E303 Bus Dubai Sharjah Timings, Fares and Stops
The short answer: The E303 bus connects Union Bus Station in Dubai with Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah. As of October 2026, the one-way fare is AED 12, paid using a Nol card. Selected scheduled journeys take approximately 50 to 58 minutes, making it a practical and affordable option for travelling between the two emirates.
Where does the E303 bus travel?
The E303 is an intercity bus operated by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It connects central Deira with Sharjah through the busy Al Ittihad Road corridor.
The Dubai departure point is Union Bus Station, also known as Union Square Bus Station. Its main advantage is the nearby Union Metro Station, where the Red and Green Metro lines intersect.
In Sharjah, the route terminates at Al Jubail Bus Station, a major transport hub close to the city’s central commercial areas.
This route is particularly convenient for commuters travelling from Deira, visitors exploring central Sharjah and passengers transferring from the Dubai Metro.
Passengers arriving from other parts of Dubai can use the Dubai Metro map to understand how the Red and Green lines connect with Union Station.
What are the E303 bus timings?
The E303 operates daily, including Fridays. Current timetable information for October 2026 shows frequent departures, with intervals around 12 to 15 minutes on selected daytime services.
The following table provides actual scheduled departure examples for Wednesday, October 14, 2026. All times are UAE local time.
| Direction | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union to Al Jubail | 12:00 PM | 12:50 PM | 50 minutes |
| Union to Al Jubail | 12:12 PM | 1:02 PM | 50 minutes |
| Al Jubail to Union | 11:45 AM | 12:43 PM | 58 minutes |
| Al Jubail to Union | 11:57 AM | 12:53 PM | 56 minutes |
| Al Jubail to Union | 12:07 PM | 1:02 PM | 55 minutes |
These are dated departure examples rather than the entire daily timetable. A useful distinction is that departure frequency does not equal journey duration. A bus arriving every 12 minutes can still spend considerably longer on the road during congestion.
How much is the E303 bus fare?
As of October 2026, the E303 costs AED 12 for a complete one-way journey between Union and Al Jubail. Passengers use a Nol card for payment.
| Journey detail | October 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Dubai to Sharjah | AED 12 |
| Sharjah to Dubai | AED 12 |
| Return journey | AED 24 |
| Five return journeys | AED 120 |
| Twenty return journeys | AED 480 |
The return and multi-journey figures are calculated from the October 2026 one-way fare. They exclude additional Metro trips or local transport after reaching your destination.
For someone commuting five days each week, the bus portion alone represents a meaningful transport expense. Budgeting for the entire journey, rather than just the intercity ticket, gives a more realistic monthly estimate.
Which stops does the E303 serve?
The E303 serves several important stops along the Dubai to Sharjah corridor. The October 2026 route includes the following locations:
- Union Bus Station, Dubai
- Al Ittihad Road, Ansar Mall area
- Al Safeer Mall area
- Al Wahda Road, Subway
- Al Wahda Centre
- Sharjah City Centre area
- King Faisal Road, Jumbo-Sony area
- King Faisal Road, ADNOC petrol station
- Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah
The listed locations highlight the main travel corridor rather than every individual boarding position.
Important: Al Jubail is the terminal, not the only place to leave the bus. Someone visiting Sharjah City Centre can use a nearer stop instead of travelling unnecessarily to the final station.
The same principle applies in reverse. Passengers returning to Dubai should identify a stop serving the Union-bound direction, rather than assuming both directions use identical boarding locations.
How do you board at Union Station?
Union is one of Dubai’s most useful interchange points, but first-time passengers sometimes confuse the Metro station with the bus boarding area.
- Travel to Union Metro Station using either the Red or Green Line.
- Follow the station exits towards Union Bus Station.
- Find the E303 departure area. Stand 05 appears in the October 2026 scheduled journey information.
- Make sure the destination display identifies Sharjah or Al Jubail.
- Have your Nol card ready and use the designated payment reader when boarding.
- Keep the card accessible for the required exit validation.
Allow time for the walk between the Metro platform and bus stand. Arriving at Union Metro at the exact bus departure time is not a reliable connection strategy.
For travellers combining both services, understanding Dubai Metro timings is especially useful when planning early departures or late returns.
How long does the journey take?
Selected October 2026 scheduled journeys take 50 minutes towards Sharjah and approximately 55 to 58 minutes towards Dubai. These figures describe scheduled bus travel, not the entire door-to-door journey.
The largest uncertainty is road congestion. Al Ittihad Road is an important connection between Dubai and Sharjah, with heavy commuter traffic during busy periods.
For a more realistic arrival plan, separate your journey into three components:
- Access time: Travelling from your starting location to Union Bus Station.
- Bus time: The scheduled intercity journey plus any traffic delay.
- Final connection: Walking or taking another service from the Sharjah stop to your destination.
A passenger travelling to an office near Al Wahda Road has a different total journey from someone continuing beyond Al Jubail.
For appointments, interviews and airport connections, include a substantial traffic allowance rather than planning around the shortest published journey.
Which Dubai to Sharjah bus should you choose?
The E303 is not the only intercity connection. Choosing a route by its Dubai departure station can save more time than simply taking the first Sharjah bus you recognise.
| Bus route | Dubai departure point | Sharjah destination |
|---|---|---|
| E303 | Union Bus Station | Al Jubail |
| E306 | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Al Jubail |
| E307 | Deira City Centre | Al Jubail |
| E308 | Stadium Bus Station | Al Jubail |
These route connections are applicable in October 2026. The E308, introduced in May 2025, provides another option for passengers closer to Stadium Bus Station.
If you are already near Union, the E303 is the straightforward choice. If you are staying around Bur Dubai, Al Ghubaiba could be more convenient. The best route is the one that minimises unnecessary travel before boarding.
What mistakes should first-time passengers avoid?
Most E303 travel problems are practical rather than complicated. A little preparation prevents unnecessary spending and missed connections.
- Confusing Union with Al Ghubaiba: Both serve intercity passengers, but they are different stations.
- Carrying insufficient Nol balance: Budget AED 12 for each intercity trip, plus any connecting transport.
- Using the wrong direction: Look for the destination display before boarding at an intermediate stop.
- Assuming Al Jubail is the closest stop: Identify the stop nearest your actual destination in Sharjah.
- Ignoring the return journey: Work out how you will reach your Dubai destination after arriving back at Union.
- Underestimating traffic: Scheduled bus time alone is not a dependable estimate for a time-critical appointment.
For regular commuters, the most useful habit is recording your complete door-to-door journey time over several trips. This reveals whether the E303 genuinely fits your working hours and helps identify a comfortable departure window.
Overall, the E303 is a strong public transport choice for passengers connecting central Dubai with Sharjah. Its main advantages are the Union Metro interchange, frequent service and straightforward AED 12 fare.
Frequently asked questions
Does the E303 bus operate on Fridays?
Yes, the E303 operates on Fridays as part of its daily service. Friday departures follow the applicable daily schedule rather than the Wednesday examples shown above.
Can I pay cash on the E303 bus?
The E303 uses Nol card payment rather than ordinary cash payment to the driver. Carry a card with enough balance for the AED 12 intercity fare.
Does the E303 bus go directly to Sharjah Airport?
No, the E303 travels between Union Bus Station and Al Jubail Bus Station, not Sharjah International Airport. Airport passengers need an additional connection from the appropriate Sharjah transport point.
Is the E303 better than taking a taxi?
The E303 is generally the more economical choice for someone travelling between its main stations, with a one-way fare of AED 12 in October 2026. A taxi provides greater door-to-door convenience, particularly for groups carrying luggage or passengers travelling away from the bus corridor.
