E303 Bus: Union to Sharjah Timings, Stops and Fare
The E303 is the RTA bus between Union Bus Station in Deira and Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah. It is the most frequent of the Dubai to Sharjah routes, with a bus every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays, and it takes about 50 minutes. From Union it runs from 06:30 to 23:40 on weekdays, and from Al Jubail from 05:30 to 22:45. The fare is AED 12 each way, paid by Nol card only.
- Load at least AED 12 onto a Nol card, cash is not accepted on board.
- Board at Union Bus Station, beside the Union metro interchange.
- Coming back late, check the last bus from Al Jubail, it leaves earlier than the last from Union.
The E303 at a glance
This page covers the E303 on its own. If you are still choosing between the E303 and the other Dubai to Sharjah buses, our Dubai to Sharjah bus guide compares them side by side.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | RTA, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority |
| Dubai end | Union Bus Station, Deira |
| Sharjah end | Al Jubail Bus Station |
| Stops | 14 towards Sharjah, 15 towards Union |
| Journey time | About 47 to 50 minutes, longer at peak |
| Frequency | Every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays |
| Fare | AED 12, Nol card only |
Union is the point where the Red and Green metro lines meet, which is the E303’s biggest advantage. From almost anywhere on the metro you can reach Union without changing twice, then walk to the bus station.
E303 stops in both directions
The bus does not follow exactly the same path both ways. Heading to Union it calls at Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, Muraqqabat and Reef Mall, which it does not use on the way out.
| Order | Union to Sharjah | Sharjah to Union |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union Bus Station | Al Jubail Bus Station |
| 2 | Salah Al Din Metro bus stop | King Faisal Road, ADNOC petrol station |
| 3 | The Center | King Faisal Road, Jumbo-Sony |
| 4 | Abu Hail, Clinic | Al Wahda Road, City Center |
| 5 | Mahlab School | Al Wahda Road, Al Wahda Center |
| 6 | Ittihad Road, Ansar Mall | Al Wahda Road, Subway 1 |
| 7 | Ittihad Road, Al Safeer Mall | Ittihad Road, Al Safeer Mall |
| 8 | Al Wahda Road, Subway 1 | Ittihad Road, Ansar Mall |
| 9 | Al Wahda Road, Al Wahda Center | Mahlab School |
| 10 | Al Wahda Road, City Center | Abu Hail, Clinic |
| 11 | King Faisal Road, Jumbo-Sony | Abu Baker Al Siddique Road |
| 12 | King Faisal Road, ADNOC petrol station | Muraqqabat, Police Station |
| 13 | King Faisal Road, Old Gold Souq | Reef Mall |
| 14 | Al Jubail Bus Station | Salah Al Din Metro bus stop |
| 15 | Not applicable | Union Bus Station |
The Sharjah stops along Al Wahda Road and King Faisal Road are the useful ones for central Sharjah: Al Wahda for Sharjah City Centre and the Al Wahda shops, King Faisal Road for the old souq area near the corniche.
One thing has changed over the years. RTA’s printed route sheet from 2020 shows the E303 using the Al Mamzar bus lane past Al Qasba. Current schedule data shows it on Ittihad Road via Ansar Mall and Al Safeer Mall instead. If a printed map at a stop disagrees with this table, trust the stop name on the S’hail app.
Union to Sharjah timings
RTA publishes operating hours and frequency rather than a fixed list of departures, so you turn up and wait for the next bus. These are the hours in current schedule data.
| Days | First bus | Last bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 06:30 | 23:40 | Every 10 to 15 minutes |
| Saturday | 05:47 | 00:05 | Every 10 to 16 minutes |
| Sunday | 05:47 | 00:05 | Every 10 to 20 minutes |
RTA’s own route sheet shows the gap between buses shrinking in the late afternoon and evening, when most commuters head home to Sharjah. That is the time you are least likely to wait, but also the time the journey takes longest, because the traffic on the way into Sharjah is at its heaviest.
Sharjah to Union timings
From Al Jubail the day starts an hour earlier and ends an hour earlier than from Union. That pattern is built for people who live in Sharjah and work in Dubai.
| Days | First bus | Last bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 05:30 | 22:45 | Every 10 to 15 minutes |
| Saturday | 05:00 | 23:10 | Every 10 to 20 minutes |
| Sunday | 05:00 | 23:20 | Every 10 to 20 minutes |
The weekday last bus from Al Jubail at 22:45 is the deadline that catches people out. If you are in Sharjah for an evening and need to get back to Dubai later than that, the E307 to Deira City Centre runs until 23:40 from Al Jubail.
Fare and paying with Nol
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Single journey | AED 12, either direction |
| Return in a day | AED 24, charged as two trips |
| Payment | Nol card or Red ticket, tap on boarding |
| Not accepted | Cash, bank cards |
| Older quoted fares | AED 7, then AED 10, both out of date |
The fare has risen twice, and many pages still show one of the old figures. If your card has exactly AED 10 on it because a guide told you that was enough, you will not be able to board. Top up at Union metro station before you walk to the bus. Our Nol card guide covers the card types and where to top up.
When the E303 is the right choice
- You are coming from the metro, because Union is the Red and Green Line interchange.
- You want the shortest wait, because it is the most frequent Sharjah route.
- You are heading for Al Wahda Road or the King Faisal Road area of Sharjah.
- Not if you are in Bur Dubai, where the E306 from Al Ghubaiba is closer.
- Not if you are going to Al Muwailah or University City, where the E315 goes direct.
For the full intercity network, see our UAE bus timings guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the E303 bus start in Dubai?
At Union Bus Station in Deira, next to Union metro station where the Red and Green Lines meet. It ends at Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah.
How much is the E303 bus fare?
AED 12 per trip in either direction, paid by Nol card or Red ticket. Cash is not accepted on board.
What time is the last E303 from Sharjah to Union?
Around 22:45 on weekdays, and 23:10 on Saturday and 23:20 on Sunday. The last bus from Union to Sharjah is later, at about 23:40 on weekdays.
How often does the E303 run?
Every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 10 to 20 minutes at weekends, which makes it the most frequent bus between Dubai and Sharjah.
Last verified: October 2026. Route and fare checked against RTA’s route list and fare information; stops and operating hours against current transit schedule data and RTA’s printed route sheet. RTA publishes hours rather than fixed departures, so check the S’hail app on the day. Timings change during Ramadan and public holidays.
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority Dubai (RTA)
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