Big Bus Tours Dubai

Big Bus runs open-top, hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses across Dubai, a practical way to cover a sprawling city in a day or two without juggling taxis. More than 20 stops link the main sights, from the old districts around Dubai Creek to the beach resorts and the skyscrapers of Downtown and Dubai Marina, and you can get off at any stop, explore and catch a later bus.

Stops include Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Fort, the Gold Souq and Spice Souq, the Dubai Frame, the Museum of the Future, Souk Madinat Jumeirah for the Burj Al Arab area, Palm West Beach, Atlantis The Palm and Dubai Marina and JBR. That spread makes it easy to combine old and new Dubai in a single day, for example starting with the souks and the creek in the morning and finishing at the Marina for sunset. Buses have an open upper deck for views and photographs and a covered lower deck, which is welcome in the heat.

First departures from the start of the route are around 9am, and the last buses finish in the early evening, with exact times varying by stop, so check the route map on the website and plan your final ride carefully. Tickets cover one or more days, and multi-day tickets suit visitors who want to spread the sights out. Dhow cruises on the creek and over dinner are among the extras sold alongside, but check what your ticket includes before you travel.

The bus is particularly useful for first-time visitors and families who want to see a lot without much walking. Expect the full loop to take several hours if you stay on board, and traffic can slow progress at busy times. In summer, sit downstairs in the middle of the day and save the upper deck for the morning and late afternoon, and bring water, sunscreen and a hat.

The Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall stop is a convenient starting point for many visitors, with the Metro close by, and buses also call at stops near Al Seef Street, Baniyas Road and Zabeel Park. Tickets can be bought online in advance, which saves time on the day.