The E100 bus at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai, ready to depart for Abu Dhabi

E100 Bus: Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi — Timings, Stops & Fare AED 25

The E100 bus is the original Dubai to Abu Dhabi intercity service, running from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda). It is part of the full Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus network alongside the E101 and E102, and it is the best option if you are starting from old Dubai, Deira or Bur Dubai. The E100 bus timings start before dawn and run past midnight, the fare is a flat AED 25, and payment is by Nol card only.

Timings can change on weekends and public holidays; check the RTA journey planner before you travel.

The E100 bus at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai, ready to depart for Abu Dhabi
Old Dubai start: the E100 bus leaves Al Ghubaiba all day.
E100 Bus — Quick Facts
RouteAl Ghubaiba Bus Station (Dubai) ↔ Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
FareAED 25 one way (Nol card only — no cash)
First bus4:20 AM from Al Ghubaiba · 4:30 AM from Abu Dhabi Central
Last bus11:50 PM (weekdays) · 12:20 AM (weekends)
FrequencyEvery 20–30 minutes
Journey timeAbout 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
OperatorRTA Dubai with Abu Dhabi transport authorities

E100 Bus Route and Stops

The E100 is a limited-stop express. Leaving Dubai, the bus runs non-stop out of the city and only begins calling at stops once it reaches Abu Dhabi emirate. Coming back towards Dubai, it makes two additional city stops before Al Ghubaiba.

Al Ghubaiba (Dubai) to Abu Dhabi Central

  1. Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (start)
  2. Abu Dhabi, Samha
  3. Abu Dhabi, Shahama Village
  4. Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda) — final stop

Abu Dhabi Central to Al Ghubaiba (Dubai)

  1. Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (start)
  2. Abu Dhabi, Shahama Bus Station
  3. Abu Dhabi, Samha 2
  4. Max Metro Bus Stop Landside (Dubai)
  5. Department of Ports & Customs 2 (Dubai)
  6. Al Ghubaiba Bus Station 9 — final stop

The Max Metro Bus Stop Landside drop is handy if you are heading towards Satwa or Sheikh Zayed Road, while Al Ghubaiba itself connects directly to the Green Line Metro. If you are starting from the Jebel Ali or Marina side of Dubai instead, the E101 bus from Ibn Battuta follows the same AED 25 fare with a shorter run into Abu Dhabi Central.

Passengers arriving on the E100 bus at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
Journey’s end: the E100 bus arrives at Abu Dhabi Central.

E100 Bus Timings

DirectionFirst busLast bus (Mon–Fri)Last bus (Sat–Sun)Frequency
Al Ghubaiba → Abu Dhabi Central4:20 AM11:50 PM12:20 AMEvery 20–30 min
Abu Dhabi Central → Al Ghubaiba4:30 AM11:50 PM12:20 AMEvery 20–30 min

Departures are at their most frequent in the morning and evening peaks, when a bus leaves roughly every 20 minutes. The scheduled run is about 2 hours 5 minutes — the first bus out of Al Ghubaiba at 4:20 AM reaches Abu Dhabi Central at around 6:27 AM — but allow 2 hours 30 minutes at peak times when Sheikh Zayed Road and the Abu Dhabi approach roads slow down. There is no need to book: seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the station, so arrive 10–15 minutes before the departure you want during rush hour.

The E100 bus on Sheikh Zayed Road on its way from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Highway miles: the E100 bus on Sheikh Zayed Road.

E100 Bus Fare and Payment

The E100 fare is a flat AED 25, the same as every Dubai–Abu Dhabi intercity route. The full fare is deducted from your Nol card when you check in at boarding, so make sure the card carries at least AED 25 before you join the queue. Cash and bank cards are not accepted on board. Nol cards can be bought and topped up at Al Ghubaiba station, any Dubai Metro station, and at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Remember that Nol does not work on Abu Dhabi’s local city buses — you will need a Hafilat card for onward travel inside Abu Dhabi.

How to Reach Al Ghubaiba Bus Station

Al Ghubaiba Bus Station sits in Bur Dubai, directly beside Al Ghubaiba Metro Station on the Green Line — simply follow the signs from the Metro exit. Sharaf DG Metro Station (also Green Line) is a short walk away. Dozens of RTA city buses serve the station, and there is a taxi rank outside. In Abu Dhabi, the Central Bus Station is next to Al Wahda Mall; from there, local buses and taxis cover the Corniche, Tourist Club Area and the rest of the city. For Mussafah or Zayed International Airport instead of the city centre, take the E102 bus from Ibn Battuta.

Tips for Riding the E100

  • Tap your Nol card as you board and keep it handy — inspectors do check intercity buses.
  • Eating and drinking on board are prohibited and can be fined; finish snacks at the station.
  • Large bags go in the luggage hold under the bus — keep valuables and documents in the cabin with you.
  • Friday and public-holiday schedules can differ slightly; verify the day’s departures in the S’hail app.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a top sight after arriving in Abu Dhabi on the E100 bus
Worth the ride: the Grand Mosque after your E100 bus trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the E100 bus timings today?

The E100 runs daily from 4:20 AM to 11:50 PM on weekdays, with weekend services extended to 12:20 AM. Buses leave every 20–30 minutes in both directions, so the pattern is the same today as on any other operating day unless a public-holiday schedule applies.

How much is the E100 bus fare?

The fare is a flat AED 25 one way between Al Ghubaiba and Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, paid by Nol card. The full amount is charged when you tap in at boarding.

How long does the E100 take from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

The scheduled journey time is about 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. In heavy peak traffic the trip can take up to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Does the E100 stop at Abu Dhabi Airport?

No. The E100 runs to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and does not serve Zayed International Airport. For the airport, use the E102 bus, which stops at Terminal A.

Can I pay cash on the E100 bus?

No. Payment is by Nol card only. Buy or top up a card at Al Ghubaiba or any Metro station before boarding, and keep at least AED 25 of balance for the intercity fare.

What is the difference between E100, E101 and E102?

All three cost AED 25. The E100 serves old Dubai from Al Ghubaiba, the E101 serves new Dubai from Ibn Battuta — both end at Abu Dhabi Central — while the E102 continues to Mussafah Shabiya via the airport. Our Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus guide compares all three in one place.

Related Routes

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.

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