Need a cheap ride from Dubai to Sharjah? The E303 bus is one of the easiest ways to make it!
This RTA intercity bus links Union Bus Station in Deira with Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah. You pay AED 12 one way with a nol card, and the ride takes about 50 to 58 minutes.
This guide gives you every stop in both directions, sample departure times, fare tips and the best alternate options. Everything here was checked against RTA pages and the top UAE route guides.
| Quick Highlights | |
| Route | E303, RTA intercity bus |
| From | Union Bus Station, Dubai |
| To | Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah |
| Fare | AED 12 one way |
| Payment | nol card only, no cash on board |
| Travel time | 50 to 58 minutes |
| Stops | 14 towards Sharjah, 15 towards Dubai |
| Midday frequency | Roughly every 10 to 12 minutes |
| Metro link | Union Metro Station, Red and Green lines |
| RTA help | 800 9090 or as*@*ta.ae |
E303 Bus Timings from Union Bus Station
Most riders want one thing: the next bus! E303 times change by day, hour and direction, so a fixed timetable goes out of date fast.
This table shows sample departures for Wednesday 14 October 2026. Times are UAE local time in 24-hour format.
| Direction | Departs | Arrives | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union to Al Jubail | 12:00 | 12:50 | 50 min |
| Union to Al Jubail | 12:12 | 13:02 | 50 min |
| Al Jubail to Union | 11:45 | 12:43 | 58 min |
| Al Jubail to Union | 11:57 | 12:53 | 56 min |
| Al Jubail to Union | 12:07 | 13:02 | 55 min |
| Al Jubail to Union | 12:19 | 13:14 | 55 min |
Around midday, buses leave about every 10 to 12 minutes. Late at night they run much less often. The Transit app shows a trip leaving Al Jubail at 1:25 AM, with buses about every 60 minutes at that hour.
Want the exact time for your day? Follow these steps in the RTA journey planner:
- Type Union Bus Station as your start.
- Type Al Jubail Bus Station as your destination.
- Pick your date and the time you want to leave.
- Choose the result marked E303 and note the departure time and stand.
Your stand at Union is shown on the station boards and in the planner. One route guide lists Stand 05 at Union and Stand 02 at Al Jubail, so look for those first.
How Long the E303 Takes
Plan on 50 to 58 minutes from end to end.
- Union to Al Jubail: about 50 minutes in the sample.
- Al Jubail to Union: about 55 to 58 minutes in the sample.
- Rush hour: traffic on Al Ittihad Road can add extra time.
Catching a flight or heading to a fixed appointment? Use the longer time and add a buffer of 20 to 30 minutes.
E303 Bus Stops from Union to Al Jubail
The bus makes 14 stops on the way to Sharjah, counting both ends. Stop names below match the way they appear in route apps.
Image alt text: E303 bus stops in order from Union Bus Station Dubai to Al Jubail Bus Station Sharjah
| No. | Stop | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union Bus Station | Deira, Dubai |
| 2 | Salah Al Din Metro Bus Stop | Deira, Dubai |
| 3 | The Center | Dubai |
| 4 | Abu Hail, Clinic | Abu Hail, Dubai |
| 5 | Mahlab School | Dubai |
| 6 | Sharjah, Ithihad Road, Ansar Mall | Sharjah |
| 7 | Sharjah, Ithihad Road – Al Safeer Mall | Sharjah |
| 8 | Sharjah, Al Wahda Rd, Subway 1 | Sharjah |
| 9 | Sharjah, Al Wahda Rd, Al Wahda Center 2 | Sharjah |
| 10 | Sharjah, Al Wahda Road, City Center | Sharjah |
| 11 | Sharjah, King Faisal Road, Jumbo-Sony | Sharjah |
| 12 | Sharjah, King Faisal Road, Adnoc Petrol Station | Sharjah |
| 13 | Sharjah, King Faisal Road, Old Gold Souq | Sharjah |
| 14 | Sharjah, Al Jubail Bus Station | Sharjah |
Stop 2 sits right by Salah Al Din Metro Station on the Green Line. That makes it a handy boarding point too!
Going to Sharjah City Centre or King Faisal Road? You can get off there and skip the last few stops.
E303 Return Route: Al Jubail to Union
The return bus uses the same E303 number and the same AED 12 fare. You board at Al Jubail Bus Station and ride back to Union.
This direction has 15 stops. Three of them are not on the outbound list.
| No. | Stop |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sharjah, Al Jubail Bus Station |
| 2 | Sharjah, King Faisal Road, Adnoc Petrol Station |
| 3 | Sharjah, King Faisal Road, Jumbo-Sony |
| 4 | Sharjah, Al Wahda Road, City Center |
| 5 | Sharjah, Al Wahda Rd, Al Wahda Center 2 |
| 6 | Sharjah, Al Wahda Rd, Subway 1 |
| 7 | Sharjah, Ithihad Road – Al Safeer Mall |
| 8 | Sharjah, Ithihad Road, Ansar Mall |
| 9 | Mahlab School |
| 10 | Abu Hail, Clinic |
| 11 | Abu Baker Al Siddique Road (return only) |
| 12 | Muraqqabat, Police Station (return only) |
| 13 | Reef Mall (return only) |
| 14 | Salah Al Din bus stop |
| 15 | Union Bus Station |
Stop 12 is close to Muraqqabat Police Station in Deira. The Center and Old Gold Souq are served only on the way to Sharjah.
Roadside stop positions can differ between the two directions. Search your return trip as a new journey in the planner.
Good to know about stop names
- RTA route papers call the Dubai end Union Square Bus Station. Apps call it Union Bus Station. It is the same place.
- An older RTA E303 route document from the October 2020 diversion lists Al Qasba and Sharjah Mamzar 9. Current stop lists do not show them, so check the planner first if you need those areas.
E303 Fare and How to Pay
| Trip | Fare |
|---|---|
| One way, Union to Al Jubail | AED 12 |
| One way, Al Jubail to Union | AED 12 |
| Two one-way trips | AED 24 |
You pay with a nol card. Cash is not accepted on board, so top up before you reach the bus.
- Tag in when you get on, and tag out when you get off.
- Top up at nol machines at main bus stops, at metro stations or online. RTA explains the steps on its Dubai bus page.
- Riding without paying the fare can cost you an AED 200 fine.
The AED 24 figure is two single fares added together. RTA does not sell a special return ticket.
Getting to Union Bus Station by Metro
Union Metro Station is where the Red and Green lines meet. Union Bus Station is a short walk from the exits.
- On the Red Line? Get off at Union. You can also change lines at BurJuman Metro Station.
- On the Green Line? Union or Salah Al Din both work.
- Leave walking time. A train arriving at 12:00 does not mean you catch a 12:00 bus.
Want the history of the station? Wikipedia’s Union Metro page covers it.
Travelling On from Al Jubail in Sharjah
Al Jubail Bus Station is the main bus hub in Sharjah. City buses there are run by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), not by Dubai RTA.
- Sharjah city buses use the Sayer card, not nol.
- You can buy or recharge a Sayer card at Al Jubail Bus Station.
- Check the payment rules with the driver before you board a local bus.
Alternate Options: Other Ways from Dubai to Sharjah
The E303 is not your only choice! Five RTA intercity routes end at Al Jubail, and each one starts in a different part of Dubai.
| Option | Starts in Dubai at | Fare | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| E303 | Union Bus Station | AED 12 | Deira and metro riders |
| E306 | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | AED 12 | Bur Dubai |
| E307 | Deira City Centre Bus Station | AED 12 | Deira City Centre and Garhoud |
| E307A | Abu Hail Metro Station | AED 12 | Abu Hail and Hor Al Anz |
| E308 | Stadium Bus Station | AED 12 | Al Nahda and Al Qusais |
| Dubai taxi | Anywhere | Meter + AED 20 | Speed and heavy bags |
E306 from Al Ghubaiba
Staying in Bur Dubai? The E306 starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and ends at Al Jubail.
E307 and E307A from Deira
The E307 leaves from Deira City Centre Bus Station. The E307A starts at Abu Hail Metro Station, close to the E303 path.
E308 from Stadium
RTA launched the E308 on 2 May 2025, as the Dubai Media Office announced. It runs between Stadium Bus Station and Al Jubail, and RTA’s E308 route page lists the fare as AED 12 per trip.
Taxi
A Dubai taxi takes you door to door. You pay the normal meter fare plus an extra AED 20 once the taxi enters Sharjah. Expect heavy traffic at peak times.
Comparing more routes? Browse all our UAE bus station guides.
Ramadan, Eid and Public Holiday Timings
E303 times often change during Ramadan, Eid and public holidays. Search your exact travel date in the RTA journey planner before you leave.
Does the result look wrong? Call RTA on 800 9090 to confirm.
Accessibility and Luggage Rules
- Every RTA bus has dedicated spaces for wheelchair users.
- Bulky luggage, hazardous materials and animals are not allowed inside the bus.
- Keep your bags out of the gangway.
Planning help is one email away: write to as*@*ta.ae or call 800 9090.
Quick Tips for a Smooth E303 Ride
- Top up your nol card before you reach Union.
- Check the live time in the RTA journey planner on the day you travel.
- Board at Salah Al Din if it is closer to you.
- Leave extra time between 7 and 9 AM and between 5 and 8 PM.
- Plan your return as a separate search, because the stops differ.
- Carry a Sayer card if you will ride Sharjah city buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the E303 bus fare from Union to Sharjah?
The E303 fare is AED 12 one way. You pay with a nol card.
How long does the E303 take from Union to Al Jubail?
The E303 takes about 50 to 58 minutes. Traffic can make the trip longer, so leave a buffer if you have a fixed time.
How often does the E303 run?
Around midday, an E303 leaves about every 10 to 12 minutes. Late at night, buses run about every 60 minutes. Check the RTA journey planner for your exact date.
What is the first and last E303 bus from Union?
The E303 runs from early morning until late at night, and some trips run after midnight. Check the RTA journey planner or call 800 9090 for the first and last bus on your date.
Can I pay cash on the E303?
No. Cash is not accepted on board. You need a nol card with enough balance, and you can top up at nol machines at main bus stops or online.
Which Metro station connects to the E303?
Union Metro Station, where the Red and Green lines meet, is a short walk from Union Bus Station. The bus also stops at Salah Al Din Metro Bus Stop.
Can I get off the E303 before Al Jubail?
Yes. The bus stops on Al Ittihad Road, Al Wahda Road and King Faisal Road before Al Jubail Bus Station, so you can get off earlier.
Is the E303 the same as the E306 or E307?
No. All three end at Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah. The E303 starts at Union Bus Station, the E306 at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and the E307 at Deira City Centre Bus Station.
Final Words
The E303 gives you a simple, low-cost link between Union in Dubai and Al Jubail in Sharjah.
- You pay AED 12 each way with a nol card.
- Your trip takes about 50 to 58 minutes.
- The bus makes 14 stops to Sharjah and 15 stops back.
- The E306, E307, E307A and E308 are good backups from other parts of Dubai.
Check the live time in the RTA journey planner before you leave, and have a safe trip.