Ibn Battuta Bus Station is the main bus hub of Dubai’s Jebel Ali side, sitting directly beside Ibn Battuta Metro Station on Sheikh Zayed Road, in front of Ibn Battuta Mall. RTA classifies it as a feeder bus station, but it does far more than feed the Metro: this is where the “new Dubai” side of the city — Jebel Ali, Discovery Gardens, The Gardens, Dubai Investments Park and the Dubai South corridor — catches intercity coaches to Abu Dhabi, an SRTA bus to Sharjah, and the airport shuttle to Zayed International Airport.
This guide covers the station itself: which bus leaves from here for which destination, how the Metro interchange works, where to buy and top up a Nol card, and the practical details — parking, taxis and the one payment trap (the Sharjah bus does not take Nol) that catches people out. Full timetables for the Abu Dhabi routes live in our E101 bus and E102 bus guides; here we keep timings to the summaries you need to pick the right bay.
| Ibn Battuta Bus Station — Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | Beside Ibn Battuta Metro Station, Sheikh Zayed Road, in front of Ibn Battuta Mall (Jebel Ali side of Dubai) |
| Nearest Metro | Ibn Battuta Metro Station — Red Line (station R39, fare Zone 2), directly connected to the bus station |
| Station type | RTA feeder bus station and intercity stop, with numbered, signposted departure stands |
| Intercity routes | E101 to Abu Dhabi Central · E102 via Zayed International Airport to Mussafah Shabiya · SRTA 308 to Sharjah (Al Rolla) · Airport Express shuttle to Zayed International Airport |
| City & feeder routes | 8 (Gold Souq), F43 (Discovery Gardens), F44 (Energy Metro / Jebel Ali Gardens), F46 (Dubai Investment Park 2), F55 (Al Maktoum International Airport), DPR1 (Dubai Parks and Resorts) |
| Payment | Nol card on all RTA buses — no cash. The SRTA 308 to Sharjah does NOT take Nol (cash or Sayer card). The Airport Express uses its own ticket |
| First intercity bus | E101 to Abu Dhabi from 4:30 AM; E102 from 6:20 AM (check S’hail for the live board on the day) |
Routes from Ibn Battuta Bus Station
E101 and E102: the Abu Dhabi buses
Two RTA intercity routes serve Abu Dhabi from Ibn Battuta, and choosing between them is simply a question of which part of Abu Dhabi you need. The E101 bus runs to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (Al Wahda) — the city-centre terminal. It is the station’s busiest service: first bus 4:30 AM, departures every 20–30 minutes, a flat AED 25 Nol fare, and a journey of about 1 hour 40 minutes, with return buses from Abu Dhabi running until 2:00 AM. If you are heading for the Corniche, Al Wahda, Khalidiya or anywhere on Abu Dhabi island, this is your bus.
The E102 bus starts at Al Jafiliya, calls at Ibn Battuta, then runs to Zayed International Airport — Terminal A before continuing to Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station. It is hourly — departures from Ibn Battuta run 6:20 AM to 11:20 PM — and also costs AED 25 by Nol. Take it for flights from Terminal A, or for Mussafah, Shabiya and Mohammed Bin Zayed City. Our Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus comparison sets both routes side by side with the E100 from Al Ghubaiba.
The Sharjah bus: SRTA route 308
Yes — there is a direct bus from Ibn Battuta to Sharjah, but it is easy to miss because it is not an RTA service. Route 308 is operated by Sharjah’s SRTA (Mowasalat) and runs between Al Rolla Terminal in Sharjah and Jebel Ali (Parco), calling at Ibn Battuta Bus Station on the way. It exists mainly for Jebel Ali and JAFZA-side workers, and it is the station’s only direct Sharjah link — there is no RTA E-series bus from Ibn Battuta to Sharjah.
Three things to know before you rely on it. First, Nol cards are not accepted — the fare, commonly listed at AED 15, is paid in cash or with Sharjah’s Sayer card. Second, SRTA publishes this route far less consistently than RTA publishes its own services: listings generally show a daytime service (around 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM) with buses every 30–60 minutes, but you should confirm the day’s departures with SRTA (600 525252) or at the station before travelling. Third, do not confuse it with RTA’s E308, a completely different Dubai–Sharjah route that runs from Stadium Bus Station to Al Jubail. If the 308’s timing does not suit you, the reliable alternative is the Red Line to Union Square or Al Ghubaiba and an E-series bus from there — all options are compared in our Dubai to Sharjah bus guide.
Airport Express: the Zayed Airport shuttle
Separate from the RTA network, a dedicated Airport Express coach runs non-stop between Ibn Battuta Bus Station and Zayed International Airport. The airport publishes departures every hour, on the hour, around the clock in both directions, with a scheduled journey of about 90 minutes. Tickets are sold separately from Nol — the fare is commonly listed at AED 35; book on the airport’s official website (zayedinternationalairport.ae, Transport → Airport Shuttle) or buy at the counter, and confirm the current fare when booking. For most flight passengers the E102 (AED 25, hourly until 11:20 PM) is the cheaper option; the Airport Express earns its premium with its 24-hour pattern.
City and feeder buses
Between the intercity coaches, the station works as the local hub for the whole Jebel Ali side. The RTA routes using Ibn Battuta are:
| Route | Goes to | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Gold Souq Bus Station (via Al Wasl and Jumeirah) | The long cross-city route into old Dubai |
| F43 | Discovery Gardens | The main residential feeder — Discovery Gardens and The Gardens |
| F44 | Energy Metro Station via Jebel Ali Gardens | Jebel Ali Gardens and the next Red Line station south |
| F46 | Dubai Investment Park 2 (DIP 2) | DIP’s residential and industrial zones |
| F55 | Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) | Dubai South’s airport; F55A from Satwa also calls at Ibn Battuta on the same run |
| DPR1 | Dubai Parks and Resorts | MOTIONGATE, LEGOLAND and Riverland day trips |
All of these are standard RTA city buses: pay by tapping your Nol card in and out, at normal Dubai city fares. Between the feeders, the Metro and the intercity bays, almost every trip on the Jebel Ali side starts or ends at this one interchange.
How to Reach Ibn Battuta Bus Station
By Metro: this is the way most people arrive. Ibn Battuta Metro Station is on the Red Line, one stop from the Jebel Ali interchange where the Route 2020 branch splits off towards Expo. The bus station is directly beside the Metro station — follow the signs for buses as you exit, and you are at the departure stands within a couple of minutes, without crossing a road. Coming from Discovery Gardens, The Gardens or JAFZA, the feeder buses above do the same job in reverse.
By taxi: there is a taxi stand at the station (ask for “Ibn Battuta Bus Station” or the Metro station — drivers know both). Taxis are the practical fallback for the SRTA 308’s less predictable timetable and for late-night arrivals after the feeders thin out.
By car: the station sits on Sheikh Zayed Road by the Ibn Battuta Mall junction. There is no large dedicated park-and-ride at the bus station itself; the practical option is the Ibn Battuta Mall car parks immediately next door, which is what most drivers use before catching the E101. Allow extra time on weekend afternoons, when the mall car parks fill up.
Facilities and Tickets
The station is an open-air RTA interchange organised into numbered departure stands, each signed by route and destination — intercity coaches, the Sharjah 308 and the feeders use different stands, so check the number on the sign (or on the S’hail app) rather than joining the first queue you see. The E101 queue in particular can look similar to the E102 queue at busy times; confirm the destination board on the bus before boarding.
For tickets, everything runs through the Metro station. Nol cards are sold and topped up at Ibn Battuta Metro Station — ticket office and vending machines — and you need at least AED 25 of balance before boarding an intercity bus, as the full fare is deducted when you tap in and there is no cash fallback on RTA buses. The two exceptions at this station are the SRTA 308 (cash or Sayer card on board) and the Airport Express (its own ticket, bought online or at the counter).
Everything else a traveller needs is in Ibn Battuta Mall, a minute’s walk away: food court and cafés for the wait, toilets, shops and air-conditioned seating. That mall connection is this station’s biggest comfort advantage over most Dubai bus stations — if your bus is 40 minutes away, you wait in the mall, not on the kerb. RTA’s helpline is 800 90 90, and live departures for every RTA route at the station are in the S’hail app.
Tips for Using Ibn Battuta Bus Station
- Pick the right Abu Dhabi bus: E101 for Abu Dhabi city centre (frequent, from 4:30 AM), E102 for the airport and Mussafah (hourly, 6:20 AM–11:20 PM). Both cost AED 25 — the price is the same, the destination is not.
- The E102 is hourly — treat it like a train. Miss it and you wait a full hour. Be at the stand 15 minutes early, especially with a flight to catch.
- Carry cash for the Sharjah 308. It is an SRTA bus: Nol will not work. Keep small notes ready, and confirm the departure with SRTA (600 525252) before you set out.
- Friday and Sunday evenings are the crush. E101 queues build at Ibn Battuta at the weekend edges — arrive 20 minutes early at those times.
- Top up before you queue. A Nol card under AED 25 is rejected at the E101/E102 reader and there is no way to pay on board; top up at the Metro station first.
- Use the mall. Food, toilets, seating and air-conditioning are all next door — time your mall stop to your departure board rather than waiting at the stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bus goes to Abu Dhabi from Ibn Battuta Bus Station?
Two buses: the E101 to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station (city centre), running every 20–30 minutes from 4:30 AM, and the E102 to Mussafah Shabiya via Zayed International Airport, running hourly from 6:20 AM to 11:20 PM. Both charge a flat AED 25 by Nol card.
E101 or E102 — which one do I need?
Take the E101 if you are going to Abu Dhabi city centre — it is faster and far more frequent. Take the E102 if you need Zayed International Airport (Terminal A) or the Mussafah and Shabiya districts. The full comparison is in our Dubai to Abu Dhabi bus guide.
Is there a bus from Ibn Battuta to Sharjah?
Yes — SRTA route 308 runs between Al Rolla Terminal in Sharjah and Jebel Ali (Parco), calling at Ibn Battuta Bus Station. It is a Sharjah-operated bus, so Nol cards are not accepted; the fare is commonly listed at AED 15 in cash or by Sayer card. Timings are less consistently published than RTA’s, so confirm with SRTA on 600 525252. There is no RTA bus from Ibn Battuta to Sharjah — the alternative is the Metro to Union Square or Al Ghubaiba for the E-series buses in our Dubai to Sharjah bus guide.
What is the nearest Metro station to Ibn Battuta Bus Station?
Ibn Battuta Metro Station on the Red Line — the bus station is directly beside it, so the interchange is a short signed walk of a couple of minutes. The station is R39 on the Red Line, in fare Zone 2.
Can I buy a Nol card at Ibn Battuta Bus Station?
Yes — Nol cards are sold and topped up at Ibn Battuta Metro Station next door, at the ticket office and from vending machines. You need one before boarding any RTA bus here, with at least AED 25 of balance for the intercity routes.
How do I get to Abu Dhabi Airport (Zayed International) from Ibn Battuta?
Two options: the RTA E102 bus calls at Terminal A on its way to Mussafah (AED 25 by Nol, hourly, 6:20 AM–11:20 PM), and the separate Airport Express coach runs non-stop to the airport every hour around the clock on its own ticket (commonly listed at AED 35 — book on the airport’s website). Allow at least 2 hours between the bus’s scheduled airport arrival and your check-in deadline.
Is there parking at Ibn Battuta Bus Station?
There is no large dedicated car park at the bus station itself. Drivers use the Ibn Battuta Mall car parks right next door and walk across to the stands — allow extra time on weekend afternoons when the mall is at its busiest.
What time is the first bus from Ibn Battuta Bus Station?
The first intercity departure is the E101 to Abu Dhabi at 4:30 AM. The E102 starts at 6:20 AM, and the Airport Express shuttle runs hourly through the night. Feeder buses broadly follow Metro hours — check the S’hail app for the first departure on your exact route and day.
Related Routes
- E101 Bus: Ibn Battuta to Abu Dhabi Central
- E102 Bus: Ibn Battuta to Mussafah via Abu Dhabi Airport
- Dubai to Abu Dhabi Bus — all routes compared
- Dubai to Sharjah Bus — all routes compared
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.