Route 29 is the direct bus from Bur Dubai to Dubai Mall. It starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station beside the creek and ends right outside the largest mall in the city. It suits you if you stay in Bur Dubai and want the mall without a metro change. This guide gives you the 29 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 29 is a direct urban bus route run by the RTA. It starts at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai and ends at Dubai Mall Bus Stop beside the mall. The bus runs through the central districts and Downtown Dubai. Moovit lists about 17 stops from Dubai Mall to Al Ghubaiba and about 24 stops in the Al Ghubaiba direction on one listing. The trip takes about 35 to 55 minutes in normal traffic. The 29 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 Al Ghubaiba at about 5:30 AM from Monday to Sunday. Some listings give 6:40 AM as the first departure, which conflicts with the 5:30 AM figure. In the other direction the pattern starts later. The first bus leaves Dubai Mall at about 6:10 AM on most days and at about 6:00 AM on Friday. These 29 bus timings Dubai figures come from third-party schedule listings. If you travel late at night, aim for the bus before the last one. For a full guide to the mall itself, see our Dubai Mall guide.
How often does it run
Frequency is the one fact where the sources disagree most on this route. Moovit lists about every 25 to 36 minutes on most days. One travel guide lists every 12 to 18 minutes with a 12 minute gap at peak hours. Treat about every 20 to 30 minutes as the safe working figure because it sits in the middle of the range and matches the live app data. If the wait looks long, the 27 bus from Gold Souq is a nearby option for the same mall.
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 Jafiliya area. It then passes through the central districts toward Downtown Dubai. One Moovit listing shows the route passing Business Bay Metro Bus Stop, which gives you a link to the Red Line mid-route. The bus then reaches Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa area. It ends at Dubai Mall Bus Stop beside the mall entrance. Use the S’hail app to find the stop nearest your hotel or home. For a day trip beyond the city after your mall visit, see our Global Village Dubai guide.
Evening is the busiest time on the 29. Workers head home and shoppers head to the mall at the same hour. Buses can fill up near Al Ghubaiba and Business Bay. If you ride at that hour, leave a little extra time. A good plan is to ride to the mall in the afternoon and catch the bus back after the evening fountain show. Check the live time in S’hail before you leave the mall 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 Dubai Mall 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 29 connects with the metro at both ends and at one point along the way. At the Bur Dubai end, Al Ghubaiba Bus Station links you to the Green Line at Al Ghubaiba Metro Station. Mid-route you can change to the Red Line at Business Bay Metro Station. At the mall end, Dubai Mall Bus Stop sits a short walk from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line. See our Mall of the Emirates guide for that trip.
FAQs
What are the 29 bus timings Dubai visitors need first?
The first bus leaves Al Ghubaiba at about 5:30 AM on most days, though one listing gives 6:40 AM. The last bus from Al Ghubaiba leaves at about 11:00 PM. RTA changes times by day and season.
How long does the 29 bus take from Al Ghubaiba to Dubai Mall?
Allow about 35 to 55 minutes in normal traffic.
How much is the fare on the 29 bus?
A full ride usually costs about AED 5 with a Nol card, based on the two-zone fare. One source lists AED 3 to 7 for a one-way trip. You cannot pay cash on board.
Does the 29 bus run on Friday?
Yes, the 29 bus timings Dubai listings show service every day including Friday. The first bus from Dubai Mall leaves at about 6:00 AM on Friday. The last bus from Al Ghubaiba leaves at about 11:10 PM on Friday.
Which bus is better for Dubai Mall, the 29 or the 27?
Both reach Dubai Mall. The 29 starts at Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai, while the 27 starts at Gold Souq in Deira. Pick the one that starts nearer your hotel. The 29 is usually the better choice from Bur Dubai and Karama.
