If you land late or you leave before dawn, c01 bus timings dubai matter more than any other bus time in the city. The C01 bus is the only Dubai bus that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It links Airport Terminal 3 with Al Satwa Bus Station. It suits late flights, early flights, night-shift workers and anyone who misses the last metro. You need a Nol card and a quick check in the S’hail app before you leave. RTA changes times by day. Treat every time in this guide as about. Use the S’hail app or rta.ae as your final check on the day you travel.
Route overview
The C01 bus is an RTA city bus, not a night-only bus and not an intercity bus. It runs between Airport Terminal 3 and Al Satwa Bus Station in both directions. The trip takes about 65 to 79 minutes in normal traffic. The route has 23 stops in one direction and 26 stops in the other direction. The count shifts a little by direction. The bus runs through Deira and Bur Dubai on a path that serves the airport, Union, BurJuman and Satwa. Do not mix up C01 with C1. Check the bus number and the destination sign before you board. For live c01 bus timings dubai, S’hail beats any printed guide. You can also plan the rest of your trip with our Dubai bus timings hub.
First bus and last bus
The C01 bus has no first bus and no last bus. It runs 24 hours a day. The idea of a first bus or a last bus does not apply here. You can catch it at 3:00 AM, at noon or at 11:00 PM. That fact makes it the safest bus choice when your flight lands after the metro closes or when you need to reach the airport before the metro opens. Night service still needs a little care. Buses run less often after midnight. A missed bus at 3:00 AM can mean a longer wait than a missed bus at 3:00 PM. Build in extra time for a flight. Aim to reach the airport at least two hours before an international flight.
How often does it run
The C01 bus runs about every 15 to 20 minutes in the daytime on most days. Moovit lists 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays, 14 to 24 minutes on Saturday and 16 to 25 minutes on Sunday. Night gaps can stretch a little wider. Plan for about 20 to 25 minutes between buses after midnight. Check the live bus in S’hail before you leave your hotel or home. Traffic near the airport and road works in Deira can shift the real arrival by a few minutes. Check c01 bus timings dubai live in S’hail at your stop.
Main stops
The C01 bus has about 23 to 26 stops by direction. These are the main ones.
- Airport Terminal 3, your start point for flights and for airport staff
- Airport area stops near Terminal 1 and the cargo and staff zones
- Union Metro Bus Stop, a key link to Union Metro Station on the Red Line and the Green Line
- Deira streets with shops, hotels and homes along the way
- Sharaf DG Metro Bus Stop, near Sharaf DG Metro Station and BurJuman
- Etisalat Head Office area in Bur Dubai
- Satwa Mosque area, a useful landmark in the Satwa district
- Al Satwa Bus Station, your end point in Satwa
If you want a mall trip after you land, the metro from Union or BurJuman gives you a fast link to the Dubai Mall and to the Mall of the Emirates. Plan your change with S’hail.
Fare and Nol card
You pay with a Nol card on the C01 bus. Cash does not work on Dubai RTA buses. Top up your card before you board. Dubai Nol fares run at AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50 by zones. The airport to Satwa trip crosses zones. Expect about AED 5 or AED 7.50 for a full trip. Tap in when you board and tap out when you leave. The reader then charges the right fare. Keep enough balance for your return trip too. A Silver Nol card works for most visitors. If you land with no card, buy one at the airport metro station or at a Nol outlet before you reach the bus stop.
How to reach / connections
At Airport Terminal 3, follow the signs to the bus stops outside arrivals. The C01 bus stop sits with other RTA buses near the terminal. If you need the metro instead, the Red Line serves Terminal 3. It does not run all night. The C01 bus fills the gap after the metro closes. At Al Satwa Bus Station, you can link with local buses across Bur Dubai, Jumeirah and Satwa. From Union, you can reach the metro and the main bus stations for Sharjah and Abu Dhabi trips. If you plan a day out after your airport trip, read our Global Village Dubai guide for the best bus and metro links to the park in the evening.
FAQs
What are the c01 bus timings dubai for night travel?
The C01 bus runs 24 hours a day. There is no night cut-off. You can catch it after midnight and before dawn. Expect about 20 to 25 minutes between buses at night. Check S’hail for the live next bus.
Is the C01 bus really 24/7?
Yes. The C01 bus is the only Dubai bus that runs 24/7. It links Airport Terminal 3 with Al Satwa Bus Station every day of the week. Check S’hail on the day you travel.
How long does the C01 bus take from the airport to Satwa?
The trip takes about 65 to 79 minutes in normal traffic. The time shifts by direction and by traffic near Deira and Bur Dubai. Leave extra time when you have a flight to catch.
How much is the fare on the C01 bus?
You pay with a Nol card. Dubai fares run at AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50 by zones. A full airport to Satwa trip costs about AED 5 or AED 7.50. Cash does not work on the bus.
What if I land at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?
The C01 bus serves Airport Terminal 3 only. Terminal 1 sits next to Terminal 3. You can walk to the C01 stop from there. Terminal 2 sits apart from the other terminals. From Terminal 2 you will need a taxi or another bus to reach Terminal 3. Check S’hail for the live bus before you travel.
