Dubai is unique for its glitz and glamour compared to any other Middle Eastern city. This city has transformed significantly since its heyday as a fishing port, with some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world perched where the desert meets the sea. The Burj Al Arab is the city’s most iconic landmark, but its beaches also draw hordes of sun-seeking visitors throughout the year. The Dubai Ferry, however, is among the best ways to take in the city’s beauty. The Dubai Ferry, run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is an inexpensive option for tourists and provides breathtaking views of the city’s coastline. Taking the Dubai Ferry, where tickets start at Dh5, is one of the best ways to explore the city’s coastline. You can travel from one end of the city to the other using its six main routes. Views of the city’s most well-known tourist attractions, such as Dubai Creek, the Burj Al Arab, and Atlantis, The Palm, are available from the ferry. The ferries have 98 seats and are completely air-conditioned.
Tickets can be purchased at the marine station or online at rta.ae, the RTA website. It’s important to keep in mind that not all marine transportation stations accept debit, credit, or cash cards, so you might have to pay with cash if you buy your tickets at the station.
If you intend to purchase the tickets online, you must do so at least one day before departure. The steps only take a few minutes to finish. This is how:
1. Navigate to the RTA website at rta.ae and select “Marine” from the menu.
2. Then select “Book Marine Tickets.”
3. Choose your travel information. Area, mode of transportation, and route are all included. For instance: Al Ghubaiba to Dubai Marina; Creek; Ferry.
4. Select “Search.”
5. From the schedule that is displayed, choose your date and time.
6. Next, decide if you’d prefer to sit in the Gold or Silver Cabin. Because there is more legroom and plush seating in the Gold Class cabin, the tickets are more expensive.
7. Decide on the passenger count. The cost of a single-trip ticket will then be displayed.
8. Select “Add to cart.”
9. Type in your contact information, including your full name, email address, and mobile number.
10. After you have confirmed the tickets, you must then pay for them online using a debit or credit card.
There are six routes available on the Dubai Ferry, some of which are specifically designed for sightseeing. Depending on the route you take, the price for each journey varies.
From Al Ghubaiba station in Al Shindagha, Bur Dubai, to Souk Al Marfa in Dubai Islands, Deira, you can take this route. While the Shindagha museum is nearby the Al Ghubaiba station in Bur Dubai, Souk Al Marfa is a wholesale market in Deira that stretches for 1.9 kilometres along the Dubai Islands’ waterfront and is a great place to find locally made crafts and authentic street food.
Timings: Friday and Saturday from 6.15 p.m. to 9.45 p.m.
Cost: Dh5 for a one-way trip.
On this route, passengers can choose to take a ferry from the Dubai Canal Water Marine Transport Station to Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai or Dubai Marina.
Timings: Every day at 2.15 p.m. and 7.15 p.m.
Cost:
• Silver Cabin – Dh25
• Gold Cabin – Dh35
This route runs the entire length of Dubai’s coastline, from Al Shindagha in Bur Dubai to BlueWaters Island, which is close to the Jumeirah Beach Residences. The Dubai Creek, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach, the Dubai Water Canal Bridge, the Burj Al Arab, and Bluewaters Island can all be seen during this journey.
Timings: Every day at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Cost:
• Silver Cabin: Dh50 for a one-way trip.
• Gold Cabin: Dh70 for a one-way trip.
• Children under the age of five travel for free.
Passengers can learn about the city’s history along Dubai Creek on this particular route. You will see the souks that are located along the creek as well as the Al Fahidi and Al Seef heritage districts while on the trip.
Timings: Every day at 4.30 p.m.
Cost:
• Silver Cabin: Dh50 for a one-way trip.
Family package (two adults and two children): Dh140
• Gold Cabin: Dh70 for a one-way trip.
Family package (two adults and two children): Dh240
Children under the age of two ride for free, and children between the ages of two and ten receive a 50% discount on ticket prices.
The Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis The Palm is accessible via this route, which departs from the Dubai Marina Mall marine station.
Timings: Every day at 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
Cost:
• Silver Cabin: Dh50 for a one-way trip.
Family package (two adults and two children): Dh140
• Gold Cabin: Dh70 for a one-way trip.
Family package (two adults and two children): Dh240
Children under the age of two ride for free, and children between the ages of two and ten receive a 50% discount on ticket prices.
According to RTA, a trip on the Dubai Ferry requires a minimum of 12 passengers.