Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a new On & Off Bus sightseeing service connecting eight of the emirate's most popular tourist destinations — all for just AED 35 per person. The service gives visitors an affordable, flexible way to explore the city at their own pace, mirroring the open-top hop-on hop-off buses found in major cities around the world.
How the Dubai RTA On & Off Bus Works
The bus operates daily from 10 am to 10 pm, with departures every 60 minutes. A complete round trip covering all stops takes approximately two hours, and a single AED 35 ticket is valid for the entire day — meaning passengers can board and alight as many times as they like at any stop along the route.
The service started in September 2024 and departs from the Al Ghubaiba Metro, Bus, and Marine Transport Station, which also provides easy connections to the metro, marine transport, and other public buses.
Stops on the Route
The On & Off Bus visits eight key landmarks across Dubai:
- Dubai Mall: A megamall with more than 1,200 shops, a 200,000-gallon aquarium, an Olympic ice rink, and scores of dining options. It is also the best vantage point for the Burj Khalifa and the nightly Dubai Fountain show. - Dubai Frame: A striking architectural landmark featuring a sky glass bridge with panoramic views of both old and new Dubai, along with exhibits tracing the emirate's history. - Heritage Village: Located in the Dubai Creek area, this open-air attraction recreates a traditional Emirati village complete with craft workshops, an Arabic coffee shop, and a mini souk. - Museum of the Future: The iconic torus-shaped building explores themes of space travel, climate change, and technological futures across seven immersive floors. - Gold Souk: One of the world's largest gold markets, set within a traditional Arabian souk, offering jewellery and precious metals at competitive prices. - La Mer Beach: A popular beachfront destination with a growing lineup of restaurants, cafes, and a beach club. - Jumeirah Mosque: One of Dubai's most photographed mosques, it offers guided tours and free-museum access open to the public of all backgrounds. - City Walk: An open-air urban district with more than 252 retail and dining outlets, a cinema, and the Coca-Cola Arena — a major venue for concerts and events.
Why This Service Matters for Visitors
At AED 35, the RTA On & Off Bus is a fraction of the cost of premium hop-on hop-off operators in Dubai, which typically charge AED 240 or more for a day pass. For budget-conscious tourists or families looking to cover the most iconic spots in a single day, this service offers exceptional value. The hourly frequency also makes it practical enough to plan a full sightseeing itinerary around.
The launch is part of the RTA's broader push to improve tourist access across Dubai and strengthen the emirate's position as a world-class visitor destination.
