On a day out from Dubai, Sharjah offers a city visit centred on museums, art and heritage. Choose one cultural stop, then plan your bus or ferry connection around it.
- Day trip: Sharjah is an option from Dubai.
- By bus: Dubai RTA operates intercity services between Dubai and Sharjah.
- By ferry: FR5 connects Al Ghubaiba Marine Station and Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station.
- Museum option: Sharjah Art Museum has free admission.
Why choose Sharjah for a day out?
Sharjah pairs a broad museum scene with a cultural district that makes an art-focused visit easy to shape. The Sharjah Museums Authority oversees 16 museums, with subjects ranging from Islamic civilisation and archaeology to marine life, science and regional history.
For a focused outing, start with Sharjah Art Museum in the Arts Area, Al-Shuwaihiyeen, near Al-Corniche post office and Heart of Sharjah. The museum first opened in 1997, and its collections and exhibitions include regional history, local painters and Arab artists. Admission is free.
For your Dubai stay, browse the available room options.
How do you get from Bur Dubai to Sharjah?
Intercity bus and ferry are public-transport choices for a Dubai-to-Sharjah day trip. From Arabian Dreams Hotel Apartments, drive about 8 minutes to Al Ghubaiba Marine Station and take the FR5 ferry to Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. From there, pair your visit with Sharjah Art Museum in the Arts Area, near Heart of Sharjah.
Dubai RTA operates intercity bus routes including E100, E101, E201, E303, E306, E307, E307A, E315, E400, E411, E16 and E700. If you are also planning a separate day in Dubai from Bur Dubai, keep that itinerary distinct from your Sharjah visit.
Dubai Bus operates from 04:00 until 01:00 the following day. Check the RTA timetable for Sharjah-route departure times.
If you prefer travelling by water, the FR5 ferry runs between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station.
The RTA gives adult one-way fares as AED 15 for Silver and AED 25 for Gold; children under 5 and People of Determination travel free. Arrive at the station 15 minutes before departure, and confirm the current schedule because departure times may change.
What should you focus on during a Sharjah visit?
Choose a museum or cultural subject that suits the time you have, rather than trying to cover the whole city in one outing. Sharjah Art Museum is a clear option for a visit centred on regional and Arab art.
The museum also has an Art Library with more than 4,000 titles in Arabic, English and other languages. For a broader museum day, Sharjah’s museums cover arts and culture as well as heritage, science, archaeology and marine life.
Individual visits to Sharjah Museums Authority museums do not require advance booking. VIP groups, school visits, tourist groups and organization visits do require it. Sharjah Art Museum and Al Eslah School Museum are free to enter.
Allow time for local connections
Build your day around the museum or transport terminal you plan to use, and leave room for getting between stops. The Art Museum is in the Arts Area, close to Heart of Sharjah; the FR5 ferry’s Sharjah terminal is Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station.
If you are travelling by car, public parking rules are set by each emirate’s local transport authority. Fees vary by area, parking type and duration, and payment and timing details appear at parking payment booths.
Check schedules and museum hours before setting out
Museum hours and transport schedules can affect how much fits into a day, so check the official site before you go. Sharjah Art Museum’s regular hours are Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Friday, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. During Ramadan, its hours change, and it closes on specified religious dates. Confirm current hours with Sharjah Museums Authority.
The authority’s general hours are Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Friday, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, with Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Maritime Museum excepted. Check Dubai RTA for current bus and ferry timings. For getting around Dubai by metro, the BurJuman and ADCB station guide can help with the city portion of your plans.
FAQs
Is Sharjah suitable for a day trip from Dubai?
Yes. Intercity bus and ferry services connect the two emirates, and a museum-focused plan gives the day a clear centre.
Do you need to book Sharjah museums in advance?
Individual visits do not require advance booking. VIP groups, school visits, tourist groups and organization visits do.
How much does the Sharjah Art Museum cost?
Admission is free. Sharjah Museums Authority also identifies Al Eslah School Museum as free to enter.