A Private Abra Ride on the Creek

When it comes to enjoying life by the waterside, most people envision the sandy beaches of the Jumeirah coastline, the bustling Dubai Marina, or the panoramic ocean views from the penthouses on the iconic Palm. However, if you venture east to the historic Deira Creek, you'll discover a whole new (or rather old) world of waterfront wonders. Thanks to a new initiative by the UAE’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), you can now explore these wonders in the comfort of a private abra ride in Dubai.

Most denizens of Deira and the neighboring district of Bur Dubai, which sit on opposite ends of the Creek, enjoy a ride on the abra, a traditional wooden boat that is most commonly used as a ferry. Taking the abra ride tends to be an inexpensive and quick affair. While that’s certainly convenient, it also means large crowds to contend with, especially on weekends.

However, a recent service offered by the RTA is about to change all that. Now, private abras can be rented on an hourly, daily or even a monthly basis.

OLD SOUQ DUBAI (Traditional Markets)

* Dubai Gold Souk, a triditional market in Dubai, UAE. Located in Deira, Al Dhagaya with over 380 retailers.

A number of souks, or traditional markets, exist along the borders of the Creek, offering an authentic shopping experience that even the glitziest of malls won’t quite be able to match. The most popular of these is the Gold Souk, spread out over the Deira Creekside and encompassing a vast array of jewellery stores. Its neighbors are the equally well-known Spice Souk and the slightly smaller Perfume Souk. On the other side of the Creek, along the shores of Bur Dubai, is the Textile Souk, also known as the Old Souk. This is perhaps the best place to find traditional clothing, as well as a wide array of fabrics to suit all bespoke tailoring needs.

If wandering the markets isn’t quite up your alley, then you can just enjoy a peaceful abra ride along the Creek with family or a group of close friends and take in the sights.

A rental booking needs to be made a minimum of 3 working days in advance, to ensure that a boat is available. You can opt for an hourly rental at AED 580/hour, daily for AED 5,100 per day, or take a monthly package for AED 151,800. Just make sure you have your booking number with you, and you’re ready to enjoy a luxury cruise down Dubai’s historic waterways, at your convenience.

FAQ'S :

1. Where Can I Take Abra in Dubai ?

You can take Abra at Dubai Creek. There are four Stations. 2 on the Deira Side & 2 on the Bur Dubai Side. ​

There are 2 metro stations to go to the Bur Dubai Abra Dock - Al Ghubaiba and Al Fahidi. Al Ghubaiba is closer to the dock. However, you will have to walk at least for 10-15 minutes to reach the dock or you maybe take a bus or taxi.