Al Karama Bus Station sits on 45B Street in the heart of old Dubai and is one of the city’s busiest RTA bus hubs, connecting Karama to Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, the airport, Deira and Sharjah. Here is everything you need: routes, first and last bus timings, fares, and how to reach it by metro.
The short video below gives you a feel for the Karama district around the station.
Al Karama Bus Station at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 45B Street, Al Karama, Dubai (next to Karama Medical Centre) |
| Operated by | RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) |
| Established | 1980s; modernised in the 2000s |
| Operating hours | Station open 24/7; ticket offices 6:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Payment | Nol Card only (tap in when boarding, tap out when leaving) |
| Fares | AED 3 / AED 5 / AED 7.5 depending on zones |
| Nearest metro | ADCB Metro Station (Red Line), 4–5 min walk |
| Key routes | 10, 21, 24, 28, 29, 33, 44, 88, X23, X25, C3, C10, E304 (Sharjah), E400 (Ajman) |
Where Is Karama Bus Station Located?
Karama Bus Station is located on 45B Street in Al Karama, Dubai, right next to Karama Medical Centre. It sits in the dense, walkable centre of the old city, close to Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, which makes it one of the most practical starting points for bus travel across Dubai.
Note: some navigation apps label nearby stops as “Karama Bus Station 1” and “Karama Bus Station 2”, but RTA has not officially confirmed these names — treat them as app labels rather than official station names.
How to Reach Karama Bus Station by Metro
The metro is the fastest way to reach the station. ADCB Metro Station on the Red Line is the closest — a 4 to 5-minute walk. It was formerly named Al Karama Metro Station, so older maps and locals may still call it that. Here is how to do it step by step:
- Ride the Dubai Metro Red Line to ADCB station.
- Exit the station and walk towards 45B Street in Al Karama (the bus station is signposted).
- Allow about 4–5 minutes on foot.
| Metro Station | Line | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| ADCB (formerly Al Karama) | Red Line | 4–5 min |
| BurJuman | Red + Green Line | 8–10 min |
| Oud Metha | Green Line | ~13 min |
BurJuman is handy if you are switching between the Red and Green lines. For a broader metro overview, see our Dubai Metro, Tram & Marine Transport Guide (2026).
Coming by car or taxi? There is paid parking and public parking near the station, plus a dedicated taxi pickup area outside the terminal.
Bus Routes from Karama: The Key Ones
Karama is served by 25 local RTA routes plus intercity services. These are the routes commuters ask about most:
| Route | Main Destination | First Bus | Last Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Jumeirah | 5:25 AM | 1:34 AM |
| 29 | Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa | Check display boards | |
| 33 | Airport Terminal 2 / Al Qusais / Al Ghubaiba | 5:13 AM | 12:43 AM |
| 21 | Ghubaiba – Al Nahda | Check display boards | |
| 24 | Rashidiya | Check display boards | |
| 88 | Jumeirah Beach / Dubai Marina | Check display boards | |
| X25 | Business Bay / Silicon Oasis | Check display boards | |
| C10 | Jumeirah Beach | Check display boards | |
| C3 | Abu Hail Metro (36 stops, ~40 min, ~24 km) | Check display boards | |
This is the competitor’s biggest gap — most guides publish no route numbers or timings at all. For the full 25-route list with every destination, see our complete Karama bus routes list.
Intercity Buses: Sharjah and Ajman
Karama is also a major intercity hub. E304, E306 and E307 run from Karama to Sharjah (E307 takes roughly 35–50 minutes), and E400 goes to Ajman. E304’s first bus leaves at 6:30 AM and the last at 11:30 PM. Our dedicated guide covers Karama to Sharjah bus timings, routes and fares in full detail.
First and Last Bus Timings
The timings below are the published first and last departures for the most-used routes from Karama:
| Route | First Bus | Last Bus |
|---|---|---|
| 28 (Jumeirah) | 5:25 AM | 1:34 AM |
| 33 (Airport Terminal 2 / Al Qusais) | 5:13 AM | 12:43 AM |
| E304 (Sharjah Jubail) | 6:30 AM | 11:30 PM |
As a rule of thumb, most local buses run from around 5:00 AM until midnight, while express and intercity services can run until about 1:00 AM. Timings can change on public holidays and weekends, so always double-check the digital display boards at the station or the RTA S’hail app before you travel.
Fares, Nol Card and Passes
Only one payment method works on RTA buses: the Nol Card. Tap in when you board and tap out when you leave — the correct fare is deducted automatically. The same card works on the bus, metro and tram.
| Zones Crossed | Fare |
|---|---|
| 1 zone | AED 3 |
| 2 adjoining zones | AED 5 |
| 3+ zones | AED 7.5 |
Discounts: students, senior citizens and people of determination get 50% off fares. Passes: a 1-zone weekly pass costs AED 50 and an all-zones monthly pass costs AED 350 — worth it if you commute daily. Recharge machines are available inside the station, and you can learn the quickest ways to check your balance in our Nol Card balance check guide.
Station Facilities
Karama Bus Station is a full terminal, not just a roadside stop. Facilities include:
- Air-conditioned waiting lounges
- Ticket counters and Nol Card recharge machines
- Digital display boards with live departure information
- Restrooms and washrooms
- Shops, kiosks and marts for snacks and essentials
- Free Wi-Fi
- Taxi pickup area
- Ramps and step-free access for wheelchair users
Peak vs Off-Peak Frequency
Like the rest of the RTA network, buses from Karama run more frequently during morning and evening rush hours and less often late at night and midday. Exact headways vary by route, so use the live timings on the station’s display boards or the S’hail app to plan around your route’s actual frequency.
Parking at Karama Bus Station
There is no confirmed free station car park, but paid parking and public parking are available in the streets around the station. Because Karama is a busy residential and commercial district, parking fills up quickly at peak times — the metro remains the easiest way in.
Nearby Attractions
The station’s location is one of its biggest advantages. Within easy reach:
- Karama Market / Karama Shopping Complex — the famous budget shopping street, a short walk away
- Karama Park — green space for a break between buses
- Zabeel Park — about 5 minutes away
- Dubai Frame — in Zabeel Park; alight towards the Karama-02 stop and it is roughly a 15-minute walk
- BurJuman Mall — shopping mall near the BurJuman metro interchange
- Lulu Hypermarket Karama — the area’s big supermarket; see our Lulu Hypermarket Karama location & timings guide
- Karama Fish Market — worth a visit if you are in the area
Where to Eat Near the Station
Karama is famous for affordable food. The lanes around the station are full of small restaurants and cafeterias serving South Asian, Filipino and Middle Eastern food at very reasonable prices, and the shops and kiosks inside the terminal cover quick snacks before your bus.
Hotels Near Karama Bus Station
Karama is a popular area for budget and mid-range hotels, and many are within a short walk of the station — the neighbourhood is a practical base for visitors precisely because of its transport links. Book early during peak tourist season, when rooms near the station fill fast.
Tips for Commuters
- Travel off-peak when you can — morning and evening rush hours mean queues at the busiest bays.
- Keep your Nol Card topped up — ticket offices close at 10:00 PM, so late-night travellers should recharge earlier in the day.
- Check the boards — bay assignments and minor timetable changes appear on the digital displays, not on printed posters.
- For Sharjah and Ajman, intercity buses leave from the same station — no need to go to another terminal.
Other Bus Stations in Dubai
Karama is one of several major RTA terminals — others include Al Ghubaiba, Satwa and Deira, plus the smaller Mankhool and Al Jafiliya stations elsewhere in the Karama district. If you travel from the Jumeirah side, our Satwa Bus Station routes & timings guide covers that terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Al Karama Bus Station located?
Al Karama Bus Station is on 45B Street in Al Karama, Dubai, next to Karama Medical Centre. It is operated by the RTA and has been serving the area since the 1980s, with a modernisation in the 2000s.
Which metro station is closest to Karama Bus Station?
ADCB Metro Station on the Red Line is the closest, about a 4–5 minute walk. It was formerly called Al Karama Metro Station. BurJuman (Red + Green lines, 8–10 minutes) and Oud Metha (Green Line, about 13 minutes) are the other nearby options.
What are the first and last bus timings from Karama?
Route 28 runs 5:25 AM to 1:34 AM, route 33 runs 5:13 AM to 12:43 AM, and E304 to Sharjah runs 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM. Most local buses operate roughly 5:00 AM to midnight; check the station’s display boards for your exact route.
What is the bus fare from Karama?
RTA fares are AED 3 for one zone, AED 5 for two adjoining zones, and AED 7.5 for three or more zones. Students, senior citizens and people of determination get 50% off, and a 1-zone weekly pass costs AED 50 while an all-zones monthly pass costs AED 350.
Is Karama Bus Station open 24 hours?
The station itself operates 24/7, but the ticket offices are open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. If you travel late at night, recharge your Nol Card earlier in the day.
Which bus goes from Karama to Dubai Mall and the airport?
Take bus 29 from Karama to Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa. For the airport, bus 33 goes to Airport Terminal 2 (and on to Al Qusais).