From Al Barsha, a Sharjah day trip means heading east from Dubai to explore a neighbouring emirate’s waterfront and cultural stops. Sharjah is a city with intercity bus and ferry links from Dubai; start around Al Khan, where Sharjah Aquarium sits beside Sharjah Maritime Museum, then choose another stop to suit your day.
- Starting point: Sunday Hotel Al Barsha Dubai Mall of the Emirates Formerly Grand Excelsior Al Barsha, in Dubai.
- Public transport: RTA lists intercity buses between Dubai and Sharjah, and a ferry linking Al Ghubaiba with Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station.
- Waterfront stop: Sharjah Aquarium is in Al Khan Old, next to Sharjah Maritime Museum.
- Ticket option: a joint aquarium and maritime museum ticket costs AED 25 for adults and AED 15 for children aged 2–12.
Is Sharjah Practical as a Day Trip?
Yes, Sharjah is close enough to plan as a day trip from Al Barsha, with Dubai-to-Sharjah bus and ferry services offering ways to cross emirate lines.
The route options make it possible to build the visit around Al Khan’s aquarium and maritime museum, then add Al Qasba or another cultural stop if your timing allows. The aquarium works well as an anchor because both museums share a location, while Al Qasba brings together restaurants, art and cultural venues.
How do you get from Al Barsha to Sharjah?
From Sunday Hotel Al Barsha Dubai Mall of the Emirates Formerly Grand Excelsior Al Barsha, drive to Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in about 13 minutes, then take the FR5 ferry to Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. Alternatively, RTA intercity buses connect Dubai stations with Al Jubail Bus Station; choose the departure point that suits your plans.
Intercity bus
RTA connects Union Square Bus Station in Dubai and Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah on the E303. Its route map also includes stops at Al Qasba and City Centre on Al Wahda Road. The E306 runs between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Al Jubail Bus Station and operates daily.
Intercity buses do not pick up or drop off passengers within the same emirate on Dubai–Sharjah routes: board in Dubai and get off in Sharjah. From Al Jubail, plan the onward leg to your first stop separately.
FR5 ferry
The FR5 connects Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai with Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station, putting you close to the Al Khan museums. The one-way fares are AED 15 for Adult Silver and AED 25 for Adult Gold; children under 5 and People of Determination travel free.
Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The ferry does not operate during Friday prayer from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and RTA warns that timings may change. For a Dubai public-transport primer before setting out, read how to use the Dubai Metro from Al Barsha.
Sharjah Aquarium and Waterfront Stops
Sharjah Aquarium sits in Al Khan Old beside Sharjah Maritime Museum, so you can combine the two without changing areas. The aquarium has two floors and 21 tanks, holding 1.8 million litres of water and showcasing nearly 100 marine species, including seahorses, rays and reef sharks.
Sharjah Museums Authority gives the joint ticket price as AED 25 for adults aged 13 and older and AED 15 for children aged 2–12; children under 2 enter free. Seniors aged 60 and older plus one companion, and people with disabilities plus one companion, enter free.
Hours and ticket details can change, so check the official site before you go. Advance booking is not required for ordinary museum visits, though VIP groups, school visits, tourist groups and organization visits need to book ahead.
For a different waterfront atmosphere, Al Qasba brings together restaurants, cultural events, art and design museums, Maraya Art Centre and Masrah Al Qasba Theatre. The E303 route map includes an Al Qasba stop, making it a possible addition if you are using that service.
Choosing a Museum or Heritage Stop
Choose a second museum or heritage stop according to the area you are already visiting, rather than trying to cover the whole city in one day. The Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Maritime Museum make the simplest pairing because they are next to each other in Al Khan Old.
If you want to include another cultural district, Al Qasba offers art and design museums alongside Maraya Art Centre and Masrah Al Qasba Theatre. Its mix of venues and restaurants gives you a change of pace from the Al Khan waterfront; allow time for the transfer between districts when setting your route.
For an alternative Dubai day focused on historic neighbourhoods, Al Fahidi and Dubai Creek form a separate one-day route.
Return Journey Planning
Plan your return around the transport endpoint you used to arrive: buses return from Sharjah’s Al Jubail Bus Station, while FR5 departs from Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. That makes the ferry especially straightforward if you finish your day around Al Khan.
For bus travel, check the RTA route and timetable before leaving your final stop, since the services connect specific stations rather than providing local pick-ups within each emirate. For the ferry, allow the required 15 minutes before departure and account for the Friday-prayer pause.
FAQs
How far is Sharjah from Al Barsha?
Sharjah is about 30 km and 45 minutes from Dubai according to the destination research. Travel time on the day can depend on your chosen transport and route.
Can you visit Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Maritime Museum together?
Yes. Sharjah Aquarium is next to Sharjah Maritime Museum, and a joint ticket is available for both.
Does the ferry go directly to Sharjah Aquarium?
The FR5 runs between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station.