How much is the abra in Dubai?

One dirham per passenger, per trip, paid in cash on board. That is RTA’s fare for the traditional motorised abra across Dubai Creek, on two routes between the Bur Dubai and Deira banks. There is no ticket and no card reader, and a private abra for your group costs AED 120 an hour.

Abra fares at a glance

The two one-dirham routes

RTA’s timetable lists both traditional crossings as on-demand services rather than fixed departures:

• CR1: Bur Dubai abra station to Deira Old Souq abra station, and back.
• CR2: Dubai Old Souq abra station to Al Sabkha abra station, and back.

The Creek they cross is, in RTA’s description, a 14 km stretch of water dividing Deira and Bur Dubai. RTA describes the boat itself as half-boat, half-raft: you sit on the bench along the sides, close to the water.

How to ride, step by step

1. Walk to the abra station on your side of the Creek: Bur Dubai or Dubai Old Souq on the south bank, Deira Old Souq or Al Sabkha on the north bank.
2. Board the abra waiting at the landing. It leaves once it has taken on its passengers.
3. Pay AED 1 in cash to the driver during the crossing. Coins or small notes make this easier.
4. Step off on the far bank. To come back, do the same in the other direction.

RTA asks that children under 12 are supervised by an adult and wear life jackets on board its marine vessels.

A worked example

A family of four crossing from Bur Dubai to Deira Old Souq in the morning and back after lunch pays 4 passengers x AED 1 x 2 crossings = AED 8 in total. If the same family wanted a boat to itself for a slow look along the Creek, RTA’s charter rate is AED 120 for an hour.

Where the abra fits in a day

The crossing joins the two halves of the old city. A common order: Al Fahidi on the Bur Dubai side, then the abra across, then the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk on the Deira side, then lunch. The route in order is in the old Dubai walking route, and the day fits into a three-day Dubai plan.

Practical notes

• Bring cash. RTA lists the traditional abra as cash only, so your nol card and bank card do not help here. See whether you need cash in Dubai.
• Go early in hot months. The walk on either side is outdoors, and the middle of a summer day is hard going.
• Check the timetable for late crossings. Operating hours differ by route; RTA publishes them on its marine timetable page.
• Want air conditioning? The air-conditioned abra runs a different route, Al Jaddaf to Dubai Festival City, at AED 2.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay for the abra with a nol card?

Not on the traditional one-dirham abra: RTA lists it as cash only.

How much is a private abra on Dubai Creek?

RTA’s charter rate for a traditional abra is AED 120 per hour.

Is there a cheaper way to cross the Creek?

The traditional abra at AED 1 is the cheapest crossing RTA publishes. The air-conditioned abra on its separate route costs AED 2.

Where are the abra stations?

Bur Dubai and Dubai Old Souq on the Bur Dubai side; Deira Old Souq and Al Sabkha on the Deira side. The station, hours and what to expect are on our abra listing.

Is it worth doing?

For one dirham it is the cheapest boat trip on RTA’s network, and it is the natural link between Al Fahidi and the Deira souks. It also appears in our list of free and nearly free things to do in Dubai.

Verified August 2026. See our editorial policy.