If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable way to travel between Al Ghubaiba and International City in Dubai, the X23 bus route is an excellent option. If public transport is your regular ride or you’re visiting the city for the first time, this guide will help you.
This guide explains all you need to know about the X23 bus route, including its hours, boarding and exit points, cost, and useful tips.
Overview of the X23 Bus
The bus takes commuters directly from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai to the International City Bus Station (Cluster 29). The express route is 25 kilometers long and is meant for quick travel. So, people living in the area and commuters continue to choose the bus every day.
Key Route Details
- Route: Start at Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and get off at International City Bus Station.
- Total Distance: 25 km
- Total Journey Time: It is expected that the trip will take around 32 minutes.
- Fare: AED 3, and a NOL Card must be used.
Students in the X23 travel to reliable locations in Dubai such as Oud Metha, Ras Al Khor, and a few sectors in International City.
X23 Bus Timings
| Day | From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | From International City Bus Station |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Sunday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:15 PM |
X23 Bus Timings
| Day | From Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | From International City Bus Station |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM |
| Sunday | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | 5:00 AM – 11:15 PM |
X23 Bus Route
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Pro Tips for Taking the X23 Bus
1. Use a NOL Card
A deposit of AED 3 on your Nol card is required to use the bus service. Before you set off, top up your gas tank to avoid being stuck at a gas station.
2. Travel Off-Peak If You Can
If you visit in the morning or evening, you’ll likely have more space to yourself. Between 7 and 9 in the morning and from 5 to 8 in the evening, the venue is busiest.
3. Plan Stop Locations in Advance
If you’re not sure when to get off, you can use either RTA S’hail or Google Maps to follow the bus as it travels.
4. Stay Cool in the Heat
Riding on a cool bus is very helpful, but chilling in either the Ras Al Khor or Textile City terminals can feel a bit tough.
5. Keep Emergency Options Ready
If you can’t catch the last bus (11 PM), use one of these services: Careem, Uber, or try the metro if you’re not far from BurJuman or Oud Metha.
Nearby Landmarks Along the Route
Important areas are placed either beside or just a short distance from the X23.
From Al Ghubaiba Side
- Al Ghubaiba Metro Station
- Heritage Village / Dubai Creek
- BurJuman Mall
- Wafi Mall
- Latifa Hospital
From International City Side
- Dragon Mart
- CBD Cluster Business Centers
- Morocco and China Clusters
- Dubai Textile City
- Kibsons HQ
I pay for shopping, business and healthcare using cards. If you’d like to do something besides just sitting on the train, you have a lot of options.
X23: Route Background and Planning Notes
The X23 links Al Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai with International City, so it works as a direct connection between the old city centre and one of the larger residential districts on the eastern side.
The Al Ghubaiba end
According to Wikipedia, Al Ghubaiba station is in Al Shindagha, Bur Dubai, the historic centre of Dubai, near the junction of 51 Road and Al Ghubaiba Road. It is a station on the Green Line of the Dubai Metro, opened on 9 September 2011. The same page says the bus station offers intercity services to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and that many local routes start there, including services to Dubai Mall, Al Quoz and International City. Nearby landmarks listed include City Centre Al Shindagha and Dubai Creek.
Connecting at Al Ghubaiba
Because the Metro station and the bus station are close together, you can arrive by Green Line and change to the X23 without leaving the area. If you are coming from elsewhere in Dubai, plan the Metro leg first and then the bus.
Planning checklist
- Open the RTA website or the RTA/S’hail apps the day before and check the current timetable, because routes and frequencies are adjusted from time to time.
- Make sure your Nol card has enough balance before you leave, as the card is used to tag on and tag off.
- Note the name of your stop and the name of the terminus on the bus display, so you do not board the opposite direction by mistake.
- If the trip includes a Metro leg, allow extra minutes for the walk between the station and the bus stop.
- The X23 can be affected by traffic on the main roads to the east, so build in a margin if you have a fixed appointment.
The Wikipedia entry for the RTA notes that the authority runs buses together with the Metro, tram and water transport and lists S’hail and Nol Pay among its apps. For the current stops, timetable and any route changes, use the RTA website. I did not repeat fares or timings here because they were not confirmed from an official page during this research.
A note on paying: according to Wikipedia’s article on the Nol card, it is a prepaid contactless smartcard introduced in 2009 for public transport in Dubai, and you tag on and off to have the fare deducted. The article describes several card types, including the Red Ticket for visitors, and says the card can be topped up online, at machines or at ticket offices. Card types and rules have changed over the years, so confirm what applies to you on the official site before buying or topping up.
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FAQs
1. What does it cost to ride the X23 bus in Dubai?
When you ride the bus with an NOL card, you must pay only AED 3. Always make sure your NOL card has credit before boarding the bus.
2. Where does the X23 bus start and end?
It is possible to take the X23 from Al Ghubaiba Station in Bur Dubai to International City Bus Station (Cluster 29).
3. What are the X23 bus timings?
- From Al Ghubaiba Station: the bus runs daily from 5 AM to 11 PM
- From International City:
- Monday to Saturday: 5:00 AM – 11:19 PM
- Sunday: 5:00 AM – 11:15 PM
Check the RTA S’hail app for live updates whenever it is possible.
4. How long does the X23 bus ride take?
Trips to the airport can be finished in as little as 32 minutes, with another 5 or so minutes for going through traffic. The train gets there quicker because it stops less than buses do.
5. Does the X23 run on Fridays and public holidays?
The X23 express buses are on the same schedule every day, including Fridays and holidays, unless RTA sends a different message.
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Final Words
Getting from Al Ghubaiba to International City can be done fast, cheap, and with confidence using the X23 bus route. If working is the plan, meeting someone outside, or finding a new place to go, you can quickly reach your destination by taking the X23 bus.
If you follow the arrangement and suggestions we’ve explained, your journey on the X23 will be simple and pleasant.
