A wooden abra flying a UAE flag motoring across the creek, with old waterfront buildings and a minaret behind
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Dubai Creek traditional abra ride (RTA)

  • Shared tour
  • Accessibility not confirmed

Traditional wooden abras still carry passengers across Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and the old souks of Deira. The RTA fare is AED 1 per crossing, paid in cash, and you can hire a whole abra for a private creek cruise from AED 60 for 30 minutes.

Highlights

  • One of the cheapest rides in Dubai: AED 1 per crossing
  • Traditional motorised wooden boats, still used by commuters
  • Links Bur Dubai with the Deira Old Souq and Al Sabkha
  • Private hire from AED 60 for 30 minutes or AED 120 per hour
  • Children under 5 ride free

What is included

Included

  • Crossing of Dubai Creek on a traditional abra

Not included

  • Guide or commentary

Meeting point

Bur Dubai abra station (CR1) or Dubai Old Souq station (CR2)

Good to know

  • Bring small change: only cash is accepted on the two traditional crossings (CR1 and CR2); cards and nol cards do not work there.
  • The traditional crossings run on demand; boats leave when they fill up.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied and wear a life jacket.
  • Boats are open and low to the water; take care stepping on and off.

Accessibility

Accessibility not confirmed. Boarding means stepping down from the quay into an open boat. The RTA does not describe step-free access on the traditional abras.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Questions and answers

How much does an abra across Dubai Creek cost?

AED 1 per passenger per crossing on the traditional routes, according to the RTA's September 2026 fare table. Children under 5 are free.

Can I hire an abra for a private tour?

Yes. The RTA lists AED 60 for 30 minutes and AED 120 for an hour for a private abra on the creek.

Where do the boats go?

Route CR1 links the Bur Dubai station with the Deira Old Souq station, and CR2 links the Dubai Old Souq station with Al Sabkha.

Can I pay by card?

Not on CR1 and CR2, which are cash only.

Where this information comes from

Official website: rta.ae (Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai)

  • Traditional abra crossing, per passenger: rta.ae, checked
  • Private abra charter, per hour: rta.ae, checked
  • Private abra charter, 30 minutes: rta.ae, checked
  • Routes, fares, charter price, child rules: rta.ae
  • Fare table, cash-only rule for CR1 and CR2, under-5 free (September 2026 flyer): rta.ae
  • CR1 and CR2 operate on demand: rta.ae
  • Coordinates of Bur Dubai Abra Station: nominatim.openstreetmap.org

Photos:

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Photos: Dubai Creek traditional abra ride (RTA)