Navigate the UAE with Verified Schedules, Fares & Cost Calculators

Public transit smart cards in the UAE are managed by each Emirate's individual transport authority: Dubai uses the Nol Card (valid on Metro, Tram, city buses, water buses, and Dubai-operated intercity buses); Abu Dhabi uses the Hafilat Smart Card (valid on all city, regional, and Al Ain buses); Sharjah uses the Sayer Card (valid on SRTA city buses); and Ajman uses the Masaar Card. For intercity buses departing from Dubai, you pay using your Nol Card at the terminal gates.

Each Emirate's transport authority sets its own statutory fare regulations. In Dubai, the RTA enforces a minimum fare of AED 12.00. In Abu Dhabi, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) enforces an AED 12.00 minimum. In Sharjah, the Roads & Transport Authority (SRTA) enforces an AED 16.50 minimum fare floor. When a taxi crosses between Emirates (e.g. Sharjah to Dubai), an official AED 20.00 intercity cross-border surcharge is automatically applied to the meter.

In Dubai, the Dubai Municipality housing fee for expatriates is equal to 5% of the annual tenancy contract value (as registered in Ejari), divided into 12 equal monthly installments on your DEWA bill. In Abu Dhabi, the municipality fee (Tawtheeq) is also 5% of the annual rent divided by 12, with a statutory minimum fee of AED 450 per year (AED 37.50 per month). In Sharjah, residential tenants pay a 1.5 fils per gallon sewerage fee and tenancy municipality charges.

Official Etihad Rail passenger fares start at AED 39.00 for a standard Comfort Saver ticket between Abu Dhabi Station and Dubai Station (105 km in 64 minutes) and AED 109.00 for Premium Class. Children aged 2 to 17 receive a 50% discount (AED 20 for Abu Dhabi ⇄ Dubai Comfort), and infants under 2 travel free on lap. Optional Value (+AED 20) and Flex (+AED 40) tiers provide seat selection and refundable ticket flexibility.

Our calculators provide benchmark estimates within 90%+ accuracy based on 2026 published mainland and free zone fee schedules across Dubai (DET, IFZA, Meydan, DMCC), Sharjah (SEDD, SHAMS, SPC), Ajman (AFZA, AMCFZ), and Ras Al Khaimah (RAKEZ). Actual final quotes may vary slightly based on specific commercial activities, immigration security approvals, and chosen office configurations.

In the UAE, health insurance is legally mandatory for all residency visa holders. In Dubai (under DHA) and federally across the Northern Emirates, sponsors must provide minimum Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) coverage (approx. AED 800/year for dependents) or comprehensive coverage (approx. AED 2,200+/year). Our calculator includes these insurance tiers alongside government entry permits, status change fees, medical fitness screening, and Emirates ID.

Yes. In Sharjah, eligible traffic fines paid within 60 days of the violation date automatically receive a 35% discount, or a 25% discount if paid between 61 days and 365 days. In Ajman, a 50% discount window applies to eligible violations. However, serious offenses—such as jumping a red light, exceeding the speed limit by over 80 km/h, and reckless driving endangering lives—are statutory exceptions and never receive early payment discounts.

You can take express intercity buses operated by RTA and ITC: Route E100 departs from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, and Route E101 departs from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi Central. Both cost AED 25.00 one-way paid with a standard Nol Card, departing every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day.