N55 Bus Schedule: Dubai Timings & Route (2026)
N55 is RTA’s overnight connection between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Al Maktoum International Airport, DWC. It also provides the airport link at Ibn Battuta. DWC is different from Dubai International Airport (DXB); check your flight’s airport code before selecting the bus.
N55 timetable examples: overnight from Al Ghubaiba
The official RTA planner result for Wednesday 14 October 2026 showed these direct bus trips. All three arrive after midnight on Thursday 15 October. They are dated schedule examples, not a complete weekly timetable or guaranteed live arrivals.
| Al Ghubaiba Bus Station 06 | DWC Arrivals 01 | Scheduled bus duration | Displayed fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23:10, 14 October | 01:16, 15 October | 126 minutes | AED 7.50 |
| 23:30, 14 October | 01:36, 15 October | 126 minutes | AED 7.50 |
| 23:50, 14 October | 01:56, 15 October | 126 minutes | AED 7.50 |
The previous fixed daily first/last times and blanket 30-40-minute interval were not verified for every service day. Use the actual boarding stop and calendar date in S’hail. A departure after midnight needs the following day’s date unless the service-day timetable explicitly groups it with the preceding night.
N55 route and Ibn Battuta connection
RTA’s route list identifies Al Ghubaiba-DWC passenger terminal. Dubai Airports’ DWC bus information also identifies N55 for Ibn Battuta and F55 for Expo Metro. These are useful connection choices, not identical routes.
| Travel option | What the reviewed evidence shows |
|---|---|
| Direct N55 from Al Ghubaiba | No interchange on the reviewed 23:10/23:30/23:50 trips |
| N55 from Ibn Battuta | The reviewed journey calls at Ibn Battuta Bus Station 03 |
| DWC terminal | Al Maktoum International Airport, Arrivals 01 in the planner |
| F55 alternative | DWC-Expo Metro link; check the selected service and operating time |
As one connection example, the same lookup showed an N55 departure from Ibn Battuta at 00:03 on 15 October, arriving at DWC at 00:36. That bus-leg time excludes any earlier Metro travel and station walk. The Metro does not operate all night, so a night bus connection must not depend on an unavailable train.
How to plan N55 for a flight
- Confirm your flight leaves DWC, not DXB, and check the airline’s required check-in arrival time.
- Search your actual bus stop to the airport for the intended night in S’hail/RTA Journey Planner.
- Inspect N55’s bus departure and arrival separately from walking or Metro legs.
- Add time for traffic, boarding, the terminal walk and airline check-in. A scheduled arrival is not a promise of making the flight.
If the final bus option leaves too little margin, compare an earlier trip or taxi. The old 49-stop sequence was not independently verified as complete, and its heading incorrectly described an airport-origin list while beginning at Al Ghubaiba. Use the current selected-trip map for intermediate stops.
N55 fare and payment
The reviewed direct Al Ghubaiba-to-DWC trips displayed AED 7.50. A shorter N55 segment or a different integrated journey can have a different charge; do not treat that full-route example as the fare from every stop.
RTA’s Silver nol fare bands are AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 across more than two zones. Use the same card for both taps and any eligible transfer. RTA requires at least AED 7.50 balance to check in; cash is not accepted on its buses.
A Metro-to-bus transfer within 30 minutes can be combined under RTA’s transfer conditions, with the complete journey charged by its zones. That does not make every feeder or express ride independently free.
Recharge before leaving for an overnight stop. Cash is not accepted, and a payment confirmation for a top-up should not be confused with a successful card validation.
Return from DWC, luggage and accessibility
For the reverse trip, select Al Maktoum International Airport, Arrivals as the origin and the appropriate Al Ghubaiba or Ibn Battuta destination. Confirm the airport-side boarding point and current departure rather than reversing the times in the table above.
Check luggage rules for your actual bus and keep bags clear of doors and wheelchair spaces. Dubai Airports identifies accessible bus seating/boarding features; passengers needing ramp help should verify the selected vehicle and stop path with RTA or airport staff.
Related guides: X25 bus route, F28 bus timetable and E306 Al Ghubaiba to Sharjah bus.
Official sources and review date
Reviewed 14 October 2026 against the RTA route list, the dated planner result and Dubai Airports’ DWC bus guidance. Check live departures and special-day changes before travel.
