Al Ain to Dubai Bus Timings: E201 Route, Stops & Fare (2026)

The E201 is the direct RTA bus between Al Ain Central Bus Station and Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Dubai. In the official planner check for 14 October 2026, the full journey cost AED 30 in either direction and the displayed trips took 2 hours 15 minutes. Dubai Industrial City and Dubai Investments Park were not on the verified stop sequence.

The first table below gives the first and last E201 of each day from RTA’s official timetable; the dated examples show actual trip times and stop names. Check your travel date before leaving, particularly for an early departure, a late return or a public holiday.

E201 route and boarding points

E201 first and last buses

These are the first and last departures at each terminal in RTA’s official E201 timetable, downloaded on 20 October 2026. Saturday and Sunday have more buses than other days, starting an hour later and running later into the night.

From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Dubai

From Al Ain Central Bus Station

Times after midnight belong to the previous evening’s service.

Al Ain to Dubai bus timings: dated examples

These are selected E201 departures for Wednesday, 14 October 2026, returned by RTA’s Wojhati journey planner. All times are local UAE time, using the 24-hour clock.

The 11:35 departure from Al Ain in these examples is in RTA’s Monday-Wednesday timetable. Weekday gaps are mostly 55 to 60 minutes, so check the exact departure rather than assuming a bus every 20 minutes. Road congestion can also change arrival times.

E201 stops from Al Ain towards Dubai

The official planner’s stop sequence for the checked Al Ain-to-Dubai trip was:

This is one direction’s verified sequence. Do not simply reverse its roadside stand numbers for the return journey. If you want to alight before Al Ghubaiba, search that exact stop in the planner and check the displayed fare and onward connection.

Fare, nol and online booking

The checked full-route fare was AED 30, so two full one-way trips would total AED 60 before local connections. Do not confuse RTA’s general AED 7.50 minimum nol check-in balance with enough money for this AED 30 intercity trip. For ordinary nol boarding, have sufficient balance and tap in and out. Cash is not accepted as onboard payment on RTA buses.

RTA also specifically includes E201 in its intercity eTicket booking service. The official page links to the booking portal, where you choose the route, travel date and time. Follow the ticket’s boarding conditions; check availability and the final amount there rather than assuming an online booking is required for every passenger.

Choosing your Dubai interchange

Stay on to Al Ghubaiba for the Green Line connection and the Bur Dubai side of the Creek. Al Jafiliya is also a verified E201 stop; if your destination is closer to that interchange, compare the complete journey rather than riding to Al Ghubaiba and doubling back. Metro travel and other local connections are additional to the quoted intercity bus fare unless the planner explicitly prices them together.

For a day trip to Al Ain, plan the return before setting out. The central station is a starting point for onward travel, not a promise of a short walk to every attraction. Search the attraction or address separately, and do not assume a Dubai nol card pays for every local bus in Al Ain.

How to check the first, last or next E201

1. Open the RTA journey planner. Enter “Al Ain Oasis, Al Ain Central Bus Station” and “Al Ghubaiba Bus Station”, in your intended direction.
2. Set your actual date and departure or arrival time. Open the itinerary and confirm that the bus leg says E201, rather than an alternative with transfers.
3. For early or late travel, move the search time to the relevant end of the day and check the date on every result. RTA’s timetable page is another official starting point for a route-specific download.
4. Confirm the stand and destination display at the terminal. Ask staff about boarding assistance or luggage arrangements if these are essential to your trip.

Related guides: Abu Dhabi to Al Ain bus X90, Al Ain to Sharjah bus 118 and Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport bus.

Sources and verification

Route, stops, sample times and AED 30 fares were checked against RTA’s public Wojhati planner for 14 October 2026 in both directions. The RTA route list confirms the terminal pair; the nol guide explains card use. The examples are scheduled planner results; the first and last departures come from RTA’s official E201 timetable, downloaded on 20 October 2026.