Dubai to Hatta Bus Timings: E16 and the Hatta Express

Two very different buses run between Dubai and Hatta. The E16 from Sabkha Bus Station costs around AED 10 and is the budget option, while the H02 Hatta Express from Dubai Mall costs AED 25 and uses deluxe coaches. Both run roughly every two hours, and both use Hatta Bus Station at the far end. The Express keeps shorter hours, running about 07:00 to 19:00.

The Dubai to Hatta bus at a glance

Hatta is a Dubai exclave in the Hajar mountains, popular for the dam, the heritage village and the mountain scenery. Because it is administratively part of Dubai but geographically well inland, the bus service is unusual: it is technically a Dubai route rather than a true intercity one, yet the journey is longer than several genuine intercity runs.

Item	Detail
Routes	E16 and H02 Hatta Express
Hatta end	Hatta Bus Station, for both services
E16 fare	Around AED 10
H02 fare	AED 25 per rider per journey
Frequency	About every 2 hours on both
Vehicle	Standard bus on E16, deluxe coach on H02

The two-hour frequency on both services is the defining constraint. There is no turning up and hoping here, in either direction, and the two routes do not conveniently alternate to fill each other’s gaps.

E16 and H02 Express compared

These are not two versions of the same service. They start from different parts of Dubai, cost very different amounts, and are built for different passengers.

Feature	E16	H02 Hatta Express
Dubai terminal	Sabkha Bus Station, Deira	Dubai Mall Bus Station
Fare	Around AED 10	AED 25
Speed	Slower, more stops	Faster, express routeing
Comfort	Standard city-style bus	Deluxe coach
Best for	Budget travel and residents	Visitors and day trippers

The E16 is the workhorse: cheap, slower, and starting from Sabkha in old Deira, which suits residents travelling to and from Hatta. The H02 Express is aimed squarely at visitors, leaving from Dubai Mall in Downtown, running a faster routeing, and using coaches with more comfort for the mountain run.

At two and a half times the price, the Express only makes sense if the faster journey and the Downtown departure point genuinely suit you. If you are already in Deira, the saving on the E16 is substantial.

Dubai to Hatta bus timings

The E16 has the far longer service window, while the Express is strictly a daytime operation.

Route	From	Service hours	Frequency
E16	Sabkha Bus Station	About 06:30 to 22:30, with an earlier first bus near 05:30	Every 120 minutes
H02 Express	Dubai Mall Bus Station	About 07:00 to 19:00	Every 2 hours

The gap matters most in the evening. The E16 keeps running until around 22:30, while the Express finishes at about 19:00. If you want to stay in Hatta into the evening, the E16 is effectively your only option.

Hatta to Dubai bus timings

Both services return from Hatta Bus Station, and both keep to the same roughly two-hourly pattern coming back.

Route	From	To	Return pattern
E16	Hatta Bus Station	Sabkha, Deira	Roughly every 2 hours through the day and evening
H02 Express	Hatta Bus Station	Dubai Mall	Roughly every 2 hours within the 07:00 to 19:00 window

The practical planning point is the Express window. Because it stops running around 19:00, the last useful Express back leaves Hatta well before evening. Anyone staying for sunset at the dam should be planning on the E16 for the return leg.

With a two-hour frequency in both directions, the single most useful thing you can do is confirm your return departure on the S’hail app before you set out, and treat that time as fixed.

Fares and payment

The fare difference between the two services is the largest on any single UAE city pair, so it is worth being deliberate about which one you board.

Item	Detail
E16 single	Around AED 10
H02 Express single	AED 25 per rider per journey
E16 return	Around AED 20 in total
H02 return	AED 50 in total
Payment	Nol card on both services

A family of four taking the Express both ways is looking at AED 200, against roughly AED 80 on the E16. For a group, that difference is often the deciding factor. Both accept Nol, so top up before you travel either way. The full fare picture is in our UAE bus timings guide.

Planning a Hatta day trip

Hatta is one of the few genuine day trips reachable by public bus from Dubai, but the two-hour frequency shapes everything.

• Go out early on the E16 to get a full day, since it starts before the Express.
• Fix your return departure before planning anything else.
• If you want the evening in Hatta, plan the E16 both ways.
• Travelling as a group, the E16 saves a meaningful amount.

Once you are in Hatta, the attractions are spread out, so factor in local transport or walking time between the bus station and the dam or heritage village. If you are driving instead, our UAE traffic, vehicle and fines guide covers the vehicle side.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the bus from Dubai to Hatta?

The E16 costs around AED 10 for a single journey, while the H02 Hatta Express costs AED 25 per rider per journey. Both are paid by Nol card. The E16 is the budget option and the Express is faster and more comfortable.

What is the difference between the E16 and the Hatta Express?

The E16 leaves from Sabkha Bus Station in Deira, costs around AED 10 and is slower with more stops. The H02 Express leaves from Dubai Mall, costs AED 25, uses deluxe coaches and is the faster journey. Both terminate at Hatta Bus Station.

What time does the last bus leave Hatta?

The H02 Express operates only until around 19:00, while the E16 runs later into the evening, to roughly 22:30 on the Dubai side. If you plan to stay in Hatta into the evening, plan on the E16 for your return.

How often do buses to Hatta run?

Both the E16 and the H02 Express run roughly every two hours in each direction. That is the longest gap on any Dubai route, so check your departure and return times before travelling rather than turning up at the station.

Last verified: August 2026 against RTA network operating hours and current route information
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
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