from the Sharjah Fish Market and the Islamic Museum area. Sharjah city buses and the intercity services to Dubai (E303–E315 family from nearby terminals) all converge here. Arrive 15 minutes before your departure and check the 118 bay on the station board.
Al Ain Central Bus Station
The Al Ain terminus is in Al Jahili, close to Al Ain Mall and the oasis. Al Ain local buses and taxis connect it to the zoo, Hili and the university districts. Travelling on to Abu Dhabi city from here? The X90 express covers that leg — see our Abu Dhabi to Al Ain bus guide.
Step by Step: How to Take the 118 Bus
- Pick your departure — with buses every 45–60 minutes from 3:45 AM, there is almost always a bus within the hour.
- Head to Al Jubail Bus Station (or Al Ain Central in the other direction) and find the route 118 departure bay.
- Buy your ticket — AED 33 in cash, or tap/pay with a Sayer card. Keep the ticket until you get down.
- Board and ride — about 2 hours 45 minutes of desert highway. Coaches are air-conditioned; keep a light layer handy.
- Get down at the terminus and continue by local bus or taxi to your final destination.
Who Uses the 118 — and When to Travel
The 118 carries a mix you will not find on many UAE routes: Al Ain university students heading home to Sharjah for the weekend, workers commuting between the two cities, families visiting relatives, and patients travelling to Al Ain’s hospital cluster. That mix shapes the demand curve. Thursday and Friday afternoon buses towards Sharjah and Saturday/Sunday buses towards Al Ain are the fullest of the week, while the very first 3:45 AM departure — used by early-shift workers and people with morning appointments — is usually the quietest seat-guaranteed option.
The route also skirts the Omani border town of Buraimi near the end of the run, a reminder of how far inland Al Ain sits. If you are continuing towards Oman, note that the 118 is a domestic UAE service only: it does not cross the border, and onward travel to Buraimi is a separate arrangement from Al Ain city. For everyone else, the practical advice is simple — board at the terminus (Al Jubail or Al Ain Central) rather than an intermediate stop on peak days, keep small cash or a Sayer card ready, and treat the 2 hours 45 minutes as a minimum, not a promise, on holiday weekends.
Rules and Travel Tips
- The 3:45 AM bus is real — it exists for early shifts and appointments, but the station is quiet at that hour; arrive with your ticket money ready and allow time to find the bay.
- Weekend peaks: Friday afternoon departures towards Al Ain and Sunday returns towards Sharjah are the busiest of the week. Board at the terminus rather than Al Wahda Street to guarantee a seat.
- Luggage: one large bag plus hand luggage is standard on SRTA intercity coaches. Bulky items (bicycles, large boxes) are not carried.
- Food: eating on board is not permitted on Sharjah buses; carry water and use the station facilities before departure.
- Connecting to Ajman: from Al Jubail you can change straight onto the 112/114 to Ajman — handy for Al Ain to Ajman trips, which have no direct bus.
FAQs: Sharjah to Al Ain Bus
What is the al ain to sharjah bus timing?
Route 118 runs daily in both directions from 3:45 AM to 11:00 PM, departing every 45–60 minutes. The journey between Al Ain Central Bus Station and Sharjah Al Jubail takes about 2 hours 45 minutes.
How much is the Sharjah to Al Ain bus ticket?
AED 33 one way. Pay in cash or with a Sayer card. Some older websites quote AED 25–30, but AED 33 is the current fare quoted across up-to-date sources.
Which bus goes from Sharjah to Al Ain?
SRTA route 118, from Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah to Al Ain Central Bus Station. It is a direct bus — no change is needed.
How long does the 118 bus take?
About 2 hours 45 minutes for the 151 km trip, in normal traffic.
Where does the bus leave from in Sharjah?
Al Jubail Bus Station, with an additional city pickup on Al Wahda Street. Boarding at Al Jubail guarantees a seat on busy days.
Can I pay with a Nol card on the 118 bus?
No. SRTA buses take cash or the Sayer card. Nol is Dubai’s card and Hafilat is Abu Dhabi’s — neither works in Sharjah.
Does the 118 bus run on Fridays and weekends?
Yes, the service runs seven days a week with the same first and last bus times (3:45 AM and 11:00 PM), though late-evening departures can change on public holidays.
Is there a direct bus from Al Ain to Ajman?
No direct bus exists. Ride the 118 to Sharjah Al Jubail, then change to the 112 or 114 bus to Ajman — the combined fare is AED 33 + AED 6.
Related Intercity Bus Routes
- Dubai to Al Ain Bus: Timings, Fare & Routes
- Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Bus: Timings & Fare
- Sharjah to Ajman Bus: Timings & Fare
- Sharjah to Fujairah Bus: Timings & Fare
Daniyal Sheikh
Transport Editor, UAE Travel Hub
Dubai daily commuter covering the Metro, Nol cards, RTA buses and intercity routes across all seven emirates — every fare and timing checked against official RTA, ITC and SRTA sources.