Regional Bus A40: Abu Dhabi’s Suburban Outer Ring

Connecting Shahama and Baniyas without entering city traffic

Most Abu Dhabi bus routes follow a classic hub-and-spoke model, forcing riders to pass through the city center even when traveling between suburbs. The Regional Bus A40 breaks that pattern.

Instead of feeding into downtown, the A40 functions as an outer ring connector, linking Shahama in the north with Baniyas in the south, using Zayed International Airport as its pivot point. For suburban residents, it replaces long, multi-transfer journeys with a single, direct ride.

What Riding the A40 Is Actually Like

The A40 is built for commuters, not tourists. Compared to airport routes like the A1 or A2, it feels quieter, more purposeful, and clearly geared toward daily travel.

Overall feel

• Efficient and fast-moving
• Long highway stretches at around 80 km/h
• Minimal stop-and-go traffic

Why it matters For someone living in Shahama, the A40 eliminates the need to travel into Abu Dhabi city just to catch an airport or regional bus. What used to take nearly two hours and multiple transfers is now a single 30-minute trip under normal conditions.

Route Structure and Logic

The easiest way to understand the A40 is to picture a “V” shape, with the airport at the bottom.

North Arm: Shahama

• Starts at Shahama Bus Station
• Serves Old Shahama residential areas
• Stops near Deerfields Mall, a key shopping and residential hub

Pivot Point: Zayed International Airport

• Stops at Terminal A, using the dedicated regional/intercity bus bays
• Acts as the connection point between north and south suburbs

South Arm: Baniyas

• Continues toward Baniyas West
• Serves areas near Bawabat Al Sharq Mall
• Terminates at Baniyas West Bus Station

This layout allows passengers to cross large parts of Abu Dhabi without ever touching downtown roads.

Service Facts and Recent Changes

Stable routing Because the A40 relies heavily on major highways, it’s far less affected by roadworks and diversions than city routes.

Terminal A integration Like the A10, the A40 now operates exclusively from Terminal A, using clearly marked regional bus platforms.

Frequency

• Typically runs every 45 to 60 minutes
• Slightly more frequent than the A10 during peak commuting hours

Practical Tips from Regular Riders

Check the direction carefully At Terminal A, the A40 uses the same platform for both directions. Always check the LED display on the front of the bus. Boarding the wrong one sends you 20 km in the opposite direction.

Understand “Baniyas” stops Baniyas is a large area. The final stop is Baniyas West Bus Station. If you live in Baniyas East or near Bawabat Al Sharq, listen for announcements and get off earlier.

Luggage strategy This route often carries families and long-term travelers with heavy bags. Arrive early and queue near the front to secure luggage rack space.

Universal Pro Tips (A40 and A10)

Payment

• No cash accepted
• Use a Hafilat Card
• Fare is AED 4, but keep at least AED 10 balance
• Cards can be purchased or topped up at machines in Terminal A arrivals

Free WiFi

• Most buses offer free onboard WiFi
• Look for the “UAE WiFi” network
• Requires a local mobile number for OTP access

Dress for the AC

• Air-conditioning is strong
• Early morning and late-night trips can feel cold, even in summer
• Bring a light jacket if you’re sensitive to cold air

Why the A40 Matters

The Regional Bus A40 quietly solves one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest public transport gaps: suburb-to-suburb travel without downtown detours. For residents of Shahama and Baniyas, it’s faster, cheaper, and far more direct than traditional city routes.

It’s not flashy, but for daily commuters, the A40 is exactly what a regional bus should be: simple, fast, and dependable.