Mall of Emirates Bus Station is the RTA bus and Metro feeder interchange for Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha 1, Dubai. The station sits at ground level beside the mall on Sheikh Zayed Road, directly under and around Mall of the Emirates Metro station on the Red Line, and it is the home base for the feeder buses that carry Al Barsha, The Greens, Sports City and the inland villa communities to and from the Metro — as well as shoppers heading for the mall and Ski Dubai.
Unlike the older termini in Bur Dubai and Deira, this station exists because of the Metro: RTA classifies it as a feeder bus station, and most of its routes are short neighbourhood loops timed to meet Red Line trains. This guide covers every route that terminates at the station, the city and express services that call here, the seasonal buses for Miracle Garden and Global Village, the timings picture and the practical details — Nol payment, numbered stands and the direct link into the mall.
Mall of Emirates Bus Station Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Barsha 1, Dubai — beside Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), at Mall of the Emirates Metro station |
| Operator | RTA Dubai (Roads and Transport Authority) — a Metro feeder bus station |
| Main routes | 81 (Dubai Mall), 93 (Al Ghubaiba – The Greens), X92 express (Dubai Investment Park), feeders F30, F32, F33, F35, F36, F37 and J01 |
| Seasonal routes | 105 to Miracle Garden and 106 to Global Village — both run only while those attractions are open |
| Intercity routes | None — no buses to other emirates leave from here; ride the 93 to Al Ghubaiba for the E100, E201 and E306 |
| Metro | Mall of the Emirates (Red Line, Zone 2) — the station is part of the same interchange, with a direct link into the mall |
| Payment | Nol card only — tap in when you board, tap out when you leave. No cash on any RTA bus |
| Station style | Open feeder terminus — RTA listings show numbered station stops 1 to 8, plus Metro bus stops on the mall side |
| Service hours | Feeders run from before 5:00 AM to around midnight or later; exact first and last buses differ by route |
Routes from Mall of Emirates Bus Station
City Routes: Dubai Mall and Al Ghubaiba
Two numbered routes tie the station to the older parts of the city. The 81 terminates here and runs to The Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai — the direct bus between Dubai’s two biggest malls, and the one most visitors use. The 93 runs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to The Greens Terminus and calls at the station on the way, giving Al Barsha a direct line to Bur Dubai without a Metro change. From Al Ghubaiba you can connect to the Green Line Metro and the E100, E201 and E306 intercity buses. The X92 express between Al Ghubaiba and Dubai Investment Park also calls at the station stops — a faster Bur Dubai option at the times it operates.
Feeder Routes: Al Barsha and the Inland Communities
The station’s real work is the feeder network — seven routes fanning out from the Metro into districts with no station of their own. The F33 is the Al Barsha loop, circling Al Barsha and Al Barsha South to Al Barsha 3. The F30 runs via Dubai Production City (IMPZ) to Dubai Studio City, the F32 heads inland to The Sustainable City, the F36 serves Arjan, and the F37 runs via Motor City to Sports City. The F35 covers The Greens and the Barsha Heights side, and the J01 links the station with Jumeirah Village Circle. If you live in any of these communities, one of these buses is almost certainly your Metro connection.
Seasonal Routes: Miracle Garden and Global Village
Twice a year the station gains two extra routes. The 105 runs to Dubai Miracle Garden while the garden is in season, roughly October to May. The 106 runs to Global Village during its season — mid-October to May — departing roughly every 60 minutes in the current season, with a flat seasonal fare rather than the standard zone fare; check the current fare and times in S’hail before you travel — both routes disappear once the attractions close for summer.
| Route | Destination | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | The Dubai Mall | The direct mall-to-mall link to Downtown Dubai |
| 93 | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station – The Greens | Bur Dubai and the Creek one way, The Greens the other |
| X92 | Al Ghubaiba – Dubai Investment Park | Express call between Bur Dubai and DIP |
| F30 | Dubai Studio City | Via Dubai Production City (IMPZ) |
| F32 | The Sustainable City | The inland villa communities |
| F33 | Al Barsha 3 | The Al Barsha and Al Barsha South loop |
| F35 | The Greens | The Greens and Barsha Heights |
| F36 | Arjan | Arjan and the Al Barsha South side |
| F37 | Sports City | Via Motor City |
| J01 | Jumeirah Village Circle | The JVC community link |
| 105 | Miracle Garden | Seasonal — runs while the garden is open |
| 106 | Global Village | Seasonal — roughly hourly during the season |
One more route serves the Metro bus stops by the station without terminating here. The 84 runs from Al Khail Gate in Al Quoz to Jumeirah Beach Residence and calls at the stops on the mall side — the direct bus link between this interchange and the Al Quoz side of the city.
Mall of Emirates Bus Station Timings
There is no single station timetable — every route keeps its own schedule — but the pattern follows the Metro. The feeders start early: RTA feed listings show the F33 on the road from around 4:11 AM, most routes are running by 5:00 AM, and services are busiest in the morning and evening peaks when the trains are fullest. Most last departures leave around midnight; the J01 runs latest, serving the station until about 1:54 AM in feed listings. Friday and public-holiday patterns differ, and timings shift during Ramadan. For live departures, check RTA‘s S’hail app on the day rather than relying on any printed list — including this one.
How to Reach Mall of Emirates Bus Station
By Metro: Mall of the Emirates Station, Red Line
The bus station is part of the Mall of the Emirates Metro interchange, so the Metro is the natural way in. Mall of the Emirates station is on the Red Line in Zone 2, between Equiti and InsuranceMarket stations, and it has carried the mall’s name since the line opened in 2009 — Majid Al Futtaim holds the naming rights. Follow the signs inside for the bus station and ground-level exits; the mall is linked directly to the station, so you can step off a train and be inside Mall of the Emirates — and at the entrance to Ski Dubai — without going outside.
By Bus
Any of the routes in the table above will bring you to the station itself. From Downtown Dubai, ride the 81 from The Dubai Mall; from Bur Dubai, ride the 93 or the X92 express from Al Ghubaiba; from Al Quoz, take the 84 to the Metro bus stops. The feeders all finish here too — F30 from Dubai Studio City, F32 from The Sustainable City, F36 from Arjan, F37 from Sports City and J01 from Jumeirah Village Circle.
By Taxi or Car
Taxis know the station as “Mall of Emirates Bus Station” — say Al Barsha 1, Mall of the Emirates, if the driver needs a landmark. By car, the approaches are the Mall of the Emirates exits from Sheikh Zayed Road and the Al Barsha street network, and the mall’s multi-storey car parks serve the interchange. Two warnings: Sheikh Zayed Road and the mall entrances crawl at the evening peak and on weekend afternoons, and the roads around the station are at their worst during the December sales season.
Facilities and Tickets
This is a working feeder terminus rather than a terminal building: buses depart from numbered stands (RTA listings show the station’s stops numbered 1 to 8), with shelters, seating and route information at the stands. Check your route’s stand and live departure time in the S’hail app before you arrive, especially at peak times when several feeders load at once. Everything else a traveller needs — toilets, cafés and seating in the air conditioning — is a few steps away inside Mall of the Emirates itself.
Payment is by Nol card only on every bus from the station, at RTA’s standard Dubai zone fares — AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two zones and AED 7.50 across three or more, deducted when you tap out. The 81 to Downtown and the 93 towards Bur Dubai both cross fare zones, so a low balance is the most common problem here. Unlike the open local termini, though, topping up is easy: the Metro station in the same interchange has a ticket office and machines, or top up online or in the Nol Pay app.
Who Uses Mall of Emirates Bus Station
Two very different crowds share this station. The first is the commuter crowd: Al Barsha’s residents and workers, plus everyone in the inland communities — The Greens, Sports City, Motor City, Arjan, JVC, Dubai Studio City and The Sustainable City — whose daily journey starts with a feeder bus to this Metro platform. The second crowd is the mall crowd: shoppers, Ski Dubai visitors and tourists using the 81 from Downtown or changing from train to bus. Travel outside the peaks and the same buses are quiet and easy; arrive with the after-work trains on a Friday evening and every stand has a queue.
Travel Tips for Mall of Emirates Bus Station
- Check your stand, not just your route: With a dozen routes loading from numbered stands and the Metro bus stops, confirm your stand in S’hail and be there a few minutes early.
- Use the mall as your waiting room: The terminus is open-air, but the Metro station and Mall of the Emirates are directly linked — in summer, wait inside and come down to the stand a few minutes before your bus.
- Top up at the Metro station: The 81 and 93 cross fare zones, so arrive with enough balance for the full fare plus your onward ride. The ticket office and machines in the Metro station are the reliable top-up point — do not rely on finding one at the stands.
- Seasonal buses really are seasonal: The 105 to Miracle Garden and the 106 to Global Village only run while those attractions are open, roughly October to May. Outside the season there is no direct bus — plan a Metro-plus-taxi journey instead.
- Know your feeder: The F30, F32, F36 and F37 all head inland but to different communities — Studio City, Sustainable City, Arjan and Sports City. Check the destination board before you board; at peak times it is easy to step onto the wrong bus.
- No intercity buses here: Some websites list Abu Dhabi and Sharjah buses from Mall of the Emirates — they are wrong. For other emirates, ride the 93 to Al Ghubaiba (E100 to Abu Dhabi, E306 to Sharjah) or take the Red Line towards Union Square for the other Sharjah routes.
Related Stations and Routes
- Al Ghubaiba Bus Station — routes 93 & X92 from Mall of Emirates and the intercity connections
- Al Quoz Bus Station — route 84 calls at the Metro bus stops on its way to JBR
- Union Bus Station — Deira’s main interchange for the Metro and Sharjah buses
Where is Mall of Emirates Bus Station located?
In Al Barsha 1, at ground level beside Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Road, as part of the Mall of the Emirates Metro station interchange. It is RTA’s feeder terminus for Al Barsha and the inland communities — the Metro station, the bus stands and the mall entrance are all in one complex.
What is the nearest Metro station to Mall of Emirates Bus Station?
Its own. Mall of the Emirates station, on the Red Line in Zone 2, sits directly above and beside the bus stands, and a link bridge connects the station into the mall itself. From the platforms, follow the bus station signs down to the ground-level stands.
Which bus goes from Mall of Emirates to Dubai Mall?
The 81. It terminates at Mall of Emirates Bus Station and runs to The Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai — a direct mall-to-mall service with no change needed.
How do I get from Mall of Emirates to Global Village by bus?
Take the 106 from the station — but only in season. RTA’s dedicated Global Village service runs from Mall of Emirates Bus Station roughly every 60 minutes while Global Village is open, from mid-October to May, at a flat seasonal fare. Outside the season the 106 does not run.
Is there a bus from Mall of Emirates to Miracle Garden?
Yes, in season. The 105 runs from the station to Dubai Miracle Garden while the garden is open, roughly October to May. When the garden closes for summer, the route stops — check the S’hail app for the season’s dates and times.
Can I buy or top up a Nol card at Mall of Emirates Bus Station?
Yes — at the Metro station in the same interchange, which has a ticket office and machines, rather than at the bus stands themselves. You can also top up online or in the Nol Pay app. Every bus from the station is Nol only; cash is never accepted.
What time is the first and last bus from Mall of Emirates Bus Station?
It depends on the route. The feeders start before 5:00 AM — feed listings show the F33 running from around 4:11 AM — and most last departures leave around midnight, with the J01 running latest, until about 1:54 AM. Check live departures for your exact route in the S’hail app on the day.
Is there a bus from Mall of Emirates to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?
No. No intercity buses leave from Mall of Emirates Bus Station, whatever some websites claim. Ride the 93 to Al Ghubaiba for the E100 to Abu Dhabi and the E306 to Sharjah, or take the Red Line to Union Square for the other Sharjah 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.