Global Village Bus 2026-27: RTA Routes 102, 103, 104 and 106, Timings and Fares
Global Village by bus for Season 31: the four RTA routes, which Metro station to start from, how often they run, the nol card, park hours and tickets, and getting there from Sharjah.
Global Village opened its 31st season on Wednesday 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027 (Khaleej Times). It has no Metro station. By public transport you take the Metro to one of four RTA bus stations and change to a seasonal bus there, paying with a nol card.
Which bus goes to Global Village?
RTA announced four routes for Season 31 (RTA via Dubai PR Network, 12 October 2026):
| Bus | Starts from | Nearest Metro | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | Union Bus Station | Union (Red and Green Lines) | Every 40 minutes |
| 102 | Al Rashidiya Bus Station | Centrepoint (Red Line) | Every 60 minutes |
| 104 | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station | Al Ghubaiba (Green Line) | Every 60 minutes |
| 106 | Mall of the Emirates Bus Station | Mall of the Emirates (Red Line) | Every 60 minutes |
For most people the 103 from Union is the one to take. It comes every 40 minutes rather than every hour, and you can reach Union on either Metro line.
The others make sense depending on where you start:
- From Deira or Bur Dubai, the 103 from Union or the 104 from Al Ghubaiba.
- From Al Barsha, Dubai Marina or JLT, the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates and then the 106.
- From Mirdif, Rashidiya or the airport end of the Red Line, the 102 from Al Rashidiya Bus Station.
All four end at the Global Village bus stop by the main gates, and you catch the same route back from there.
RTA's announcement lists only these four. Our route data also has a route 107 from Al Nahda, but it isn't in this season's list, so don't plan on it unless RTA adds it.
Bus timings
RTA gave how often each bus runs, not the first and last departures. In past seasons the Global Village buses ran from about 3:15 PM to 11:15 PM daily (Khaleej Times). The park stays open until midnight or 1 AM, well after that, so check the last bus back in the RTA S'hail app or call RTA on 800 9090 before you go.
Return queues at the bus stop can be long on weekends and public holidays. If you're relying on the bus, leave before the last one.
Fares and paying
RTA buses don't take cash, so you need a nol card. Tap in when you board and tap out when you get off.
RTA's season announcement doesn't give the fare. The reader shows what you paid when you tap out. Keep enough credit for the return trip as well as your Metro journeys, and top up at the Metro station before you change to the bus. Our Dubai fare calculator gives the normal zone fares.
From Sharjah
No Sharjah bus goes straight to Global Village. You take an RTA intercity bus into Dubai and change:
- The E303 from Al Jubail Bus Station to Union, then the 103. This is the quickest combination to plan, because the 103 runs most often.
- The E306 from Al Jubail to Al Ghubaiba, then the 104.
The E routes are RTA buses, so one nol card covers both legs. The Sharjah Sayer card doesn't work on them. See Sharjah to Dubai by bus for E-route times and stops, and Dubai's seasonal attractions from Sharjah.
In past seasons the Ajman Transport Authority also ran a bus from Al Musalla Station in Ajman to Global Village, at AED 25 a trip (Gulf News). Check with Ajman Transport whether it runs this season.
Opening hours and tickets
According to Khaleej Times (13 October 2026), Global Village is open from 4 PM to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and from 4 PM to 1 AM Thursday to Saturday and on public holidays. Opening night started at 6 PM.
Tickets are AED 25 on weekdays and AED 30 on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and public holidays. You can buy them on the Global Village website or app, or at the gates. Inside, RTA has brought back its two electric abras on the waterway.
Prices and hours can change during the season, so check globalvillage.ae before you go.
Tips
Weekdays are much quieter than weekends, on the buses and in the park. Whichever day you go, work out the trip back before the trip out: in past seasons the buses stopped running before the park closed, which leaves a taxi as the only way home late at night. To find the stop nearest you, use bus stops near me.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes to Global Village?
RTA routes 102 (Al Rashidiya), 103 (Union), 104 (Al Ghubaiba) and 106 (Mall of the Emirates) for Season 31.
Is there a Metro to Global Village?
No. Take the Metro to Union, Al Ghubaiba, Centrepoint or Mall of the Emirates, then the Global Village bus from the bus station there.
How often does the bus to Global Village run?
Every 40 minutes on the 103 from Union, and every 60 minutes on the 102, 104 and 106.
Can I pay cash on the Global Village bus?
No. RTA buses take the nol card only.
How do I get from Sharjah to Global Village by bus?
Take the E303 from Al Jubail to Union, then the 103, or the E306 to Al Ghubaiba, then the 104. A nol card works on both buses.
When does Global Village Season 31 open and close?
It opened on 14 October 2026 and runs until May 2027. The exact closing date hadn't been announced at the time of writing.
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