Search “Al Ain to Sharjah bus timings” and you will get a few different timetables with a slight discrepancy between them. One will offer you the 118 bus route, another will suggest transferring in Dubai and some won’t even specify the transport operator of the route. If you have already spent the last ten minutes of your life trying to find the answer to the simple question of the Al Ain to Sharjah bus schedule, you aren’t alone.
And the reason for the above-mentioned difficulty lies in the nature of the route itself, since it is an intercity bus route that covers several emirates and their authorities and involves a change of the stops’ names and schedules according to the day of the week.
Is There a Direct Bus from Al Ain to Sharjah?
There is no single-operator non-stop route that links these two cities. The closest thing to a direct route is the 118 bus that goes from Al Ain Central Bus Station all the way to the Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah without any transfers or stopovers.
Though, it is a coordinated route, since it goes through from Al Ain which is regulated by Abu Dhabi transportation authorities into Sharjah through Dubai area with shared infrastructure, stops and transportation authorities (SRTA and RTA). Though this information might sound confusing, the traveler’s journey will go as simple as usual: just board and wait till you reach the destination station — Al Jubail.
In case if your preferred departure time doesn’t suit the schedule of the 118 bus, there is an alternative route available: go to Al Ghubaiba bus station in Dubai, then transfer to Sharjah bound service E306 and so on. The journey is slightly prolonged with a transfer point, but it offers you the opportunity to catch some additional buses that are not included in the 118 timetable.
118 Bus Route Overview
The 118 is the key route of Al Ain-Sharjah journey. Understanding this route will help you understand why it takes certain time and what the passengers’ experience of this journey looks like.
Al Ain to Sharjah Bus Timings
| Bus Timings | Route |
|---|---|
| 12:30 am – 6:19 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 1:15 am – 6:19 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 2:00 am – 6:39 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 2:00 am – 6:59 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 2:00 am – 7:19 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 2:00 am – 7:21 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 2:00 am – 8:19 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 6:00 am – 9:59 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 7:10 am – 11:19 am | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 8:35 am – 12:39 pm | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 8:35 am – 12:59 pm | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 9:40 am – 1:39 pm | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| 10:40 am – 2:59 pm | Al Ain to Sharjah |
Route Distance & Travel Time
The whole route covers almost 150 kilometers and in normal traffic conditions, the journey takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes in total. This time period is more like a planning baseline, since the route passes through areas with higher traffic rates especially at the rush hour period (in the late afternoon) and during holidays.
If you are going to catch a flight out of Sharjah Airport right after your journey, keep in mind that it is better to take it a bit earlier and have some additional time instead of calculating exactly 2 hours 45 minutes.
Key Stops Along the Way
There are several key stops along the way. Here is the order of them and the approximate times of the stops relative to the starting point, Al Ain. They are given only for general guidance, since the traffic may affect the exact timing of the stops.
| Stop | Approx. Time from Al Ain |
|---|---|
| Al Ain Central Bus Station (start) | 0:00 |
| King Faisal Street | 0:15 |
| Ittihad / Safeer Mall area | 0:35 |
| Ittihad Park | 0:50 |
| Al Wahda Street | 1:40 |
| Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah (end) | 2:45 |
For more precise information about the stop points, use the official [route-planning tool on the RTA or SRTA website], as sometimes the stop order and the name of the stops may change.
Al Ain to Sharjah Bus Timings (Full Timetable)
Now we come to the main topic of our post. Below is a description of the general structure of the 118 schedule. Take it as a rough guide and always look at the live schedule of the bus before your journey, as the transport operators can change the schedules anytime.
| Departure Window | Approx. Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning (first departure) | Every 45–60 minutes | Lightest crowds, most reliable travel time |
| Mid-morning to early afternoon | Every 45–60 minutes | Standard off-peak frequency |
| Late afternoon / evening | Slightly reduced frequency | Expect longer travel time due to traffic |
| Late night (last departure) | Single final service | Confirm cutoff time before planning a late trip |
First Bus and Last Bus Timings
The earliest departures of the 118 bus generally start at very early morning hours and the services continue running until late evening — generally cited as 3:45 AM to 11:00 PM. But due to the discrepancies in the schedule between different sources, it’s better to take this time range approximately.
Daytime and Evening
| Day | First Bus | Last Bus | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| Tuesday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| Wednesday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| Thursday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| Friday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| Saturday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
| Sunday | 3:45 AM | 11:00 PM | Al Ain to Sharjah |
Weekday vs. Weekend Schedule Differences
Like the majority of intercity routes in UAE, the 118 route usually has an adjusted schedule on Friday and the weekend frequency differs from the standard weekday one, usually due to the less commuter demand. So, if your journey falls on Friday or Saturday, you should allow yourself a little flexibility with the departure time.
Approximate Frequency Between Buses
During the periods of peak traffic — early morning and late afternoon hours — buses on this route tend to go with the interval of 45 minutes. Otherwise, the gap between the departures may be up to 60 minutes. It’s not the same as turn-up-and-go service and that is why it is better to check the next departure time before you come to the bus station.
Bus Fare and Ticket Options
As with the majority of intercity bus routes, the fares on this route are calculated according to the distance traveled. That is why the price will depend on which stop you board the bus and from which one you alight. As the general guidance, you should note that the full journey from Al Ain to Sharjah usually costs AED (in average), but due to the frequent fare updates, it’s better to check the current fare on your card or official fare table before your journey.
Payment Methods
There are two card systems on this route, and it is necessary to know them in order not to meet the unpleasant situation at the fare gate:
- Nol card for all Dubai RTA bus services.
- Hafilat card for SRTA services, including Al Jubail-Al Ain route.
Interoperability between these systems is not wide, and if you decide to travel via Al Ghubaiba, you should carry both cards or to check the current interoperability of them.
Discounted Fare Categories
Like other public transport in the UAE, you can have reduced or even free fare in some categories of passengers — people of determination, senior citizens and students with valid identification. But availability of discount depends on the transport operator and it is better to consult with him in advance in case you belong to one of these categories.
Direct 118 Bus vs. Al Ghubaiba Transfer Which One Is Better to Choose?
The 118 bus is a preferable choice if your schedule allows you, since you need to make only one stop to board the bus and make your way to the final destination. In the case if your desired departure time doesn’t fit the 118 schedule, you should choose Al Ghubaiba transfer route that will allow you to go in the desired direction faster, despite the additional effort.
| Criteria | 118 Direct Route | Al Ghubaiba Transfer Route |
|---|---|---|
| Number of transfers | None | One (switch to E306 or equivalent) |
| Total travel time | ~2 hours 45 minutes | Typically longer, due to transfer wait |
| Convenience with luggage | Higher — no need to disembark mid-trip | Lower — luggage handling during transfer |
| Departure flexibility | Limited to 118 schedule | Wider, since Al Ain–Dubai and Dubai–Sharjah legs run independently |
| Card requirements | Primarily one system | May require both Nol and Hafilat |
Mostly, the single planned trip passengers prefer the 118 bus, but in case of a short notice or travel time that is not covered by the 118 schedule, it is better to choose the transfer route.
How to Track Your Bus in Real Time
Timetables that you can download or read online are great, but due to the possible traffic conditions on the route, it may change the departure and arrival time significantly. Real time tracking will solve this problem.
The RTA and SRTA provide their respective apps that have the function of real time bus tracking. Just check your app 15–20 minutes before your departure and you will know the current situation with your bus.
Tips for a Comfortable Journey
Some small tricks can help you make the journey more pleasant:
- Arrive to the station 10–15 minutes earlier — this will give you a possibility to pick a seat.
- Take some water and food, since onboard food policy doesn’t allow taking some kinds of meals.
- Remember about your accessibility — priority seats are generally provided for people of determination, senior citizens and pregnant women.
Plan your backup if you come to the station after the last bus departure — in this case the ride-hailing or taxi are the most convenient ways to move around since the overnight bus services on this particular route are rather scarce.
Conclusion
There is no single non-stop route for Al Ain and Sharjah, but using the 118 bus route and the alternative option of the Al Ghubaiba transfer, your journey will be well-covered and will take you around three hours in total. Also, timings and fares may change from season to season, that is why you should check them using your smartphone app before you journey, especially if you are traveling at the beginning or at the end of the schedule.
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