What Is the F04 Bus Route in Dubai?
The F04 bus is a vital RTA feeder route connecting Gold Souq Bus Station to Deira City Centre Bus Station in historic Dubai. This popular route serves both tourists visiting Dubai’s traditional markets and local commuters traveling through the heart of old Dubai.
The F04 bus operates daily and covers key attractions including Dubai Gold Souk, Union Metro Station, and Deira City Centre – making it essential for exploring Dubai’s cultural and commercial heritage areas.
F04 Bus Timings and Schedule 2025
The F04 bus schedule runs seven days a week with regular service throughout the day. The route maintains frequent departures during peak hours to accommodate heavy tourist and commuter traffic in the Deira area.
Complete F04 Bus Timetable
| Day | First Bus | Last Bus | Peak Frequency | Off-Peak |
| Sunday–Thursday | 05:30 AM | 12:00 AM | Every 10-15 mins | Every 20 mins |
| Friday | 06:00 AM | 01:00 AM | Every 12-18 mins | Every 25 mins |
| Saturday | 05:30 AM | 01:00 AM | Every 10-15 mins | Every 20 mins |
Peak Hours Schedule
- Morning Peak: 7:00 AM–9:30 AM (Every 10-12 minutes)
- Evening Peak: 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (Every 10-15 minutes)
- Tourist Peak: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (Every 12-15 minutes)
- Late Night Service: Available until 1:00 AM on weekends
Payment accepted via Nol Silver, Red, and Gold Cards
F04 Bus Route Map and Major Stops
The F04 bus route operates between Gold Souq Bus Station and Deira City Centre Bus Station, covering the most important commercial and cultural areas in historic Dubai.
Key Stops Along F04 Route
| Stop No. | Location Name | Key Attractions |
| 1 | Gold Souq Bus Station | Traditional gold jewelry market |
| 2 | Naif Intersection | Naif Market, spice traders |
| 3 | Burj Nahar Intersection | Historic buildings, local shops |
| 4 | Union Metro Station Bus Stop A | Union Metro Station Dubai |
| 5 | Etisalat Head Office | Maktoum Road, business district |
| 6 | Clock Tower Roundabout | Iconic Deira landmark |
| 7 | DNATA Building | Aviation services hub |
| 8 | Deira City Centre Bus Station | Major shopping mall, metro access |
Route Coverage Areas:
- Gold Souq and traditional markets
- Union Metro connectivity
- Maktoum Road business district
- Deira City Centre shopping area
F04 Bus Fares and Payment Options
The F04 bus operates within Zone 1 of Dubai’s RTA system, offering affordable transportation through the city’s historic center.
F04 Bus Fare Structure
| Ticket Type | Single Journey | Zone Coverage |
| Nol Silver | AED 3.00 | Zone 1 |
| Nol Red | AED 2.00 | Zone 1 |
| Nol Gold | AED 6.00 | Zone 1 |
| Paper Ticket | AED 4.00 | Zone 1 |
Special Benefits:
- Free transfers within 30 minutes between bus and metro
- Tourist day passes available at AED 25 (unlimited Zone 1 travel)
- Integrated pricing with Dubai Metro timing system
- Student and senior discounts with registered Nol cards
Live Tracking and Real-Time Updates
Track the F04 bus location in real-time using multiple official RTA platforms:
Official Tracking Methods
- RTA S’hail App (iOS & Android) – Most accurate real-time data
- Wojhati Journey Planner – Route planning and live updates
- Google Maps Transit Mode – Integrated with RTA data
- SMS Service – Text stop number to 8811
- QR Codes – Available at major tourist stops
- Station Display Boards – Live arrivals at Union Metro and major stops
All RTA buses including the F04 are equipped with GPS tracking for accurate arrival predictions.
Metro Connection and Transfer Points
The F04 bus connects directly with Union Metro Station on both the Green Line and Red Line, providing excellent connectivity to all areas of Dubai.
Easy Transfer Destinations via Union Metro
- Dubai Mall Metro Station – Downtown Dubai attractions
- Mall of Emirates Metro Station – Shopping and ski Dubai
- Burjuman Metro Station – Traditional and modern Dubai areas
- Financial Centre Metro Station – DIFC business district
Alternative Bus Connections
Connect with other RTA routes for extended coverage:
- F08 Bus Route – Deira to Bur Dubai connections
- F11 Bus Route – Downtown Dubai access
- 13B Bus Route – Karama and Satwa areas
Tourist Attractions Along F04 Route
The F04 bus is perfect for tourists wanting to explore Dubai’s cultural heritage without expensive taxi rides.
Major Attractions Accessible via F04
At Gold Souq (Start Point):
- Dubai Gold Souk – World’s largest gold retail hub
- Dubai Spice Souk – Traditional spice and perfume market
- Al Fahidi Historical District – Heritage museums and cafes
- Dubai Creek – Traditional abra boat rides
At Union Metro Station:
- Direct access to Burjuman Metro Station areas
- Connection to best shopping malls in Dubai
- Easy reach to cultural and historical attractions
At Deira City Centre (End Point):
- Deira City Centre Mall – Shopping and entertainment
- Ice rink and bowling – Family activities
- Restaurants and cafes – International cuisine
- Cinema complex – Latest movie releases
How to Use the F04 Bus – Step by Step Guide
Planning Your F04 Journey
- Check Live Timings – Use RTA S’hail app for real-time updates
- Load Your Nol Card – Minimum AED 3.00 for single journey
- Locate Bus Stop – Find nearest F04 stop using route map
- Board and Tap In – Tap Nol card on entry reader
- Enjoy the Ride – Air-conditioned comfort with city views
- Tap Out – Tap card again when exiting
Tips for First-Time Users
- Download the RTA S’hail app before traveling for live tracking
- Carry a valid Nol card with sufficient balance
- Allow extra time during Dubai shopping festival periods
- Consider tourist day passes for multiple trips
- Check Dubai Metro timing for seamless connections
Connecting to Popular Dubai Attractions
Use the F04 bus as your starting point to reach Dubai’s top destinations:
Via Union Metro Station Transfers
- Best Dubai attractions for first-time visitors
- Dubai top attractions at night
- Cheapest attractions in Dubai
- Best free Dubai attractions
Tourist Planning Resources
- Book Dubai attractions tickets online
- Find discounted tickets for Dubai attractions
- Best time to book Dubai attraction tickets
Related Transportation Guides
Explore more Dubai public transport options:
Feeder Bus Routes
- F08 Bus Timetable – Deira area connections
- F11 Bus Timetable – Downtown access
- F30 Bus Timetable Dubai – Marina connections
- F32 Bus Timetable Dubai – Academic City routes
Metro Station Guides
- Union Metro Station Dubai – Transfer hub details
- Creek Metro Station Dubai – Heritage area access
- Al Jadaf Metro Station – Business Bay connections
Accessibility and Comfort Features
The F04 buses are equipped with modern amenities for comfortable urban travel:
Onboard Features
- Air-conditioned vehicles with comfortable seating
- Wheelchair accessibility with low-floor boarding
- Priority seating for elderly and disabled passengers
- Audio announcements in Arabic and English
- Route maps displayed inside the bus
- USB charging ports on newer fleet vehicles
Station Amenities
- Covered waiting areas at major stops
- Digital display boards with real-time arrivals
- Nol card recharge facilities at Union Metro
- Tourist information at Gold Souq and Deira City Centre
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What time does the first F04 bus start?
The first F04 bus departs at 5:30 AM on weekdays and Saturday, and 6:00 AM on Friday from both Gold Souq and Deira City Centre.
How long does the complete F04 journey take?
The total journey time is approximately 25-35 minutes depending on traffic conditions and time of day.
Can I use my Nol Card on the F04 bus?
Yes. All Nol Card types (Silver, Red, Gold) are accepted on the F04 bus with Zone 1 pricing.
Does F04 connect to Dubai International Airport?
Not directly, but you can transfer at Union Metro Station to reach Dubai International Airport via the Red Line.
Is the F04 bus good for tourists?
Absolutely. The F04 is perfect for tourists as it connects Dubai’s most important traditional markets and heritage areas with modern shopping destinations.
How frequent is the F04 service during peak hours?
During peak hours (7-9 AM and 5-8 PM), F04 buses run every 10-15 minutes.
Are there any weekend service changes?
The F04 operates extended hours on weekends with service until 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.
Alternative Routes and Connections
If F04 is Full or Delayed
- Walk to Union Metro – Direct metro access to all Dubai areas
- F08 Bus – Alternative Deira to Bur Dubai route
- Water Taxi/Abra – Traditional creek crossing experience
- RTA Taxi – Available at all major stops
For Different Destinations
- To Dubai Marina: Transfer at Union to F30 bus
- To JBR/Marina Walk: Use X28 bus from Union
- To Dubai Mall: Direct Red Line metro from Union Station
- To Abu Dhabi: Connect to E101/E102 buses via Ibn Battuta
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