Dubai sits alongside a natural creek that has shaped the city for centuries β and water remains one of the most practical (and atmospheric) ways to move between its districts. From AED 1 abra crossings at the Creek to air-conditioned ferries gliding past the Marina, the options span every budget.
The Abra: Dubaiβs Most Iconic Crossing
The wooden abra is the oldest form of public transport in Dubai and still one of the most useful. These open-sided motorboats carry around 20 passengers across Dubai Creek, connecting Deira on the north bank with Bur Dubai on the south.
Traditional shared abra (Creek crossing)
- Fare: AED 1 per person (cash only β exact change preferred)
- Operating hours: approximately 6am to midnight daily
- Departure points: Al Sabkha Abra Station (Deira) β Dubai Old Souk Abra Station (Bur Dubai); also Baniyas Station β Al Seef Station
- Journey time: 3β5 minutes
Boats leave whenever they fill up β you rarely wait more than a few minutes during daylight hours. There is no timetable; just join the queue at the dock.
Private charter abra
For a solo crossing or a group that does not want to share, you can hire an abra privately. Rates are approximately AED 120β200 per hour as of 2026. Negotiate directly with the captain at the dock before boarding.
Electric abras at Al Seef
The Al Seef waterfront district operates newer, quieter electric abras along the historic Creek frontage. These are a step up in comfort: covered, air-cooled, and slightly slower. Fare is AED 2 per person. The route runs along the creek promenade rather than across it β useful for exploring the heritage district at water level.
Dubai Ferry
Operated by RTA, the Dubai Ferry runs scheduled services on three main routes connecting the Creek with Dubai Marina and beyond.
Route F1 β Dubai Marina to Al Ghubaiba
| Stop | Direction |
|---|---|
| Dubai Marina Mall | Departure |
| Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) | Intermediate |
| Bluewaters Island | Intermediate |
| Al Ghubaiba Marine Station | Arrival |
- Fare: AED 50 (Economy) / AED 75 (Business Class) per trip as of 2026
- Journey time: approximately 75 minutes end to end
- Frequency: varies by day; typically 2β3 sailings per direction daily β check the RTA app or rta.ae for live schedules
Route F2 β Al Ghubaiba to Bur Dubai
A short Creek route linking Al Ghubaiba Marine Station with Bur Dubai Marine Station. Fare is AED 25 as of 2026. This is useful for avoiding traffic between the old city and the Creek-side souks.
Route F3 β Discovery Gardens
Connects the Discovery Gardens residential area with Al Ghubaiba, serving commuters. Fare approximately AED 25 as of 2026.
Booking and boarding: Tickets are available at marine station kiosks, via the RTA Dubai app, or (on some routes) on board. Business Class upper decks offer panoramic open-air viewing β worth the upgrade for the Marina-to-Creek journey.
RTA Water Bus
The RTA water bus operates fixed routes along Dubai Creek with enclosed, air-conditioned cabins. It is a practical commuter service rather than a sightseeing cruise, but the Creek views are genuine.
Key stations: Al Sabkha, Baniyas, Dubai Old Souk, Ghubaiba, Al Fahidi
- Fare: AED 4β6 per trip depending on distance; NOL card accepted
- Operating hours: approximately 7am to 11pm
- Frequency: every 20β30 minutes on main segments
The water bus is best for hopping between the creek-side heritage areas β Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the textile and spice souks β without doubling back on foot.
Marina Water Taxi
RTAβs Water Taxi is a small speedboat service connecting multiple points along the Dubai Marina and JBR waterfront.
- Fare: AED 50 per trip for most routes as of 2026
- Stations: Dubai Marina Mall, Marina Walk, JBR Beach, Bluewaters Island
- Booking: RTA app or at the marina station kiosks
The water taxi runs more frequently than the ferry and is faster β a good option for moving between the Marina Mall and JBR without walking the full promenade.
Dhow Dinner Cruises
An evening dhow cruise is a reliable Dubai experience β two hours on the Creek or Marina waterway with dinner, live entertainment, and views of the lit skyline.
Bateaux Dubai (Creek)
- Route: Departs Al Seef dock, Creek
- Duration: approximately 2 hours
- Price: from approximately AED 350 per person for a set-menu dinner cruise as of 2026
- Includes: buffet dinner, soft drinks, live entertainment (music, tanoura dance)
- Booking: direct via bateauxdubai.com or major booking platforms
Bateaux Dubai operates a purpose-built glass-sided vessel with restaurant-quality food and an international buffet. This is the premium option on the Creek.
Danat Dubai Cruises (Creek and Marina)
- Price: from approximately AED 189 per person (Creek), AED 249 per person (Marina) as of 2026
- Includes: buffet dinner, soft drinks, entertainment
- Creek departure: near Al Seef; Marina departure: near Dubai Marina Mall
Danat runs both Creek and Marina routes β good if you want a comparable experience at a lower price point.
XO Cruises (Dubai Marina)
- Price: from approximately AED 149 per person for a standard dinner cruise as of 2026
- Route: Dubai Marina circuit departing from the Marina promenade
- Includes: buffet dinner, soft drinks, and music
XO is frequently recommended as the most affordable Marina cruise option while maintaining reasonable food and service quality.
Traditional dhow operators (Budget)
Several operators along the Al Fahidi waterfront offer informal dhow trips for AED 75β120 per person including a basic dinner. Quality varies β inspect the boat and confirm what is included before paying. These are typically non-AC open-air vessels with simpler catering.
Practical Tips
Pay with cash for abras. Traditional Creek abras accept cash only β keep AED 1 coins or small notes. Electric abras at Al Seef cost AED 2; same rule applies.
Use the RTA app. The free RTA Dubai app shows live ferry schedules, water bus timings, and water taxi availability. You can buy ferry tickets in-app and skip the queue at the station.
NOL card works on water buses. If you already have an RTA NOL card for the Metro, it also works on the water bus. Ferry and dhow cruises are separate β no NOL integration.
Book dhow dinner cruises 24β48 hours ahead in peak season. October to April is high season; weekend sailings with Bateaux Dubai and Danat fill up fast. Weeknight bookings are usually available same-day.
Early morning is the calmest time on the Creek. Abra traffic is lighter before 8am β good if you want a quieter crossing and better photos without crowds.
Bring sunscreen for the Ferry. The upper Business Class deck of the Dubai Ferry is open-air. The journey from Marina to Al Ghubaiba takes over an hour, and UAE sun is strong even in winter.
Al Seef is worth the detour. The heritage waterfront at Al Seef has several abra landing points and makes a natural base for combining a creek crossing with the Al Fahidi neighbourhood and the surrounding food and cafΓ© scene.
Water transport in Dubai rewards slow travel. The AED 1 abra is genuinely one of the best-value experiences in the city β five minutes on the water gives you a perspective of the Creek that no land-based transport can match.