Route 33 is the cross-city bus between Bur Dubai and Al Qusais. It starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station beside the creek and ends at Al Qusais Bus Station near the Sharjah border. This guide gives you the 33 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 33 is a long urban trunk route run by the RTA. It starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai and ends at Al Qusais Bus Station in the east of Dubai. The bus runs through the central districts and Deira. Moovit lists about 41 stops from Al Ghubaiba to Al Qusais and about 35 stops on the way back. The full trip takes about 52 to 59 minutes in normal traffic. The 33 bus timings Dubai route runs every day of the week. Some Moovit listings show a route 33 pattern that ends at Al Karama Bus Station instead of Al Ghubaiba, with about 29 to 36 stops and shorter hours. For other city routes, see our Dubai bus timings hub.
First bus and last bus
The first bus leaves Al Ghubaiba at about 5:05 AM from Monday to Sunday. The last bus from Al Ghubaiba leaves at about 12:01 AM, just past midnight. In the other direction the pattern starts earlier. The first bus leaves Al Qusais at about 4:53 AM from Monday to Thursday and on Sunday. These 33 bus timings Dubai figures come from third-party schedule listings. If you travel late at night, aim for the bus before the last one.
How often does it run
The 33 bus timings Dubai listings show a bus about every 12 to 20 minutes on most weekdays. Friday is the most frequent day in the listings, with buses about every 8 to 12 minutes. The Al Karama variant listings give a slower gap of about 20 to 30 minutes. Traffic through Deira can stretch the gap at peak hours. The 33 is one of the more frequent cross-city routes in Dubai.
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 Karama area. The bus then runs east through the Deira suburbs toward Al Qusais. Al Qusais Bus Station is the eastern terminus. It sits near the Sharjah border. Stops between these points are area-level stops rather than named landmarks. Use the S’hail app to find the stop nearest your home or workplace. If you need a specific block in Al Qusais, ask the driver to confirm the nearest stop when you board. For a metro station on the other side of the city, see our Internet City Metro Station guide.
Evening is the busiest time on the 33. Workers ride home from Deira and Al Qusais at the same hour. Buses can fill up near Al Ghubaiba and in the Deira suburbs. If you ride at that hour, leave a little extra time. The trip can take longer than the usual 52 to 59 minutes when traffic builds up. A good plan is to catch an earlier bus when you have a fixed time to keep. Check the live bus in S’hail before you leave so you do not wait long at the stop.
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 Qusais crosses several zones. Expect to pay about AED 7.50 for the whole trip. 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 33 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 Qusais end there is no metro station beside the terminus. If you need the Red Line, ride the 33 back to Al Ghubaiba and change to the Green Line. The trip takes longer than a taxi. For a big mall trip on the Red Line after your ride, see our Mall of the Emirates guide.
FAQs
What are the 33 bus timings Dubai travellers need first?
The first bus leaves Al Ghubaiba at about 5:05 AM on most days and at about 5:00 AM on Friday. The last bus from Al Ghubaiba leaves at about 12:01 AM.
How long does the 33 bus take from Al Ghubaiba to Al Qusais?
Allow about 52 to 59 minutes for the full trip in normal traffic.
How much is the fare on the 33 bus?
A full trip costs about AED 7.50 with a Nol card, based on the three-zone fare. Shorter trips cost about AED 3 for one zone or AED 5 for two zones. You cannot pay cash on board.
Does the 33 bus go to Al Karama or Al Ghubaiba?
The main route 33 runs between Al Ghubaiba and Al Qusais. Some listings show a variant that ends at Al Karama Bus Station with shorter hours and a slower frequency. Check the bus display before you board so you catch the terminus you need.
Does the 33 bus run on Friday?
Yes, the 33 bus timings Dubai listings show service every day including Friday. Friday has the most frequent service in the listings at about every 8 to 12 minutes.
