If you need one bus that crosses almost the whole of Dubai, the 8 is the one to know. It links the Gold Souq in old Deira with Ibn Battuta in Jebel Ali. This guide gives you the 8 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 8 is a long urban trunk route run by the RTA. It starts at Gold Souq Bus Station in Deira, close to the gold market and the creek. Some listings name the start as Al Baraha Bus Station, which sits right next to the Gold Souq area. The bus runs through Bur Dubai and along the Jumeirah coast. It ends at Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop beside Ibn Battuta Mall. The full trip takes about 80 minutes in normal traffic. The 8 bus timings Dubai route runs every day of the week. For other city routes, see our Dubai bus timings hub.
First bus and last bus
The first bus leaves Gold Souq at about 4:25 AM from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday the first bus leaves later at about 5:20 AM. The last bus from Gold Souq leaves at about midnight. In the other direction the first bus leaves Ibn Battuta at about 5:00 AM on most days and at about 5:30 AM on Friday. The last bus from Ibn Battuta leaves after midnight at about 1:00 AM. These 8 bus timings Dubai figures come from third-party schedule listings. Do not plan a very early Friday trip without a live check. If you travel late at night, aim for the bus before the last one. A delay can leave you with no ride.
How often does it run
The 8 bus timings Dubai listings show a bus about every 12 to 20 minutes on weekdays. The gap stays close to the same through most of the day. On Friday and Saturday the gap grows to about every 15 to 20 minutes. One travel guide lists the frequency as every 38 minutes. That conflicts with the 12 to 20 minute range shown by Moovit and other listings. Treat the 12 to 20 minute range as the working figure. Check live times in S’hail first.
Main stops
Gold Souq Bus Station is the Deira terminus. It sits beside the gold market and the creek abra stations. Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai is a major interchange. You can change there to other city buses and intercity coaches. From Bur Dubai the bus heads toward the coast through the Jumeirah area. Media City Tram Station is a useful stop near Dubai Media City and the tram link. The bus ends at Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop beside Ibn Battuta Mall and the Red Line metro station. Use the S’hail app to find the stop nearest your hotel or home. For the metro station near Media City, see our Internet City Metro Station 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 Gold Souq to Ibn Battuta crosses three zones. Expect to pay about AED 7.50 for the whole trip. One travel site lists AED 8 to 13 for the trip. That conflicts with the RTA zone fare. Trust the AED 7.50 figure. Top up at a metro station, a bus station kiosk or through the RTA app.
How to reach / connections
The 8 connects with the metro at both ends and at several points along the way. Al Ghubaiba Bus Station links you to the Green Line at Al Ghubaiba Metro Station. Mid-route you can change to the tram at Media City Tram Station for JBR and the Palm Monorail area. At the Jebel Ali end, Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Stop sits beside Ibn Battuta Metro Station on the Red Line. From there you can ride the metro back toward the Marina, Mall of the Emirates or Downtown. For another big mall on the Red Line, see our Mall of the Emirates guide.
FAQs
What are the 8 bus timings Dubai visitors need first?
The first bus leaves Gold Souq at about 4:25 AM on most days and at about 5:20 AM on Friday. The last bus from Gold Souq leaves at about midnight. Check S’hail or rta.ae on the day because RTA changes times by day and season.
How long does the 8 bus take from Gold Souq to Ibn Battuta?
Allow about 80 minutes for the full trip in normal traffic. Evening rush on Sheikh Zayed Road and around the Marina can add 20 minutes or more.
How much is the fare on the 8 bus?
A full three-zone trip costs about AED 7.50 with a Nol card. Shorter trips cost about AED 3 for one zone or AED 5 for two zones. You cannot pay cash on board.
Does the 8 bus run on Friday?
Yes, the 8 bus timings Dubai listings show service every day including Friday. The first bus from Gold Souq leaves at about 5:20 AM and the first bus from Ibn Battuta leaves at about 5:30 AM.
Where does the 8 bus stop near Dubai Marina?
The bus serves the Media City Tram Station stop and the Marina area before it ends at Ibn Battuta.
