DUBAI FERRY

Where do you get the Dubai Ferry from?

I picked up the Dubai Ferry from Al Ghubaiba boat station at the end of Al Fahidi street in Bur Dubai. You can also catch it from the Marina Mall. I got the 1pm ferry trip that lasted 1.5 hours. It doesn’t stop anywhere en route. It’s great to see the skyline of Dubai though. I asked a few people on the way to the ferry boat station where Al Ghubaiba boat station was but no one seemed to know. They were aware of the bus station but not the Dubai ferry boat station. Better to ask where the big HSBC bank is, then you’re there. It’s a huge landmark.

Where does the Dubai Ferry go?

It goes along the Creek and then out into the Arabian Gulf towards and  behind the Sheikh Zayed road skyline, the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach hotel, and then into the Marina area. You also see the buildings on the trunk road of the Palm Jumeirah and you get views of Atlantis. You can go outside the cabin area of the Dubai Ferry to take pictures and get some fresh air.

How much does the Dubai Ferry cost?

That depends on which class you travel, but it’s Dhs 50 one way for Silver Class (perfectly good) and Dhs 75 for Gold Class. The difference being that Silver class has more seats and they are a little less plush.  My advice would be to take silver class, it’s perfectly fine and many people leave their seats to go outside anyway. There is plenty of room for children’s buggies on board silver class. You can get tea, coffee water and crisps and chocolate on board.

Is the Dubai Ferry worth it?

Yes I think so, it’s a very reasonable and interesting way to show your visitors the Dubai skyline. It’s very comfortable too. My advice would be maybe to take it from Marina mall and end up at Bur Dubai. Then go and wander around Bur Dubai, have an authentic Indian meal in this area and then get a taxi back to wherever you’re going.

What could be improved in the Dubai Ferry offering?

Some commentary would make the journey more interesting, or at least some intermittent announcements as we pass iconic landmarks. Maybe headsets with a short commentary could be offered.

Dubai Ferry Top Tips

• Hang on tight to your toddlers if you go outside on a windy day!  It was a choppy day when we visited and some of the children were swaying!
• If you have a dslr camera with a strap, bring it with you, it was very difficult to balance and take pictures in the wind that was blowing!  You could easily drop your mobile phone
• If you get off at Marina Mall station, be prepared to walk for a bit to find a taxi, you end up in the middle of a slightly strange and very quiet section of the marina, not the Marina Mall area I was expecting at all.  We took the lift to the second floor from the Carrefour building and then walked a fair way to get a taxi from there.
• If you are taking the ferry from Bur Dubai then ask for directions to HSBC bank not Al Ghubaiba boat station. It’s a better landmark.
• Leave plenty of time to get your ticket. There is only a small kiosk with one person serving and many people spend a fair amount of time establishing what kind of ticket they want.
• Do wander around the Al Fahidi area of Bur Dubai and have something to authentic to eat before moving on. I recommend South Indian dosas. Get something silver and dip it in gold if you’re in the area.
• If you have time and are happy to walk you could combine this trip with a look at Bastakiya, the heritage area of Dubai.  It will take you about 20 minutes to walk there from the Dubai Ferry station, all the way along Al Fahidi street, just one straight road.
• Do these trips while the weather is great for walking but remember to wear comfortable shoes.

Useful information connected to the Dubai Ferry

A link to a printable Handy Guide to using the Water Ferry   Don’t be alarmed when you see the first part of the page upside down! It’s so you can fold it into a handy handbag size brochure once you have it printed on to each side of an A4 sheet.  I called the helpline number at about 8.30 am on a week day and they were very helpful.

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Thanks Monica