Route 21 is the workhorse bus between Bur Dubai and Al Quoz. It starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in old Dubai and ends deep in the Al Quoz industrial area. This guide gives you the 21 bus timings Dubai travellers ask for most. It covers the first bus, the last bus, the gaps between buses and the fare. Check the S’hail app or rta.ae on the day because RTA changes times by day and season.
Route overview
Route 21 is a standard urban bus route run by the RTA. It starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai, one of the busiest bus stations in the city. It ends at Quoz Clinical Pathology Services, deep in the industrial zone. The full trip takes about 70 minutes in normal traffic. The 21 bus timings Dubai route runs every day of the week. Note that RTA also runs two sister services, 21A and 21B, on a similar corridor. Check the bus display before you board so you catch the plain 21 and not a letter variant. For other city routes, see our Dubai bus timings hub.
First bus and last bus
The first bus leaves Al Ghubaiba at about 5:29 AM from Sunday to Thursday. On Friday the first bus leaves earlier at about 5:03 AM. The last bus from Al Ghubaiba leaves at about 11:30 PM on Sunday to Tuesday. In the other direction the pattern starts later. The first bus leaves the Al Quoz end at about 6:00 AM on most days and at about 5:00 AM on Friday. These 21 bus timings Dubai figures come from third-party schedule listings. RTA can change them without notice. If you work a late shift in Al Quoz, aim for the bus before the last one.
How often does it run
The 21 bus timings Dubai listings show a bus about every 20 to 30 minutes on most weekdays. Friday is the busiest day on this route in the listings, with buses about every 9 to 14 minutes from Al Ghubaiba. Saturday is the quietest day, with gaps of about 26 to 35 minutes. Traffic around the Al Quoz industrial gates can stretch the gap at shift change times. The 21 is less frequent than the big trunk routes. A missed bus can cost you half an hour.
Main stops
Al Ghubaiba Bus Station is the Bur Dubai terminus. It sits beside Al Ghubaiba Metro Station on the Green Line. From there the bus runs through the Bur Dubai streets and the Al Fahidi and Mankhool areas. After Satwa the bus heads into Al Quoz. Its stops serve car showrooms, workshops, warehouses, furniture outlets and labour accommodation. The terminus at Quoz Clinical Pathology Services sits deep in the industrial area. Stops between these points are area-level stops rather than named landmarks. Use the S’hail app to find the stop nearest your workplace or shop. If you need a specific warehouse gate, ask the driver to confirm the nearest stop when you board. For a mall close to Al Quoz, see our Mall of the Emirates guide.
Fare and Nol card
You pay with a Nol card on every Dubai RTA bus. You cannot pay with cash on board. Tap your card on the reader when you board. Tap again when you get off so the system charges the right zone fare. The standard Nol bus fare is about AED 3 for one zone, AED 5 for two zones and AED 7.50 for three zones. A full ride from Al Ghubaiba to Al Quoz usually costs about AED 5. Keep at least AED 7.50 on your card before a long ride. Top up at a metro station, a bus station kiosk or through the RTA app.
How to reach / connections
The 21 connects with the metro at its Bur Dubai end and with other buses along the way. Al Ghubaiba Bus Station links you to the Green Line at Al Ghubaiba Metro Station. At the Al Quoz end there is no metro station beside the terminus. If you need the Red Line, ride the 21 back to Al Ghubaiba and change to the Green Line. The trip takes longer than a taxi. For the metro station nearest the other end of this corridor, see our Internet City Metro Station guide.
FAQs
What are the 21 bus timings Dubai workers need first?
The first bus leaves Al Ghubaiba at about 5:29 AM on most weekdays and at about 5:03 AM on Friday. The last bus from Al Ghubaiba leaves at about 11:30 PM on most nights.
How long does the 21 bus take from Al Ghubaiba to Al Quoz?
Allow about 70 minutes for the full trip in normal traffic.
How much is the fare on the 21 bus?
A full ride usually costs about AED 5 with a Nol card, based on the two-zone fare. Shorter trips cost about AED 3 for one zone. You cannot pay cash on board.
What is the difference between the 21, 21A and 21B buses?
The plain 21 runs from Al Ghubaiba to Quoz Clinical Pathology Services with about 57 stops. The 21A runs between Al Quoz Bus Station and Al Ghubaiba with about 20 stops. The 21B runs between Al Ghubaiba and Al Quoz Industrial Area 4.
Does the 21 bus run on Friday and Saturday?
Yes, the 21 bus timings Dubai listings show service every day. Friday has the most frequent service in the listings at about every 9 to 14 minutes. Saturday has the least frequent service at about every 26 to 35 minutes.
