Hafilat Bus Timing Abu Dhabi 2026 (Updated): Routes, Schedule, Fares & Live Timings
Last Updated: July 2026 — Timings verified against Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and DARBI app schedules. Reviewed and updated regularly.
Most Hafilat city buses run from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM, seven days a week. The A1 airport bus runs 24/7. Night buses N41 and N43 cover the gap from midnight to 4:00 AM. That’s the short answer — the full picture depends on which route you’re taking and where you’re headed.
Hafilat Bus Timing at a Glance
| Service Type | First Bus | Last Bus | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Buses (standard) | 6:00 AM | 1:00 AM | Daily |
| Regional Routes (201, 202) | 6:00–6:32 AM | 11:00 PM–midnight | Daily |
| A1 Airport Bus | 24/7 | 24/7 | Daily |
| Night Buses (N41, N43) | 12:00 AM | 4:00 AM | Daily |
| Express Intercity E100 | 4:20 AM | 11:30 PM | Daily |
| E101 (Abu Dhabi–Ibn Battuta) | 4:30 AM | 12:00 AM | Daily |
| Route 117 (Abu Dhabi–Sharjah) | 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | Daily |
| Dubai–Sharjah Routes | 3:45 AM | 11:30 PM | Daily |
Note: These are standard schedules published by Abu Dhabi Mobility. Actual arrival times shift during peak traffic, Ramadan, and public holidays. Always confirm live timings on the DARBI app before you leave.
How to Use a Hafilat Bus (Beginner Guide)
New to Abu Dhabi’s public bus service? Here’s the full process from start to finish.
- Get a Hafilat smart card. Buy one at any major bus station, an authorized kiosk, or through the DARBI app. A standard card costs a small issuance fee.
- Recharge it. Top up at station machines, retail outlets, or online through the DARBI app. Keep enough balance for both legs of your trip plus a buffer.
- Tap in when boarding. Hold your card to the reader at the front door. Wait for the green confirmation.
- Tap out when you get off. City and regional fares are distance-based, so the system needs both taps to calculate the correct fare.
- Transfer if needed. Switch buses within 60 minutes of your first tap-in and the transfer is free on city and regional routes.
- Exit. Confirm your tap-out registered, especially on intercity routes where the fare is higher.
Pro Tip: Set up auto-recharge in the DARBI app so your card never runs low during a morning commute.
City Bus Schedules and Frequencies
City buses run every 10–15 minutes during morning peak (6:30–9:30 AM) and evening peak (4:00–8:00 PM). Outside those windows, frequency drops to every 20–30 minutes.
Key City Routes
| Route | From | To | First Bus | Last Bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Al Zahiyah | Marina Mall | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 15–20 min |
| 7 | Al Zahiyah | Marina Mall | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 15–20 min |
| 8 | Zayed Port Fish Market | Marina Al Bateen | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 20–30 min |
| 9 | Zayed Port Cruise Terminal | Marina Mall | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 20–30 min |
| 24 | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Marina Mall | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 20–30 min |
| 32 | Reem Island | City Center | 6:00 AM | 11:30 PM | 15–25 min |
| 34 | Khalifa City | City Center | 5:45 AM | 11:00 PM | 20 min |
| 40 | Al Muntazah | Al Maryah Island | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 20–30 min |
| 54 | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Zayed Port Fish Market | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 20–30 min |
| 56 | Tourist Club Area | City Center | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 20 min |
Reem Island routes (63, 65, 67, 69, 71) all start around 6:00 AM and run until midnight with 15–30 minute gaps. They connect Reem Island to Marina Mall, Al Maryah Island, and central Abu Dhabi.
Other notable routes on the city bus network:
- Route 023: Al Bateen / Sheikha Fatima Park to Rabdan / Maqtaa Mall
- Route 026: Marina Mall to Al Muntazah / Khalifa Park East
- Route 094: Saadiyat Cultural District to Wahat Al Karama and the Louvre Museum
For full stop-by-step details, see our complete Hafilat Balance Check and the Hafilat Recharge.
Regional Routes
Abu Dhabi to Al Ain
Abu Dhabi to Al Dhafra Region
Covers
Airport Bus: A1
The A1 runs between Abu Dhabi City Center and Zayed International Airport around the clock, with departures every 30–60 minutes. Flat fare: AED 4. No airport surcharge. It’s the most affordable public transport link to the airport — taxis typically cost AED 50–80 for the same trip.
Important: The A1 keeps its 24/7 schedule on weekends and public holidays. If you have an early or late flight, this is your reliable option.
Night Bus Routes
Both N41 and N43 operate from 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM daily, with buses every 30–60 minutes.
- N41: Al Zahiyah → Al Danah → Capital Area → Rabdan
- N43: Key central corridors across Abu Dhabi city
Fare: AED 2–5. These night bus routes cover the service gap between the last standard city bus (1:00 AM) and the early-morning regional departures. Useful for shift workers and late arrivals.
Express Intercity Routes
Abu Dhabi to Dubai Al Ghubaiba
Abu Dhabi to Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai
Abu Dhabi to Sharjah
Dubai–Sharjah Routes
Bus Frequency by Time of Day
| Time Period | City Buses | Regional | Express (E100 etc.) | A1 Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak AM (6:30–9:30 AM) | Every 10–15 min | Every 15 min | Every 10 min | Every 30 min |
| Off-peak (midday) | Every 20–30 min | Every 30 min | Every 25 min | Hourly |
| Peak PM (4:00–8:00 PM) | Every 10–15 min | Every 15 min | Every 10 min | Every 30 min |
| Night (12:00–4:00 AM) | N41/N43 only (30–60 min) | No service | No service | Every 30–60 min |
City & Regional Coverage
Abu Dhabi City Coverage
The Hafilat bus network reaches every major district in the capital.
Suburban Coverage
Outer residential and industrial zones are served on scheduled frequencies.
Outer-zone residential
Regional & Inter-Emirate Coverage
Fares and Hafilat Card
The Hafilat smart card powers Abu Dhabi’s public bus service. Every fare on the bus network is deducted automatically when you tap in and tap out.
Standard Fare System
Hafilat uses distance-based pricing, so you pay for the distance you actually travel.
- Base fare: AED 2 for city and regional buses
- Per kilometer: AED 0.05 on city routes, AED 0.10 on express intercity routes
- A1 airport bus: flat AED 4
- Daily cap: AED 5 on city routes — you won’t pay more than AED 5 in city fares in a single day, no matter how many trips you take
The system calculates each fare the moment you tap out. Forget to tap out and you may be charged a maximum default fare, so it matters.
Intercity Fares
| Route | Destination | Approx. Fare |
|---|---|---|
| E100 | Abu Dhabi to Dubai | AED 25–30 |
| E101 | Abu Dhabi to Ibn Battuta | AED 25–30 |
| 201 | Abu Dhabi to Al Ain | AED 15–30 |
| 117 | Abu Dhabi to Sharjah | AED 20–30 |
| A1 | City Center to Airport | AED 4 (flat) |
Intercity fares have no daily cap and need a higher card balance than city trips. Check your Hafilat Card Balance before an intercity journey.
Where to Buy a Hafilat Card
You can buy and recharge a Hafilat smart card at several points across Abu Dhabi:
- Bus stations: dedicated counters at Abu Dhabi Central, Al Zahiyah, and major regional terminals
- Vending machines: self-service kiosks at busier stations for instant purchase and top-up
- Authorized retail outlets: select supermarkets, convenience stores, and kiosks
- Online via DARBI app or website: order a card and recharge digitally; it activates for immediate use
Tip: First-time visitors should buy the card at the airport or Abu Dhabi Central Station, where staff can help set it up and explain the tap-in/tap-out process.
Free Transfer Rules
Hafilat card holders get free transfers within 60 minutes on city and regional buses. Switch routes or continue on a second bus within one hour of your first tap-in and you pay nothing extra.
Example: You tap in on Route 5 at 8:00 AM heading toward Marina Mall, then transfer to Route 34 at 8:35 AM to reach Khalifa City. Because both taps fall inside the 60-minute window, the second ride is free.
This helps commuters crossing multiple city zones — suburb to center, or center to a business district — without paying twice.
Note: The free transfer applies to city and regional buses only. Express intercity routes are charged separately.
Bus Pass Options Explained
For regular riders, a travel pass beats paying per trip.
| Pass | Cost | Coverage | Eligibility / Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | AED 35 | Unlimited city buses, 7 days | Any rider; office commuters |
| Monthly | AED 95 | Unlimited city buses, 30 days | Any rider; long-term residents |
| Student Annual | AED 500 | Unlimited city buses, 1 year | Registered school/university students |
| Senior / People of Determination | Free | All routes: city, regional, night, airport | Eligible UAE seniors and people of determination |
| Subsidized 7-day | AED 30 | City and regional | Low-income Emirati families in social support programs |
| Subsidized 30-day | AED 80 | City and regional | Low-income Emirati families in social support programs |
The monthly pass at AED 95 works out to under AED 3.20 per day — cheaper than a single round trip if you commute daily. Senior citizens and people of determination ride the entire network free, including night and airport buses.
Pro Tip: A pass removes the need for constant top-ups and fare math. If you ride more than 5 days a week, the monthly pass pays for itself fast.
Hafilat Bus vs Taxi vs Uber vs Car
| Factor | Hafilat Bus | Taxi | Uber / Careem | Private Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City trip cost | AED 2–5 | AED 20–40 | AED 25–45 | Fuel + parking |
| Airport trip (A1) | AED 4 | AED 50–80 | AED 55–85 | Fuel + parking |
| Wait time | 10–30 min | 5–15 min | 3–10 min | None |
| Convenience | Fixed routes/stops | Door to door | Door to door | Full control |
| Best for | Budget, daily commute | Speed, groups | On-demand comfort | Frequent long trips |
The bus wins clearly on cost. For a daily commuter, the AED 95 monthly pass versus AED 25–40 per taxi ride adds up to hundreds of dirhams in savings each month.
Who Should Use Hafilat?
- Tourists: cheap access to the Grand Mosque, Corniche, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Yas Island attractions
- Office workers: predictable peak-hour frequency and a monthly pass that caps costs
- Students: the AED 500 annual pass covers a full school or university year
- Airport travelers: the A1 at AED 4 runs 24/7, ideal for early or late flights
- Families: subsidized passes and free transfers keep group travel affordable
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient balance. Boarding with a low balance can block your tap-in, especially before an intercity trip. Top up in advance.
- Forgetting to tap out. City and regional fares are distance-based. Skip the tap-out and you may be charged a default maximum fare.
- Choosing the wrong route type. An express route (E100, L41) skips smaller stops. Confirm your stop is served before boarding.
- Traveling at peak without buffer time. Buses fill up between 6:30–9:30 AM and 4:00–8:00 PM. Leave earlier or expect a wait.
- Using an expired or inactive card. Cards ordered online must be activated before first use. Check status in the DARBI app.
Why Your Bus May Be Late
Published timings are targets, not guarantees. Common causes of delay:
- Traffic congestion during peak hours on main corridors
- Weather — heavy fog or rare rain slows the whole network
- Ramadan — brief service pauses around Iftar in some regions
- Public holidays — reduced frequency on select routes
- Road closures or events near ADNEC, Yas Island, or the Corniche
Live tracking in the DARBI app shows the real position of your bus, which beats relying on the printed timetable during these disruptions.
Travel Tips
- Tourists: Buy a weekly pass if you’re staying 4+ days and plan to sightsee daily. Route 94 reaches the Louvre and Saadiyat Cultural District.
- Commuters: Screenshot your route’s peak frequency and set an auto-recharge to avoid morning delays.
- Airport travelers: Budget 90 minutes for the A1 plus check-in buffer. It runs all night, so red-eye flights are covered.
- Students: Apply for the annual pass early in the term; it needs proof of enrollment.
Ramadan Schedule
During Ramadan, most services keep the standard 6:00 AM–1:00 AM window. Two adjustments apply:
- Services in the Al Dhafra region pause briefly during Iftar to align with prayer times.
- Customer service centers shift to 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (Mon–Thu) and 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (Fri).
The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) publishes the updated Ramadan timetable on the DARBI app and its website before the month begins.
Weekend and Holiday Services
City and regional routes hold consistent schedules on weekends, though some reduce frequency on Saturdays and Sundays. Most major corridors run normally. The A1 airport bus runs 24/7 regardless of the day. During public holidays, essential routes keep operating — check the DARBI app for any specific suspensions.
How to Check Live Bus Timings
DARBI App (iOS and Android): Real-time bus locations, arrival predictions, trip planning, route maps, and service alerts. The most reliable route planner for day-to-day travel on the Abu Dhabi bus network.
- Official Hafilat Website: Full timetables, route maps, fare details, and pass information for advance planning.
- Physical timetables: Posted at all major bus stops and stations in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, covering peak and off-peak frequency.
- Customer Hotline: Call 800 888, available 24/7. Handles timing questions, route assistance, card balance, complaints, and accessibility requests.
Sources & Verification
The schedules, fares, and route details in this guide are compiled from official Abu Dhabi public transport sources:
- Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) — the government body overseeing public transport in the emirate
- Abu Dhabi Mobility (formerly under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, DMT) — the transport authority managing the bus network and smart mobility services
- DARBI mobile app — the official real-time route planner and service-alert platform
Timings shift with traffic, Ramadan, and holidays. For live updates, always confirm through the DARBI app or the official Hafilat website before you travel. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly against these sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which buses run overnight in Abu Dhabi?
How do I get from Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus?
How much does a city bus cost in Abu Dhabi?
Can I use my Hafilat card on intercity buses?
How do I get to Zayed International Airport by bus?
Do I need to tap out on a Hafilat bus?
How do free transfers work?
Where can I buy a Hafilat card?
Is there a bus from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah?
How long does the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain bus take?
What is the Abu Dhabi Link service?
Are Hafilat buses free for seniors and people of determination?
Why is my bus late even though the timetable says otherwise?
Conclusion
Hafilat gives Abu Dhabi one of the cheapest and most reliable public transport options in the region. City buses run 6:00 AM–1:00 AM, the A1 covers the airport 24/7, and night buses fill the late-hour gap. With the daily AED 5 city cap, free 60-minute transfers, and passes from AED 35 a week, the cost stays low for tourists, students, and daily commuters alike.
Before any trip, check live timings on the DARBI app — published schedules shift with traffic, holidays, and Ramadan. Keep your card topped up, tap in and out, and you’re set to travel across the whole network with confidence.
