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By Ferry, Dubai

By Ferry tips and advice posted by real travelers and Dubai locals.
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By Ferry: The Aquatic Taxis of Dubai... (ABRA)
  • Tip Rating:
  • JessH
  • Updated By JessH on June 9, 2009
  • Dubai Page by JessH
  • Nighttime water taxi (Bur Dubai, UAE) - Dubai
    Nighttime water taxi (Bur
    Dubai, UAE)
    by JessH, 4 more photos
    Dubai's waterfront epitomizes the city's personality, and a cruise along the 10km-long Creek is the best way to witness the clashing of the historically old & the new modernity.

    It costs 1 Dhs (Dirham) to cross the creek, or you can hire the boat for only yourself/your group & pay Dhs 10.-

    Many people use Abras to go to work, as they are cheaper than taxis or buses & avoid the ever-increasing traffic on the 2 bridges & 1 tunnel that enable you to cross the creek (Shindagha Tunnel, Maktoum Bridge & Garhoud Bridge).
    The boats seat up to 30 people and fill up quickly. Be careful as you really do NOT want to fall into the creek... it is not the cleanest of waters! Crossing from to the other side takes about 5-10 minutes.

    TIP: Most Abra drivers are now also cashing-in on the massive flow of tourists that want a more "private" experience during a creek cruise. They will take you up and down the creek for about 1 hour, a great opportunity for some gorgeous photographs of the city. The price for this should not exceed Dhs 80.- Anything more & you are being ripped-off.

    (1 US Dollar = 3.67 Dirhams.)

    There are several Abra stations along the creek,
    but the main points are located near the Gold Souk (Deira), near the Rivoli Building (Deira) and near the Textile Souk/HSBC Building (Bur Dubai). There are very useful tourist maps (see picture) at the Abra stations, and the main stations have been rennovated for passenger safety. There is also a Tourist Information Counter near Bur Dubai Abra station.

    MEN: Please try to not sit exactly next to a woman on a full Abra. Respect this gender-seperated society & let women sit next to women. You'll notice that even if the Abra is very full, men will try to leave a gap between themselves and a woman.

    News Article: http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10098380.html

    --> There are also Water 'Buses' that are airconditioned & seat approx. 25 people. One crossing with the bus costs Dhs 4 (one-way).

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    By Ferry: ABRA - kadabra
  • Tip Rating:
  • DesertRat
  • By DesertRat on January 11, 2003
  • Dubai Page by DesertRat
  • An %i abra %i approaches a landing in Deira, Dubai - Dubai
    An %i abra %i approaches a
    landing in Deira, Dubai
    by DesertRat
    The traditional way of getting across the Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai has been on an abra , a boat that's about 28 feet long and which can transport a couple dozen people. You board at stations on either side of the waterway and sit on what is effectively an unpadded dais atop the boat. Since the Creek is so well protected, it's rarely rough enough to cause anyone to worry about falling overboard even though there are no guard rails. The crossing takes about 5 minutes -- depending on the destination landing -- and costs 50 fils, or half a dirham, which is around 15 cents US. During slack times of day, these same boats will take you on 2 hour cruises for under $5.

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  • Theme: Ship/Boat
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    By Ferry: abras...
  • Tip Rating:
  • call_me_rhia
  • By call_me_rhia on November 14, 2005
  • Dubai Page by call_me_rhia
  • abras along the khor - Dubai
    abras along the khor
    by call_me_rhia, 2 more photos
    One great way to see Dubai from a different perspective is to travel bz abra (water taxi) on Dubai Creek. You can simply just cross the creeck for 500 fils or else you can rent a boat for yourself and travel up and down the city at leisure; the price here really depends on your baraganing skills. The best time to make such "cruise"? Just before sunset - when the buildings reflect the light of the sun going down, and the entire city looks like it's made of gold.

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    By Ferry: Creek cossing by Abra
  • Tip Rating:
  • By najamrulz on March 27, 2004
  • Dubai Page by najamrulz
  • Deira's Abra station - Dubai
    Deira's Abra station
    by najamrulz
    There are three ways to cross the creek between Deira and Bur Dubai districts:

    (1) By Abra
    (2) Rashid Al Maktoum Bridge
    (3) Al-Shandagha Tunnel

    The cheapest of these is by Abra which is small boat very popular among locals to cross the creek. There is regular Abra traffic between Bur Dubai and Deira. At both sides they have Abra stations and you can enjoy the ride by paying just 50 Fils (appox one cent).

    It was fun crossing the creek by Abra and I would strongly recommend you to try it.

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    By Ferry: Cross the Creek with an abra
  • Tip Rating:
  • bzh
  • By bzh on January 17, 2003
  • Dubai Page by bzh
  • Abras docked on the Deira side of the Creek - Dubai
    Abras docked on the Deira side
    of the Creek
    by bzh
    Dubai is split in two by the Creek. If you want to cross it, obviously you can take a car to the other side but it's much nicer to pay 1/2 dhiram and use an abra.

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    By Ferry: ABRA (CADABRA)
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  • DAO
  • Updated By DAO on January 7, 2007
  • Dubai Page by DAO
  • The most scenic way of getting across the Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai is by taking a ride on a traditional Abra (long boat). You just kind of jump on and off. Watch your step! Seating is on long benches. The cost is half a Dirham (about 15 cents US) and only takes about 5 minutes. Take your camera because you will get some of the best views of Dubai. Magic!

    Please note: For Female travellers, please allow room between you and local men. They don't see many ladies on these boats and cultural modesty means they need to afford you extra space.

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    By Ferry: Abras
    Amisha074
  • Updated By Amisha074 on December 20, 2004
  • Dubai Page by Amisha074
  • Getting around in Dubai is pretty easy. It's a smallish city and there are plenty of taxis and buses. But..there's traffic...specially on weekends and throughout the Dubai shopping festival. The two bridges (Maktoum and Garhoud) that run across the creek and connect Deira and Bur Dubai are always busy. Same goes for the Shindaga tunnel.

    The best way to get to Deira from Bur Dubai and vice versa, is by Abra. Abras are wooden boats that run on diesel. The fare is 50 fils (half a dirham). You can take an abra from the Al Seef walkway or near the HSBC bank building in Bur Dubai. However and abra may not always turn out to be convenient as they operate from only two points on the creek.

    You can also hire an abra for a an hour or two. Its a nice experience. Shouldn't cost more than Dhs. 50 an hour.

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    By Ferry: Water Taxis
    mstali
  • Updated By mstali on September 6, 2007
  • Dubai Page by mstali
  • RTA (Road and Transport Authority) is doing a splendid job in easing traffic congestion in Dubai. They have introduced water taxis which are air conditioned. these taxis ply across the Dubai creek. the fare is affordable and experience a pleasure.
    RTA is also working on the Metro Rail Project with it Green & Red Lines connecting most of Dubai Metropolis - work is in progress and expected to be completed on or before the completion time, as is the case with most of the Government projects in Dubai.
    New Air Conditioned buses have been pressed in service. It is a must have experience to feel the hectic pulse of growth in Dubai. RTA Toll Free Number in Dubai 800 90 90.

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  • Theme: Ship/Boat
  • Phone: 800 90 90
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    By Ferry: Abra Away!
    Gage17
  • By Gage17 on January 17, 2005
  • Dubai Page by Gage17
  • An abra moves down Deira Creek - Dubai
    An abra moves down Deira Creek
    by Gage17

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    By Ferry: boat trips across Dubai Creek
    estephan
  • By estephan on March 5, 2005
  • Dubai Page by estephan
  • Boat
    Boat "Abra"
    by estephan

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