The E101 bus links Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai with Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, and it is the intercity route built for the “new Dubai” side of the city — Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, JLT, Al Barsha and Discovery Gardens all feed into Ibn Battuta Metro Station. The E101 bus route is short and simple, with just two intermediate stops, a journey of about 1 hour 40 minutes, and the same flat AED 25 fare as every other service in our Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus guide. Payment is by Nol card only.
Timings can change on weekends and public holidays; check the RTA journey planner before you travel.
| E101 Bus — Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Route | Ibn Battuta Bus Station (Dubai) ↔ Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station |
| Fare | AED 25 one way (Nol card only — no cash) |
| First bus | 4:30 AM in both directions (weekdays) |
| Last bus | 2:00 AM (next day) from Abu Dhabi Central |
| Frequency | Every 20–30 minutes |
| Journey time | About 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Stops | 4 stops including both terminals |
E101 Bus Route and Stops
The E101 is an express service. After leaving Ibn Battuta it runs down Sheikh Zayed Road and the E11 highway, stopping only at Samha and Shahama Village inside Abu Dhabi emirate before terminating at the Central Bus Station.
Ibn Battuta (Dubai) to Abu Dhabi Central
- Ibn Battuta Bus Station (start)
- Abu Dhabi, Samha
- Abu Dhabi, Shahama Village
- Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda) — final stop
Abu Dhabi Central to Ibn Battuta (Dubai)
- Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (start)
- Abu Dhabi, Shahama Village
- Abu Dhabi, Samha
- Ibn Battuta Bus Station — final stop
Shahama and Samha are the drop-off points for Abu Dhabi’s outer communities along the highway. If your destination is Mussafah or Zayed International Airport rather than the city centre, stay at Ibn Battuta and switch to the E102 bus, which shares this station. Coming from Bur Dubai or Deira, the E100 bus from Al Ghubaiba reaches the same Abu Dhabi Central terminal.
E101 Bus Timings
| Direction | First bus | Last bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibn Battuta → Abu Dhabi Central | 4:30 AM | Late evening, with return-direction services running to 2:00 AM | Every 20–30 min |
| Abu Dhabi Central → Ibn Battuta (Mon–Fri) | 4:30 AM | 2:00 AM (next day) | Every 20–30 min |
| Abu Dhabi Central → Ibn Battuta (Saturday) | 6:00 AM | 2:00 AM (next day) | Every 20–30 min |
| Abu Dhabi Central → Ibn Battuta (Sunday) | 6:20 AM | 2:30 AM (next day) | Every 20–30 min |
The E101 is one of the highest-frequency intercity services in the UAE: on weekdays more than 50 buses a day run in each direction, so you rarely wait longer than half an hour. The late-night departures from Abu Dhabi — running until 2:00 AM, and 2:30 AM on Sundays — make the E101 the most forgiving option if a meeting, match or flight runs late. Journey time is about 1 hour 40 minutes off-peak; allow up to 2 hours 15 minutes in the morning and evening rush.
E101 Bus Fare and Payment
The E101 fare is AED 25 one way. You must hold a Nol card with at least AED 25 of balance before boarding — the full intercity fare is deducted when you tap in, and cash or bank cards are not accepted. Buy or top up Nol cards at Ibn Battuta Metro Station, any other Metro station, or at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Note that once you arrive in Abu Dhabi, Nol cards are not accepted on the emirate’s local buses; pick up a Hafilat card at the Central Bus Station if you plan to continue by bus inside Abu Dhabi.
How to Reach Ibn Battuta Bus Station
The bus station is immediately beside Ibn Battuta Metro Station on the Red Line, in front of Ibn Battuta Mall. If you are driving, the mall car park is the easiest place to leave a car. In Abu Dhabi, the Central Bus Station stands next to Al Wahda Mall, a short taxi ride from the Corniche and the Tourist Club Area, with local bus connections across the island. For live E101 bus timings today, the S’hail app shows real-time departures from both terminals; the RTA helpline is 800 90 90.
Tips for Riding the E101
- Queues build up at Ibn Battuta on Friday evenings and Sunday evenings — arrive 20 minutes early at those times.
- Keep at least AED 25 on your Nol card; a card with a low balance will be rejected at boarding and there is no cash fallback.
- Eating and drinking are not allowed on board, and fines apply.
- Sit on the right-hand side heading to Abu Dhabi for the best Sheikh Zayed Road and Yas Island approach views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the E101 bus timings from Ibn Battuta?
Buses leave Ibn Battuta from 4:30 AM and run every 20–30 minutes through the day towards Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. In the return direction, Abu Dhabi departures start at 4:30 AM on weekdays (6:00 AM Saturday, 6:20 AM Sunday) and continue until 2:00 AM the next day.
How much is the E101 bus fare?
The E101 bus fare is a flat AED 25 one way, paid by Nol card. There are no advance tickets — you simply tap in when boarding.
How long does the E101 take to reach Abu Dhabi?
The trip takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes in normal traffic, covering roughly 93 km. Peak-hour traffic can stretch it beyond 2 hours.
Does the E101 stop at Abu Dhabi Airport?
No, the E101 runs to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station only. For Zayed International Airport (Terminal A), take the E102 bus from the same Ibn Battuta station.
Is the E101 bus running on Friday and weekends?
Yes, the E101 operates seven days a week. Weekend mornings start a little later from Abu Dhabi (6:00 AM Saturday, 6:20 AM Sunday), but the service still runs until 2:00–2:30 AM the following night.
E101 or E102 — which bus should I take?
Take the E101 for Abu Dhabi city centre: it is faster and far more frequent. Take the E102 if you need Mussafah, Shabiya or the airport. Both leave from Ibn Battuta and both cost AED 25 — our Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus comparison breaks down every route.
Related Routes
- Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus — all routes compared
- E100 Bus: Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi
- E102 Bus: Ibn Battuta to Mussafah via Abu Dhabi Airport
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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