Travelling
There are three basic modes of travelling in Dubai. Public Buses, Metro Train & Taxi. Fare is same on the Public Bus & Metro. Minimum fare at Bus or Metro train is 3 dh/87 Rs. Usually, 5 dh/145 Rs is a common fare. Maximum fare is 7 dh/203 Rs.
Taxi is expensive because there are many signals & roads are crowded. so, if you want to travel to airport from the center of the Dubai then through Bus/Metro, you can reach there at 5 dh = 145 Rs but if you choose Taxi then it could be at least 50 dh = 1500 Rs. One day, I went with my friend to Century Mall from Satwa. He purchased Nike Shoes for 300 Dh/Rs 8700 & paid 160 dh/4640 Rs to Taxi. (Two way). He could visit same mall through bus in 15 dh/435 Rs (Two ways). So, Taxi is expensive because it takes a long time on the signals. Meter keeps on running & heart beat of the backpacker also getting momentum with it.
Remember: You cannot pay in cash in Bus or Metro in Dubai. You have to purchase a card & top up/deposit money in it.
If it is a first time to come to Dubai then do not need to worry. You can save money by ignoring Taxi. There is Bus stop & Metro station available at Airport. Passengers are allowed to carry regular baggage as per Air lines standard. (Hand carry plus one bag 30 kg). As, There is a Metro Station at Airport so, you can purchase a Nol Silver card by paying 5 dh/ 145 Rs. This is a price of the just card for the first time & then you can top up 20/ 30 dh 580/870 Rs in it. There must be a balance of 7.50 dh/217 Rs to travel in the Metro train & Bus. If you have a lower balance then machine at Bus will not accept it & you shall have to come down immediately. So, better keep the balance in it especially, if you want to travel in remote areas. There are recharging machines in every metro station but such machines are available only on main bus stations where you can put money & get your card top up but there are few bus stations where there is no such facility. If you shall be standing at bus station at remote area in Dubai with low balance then you shall not be able to travel in a bus & you shall have to walk for miles & miles or ask for the taxi. Believe me, walking in Dubai is not easy especially during the summer. Let me give you one practical example. Suppose, you are at Bur juman & you want to visit International city or Dragon mart by travelling in a Bus x 23. There is a balance of 11 dh in your card. When Bus arrives, you enter in it. When you reach at dragon mart & scan your card. 5 dh /145 Rs is deducted. Now, your remaining balance is 6 dh/174 Rs. After few hours, in order to go back, you come to get in the Bus. But as there is a balance lower than 7.5 dh/217 Rs, Bus machine does not scan your card. So, you have to come down. You look here & there but find no recharging machine. So, you have to take just expensive taxi to get back because it is not even possible to walk because it is far away from the Dubai center. So, it is better to keep balance of 20 dh/580 Rs all the time to avoid any such terrible situation.
Metro Train Snaps
Following are few snaps of Metro. Where ever, you see this type of structure, besure that it is a Metro Train Station.
There is a map inside the Metro station where you can easily get guideline about your destination.
This is another Metro station.
Roman inside the Metro Train. Be remember that travelling in the Metro train is a good experience. You can enjoy the beautiful scenic views on both sides of the track. Metro train is fast & time saving mode of travelling indeed.
This is a view from inside the Metro station. All stations are neat & clean.
This is also a snap taken inside the Metro Station.
Metro Train is computerized. So, no driver inside. So, if you want to look around the city then get in the train through first cabin. It's like a cockpit. This snap is taken from that cabin.
This is a Dubai Creek station.
This is a Al Ghubaiba metro station. This is one of the busiest station because Biggest bus station is also beside it.
RTA Bus Snaps.
Public Buses are quite comfortable. Most important thing is that Bus always leave on time regardless of numbers of passangers. Drivers are friendly. If you want to ask any information regarding any destination then it is good move to ask it from Driver because he knows exact locations. They are kind so, when they guide you then do not forget to say thanks to them.
This is a Bus Stop. You can sit in it & wait for your bus.
This is a Al Ghubaiba Bus station. From here, you can get the bus to go to Abu Dhabi & Sharjah too.
This is a Bus.
These are buses. They stop only at bus stop. If you miss your stop then there is no need to do request to driver because he will not listen you. He will stop the bus only on the next stop. He can not put his job in danger by breaking law. So, be alert when your stop is near.
Double Decker Buses.
From Dubai to Sharjah, double decket bus travels. Fare is 10 dh = Rs 290 Travelling time is 1.5 hr
From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, double decker bus travels. Fare is 25 dh = Rs 725 Travelling time is 2 hr