Sharjah International Airport transfer
This page explains private transfers from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) to hotels in Dubai, from Deira and Bur Dubai near the Creek to Downtown, Al Barsha, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. Depending on the district and the time of day, the ride takes from about 40 minutes to an hour and a half.
- Airport code
- SHJ
- City
- Sharjah
- Route guides
- 3
HotelTaxi books each ride with a local transfer company that drives between Sharjah and Dubai every day. You reserve online or on WhatsApp, see the full price before confirming, and your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign.
Transfers from this airport
Why so many Dubai visitors land in Sharjah
SHJ lies on the eastern edge of Sharjah city, inland near University City, and is the home base of Air Arabia. Many flights from India, Russia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Gulf land here, and a large share of passengers are heading for a hotel in Dubai.
There is a single passenger terminal, which keeps arrival simple. Sharjah and Dubai are neighbouring emirates with no border control between them, so the transfer is an ordinary motorway drive across the boundary.
The drive from SHJ into Dubai
From the airport the driver heads south-west towards Dubai. There are two main corridors: Al Ittihad Road (E11), which runs past Al Nahda and Al Qusais towards Deira and the Dubai International area, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), which passes further inland and is the usual way to the southern districts.
The Sharjah–Dubai corridor carries one of the heaviest commuter flows in the country. Traffic towards Dubai builds on weekday mornings, and the reverse direction fills up in the late afternoon and evening. The driver picks the road on the day according to live traffic, and your price stays the same whichever route is taken.
Dubai districts we drive to from Sharjah Airport
- Bur Dubai & Deira
- The closest hotels to SHJ, about 35 km away, around Dubai Creek, the souks and Al Fahidi. Usually 41–52 minutes.
- Downtown Dubai & Business Bay
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the towers along Dubai Canal, about 39 km away. Usually 45–57 minutes.
- Al Barsha & Barsha Heights
- Mid-range and business hotels around Mall of the Emirates, about 56 km away. Usually 64–80 minutes.
- Dubai Marina & JBR
- Beach and high-rise hotels in the south-west of the city, about 60 km away. Usually 73–92 minutes.
- Palm Jumeirah
- Resorts on the trunk and the crescent of the island, about 62 km away. Usually 72–90 minutes.
Choosing the right vehicle
A standard car suits one to three travellers with normal suitcases. Families and small groups usually take a minivan for up to about seven people. Travelling with several large cases or boxes? Say so when booking and a larger vehicle will be arranged.
Child seats can be requested in advance, and golf bags or other sports equipment should be declared.
How your Sharjah Airport transfer works
Book with your flight number
Enter your Dubai hotel and flight details online or send them on WhatsApp. The total price is shown before you confirm.
Clear arrivals
After passport control and baggage collection, your driver waits for you in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name.
Stay in touch
The local provider contacts you by phone or WhatsApp to agree the exact meeting spot, and follows your flight if it lands early or late.
Ride straight to your hotel
The car takes you directly to your Dubai address, with no shared stops and no other passengers on board.
Season, timing and Ramadan
The main season for Dubai runs from October to April, when daytime temperatures are pleasant. Late-night and early-morning arrivals at SHJ are common, and they are also the quickest times to cross into Dubai.
During Ramadan working hours shift, and roads are often busy in the hour before sunset.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Sharjah Airport from Dubai?
It depends on where you stay. Deira and Bur Dubai are about 35 km from SHJ, Downtown about 39 km, Al Barsha about 56 km and Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah around 60 km. Typical drive times range from about 40 minutes to an hour and a half.
Do I need to pass a border between Sharjah and Dubai?
No. Sharjah and Dubai are both emirates of the UAE and there is no checkpoint between them. Once you have cleared passport control at SHJ, the transfer is a normal road journey.
What happens if my flight to Sharjah is delayed?
Share your flight number when booking so the local provider can follow the arrival time. The price you agreed does not change because of a delay or because of traffic on the way into Dubai.
When is traffic between Sharjah and Dubai at its worst?
Weekday rush hours are the slowest periods, mornings towards Dubai and late afternoons and evenings towards Sharjah. Night arrivals usually move much faster. The driver chooses between Al Ittihad Road and the inland motorways depending on conditions.