Anyone who has lived in Sharjah for a few months knows the routine. Somebody asks which bus goes to Abu Dhabi, and three people give three different answers. Part of the confusion is simple: there is no single Sharjah bus station. There are two main terminals, two transport authorities running buses from the same area, and two payment cards that look alike but do not work on the same buses.
This guide sorts that out. You will find where the main station is, which routes leave from it, what you should expect to pay, how often buses run, and what to do when plans change. The fares and timings below come from published schedules and recent commuter guides, so treat them as a solid starting point rather than a promise. Before any long or late trip, check with the operator.
Sharjah Bus Station at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Main station | Al Jubail Bus Station (also called Al Jubail Terminal) |
| Run by | Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) |
| Location | Al Jubail, on the corniche in downtown Sharjah, near Al Jubail Souq and the Blue Souk |
| Main routes | Sharjah Airport (99), Abu Dhabi (117), Ras Al Khaimah (115), several Dubai lines (E303 to E308) |
| Payment | Sayer card or cash on SRTA buses; Nol card on Dubai RTA buses |
| Station phone | +971 6 569 0046 or +971 6 562 4555 |
| SRTA customer care | 600 525252 |
Which Station Do People Mean by Sharjah Bus Station?
When residents say Sharjah bus station, they almost always mean Al Jubail. It is the emirate’s main hub for intercity and regional travel, and it is managed by SRTA. Wikipedia lists it as a bus station and international bus terminal that serves city, intercity and international passengers, with two entrances that work as both entry and exit.
The second terminal is Al Rolla, a short distance away. Rolla handles many of the city routes that run to malls, residential districts and the airport. If your trip stays inside Sharjah, Rolla may be the better starting point. If you are crossing into another emirate, Al Jubail is usually where you want to be.
One thing trips up first-timers. Journey-planning apps sometimes split the terminal into Al Jubail Bus Station 1 and Al Jubail Bus Station 2. These are different boarding points around the same terminal area, and Dubai-bound routes are shared between them. Look at the route number on the departure board or your ticket before you walk to a bay.
Sharjah Bus Station Address and Contact Details
| Station name | Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah (Google Maps label: Al Jubail Bus Terminal, SRTA Terminal) |
| Area | Al Jubail, Corniche, downtown Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| Nearby landmarks | Al Jubail Souq, Blue Souk (Central Souk), Sharjah corniche |
| Station telephone | +971 6 569 0046 / +971 6 562 4555 |
| SRTA customer care | 600 525252 |
| [email protected] | |
| Postal address | Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, P.O. Box 30330, Sharjah |
Searching Google Maps for “Al Jubail Bus Terminal” brings up the right pin quickly. Taxis and ride-hailing drivers in Sharjah know the name too, which helps if you arrive with luggage.
Route Map at a Glance
The diagram below shows how the main services fan out from Al Jubail. It is a simple schematic, not a geographic map, but it makes the system easier to hold in your head.
Main services from Al Jubail Bus Station. Dubai lines are run by RTA; the rest by SRTA.
Al Jubail vs Al Rolla: Which One Do You Need?
| Al Jubail | Al Rolla | |
| Main purpose | Intercity and regional buses | Local city routes |
| Typical trips | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah Airport | Sahara Centre, Safari Mall, Sharjah Airport, Muwaileh, Al Saja’a |
| Operator | SRTA, plus Dubai RTA on E-routes | SRTA |
| Best for | Leaving the emirate | Moving around Sharjah |
The two terminals are connected by a local link, so changing from one to the other is realistic. Still, allow extra time. A missed connection in the evening can cost you a long wait.
Bus Routes from Sharjah Bus Station
Sharjah to Dubai
Dubai is the busiest corridor, and several numbered lines leave Al Jubail for different parts of the city. These are Dubai RTA services rather than SRTA ones:
- E303 to Union Square Bus Station
- E303A to Sabkha Bus Station
- E304 to Satwa Bus Station
- E306 to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
- E307 to Deira City Centre Bus Station
- E307A to Abu Hail Metro Bus Stop
- E308 to Dubai Stadium Bus Station
Travel time runs from about 45 minutes to a little over an hour, depending on which stop you pick and how bad the roads are. Morning traffic on the E11 and E311 is a regular headache for anyone commuting between the two emirates, so a bus that looks quick on paper can stretch in practice. Pick the line that drops you closest to your final destination, not just the one that leaves first.
Sharjah to Abu Dhabi
Route 117 is the direct coach to Abu Dhabi. Published schedules show departures from the early hours, around 03:45, until about 23:30, with a bus every 30 to 45 minutes. The ride takes roughly 2 hours 45 minutes and the fare is about AED 33, payable by cash or Sayer card.
Sharjah to Ras Al Khaimah
Route 115 heads north through Ajman and Al Hamra. SRTA runs the outbound trip, while the return leg is handled by Ras Al Khaimah’s own transport authority. Expect first departures around 05:00 and last ones around 22:00, with buses every 30 to 60 minutes. The journey takes between an hour and a half and two hours, and the fare sits around AED 27 to 30.
Sharjah to Sharjah Airport
Route 99 is the most frequent service at the station. Daytime buses run roughly every 17 to 25 minutes, then thin out to about one every two hours overnight. Cash fare is around AED 9, or AED 7 with a Sayer card. Some other guides quote AED 8 for cash, so keep a few extra dirhams handy rather than counting out exact change.
Other destinations
Wikipedia’s entry for the terminal has also listed a service to Muscat in Oman. Cross-border timetables change more often than local ones, so confirm directly with SRTA before building a trip around it.
Sharjah Bus Routes Summary Table
| Destination | Route | Frequency | Journey time | Fare and payment |
| Sharjah Airport | 99 | 17 to 25 min by day; every 2 hours overnight | Varies with traffic | AED 9 cash or AED 7 Sayer |
| Abu Dhabi | 117 | Every 30 to 45 min | About 2 h 45 min | About AED 33, cash or Sayer |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 115 | Every 30 to 60 min | 1.5 to 2 hours | AED 27 to 30 |
| Dubai | E303 to E308 | Roughly every 20 to 30 min across lines | 45 min to over 1 hour | Nol card (RTA) |
Sharjah Bus Fares and How to Pay
This is where most mix-ups happen, so read it slowly. SRTA buses accept cash or a Sayer card. The Dubai-bound E-routes belong to RTA and take a Nol card only. A Sayer card will not work on a Dubai line, and cash will not either. If you are heading to Dubai without a Nol card, sort that out before you reach the bay.
Within Sharjah, a standard city fare starts at about AED 8 in cash, or AED 6 on a Sayer card. The chart below puts the main fares and journey times side by side.
Approximate fares and journey times based on published schedules. Dubai fares depend on the Nol card and route.
The three Sayer card types
| Card | Cost | What it offers |
| Blue Sayer | AED 5 to issue | Pay per trip, at roughly 25 percent below the cash fare |
| Gray Sayer | AED 225 a month | Unlimited trips across the SRTA network for a calendar month |
| White Sayer | Free | Free travel for people of determination, elderly passengers and social assistance beneficiaries, subject to SRTA conditions |
Top-ups follow fixed tiers. Pay AED 50 and you get AED 45 of credit, pay AED 95 for AED 90, or pay AED 185 for AED 180. You can buy or recharge a card at the major terminals, including Al Jubail and Al Rolla. For the official card rules, see the SRTA website.
Sharjah Bus Station Timings
There is no single opening time because each route keeps its own schedule. As a rough guide, the station is busy from the early morning until around midnight, and the long-distance services start earliest. Abu Dhabi coaches can leave before 04:00, while Ras Al Khaimah buses begin closer to 05:00.
Three things are worth remembering about timings:
- Weekday rush hours are the most crowded. Mornings and late afternoons fill buses quickly, especially on the Dubai lines.
- Public holidays and Ramadan change schedules. Eid and National Day can shift first and last departures.
- Overnight service is thin. Route 99 drops to roughly one bus every two hours, so a late flight needs a back-up plan.
For live information, SRTA’s journey planner and its customer care line on 600 525252 are the safest options.
Practical Tips for Using Sharjah Bus Station
Check the operator before you buy a ticket. If the route starts with E, it is a Dubai RTA service and you need a Nol card. If it is a plain number such as 99, 115 or 117, it is SRTA and Sayer or cash works.
Arrive early for long trips. For Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, give yourself at least 15 minutes. These are not services where you want to run for the bay.
Carry some cash anyway. Even if you rely on a card, a few notes save you when a balance runs short or a reader fails.
Keep your phone charged and your data on. A long ride is easier when you can check a live route or message whoever is meeting you. If you are still comparing mobile options, this breakdown of Etisalat data plans in the UAE shows what daily and weekly bundles typically cost.
Plan the last mile. Many people ride into Sharjah’s older districts for markets and bargains. If you are hunting for secondhand pieces, this guide to the best places to buy second hand furniture in Dubai also covers Sharjah markets and rough price ranges.
Two Sample Trips and What They Cost
Sharjah resident to Abu Dhabi for the day. You catch a city bus to Al Jubail (about AED 6 on Sayer), then Route 117 at about AED 33. That is roughly AED 39 each way, or close to AED 78 for the round trip, before any local transport in Abu Dhabi. If you are going for the coast, this list of fishing spots in Abu Dhabi gives you a few ideas for the day.
Quick airport run. From Al Jubail, Route 99 costs around AED 7 on Sayer. During the day you will rarely wait long. At night, check the timetable first, because the gap between buses grows.
Final Thoughts
Once you know the basic split, Sharjah’s bus system is easier than it first looks. Al Jubail is the gateway to other emirates, Al Rolla keeps the city moving, SRTA buses take Sayer or cash, and Dubai’s E-routes need a Nol card. Get those four facts straight and most of the confusion disappears.
Plan around the first and last departures, leave a little buffer for traffic, and keep the SRTA number saved in your phone. A small amount of preparation turns a stressful trip into a routine one.
Sharjah Bus Station FAQs
Where is Sharjah bus station?
The main one, Al Jubail Bus Station, sits on Sharjah’s corniche in the downtown area, close to Al Jubail Souq and the Blue Souk. Search for “Al Jubail Bus Terminal” on Google Maps. You can read more in the Wikipedia entry for the terminal.
What is the difference between Al Jubail and Al Rolla?
Al Jubail handles intercity and regional services. Al Rolla mainly handles local city routes. The two are a short distance apart and linked by a local service.
How do I get from Sharjah to Dubai by bus?
Take one of the Dubai RTA E-routes from Al Jubail, such as E303, E306 or E307, depending on where in Dubai you are going. Pay with a Nol card. Details on the card and fares are on the RTA website.
Can I use a Sayer card on Dubai buses?
No. Sayer is for SRTA buses. The E-numbered Dubai lines take a Nol card only.
How much is the bus from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi?
Route 117 costs about AED 33 and takes roughly 2 hours 45 minutes. It runs from the early hours until about 23:30, every 30 to 45 minutes.
Which bus goes to Sharjah Airport?
Route 99 from Al Jubail. It costs about AED 9 in cash or AED 7 with a Sayer card, and runs through the night at reduced frequency. Route 15 also links Al Rolla with the airport.
Where can I buy or top up a Sayer card?
At major terminals such as Al Jubail and Al Rolla. Blue cards cost AED 5 to issue, and top-up tiers give you AED 45 for AED 50, AED 90 for AED 95 and AED 180 for AED 185. Check the SRTA website for the latest rules.
How do I get to Ras Al Khaimah from Sharjah?
Take Route 115 from Al Jubail. It goes via Ajman and Al Hamra, takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs roughly AED 27 to 30.
What is the Sharjah bus station contact number?
Call the station on +971 6 569 0046 or +971 6 562 4555, or SRTA customer care on 600 525252. You can also email [email protected].
Is there a bus from Sharjah to Oman?
Wikipedia lists a service from Al Jubail to Muscat. Cross-border schedules change, so confirm with SRTA before you travel.
Where can I find free photos for a Sharjah travel post?
This roundup of free travel image websites compares libraries that need no attribution.
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Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. Bus routes, fares, timings, card rules and contact details are compiled from published schedules and public sources, and they can change without notice, especially during public holidays, Ramadan, road works or service updates. We are not affiliated with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai RTA or any bus operator. Please confirm current details with the relevant authority before you travel. We accept no responsibility for missed buses, fare differences or other losses arising from the use of this information.
