Sharjah International Airport (IATA: SHJ) sits about 14 km from Sharjah city centre and roughly 25 km from central Dubai. It handles a significant volume of budget flights - particularly Air Arabia, which uses SHJ as its main hub - so many travellers to the wider UAE land here rather than at Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH). Getting out is straightforward once you know the options.
Taxis from Sharjah Airport
Licensed taxis queue directly outside the arrivals hall exit. Fares are metered and regulated by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA). Expect:
- Sharjah city centre (Al Majaz, Rolla Square area): AED 30–50, around 20–30 minutes
- Dubai Marina / JBR: AED 100–140, around 45–70 minutes in light traffic - significantly more during rush hour
- Dubai Downtown / Bur Dubai: AED 80–120, around 35–60 minutes
- Dubai Airport (DXB): AED 70–100, around 30–50 minutes
- Abu Dhabi city: AED 200–260, roughly 90–120 minutes
Flagfall is approximately AED 12.50. The meter runs from the moment the taxi leaves the rank. There is no airport surcharge as such, but night rates (10pm–6am) are slightly higher. Drivers accept cash; card payment is available in most Sharjah taxis but not universal - carry dirhams as a backup.
Ride-Hailing: Careem and Uber
Both Careem and Uber operate at Sharjah Airport. The pickup point is the arrivals forecourt - the same area as the taxi rank. Estimated wait times are typically 5–10 minutes.
Careem is the dominant ride-hailing platform in Sharjah and generally has more drivers available than Uber in this area. For trips into Sharjah city, prices are broadly similar to a metered taxi. For longer journeys to Dubai, prices can be slightly lower during off-peak hours, though surge pricing applies during peak travel times (early morning and late evening when Air Arabia flights arrive in bulk).
Set your pickup pin precisely to the SHJ arrivals area rather than the airport’s general location - this prevents the app from routing the driver to the departures level.
Bus Options
Sharjah’s public bus network does not serve the airport directly. The nearest main bus terminus is Al Jubail Bus Station, approximately 4 km from the arrivals exit. Take a short taxi ride (around AED 20) to reach it.
From Al Jubail, useful routes include:
- E307 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Dubai: Runs frequently throughout the day, fare approximately AED 12–15, journey 60–90 minutes. Al Ghubaiba is in Bur Dubai on the Creek side - useful if you’re heading to Deira, the historic district, or budget hotels in that area.
- Local Sharjah routes (4, 5, 8): Serve the city centre from Al Jubail if your final destination is within Sharjah.
The bus is a good option if you’re not in a rush and your destination sits near a bus stop at the other end. It is less practical for central Dubai, where the journey involves at least one connection.
Shared Shuttles and Private Transfers
Pre-booked shared minibus shuttles offer a middle ground between public transport and a private taxi - you share the vehicle with other airport passengers, which brings the cost down to roughly AED 40–70 per person for Dubai drops.
Several operators run airport shuttle services between SHJ and Dubai hotels; book these in advance through the hotel or a transfer booking platform. Pre-booked private transfers (sedan or people carrier) make more sense for groups of three or more, where splitting the fare often undercuts the per-person shuttle price. Journey time remains the same as a standard taxi - the benefit is a fixed price agreed before travel.
Car Rental Desks
A row of car rental counters operates inside the Sharjah Airport arrivals hall. Operators with desks at SHJ typically include Europcar, Budget, and several regional companies. Having a car is genuinely useful for exploring Sharjah’s inland areas, the East Coast (Khor Fakkan, Fujairah), or making day trips across the UAE without relying on taxis.
Note that rental cars collected at Sharjah can generally cross into Dubai and Abu Dhabi - but confirm cross-emirate permissions when booking, as some smaller operators impose restrictions.
Journey Times to Key Destinations
| Destination | Taxi / Ride-hail | Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Sharjah city centre | 20–30 min | 25–35 min (with transfer) |
| Dubai Downtown | 35–60 min | 75–100 min (with transfer) |
| Dubai Marina | 45–70 min | 90–120 min (with transfer) |
| Dubai Airport (DXB) | 30–50 min | 60–90 min (with transfer) |
| Abu Dhabi | 90–120 min | Not practical direct |
All times assume moderate traffic. The Dubai–Sharjah corridor is one of the UAE’s most congested roads (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and the Sharjah–Dubai highway). Morning rush hour (7–9am) and evening rush hour (5–8pm) can double journey times on bad days.
Practical Tips
- Download Careem before you land - connecting to airport Wi-Fi and setting up payment takes a few minutes you’d rather not spend on the pavement.
- Keep AED 50–100 in cash for taxis if your cards are not set up in a ride-hailing app yet.
- Pre-book for early morning arrivals - Air Arabia operates several flights that arrive between 3–6am when taxi queues are short but Careem supply is thin.
- Sharjah to Dubai in a rental car is fine on weekends but count on significantly longer journey times on weekday mornings. Factor this in if you have a connection at DXB.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to the UAE 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car