Abra
The wooden water taxi that has crossed Dubai Creek for a century — five minutes from Bur Dubai to Deira for AED 1–2, and still the cheapest, most atmospheric ride in the city.
Long before bridges, the abra was how Dubai crossed its Creek, and it still carries around 30,000 people a day. The traditional boat is a diesel-engined wooden launch with a canopy and a bench around a central platform; you sit facing outwards, feet inches above the water, with the wind towers of Al Fahidi on one side and the Deira wharves on the other.
Routes and fares
- Bur Dubai (Textile Souk) ⇄ Deira Old Souk (Spice Souk): the classic crossing, boats leave when 20 seats fill, roughly every few minutes, 06:00 to midnight.
- Al Seef ⇄ Baniyas / Al Sabkha: a slightly longer ride along the water.
- Fare: AED 1 on the traditional route, AED 2 on newer electric boats — cash to the driver, or Nol on RTA-operated boats.
- Private hire: around AED 120–150 per hour for a whole abra — the best-value 'cruise' in Dubai for a family.
Newer abras
The RTA has added electric, hybrid and air-conditioned abras on some routes, plus a Downtown abra on Burj Khalifa Lake beside the fountain and Marina water taxis, which are tourist rides at tourist prices. For the real thing, use the wooden boats at the Textile Souk station and go at sunset.
Frequently asked questions
AED 1 on the traditional wooden boats and AED 2 on the electric ones; a private abra costs about AED 120–150 per hour.
