Sharjah to Abu Dhabi Bus: Timings, Fare, Route and Distance Guide

The Sharjah to Abu Dhabi bus remains one of the most affordable and dependable ways to travel between the two emirates, especially for commuters, students, and visitors who would rather skip the cost of a taxi or the hassle of driving through highway traffic. A single bus route, numbered 117, connects Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah with Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, running throughout the day with departures roughly every half hour to an hour. This guide brings together the current timings, fare, distance, and route stops for the trip, along with practical answers to the questions travellers ask most, so a first time rider can plan the journey without digging through several different websites.

Bus Number and Route for This Journey

Which Bus Number Serves This Route?

Travellers looking for the exact bus number should know that Route 117, operated jointly by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority and Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre, is the direct service connecting the two emirates. Some regional listings label the same service as 117R or 117G depending on the source, but all three names refer to the identical route between Al Jubail Bus Station and Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, so riders should not worry about a mismatch at the ticket counter. The bus is a large, air conditioned coach with padded seating, luggage storage, and separate sections for women, children, and people with special needs, built for a comfortable ride rather than a short city hop.

Route and Stops Along the Way

The Sharjah to Abu Dhabi bus travels along Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road, also signed as the E11, which happens to be the same coastal highway that runs through Dubai. Despite passing through Dubai’s outskirts, Route 117 does not stop anywhere inside the city, so passengers who actually need to reach Dubai should look at a different service rather than boarding this one by mistake. Once the bus clears Dubai, it continues toward Abu Dhabi, making one intercity stop near Shahama Village or Jazirat Umm Al Nar before pulling into the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station on Al Wahda Street, which also functions as a transfer point for local Abu Dhabi buses and taxis.

Bus Timings and Fare

Route 117 runs every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays, with the first bus generally leaving Al Jubail Bus Station around 6:00 AM and the last one departing close to midnight, though a handful of sources still list an earlier first departure near 3:45 AM, so travellers with an unusually early start should confirm the current schedule through the S’hail or Darbi app before heading to the station. During the busier daytime hours, buses arrive roughly every 30 to 45 minutes, while the gap stretches closer to an hour in the late evening and very early morning. Fares are collected in cash at the station counter or through the Hafilat card used on Abu Dhabi’s transport network, and Dubai’s Nol card is not accepted anywhere on this particular route.

Is a Bus Available from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi Today?

Yes, Route 117 operates every single day without exception, so a bus is available from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi today regardless of which day of the week it happens to be. The only situations that can disrupt the regular timetable are severe weather events such as heavy fog or sandstorms, both of which occasionally slow down or delay intercity coaches across the UAE. Checking the live tracking feature in the transport authority’s app before leaving home is the simplest way to confirm that today’s schedule is running as expected.

What Are the Bus Timings Tomorrow?

Because Route 117 follows the same fixed timetable every day of the week, tomorrow’s schedule looks identical to today’s, with the first bus around 6:00 AM and the last one departing close to midnight at the same 30 to 60 minute intervals described above. The only exception worth planning around is a public holiday that falls on an unusual day, since transport authorities occasionally adjust frequency slightly during major national holidays. Travellers with an early meeting or flight connection the next morning should still glance at the app the night before, purely as a precaution rather than out of any real concern that the schedule will differ.

Ticket Price and Payment Options

The standard one way fare on the Sharjah to Abu Dhabi bus sits at AED 30 per passenger when paid through the Hafilat card, though a number of independent travel guides still quote a slightly higher cash fare of AED 33 to AED 35, a gap that likely reflects small regional pricing updates rather than two genuinely different services. Children typically travel at a reduced rate or free depending on age, and it is worth asking the counter staff directly since discount policies can shift without much public notice. Because the bus does not accept Dubai’s Nol card, travellers who rely on that card for the Dubai Metro should carry cash or set up a Hafilat card in advance to avoid any confusion when boarding.

How Much Does the Bus from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi Cost?

A single one way ticket costs roughly AED 30, making it dramatically cheaper than a taxi covering the same 160 plus kilometer distance, which can easily run past AED 250 depending on traffic and the time of day. Round trip travellers need to buy two separate one way tickets, since Route 117 does not currently sell a discounted return fare, so budgeting AED 60 for a same day round trip is the safer assumption.

How Much Is the Bus Ticket from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah?

The return journey from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah costs the same AED 30 standard fare, since Route 117 charges a flat rate in both directions rather than pricing by the specific stop where a passenger boards or leaves. Passengers travelling from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station should still arrive at least fifteen to twenty minutes early, particularly during evening rush hour, since the return leg tends to fill up quickly with commuters heading home to Sharjah after work.

Distance and Travel Time Between the Two Emirates

The road distance between Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station measures approximately 160 to 164 kilometers, depending on the exact routing the driver takes through the highway interchanges. Under normal traffic conditions the full journey takes around two and a half to three hours, though it can stretch closer to three and a half hours if the bus catches heavy congestion near Dubai during peak commuting windows in the morning or early evening. Riders travelling for a fixed appointment, such as a flight or a job interview, should build in at least a thirty minute buffer beyond the average travel time listed above, since traffic near the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border remains the single biggest variable in an otherwise predictable schedule.

Alternative Ways to Reach Abu Dhabi from Sharjah

Bus Plus Bus via Dubai

Travellers who cannot find a convenient Route 117 departure, or who need to make a stop in Dubai along the way, can combine two separate intercity buses instead. The E306 bus runs from Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai roughly every 20 to 30 minutes between 5:30 AM and 10:30 PM, after which the E100 bus continues from Al Ghubaiba onward to Abu Dhabi at a similar frequency. This two bus option generally takes longer overall once the transfer wait is factored in, often more than four hours door to door, so it suits travellers who specifically want a Dubai stopover rather than those simply trying to reach Abu Dhabi as quickly as possible.

Taxi or Private Car

For anyone prioritizing speed and comfort over cost, a taxi or a private car remains the fastest option, typically covering the same distance in under two hours outside of peak traffic, though at several times the price of the bus fare. Ride hailing apps operating in the UAE also cover this route, and pre booking a fixed price trip can work out more predictable than a metered taxi picked up on the street, particularly for airport transfers or early morning departures when availability is tighter.

How to Buy Tickets and What to Expect on Board

Buying Your Ticket at the Station

Tickets for Route 117 are sold directly at the counter inside Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah or at the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, and most counters still prefer cash, though some locations also accept the Hafilat card for a slightly reduced fare. There is currently no dedicated online booking portal specific to this route, so pre purchasing a seat before arriving at the station is not an option the way it might be for a long distance coach in some other countries. Arriving at least fifteen to twenty minutes before the scheduled departure gives enough buffer to buy a ticket, find the correct platform, and board before the bus pulls out, especially during weekend afternoons when the station tends to get busier than usual.

What to Expect Once You Board

Once on board, passengers can expect air conditioned coaches with padded reclining seats, overhead luggage racks, and a dedicated section reserved for women, children, and people with special needs near the front of the bus. Surveillance cameras run throughout the cabin for security, and most coaches include enough legroom for the two and a half hour journey to feel comfortable rather than cramped, which is part of why the route remains popular with regular commuters rather than only occasional travellers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a bus available from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi?

Yes, Route 117 runs daily between Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, with departures roughly every 30 to 60 minutes from early morning until close to midnight.

What are the bus timings from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi?

The first bus generally departs around 6:00 AM and the last one leaves close to midnight, with buses running at 30 to 60 minute intervals throughout the day, though checking the live app is recommended since exact first and last departure times can vary slightly by source.

How much does the bus from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi cost?

A one way ticket costs approximately AED 30, though some counters and older listings quote up to AED 35 depending on the payment method used and recent fare updates.

How much is the bus ticket from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah?

The return trip costs the same flat fare of around AED 30 per passenger, since Route 117 applies identical pricing in both directions rather than charging differently based on the direction of travel.

What is the distance from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi by bus?

The road distance is approximately 160 to 164 kilometers, and the bus typically covers it in two and a half to three hours depending on traffic conditions along the route.

Final Thoughts

For anyone weighing the options between a taxi, a private car, and public transport, the Sharjah to Abu Dhabi bus remains the clear choice for budget conscious travellers who can work around a two and a half to three hour journey. With departures roughly every half hour to an hour, a flat fare around AED 30, and a direct route that skips the need for any transfer, Route 117 covers most of what a regular commuter or an occasional visitor needs from an intercity bus. Confirming the live schedule through the transport app before heading to the station is still worth the extra minute, since small timetable adjustments do happen, but the overall service stays reliable enough to plan a trip around with confidence.

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