If you’re planning to visit Global Village in Dubai — one of the city’s biggest seasonal cultural, entertainment, and shopping festivals — understanding the public transport options is essential. Unlike many attractions, Global Village doesn’t have its own metro station. That means nearly every visitor who uses public transport will ride the Dubai Metro + Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) buses to get there.

Below is an up‑to‑date, realistic, reader‑friendly guide to how to get to Global Village by metro and bus in 2025–2026 — including bus routes, timings, fares, and useful travel tips to help you plan like a local.

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Why You Need a Bus — Metro Alone Won’t Get You There

Global Village is located off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), and there is no metro station right at its entrance. The public transport system is designed to get you close — you ride Dubai Metro to a convenient interchange station, then transfer to a dedicated RTA bus that goes directly to Global Village.

These bus services are seasonal — aligned with Global Village’s opening season (typically mid‑October through spring) — and run specifically to accommodate the influx of visitors.

RTA Bus Routes to Global Village — What’s Available in 2026

As of the current 2025–2026 season (Season 30), RTA is operating four main dedicated bus routes to Global Village.

Bus Route	Starting Point (Metro / Bus Station)	Notes
Bus 102	Al Rashidiya (Rashidiya Metro / Bus Station)	Good for those coming from Dubai International Airport / eastern Dubai.
Bus 103	Union Metro Station (Red/Green Line interchange)	Ideal for visitors from central Dubai, Deira, Bur Dubai.
Bus 104	Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Old Dubai / Green Line nearby)	Suits travellers from Bur Dubai, old city / creek‑side districts.
Bus 106	Mall of the Emirates Metro Station (Red Line)	Often considered the fastest and most convenient — good for those coming from western/city‑centre areas.

Additionally, older sources earlier listed a seasonal Bus 108 from Al Satwa / Oud Metha (or Satwa) to Global Village, used during peak demand (weekends / holidays). However, the official 2025–2026 service list points only to the four main routes.

Bus Timings, Frequency & Season — What You Should Know

For the 2025–2026 season, RTA confirms that the dedicated bus services to Global Village operate daily between roughly 3:15 PM and 11:15 PM.
Frequency depends on the route and visitor demand. Historically, some buses ran every 40–60 minutes.
Journey time from metro/bus‑station to Global Village is typically 30–60 minutes, depending on your starting point and traffic conditions.
Fare is very affordable — around AED 10 per trip, payable via your NOL Card. Cash is generally not accepted on RTA buses.

Because service is tied to the Global Village season — currently from 15 October 2025 to 10 May 2026 — buses may not run once the season ends, and frequency/time may change.

Metro + Bus Combo: How to Plan Your Trip

The journey to Global Village typically involves two legs:

Metro Ride: Use the Dubai Metro to reach one of the key interchange stations (e.g., Rashidiya, Union, Mall of the Emirates, or near Al Ghubaiba).
Bus Transfer: From the station or nearby bus terminal, catch the corresponding RTA bus (102, 103, 104 or 106) to Global Village.

This combination is often the most affordable and practical for tourists, expats, or residents who don’t have a car.

Because there is no direct metro link, planning your return trip is equally important — check the last bus departure time after your visit to avoid being stranded.

Why RTA Buses Are Usually Best — And What to Watch Out For

👍 Pros

Affordable: A ride typically costs about AED 10.
Dedicated service: These buses run only during Global Village season, aimed at visitors — so direct and simple.
Avoid traffic stress: You dodge the hassle of private driving and parking near a crowded attraction.

⚠️ Cons / Things to Keep in Mind

Seasonal & limited hours: Buses only run while Global Village is open (mid‑Oct to spring) and generally between late afternoon and late evening.
Frequency may be lower outside peak times — which could mean waiting or missing a bus.
No guarantee of seat or comfort if buses get crowded — plan ahead, especially on weekends or holidays.

Other Ways to Reach Global Village — Taxi, Ride‑hailing & Driving

If public transport isn’t ideal for you — perhaps due to luggage, tight timings, or travelling late — there are alternatives:

Taxi / Ride‑hailing: Services like Uber or Careem or standard RTA Taxis can take you directly to the venue. This is often preferred by families or groups. The official site suggests these as viable transport options.
Driving: If you drive, you can use the highways (like Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road) — and park at Global Village. But parking gets busy especially on weekends; arriving early is advisable.

These alternatives provide flexibility, but at higher cost or parking stress — especially during peak season.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Journey to Global Village

Always ensure your NOL card is topped up before starting the journey. Buses to Global Village generally don’t accept cash.
Aim to catch an early evening bus (soon after 3:15–4:00 PM) to avoid long queues and full vehicles.
Use official apps (like RTA’s app or S’hail) to check live bus timings and possible delays — this helps especially on busy days or weekends.
For return trips — check last‑bus times carefully. The seasonal bus timetable ends in the late evening.
If travelling in a group, or with kids or luggage — consider taxi / ride‑hail for convenience.

For More Insider Dubai Travel Info

At TheDubaiWeb.com, we cover everything from hidden gems to transport hacks, cultural hotspots to travel itineraries. Once you’re done reading this guide, you might also find value in our related guides on:

How to travel within Dubai on a budget
Best public transport apps & travel‑planning tools for visitors
Family‑friendly attractions accessible by metro + bus

Bookmark these for your next UAE adventure.

FAQ — Your Top Questions on Global Village Bus Timing

Q: Is there a direct metro station for Global Village?
No — Global Village is not directly connected to the Dubai Metro. You must ride metro to a nearby station (e.g. Rashidiya, Union, Mall of the Emirates, or near Al Ghubaiba) and then transfer to an RTA bus bound for Global Village.

Q: Which bus should I take to Global Village?
Depending on where you start:

From eastern Dubai / airport side → Bus 102 (Rashidiya)
From central / downtown / Deira / Bur Dubai → Bus 103 (Union) or Bus 104 (Al Ghubaiba)
From western / city‑centre / Marina / Business Bay → Bus 106 (Mall of the Emirates)

Q: What are the bus operating hours and frequency?
Generally, buses run from about 3:15 PM to 11:15 PM daily during the season. Frequency varies — often 40–60 minutes depending on route and demand.

Q: How much does it cost to ride to Global Village by bus?
A one‑way ride typically costs AED 10, payable via NOL card. Cash is usually not accepted.

Q: What happens after Global Village season ends?
Since bus service is seasonal, once Global Village closes for the season (usually by May), the dedicated bus routes stop. For next season, check RTA announcements or Global Village official channels for updated schedules.

Q: Are buses reliable / frequent enough for return trips?
They’re designed for visitor use, but frequency and reliability can fluctuate, especially on busy nights (weekends, holidays). To avoid being stranded, use the official RTA or S’hail app and plan your return ahead.

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Emila

Emila is a professional content writer and UAE resident for the past 6 years. Passionate about travel and local exploration, she specializes in creating in-depth guides on UAE destinations, the Dubai Metro, public buses, and practical tips for residents and tourists alike. Through her writing on thedubaiweb.com, Emila helps readers navigate the UAE with ease and confidence.