Quick answer: most public-bus journeys within Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs use the Hafilat system. The current standard fare is AED 2 boarding fee + 5 fils per kilometre, capped at AED 5 per journey. Frequent riders can use 7-day or 30-day passes, while inter-emirate routes such as Abu Dhabi–Dubai use separate fares and are not included in those local passes.
Last verified: 1 October 2026 against Abu Dhabi Mobility’s current fare and pass pages. Fares and routes can change, so use the official journey planner before travelling.
How Hafilat works
Hafilat is Abu Dhabi’s smart-card system for public buses. You tap the card when boarding and again when leaving the bus so the system can calculate the journey fare.
- Check that your card has enough balance before boarding.
- Tap in when you enter.
- Tap out when you leave.
- Keep the card with you for the full journey.
Current standard bus fare
| Component | Current fare |
|---|---|
| Boarding fee | AED 2 |
| Distance charge | 5 fils per km |
| Maximum standard-service fare per journey | AED 5 |
| Children aged 10 and under | Free |
Abu Dhabi Mobility says this standard service applies to trips within the city and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
Transfers can avoid a second boarding fee
Under the current standard-fare rules, qualifying transfers do not add another AED 2 boarding fee. The main conditions are:
- Tap into the next service within 60 minutes of the previous tap-out.
- Do not transfer in the opposite direction of your destination.
- Maximum two transfers across three buses.
- Inter-city services are excluded from this transfer arrangement.
7-day and 30-day passes
Abu Dhabi Mobility’s current dedicated pass page lists these prices:
| Pass | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 7-day pass | AED 35 | 7 days from purchase |
| 30-day pass | AED 95 | 30 days from purchase |
These passes cover unlimited standard trips within the city and suburbs in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Inter-city services are not included.
Important: an older general Hafilat page still shows previous AED 30/AED 80 pass figures. Because Abu Dhabi Mobility now has a newer dedicated pass page showing AED 35/AED 95, use the dedicated pass page and live purchase screen as the current source.
Where to buy or recharge Hafilat
Abu Dhabi Mobility lists sales/recharge machines, recharging machines and Customer Happiness offices among the current purchase locations. Depending on the card or pass, you may also be able to recharge online. Some online top-ups can take time to appear on the card, so avoid leaving a recharge until the moment you board.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai by inter-emirate bus
Abu Dhabi Mobility currently lists a fare of AED 25 for Abu Dhabi–Dubai inter-emirate services. Daily routes from Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station include E100, E101 and E102; the E201 serves Dubai from Al Ain Main Bus Station.
Because Dubai RTA’s live booking/journey-planning interfaces can show route-specific operational details that change, confirm your exact route, departure point and fare on the day you travel. Inter-emirate travel is separate from the local Abu Dhabi weekly/monthly pass.
Other current inter-emirate fares
| Destination from Abu Dhabi network | Listed fare |
|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 25 |
| Sharjah | AED 30 |
| Ajman | AED 35 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | AED 35 |
When a pass may make sense
Do not buy a weekly or monthly pass automatically. Compare the pass price with your expected standard-service trips. If you mainly use inter-emirate routes, the local pass may not cover the journeys that make up most of your spending.
Common newcomer mistakes
- Forgetting to tap out.
- Assuming a local pass covers Dubai or other inter-emirate routes.
- Relying on an old screenshot of pass prices.
- Waiting until boarding to discover the card has insufficient balance.
- Using a third-party timetable without checking the official current route.
If you also spend time in Dubai, compare this with our Dubai public transport guide and Dubai parking guide.
Official sources
- Abu Dhabi Mobility: current standard bus fares and transfer rules
- Abu Dhabi Mobility: current 7-day and 30-day passes
- Abu Dhabi Mobility: inter-emirate services and fares
- Dubai RTA: intercity e-ticketing
For more UAE newcomer guides, visit the UAE hub.
