DXB to Deira, planned for a group.

Why old Dubai is the easiest run and the trickiest stop

Deira sits on the same side of Dubai Creek as DXB, and many of its hotels are only a short drive from the terminals. Often that is less than half an hour, even with traffic, though the narrow roads near the creek can make the last part slow. Bur Dubai is on the other bank, so the journey crosses the water by a bridge or a tunnel and takes a little longer.

The ease ends at the hotel. Old Dubai streets were not planned for coaches. There are one-way sections, parked cars along the kerb, taxis dropping off, and building entrances close to the road. The driver’s job is to find the right stopping point and keep the vehicle from blocking the street while 30 people and their bags get out.

Coach drop points: what we ask the hotel

Before you land we suggest checking three things with the hotel. Does it have a forecourt or lay-by that takes a vehicle of the size you are bringing? Is there a time of day when the street is closed to vehicles or very busy? Who meets the group at the door?

A mini coach gets into more places than a 50-seater. For some narrow streets a Sprinter or a 13-seater van is the practical vehicle, even for 20 people, with two vehicles doing one run each. We would rather plan two vehicles than stop one coach in the middle of a street.

Traffic windows around the creek

The creek crossings are busy in the weekday morning and evening peaks, and the roads around the souks fill up on weekend evenings. A transfer at 4:30 pm to 8 pm on a weekday can take twice as long as the same run at midday. Late at night and early in the morning the roads are clear and the drive is at the short end.

The driver chooses the route on the day, depending on traffic and any closures. Salik gates on creek crossings are listed on your written quote, and the Salik and Darb tolls guide explains how they work.

Souk visits and walking days

Groups who stay in Deira and Bur Dubai usually want to see the old souks, the creek and the heritage quarter. The area is best done on foot, and the vehicle’s job is to drop the group at one end and collect them at another. Agree a drop point and a collection point, and agree a time. Groups easily lose an hour in the gold and spice souks.

The abra boats cross the creek for a short fare, and some groups use them to move between Deira and Bur Dubai. Ask the venue or organiser for details, since we do not run or sell boat rides. Our driver can meet the group on the far bank. This pairs well with a half-day booking: see city tours by private minibus.

Which vehicle for which group

These are starting day rates for up to 10 hours with driver and fuel. A one-way airport transfer is a separate line on the quote, and the written quote confirms the exact price for your date, route and hours.

Luggage in narrow streets

When the vehicle cannot stop at the door, the bags travel the last stretch on trolleys or by porters. Tell the hotel you are arriving as a group and ask whether porters will meet the vehicle. Tag every bag with the hotel name and the group name. The driver opens the hold and hands the bags out in one go, so nothing is left behind.

The 50-seater hold takes about one medium suitcase per passenger and the mini coach about twenty medium suitcases in total. If the group is larger, we plan a second vehicle for bags.

An example: 24 guests, a midday landing

Example only

The flight lands at 12:30. The group is out by 14:00. A mini coach makes the short run to a Deira hotel in about 20 to 30 minutes and stops at the hotel’s forecourt. The guests walk in, and the bags follow on trolleys. Rooms are ready from 15:00, so the group has a late lunch and a rest. On the next morning the same coach takes them across the creek to Bur Dubai for a morning walk, then collects them at the far end by 12:00.

Linking this with other transfers

If the group will also visit the Marina or the beach side, see DXB to Dubai Marina and DXB to JBR. For a group staying in the new city centre, see DXB to Business Bay and DIFC. The hotel group transfer guide explains coach bays in more detail.

What to send us

Send the hotel name, flights, headcount and bag count. We reply with a fixed written quote. See group airport transfers for the general process, the price page for starting rates, and ask for a fixed written quote when you are ready.

Prices for these vehicles

Starting prices with driver and fuel, within Dubai. Hourly hire has a minimum number of hours, confirmed on your quote. Monthly prices are for a daily staff route; the route, hours and working days are confirmed on your quote. Your written quote gives the exact price for your date and route.

Related: Dubai airport transfer for groups · Group transfers for tour operators · DXB to Dubai Marina · City tour by private minibus · Get a quote

Keep reading

• DXB to Dubai Marina: Coaches, Sprinters and vans from DXB to Dubai Marina hotels for groups of 13 to 50: realistic timings, hotel drop points and luggage planned.
• Dubai airport transfer for groups: Vans, Sprinters, mini coaches and 50-seat coaches for groups landing at DXB or DWC, with the luggage and the split flights planned.
• DXB to JBR: Vans, Sprinters and coaches from DXB to JBR beachfront hotels: approach roads, hotel access and evening traffic for groups of 13 to 50.
• DXB group pickup: Meeting a big group at Dubai airport: how the terminals differ, how flight tracking works, wait time rules and meeting signs.
• DXB to Business Bay and DIFC: Vans, Sprinters and coaches for corporate groups from DXB to Business Bay and DIFC: meeting-day timings and the morning rush worked out.
• Big group arrival at DXB: How to land 30 or more people at Dubai International and get them onto the right coach: flight lists, luggage, split arrivals and a group leader who is easy to find.