The Dubai Ferry has now been running in the Emirate for a number of years and is popular with tourists mainly as it allows visitors to see the sights of Dubai from the water.
If you take the ferry between Al Ghubaiba and Dubai Marina then you will get a great view of the coastline and the Palm Island. It is a leisurely trip along the coast that is great just to see the sights from the sea.
The RTA is constantly updating and reassessing the needs of its marine transport system and the Dubai Ferry is being frequently improved and expanded.
Since 2009 Dubai has built up its public transport network including the opening of the Dubai Metro and the Dubai Tram. It now transports millions of passengers each year.
In most countries the term ‘ferry’ would imply a boat that takes you from one place to another for more of a public transport purpose. However, although the Dubai Ferry is run by the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority), the Ferry is more of a tourist trip as many of the trips that are run on the Dubai Ferry, start at one of the ferry stations, tour round areas of local interest, and return to the same station, with each trip lasting for an hour to 90 minutes.
Added to the circular and commuter routes, there are routes that go from one port to another to enable people to get a good view of the shoreline and the canal within Dubai.
There are a number of stations served by the Dubai Ferry at either end of Dubai in Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Marina and although there were also some stations running through the Dubai Water Canal, these have stopped for now.
The ferry runs multiple times a day from each location, for a duration of 60-90 minutes (frequency and times may change so check out the routes page for more info) and the boats are designed for comfort with a snack bar on board and facilities for two classes of passenger as well as two spots for those in wheelchairs.
There are tickets available for gold class and silver class passengers just like on the Dubai Metro, so you can choose your level of comfort. As the ferries are very new they are also very modern and stylish.
The Dubai ferry was opened in 2011 and each boat can take up to 100 passengers. Although it is scheduled to run at certain times, the round trips will only run if there are a minimum of 10 passengers on each trip. (One way trips will run however many people are on them).
The boats can also be hired for private use from the RTA on hourly rental charter packages either with or without seats installed. Contact the RTA on 800 9090 for more info (this site is not run by the RTA but provides information for those who want to use the Dubai Ferry.)
The Dubai Ferry can be a great option for tourists as it enables them to see the city from the sea and get a view of some of the most popular parts of Dubai including the Burj al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah at a great price. Other options for this kind of tourist trip exist but are usually much more expensive so it is worth taking a trip on the Ferry if you are on holiday in Dubai.
Please can you advise the best way to travel from Dubai Marina along the Dubai water canal using the ferry or a combination of ferry and water taxi
We are in Dubai in August
Thank you
Hi Linda, you could get the 1pm ferry from Dubai marina to Dubai Water Canal Station and then get the 2.05pm ferry down the canal.
Hello.. Last time we were in Dubai we wanted to go to the Creek from the Marina, but the ferry didn’t go because it was too windy.. We are returning to Dubai in October and wish to do the trip.. Is it possible for you to tell me at what wind speed would the ferry not be able to sail. Or a phone number where I can contact them on the morning to check if it’s going to operate, to save us having to be turned away. I would be obliged if you could help.
Hi Ruth, I am afraid I don’t have details of the maximum wind speed but you can call the RTA to ask about sailings when you are here on 800 9090. It is quite rare for sailings to be cancelled like that so hopefully you won’t be unlucky again!
Hi.
What are the timings for the Ferry during Ramadan from Al Ghubaiba to Dubai Marina?
Just waiting for confirmation of the Ramadan timings – we will update as soon as we have them.
Have the timings been announced yet?
And can I please know if the ferry is running today at 6:30pm?
Timings were announced and can be found here: https://www.dubai-ferry.com/dubai-ferry-ramadan-timings-2018/
We would like a round tourist trip today from the marina. Can you please confirm that the 5pm trip is still running during Ramadan?
Many Thanks
yes it is due to run today.
Is the 6:30pm trip running on Friday from Ghubaiba to Marina?
Yes
Hi,
we are 9 tourists. can we start at Al Gubaiba and see the burj al arab, palm jumerah, atlantis and end at Marina?
If we get off at Marina for lunch, can we take another ferry back to Al Gubaiba?
If you check the routes page you will see that there are sailings from/to Al Ghubaiba and the Marina at 11am, 1pm and 6.30pm so you will need to work around those times. You can also see the route map which shows that the ferry goes ‘under’ the Palm so you will only see Atlantis from a distance.
Hello, wich one is the beste tourist route the one from 3 pm or 5 pm? Or is it an option to do both?
Or are there other options ?
Thank you!
Yes you can do both. It really depends on what you want to see as to which one is best! You can also tour the Dubai Water Canal but the best circular trips are from the Marina.
Can we carry one suitcase with us while taking trip from Al guibaba to marina.
Yes, I believe that is OK, as long as the case is not too big.
Hello! We want to take the ferry from Dubai Marina to Al Gubaiba? Can you confirm that this is running today at 1pm?
Thanks
Thomas
Yes
HI , how can i apply as an RTA FERRY CREW? may i know where is your office located? Thanks have a nice day
Please contact the RTA directly.
Hi im new to dubai ferry. Which route would you recommend for a tourist to take to have a good view of dubai such as burj al arab etc. ? Also in the route page it was saying that after nov 2016 the ghubaiba trip to marina will end at dubai canal? May i know what does this mean?
Hi, the 3pm trip from Dubai marina goes to Burj al Arab and back. The trip from Al Ghubaiba to the Marina does not end at the canal but it stops there on the way through.
Dear Sir,Madam
My name is Lahacen FAGRACH.I am a Seaman from Morocco.I pardon you to ask about any opening Job application that you can supply me with,because I want to offer my self as a candidate for your honored Company ,thank you
Hi, you need to contact the RTA directly.
Hi we want to travel from the Marina to the Burj Al Arab one way will be able to get off the Ferry at the Burj
Hi, no you can’t do that. The closest you can get is to take the Water Taxi to Jumeirah Beach Hotel from the marina.
Hello! I have read that it is possible to buy tickets to dubai ferry for 31 of December to watch fireworks in Burj Khalifa. But I haven’t seen any information about this in its website. Do you have such offer?
Hi, every year we get this question! Tickets for New Years Eve generally only go on sale in the week before and get snapped up very quickly. As soon as we have any information about the tickets we will post it in the news section. If you want to get alerted to any news posts then you can subscribe to them.
Thank you for an answer. And is it possible to buy them online, because we are arriving only at 31 december?
Unfortunately it hasn’t been in the past but we will let you know if anything changes this year.
Friday 11 am rip still there.
I need to do a trip to Al Ghubaiba-Marina on 17-11-17
All current trips are shown on the Routes page.
Dear Sir,
I am a US educated (Masters in Engineering in Ocean Engg and Naval Architect) professional with over 5 years of experience. Currently I am the project manager for design and operation for New Your City Ferry where I was involved from idea to construction to operation.)
I am looking at the possibility for a similar role in Dubai ferry, Can you send me right contact details.
Thanking you
Hi, you will need to contact the RTA directly for any vacancies.
Hi there!
I need your support, actually we have a new technology for such boats and it may be interesting for your organisation, could you please contact me with the relevant section for this issue?
Thank you!
You will need to contact the RTA for this.
Where Can I get technical details of your ferries, like hull, superstructure material, dimensions, power etc
Thanks
You will need to get that information from the RTA.
Dear Admin,
kindly assist by giving a number for contact to RTA – Dubai Ferry. I would like to reserve a one hour ride for a group.
+97156 8206973
You need to ring the RTA contact centre on 800 9090.
Hi,
When we take the tour at 5pm to Atlantis will the boat go as far to seemthe Burj Al Arab at least from a distance?
The cruise via the interior route at 3pm to Burj Al Arab doesn’t go around Palm Jumeriah, correct?
Thanks a lot
Best regards
Martin
The Atlantis tour goes around the ‘left’ side of the Palm so you will see the Burj al Arab from a distance and yes the 3pm tour goes under the Palm near the shoreline so it doesn’t go round the Palm.
On the 31th Dec, will you extended operating time
There is usually a special service on NYE. We will post details as soon as we have them but that is usually only in the week preceding.
Can I buy the ticket in advance at ticket office
What time to start selling ticket
You can only buy them about half an hour before the trip at most.
Dear Sir
I’m an Iranian Tourist who has lost his sun glasses on Saturday 17 September on the way in a Taxi going from Iranzamin Restaurant in Downtown towards Dubai Shopping Mall parking.
I’ll be grateful if you could help me to find it. It is really precious to me.
Thanks for your attention and kind consideration.
Reza
You will need to lodge a form with the RTA lost and found section. You can do that here.