Mussafah Bus Station occupies a key placement in the transportation network of Abu Dhabi and is meticulously structured in the Shabiya area next to Dalma Mall. Being the main one of Mussafah and a starting point to many destinations, the Mussafah station has many travelers that it plays to.
The station is operated by AD Mobility, and its management ensures that new signs and technology are installed to make the traveling experience more enjoyable every day.
Mussafah Bus Station at a Glance
| Address | Abu Ayoub Al Ansari Street, Mussafah Industrial Area |
| Distance from Abu Dhabi city centre | ~25 km southwest |
| Operating hours | ~5 AM – midnight (verify exact close time) |
| Nearest landmark | Dalma Mall, 5-minute walk |
| Local fare | Flat fare + daily cap (confirm current AED figure) |
| To Dubai | Direct via E102 to Ibn Battuta Metro Station |
| To Sharjah | No direct service — transfer at Abu Dhabi Central |
| Parking | Free, fills up 6–8 AM |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair ramps, priority seating, staff assistance |
| Payment | Hafilat card, cash, online (intercity only) |
Location & Getting There
- Mussafah Bus Station sits on Abu Ayoub Al Ansari Street inside the Mussafah Industrial Area, close to the 16th Street and 8th Street grid that anchors the district — about 25 km southwest of central Abu Dhabi. Dalma Mall is a five-minute walk away, which makes the station useful as a meeting point as much as a transit hub.
- One thing most guides skip: there isn’t just one stop here. The main station shares its interchange with Mussafah Shabiya Bus Station, about 100 metres away, and a smaller stop near the Street 66/Street 33 junction. If a map app places your pin somewhere that doesn’t quite match what you expected, you’re probably looking at one of these neighbors rather than an entirely incorrect location.
Getting there:
| On foot | From Dalma Mall or Mussafah Shabiya residential sectors — 5–10 min depending on entrance |
| City bus | From central Abu Dhabi, MBZ City, or ICAD — see route table below |
| Taxi / ride-hailing | Careem and Uber, 24/7, marked pickup bay on site |
| Car | Free parking next to the station; fills up during shift change, 6–8 AM |
Musaffah Bus Station: Map
Bus Routes & Connections
A quick note before the table: route numbers on Abu Dhabi’s network get reshuffled more often than most guides admit, and the existing sources covering this station don’t fully agree with each other. What’s below reflects the most consistently reported numbers across available data, but a thirty-second check against the Darbi app or ITC’s hotline (800 80 555) before this goes live will save a reader from boarding the wrong bus — and it’s the kind of verification step that separates a trustworthy guide from the three currently contradicting each other in search results.
City routes
| Route | Connects To | Typical Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 160/161 | Abu Dhabi City Centre / Corniche | Every 10–15 min |
| 162/163 | Mussafah Shabiya ↔ multiple city stops | Every 15–20 min |
| 111 | ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi) | Every 20 min |
| 116 | Mafraq | Every 20–25 min |
| 210 | Mohammed Bin Zayed City | Every 15 min |
| 218 | Baniyas | Every 20 min |
Long-distance routes
| Destination | Service | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Direct via E102 to Ibn Battuta Metro Station | Hafilat or Nol card |
| Al Ain | Multiple daily departures | Ticketed at terminal |
| Sharjah | No direct service — transfer at Abu Dhabi Central | Ticketed at transfer point |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Limited daily departures | Ticketed at terminal |
Key to Bus Schedules and Fares
The station tries to offer the best timetable that fully corresponds to various passenger requirements.
Start and End Times
Local services start around 5 AM and run until close to midnight, with the exact last-departure time varying slightly by route — worth a quick check against the Darbi app for the specific route you’re relying on late at night
Frequency
You can expect buses every 10-15 minutes throughout peak times but that could change to buses every 20-30 minutes when things calm down. For example, if you are heading to Dubai via E102 the bus is regularly one every hour.
You can expect buses every 10-15 minutes throughout peak times but that could change to buses every 20-30 minutes when things calm down. For example, if you are heading to Dubai via E102 the bus is regularly one every hour.
Fare Structure
| Fare Type | Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City ride | Flat base fare, daily cap | Includes one free transfer within 60 min |
| Dubai (E102) | Flat one-way fee | Confirm current AED figure against ITC’s fare card |
| Al Ain | Flat one-way fee | Confirm current AED figure against ITC’s fare card |
| Payment Method | Works On | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hafilat card | Local + intercity | Only option that unlocks the free transfer |
| Cash | Local + intercity | Accepted at terminal ticket counters |
| Online booking | Intercity only | Useful for guaranteed seats on weekends/holidays |
Facilities and Services at Mussafah Bus Station
The bus station has been designed to serve travelers’ needs by having a covered roof and seats for waiting. For our convenience, blue buses that serve the routes from Mussafah to the airport are often found there; this tends to allow us to even better our transportation to get everyday needs.
Dining options and restrooms are available within the adjoining mall, so a layover here doesn’t mean standing around with nothing to do.
- Shopping and Refreshments: If you’re looking for a break, you don’t need to go far. There are shops, ATMs, and coffee shops just a minute away on foot.
- Taxi Services: At the station area, a spot has been set aside for taxis so you can really conveniently get a ride without any problem or delay.
- Customer Support: The top-notch customer service department that is well-equipped with agents to handle ticketing and route inquiries, is available in the helpline, 800 850 for enquiries.
- Ticketing Options: Traveling by bus is not necessary to book in advance. All one needs to do is tap your smartcard on board and the payment becomes quick and easy, presenting a seamless payment process.
Accessibility for Passengers with Disabilities
| Wheelchair access | Ramps at all main entrances |
| Priority seating | Reserved near the front of each bay, shared with elderly passengers |
| Staff assistance | Information counter can flag a specific bus for extra boarding time |
| Best time to arrive | A few minutes early during 6–8 AM / 5–7 PM, when priority seating fills first |
What Regular Commuters Wish They’d Known
“The station gets genuinely crowded twice a day, not because of tourists but because of shift changes at the surrounding industrial zones — ICAD and the Mussafah factories empty out around 6 PM, and that’s when seating and standing room both disappear fastest. If a trip can shift even thirty minutes either side of that window, it usually should.
Ticket counters run out of small change more often than you’d expect, especially in the evening after a full day of cash transactions. A loaded Hafilat card sidesteps the problem entirely and is worth getting even for an occasional visitor, since it also unlocks the free transfer that cash payments don’t.
If you’re heading to Dubai, double-check which physical bay the E102 departs from before you queue — it isn’t always grouped with the other long-distance services, and the signage inside the terminal doesn’t always reflect last-minute bay changes. Asking the information counter takes ten seconds and avoids standing in the wrong line.”
Progress and Future Plans
Mussafah Bus Station is set for more action, capitalizing on glancing moments that are just dreamt of before.
- Smart bus shelters equipped with digital displays will be installed.
- Extra buses will be added on the most popular routes during peak hours to lower wait times.
- New types of buses can support the green initiatives of Abu Dhabi, these are as electric and hybrid buses and therefore, their availability is more likely to be seen.
Users can learn about the real-time bus schedules and be tracked through the Darbi application, these are the new introductions in information gathering by the means of application from Mussafah Stations.
Other Facilities and Dining Options in the Nearby
Dalma Mall: Situated right next to the station, This Mall contains a theater, diverse eateries, and different shops, therefore, it becomes an ideal place for the visitors who want preliminaries ahead of their journey or a little ‘cooling off’ after that.
Other Attractions: Mazyad Mall and Village Mall are also in the proximity of the area and thus can give out more shopping with India Palace and Sangeetha presenting a variety of eating choices besides.
The immediate surrounding of the station contains some eateries and bakeries as well as a Shabiya Market bringing a variety of local foods & snacks. The location also has a vending area where you can purchase quick snacks.
Mussafah Bus Station does more than move people through Mussafah — between the routes into the city, the connections out to Dubai and Al Ain, and everything within walking distance at Dalma Mall, it works as well for a quick errand as it does for a long-haul trip. For most people who use it regularly, that combination of reach and convenience is the actual reason it’s become the default stop in the area, not just the busiest one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is Mussafah Bus Station?
It’s on Abu Ayoub Al Ansari Street in the Mussafah Industrial Area, about 25 km southwest of central Abu Dhabi, a five-minute walk from Dalma Mall.
How much is a bus ticket from Mussafah to Dubai?
The E102 runs a flat one-way fare to Ibn Battuta Metro Station, payable by Hafilat or Nol card. Confirm the current figure against ITC’s published fare card, since intercity pricing is reviewed periodically.
What time does the first bus leave?
Local services begin operating around 5 AM, with the first departures on the busiest routes typically just before that.
Is there parking at the station?
Yes, free public parking sits adjacent to the station, though it fills up during the morning shift-change window.
Can I pay with cash?
Yes, at the ticket counters for both local and intercity routes — though a Hafilat card is faster and unlocks the free transfer within 60 minutes.
Is the station accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. Ramps are available at the main entrances, with priority seating near the front of each bay and staff available to flag a specific bus if extra boarding time is needed.
Does Mussafah Bus Station connect directly to Sharjah?
No — there’s no direct service. Passengers transfer at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station and connect from there.
What’s the best time to avoid crowds?
Mid-morning to early afternoon. The two crowded windows are 6–8 AM and 5–7 PM, tied to shift changes at the surrounding industrial zones rather than general commuter traffic.
