The C18 bus is a Dubai public transport service operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It serves important areas including Oud Metha, BurJuman, Al Nahda, Abu Hail, Stadium, and Shaikh Rashid Colony. Based on the information compiled from four C18 route sources, the service operates 7 days a week, with commonly listed operating hours from around 06:00 AM to 11:40 PM.
The route information varies slightly between sources, especially regarding the number of stops and endpoint descriptions. This guide brings the available information together in a simple format so passengers can understand the route, schedule, fare, journey time, and major stops before travelling.
C18 Bus Route at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bus Number | C18 |
| Operator | RTA Dubai |
| Operating Days | 7 days a week |
| Common Route | Shaikh Rashid Colony ↔ Lamcy Plaza |
| Alternative Route Description | Al Qusais 1 ↔ Lamcy Plaza |
| Journey Distance | 8 km |
| Approx. Journey Time | 25 minutes |
| Fare Listed by Most Sources | AED 15 |
| Common First Bus | 06:04 AM |
| Common Last Bus | 11:24 PM |
| Monday Schedule Range | 06:00 AM–11:40 PM |
| Stops Reported | 29, 35 or 37, depending on source |
| Payment | NOL Card |
| RTA Customer Service | 800 90 90 |
| International Contact | +971 4 605 1414 |
| +971 58 800 9090 |
C18 Bus Timings
The four sources do not present the timetable in exactly the same way. Two sources list 06:04 AM as the first bus and 11:24 PM as the last bus, while another source provides a detailed Monday timetable beginning at 06:00 AM and ending at 11:40 PM.
For practical planning, passengers should check the current RTA schedule before starting their trip because bus timings can change.
C18 Timetable Summary
| Day | First Bus | Last Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
| Tuesday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
| Wednesday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
| Thursday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
| Friday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
| Saturday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
| Sunday | 06:04 AM | 11:24 PM |
The detailed Monday timetable reported by one source contains 32 departures:
06:00, 06:30, 07:00, 07:35, 08:10, 08:50, 09:20, 09:55, 10:25, 10:55, 11:30, 12:05, 12:40, 13:15, 13:50, 14:25, 15:00, 15:35, 16:05, 16:40, 17:15, 18:00, 18:35, 19:15, 19:50, 20:30, 21:15, 21:45, 22:15, 22:40, 23:10, 23:40.
This works out to a varying interval of roughly 30–45 minutes on many parts of the Monday schedule.
C18 Bus Stops
The stop count is one of the areas where the supplied sources differ. One group of sources lists 29 stops, another lists 35, and one reports 37 stops.
The following 29-stop sequence is consistently presented by the sources that use the shorter route list:
- Lamcy Plaza
- American Hospital
- Oud Metha Road 2
- Oud Metha Road 1
- Oud Metha Metro Bus Stop
- BurJuman Metro Bus Stop C
- BurJuman Metro Bus Stop A
- Four Point Sheraton Hotel
- Sharaf DG Metro Bus Stop
- Nahda Street
- Raffa 2
- Falcon Intersection
- Khaleej Road
- Naif, Intersection
- Burj Nahar, Intersection
- Islamic Institute
- Rasheed Road
- Hor Al Anz, Roundabout
- Hor Al Anz, Turnoff
- Abu Hail, Clinic
- Manama
- Abu Hail, Masjid
- Shabab Club
- Dubai Folklore Theatre
- Wuhaida, Road
- Ahli Club
- Stadium Metro Bus Stop
- Ministry Of Information
- Shaikh Rashid Colony
Additional Stops in the Longer Route Listing
The 35-stop version includes several additional stops or differently named locations, including:
- Sheikh Rashid Colony 2
- Emirates Driving Institute
- Dubai Grand Hotel
- Al Khulafa’a Al Rashideen Boys School
- Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Bus Stop
- Al Nahda Metro Bus Stop
- Palm Deira Metro Bus Stop
- Rolla
- Al Fahidi Metro Bus Stop A
- Broadcast Interchange
C18 Bus Route Map
C18 Route and Major Areas
The C18 serves several useful transport and residential areas across Dubai. Depending on the route description used, passengers may see the service associated with Shaikh Rashid Colony, Oud Metha, Lamcy Plaza, and Al Qusais 1.
Important locations along the reported route include:
- Lamcy Plaza
- American Hospital
- Oud Metha
- BurJuman
- Sharaf DG
- Nahda Street
- Falcon Intersection
- Naif
- Burj Nahar
- Rasheed Road
- Hor Al Anz
- Abu Hail
- Manama
- Shabab Club
- Dubai Folklore Theatre
- Wuhaida Road
- Ahli Club
- Stadium Metro Station
- Ministry of Information
- Shaikh Rashid Colony
These stops make the route useful for passengers travelling between residential communities, commercial areas, hospitals, metro connections, and other major points.
C18 Bus Fare
The main fare figure reported by the supplied sources is AED 15.
Passengers are advised to use a valid NOL Card when travelling on the route. The sources specifically mention Silver, Gold, and Blue NOL Cards as usable options.
C18 Fare Information
| Fare Detail | Amount / Information |
|---|---|
| Reported one-way fare | AED 15 |
| Payment method | NOL Card |
| Mentioned NOL options | Silver, Gold, Blue |
Important: One of the supplied C18 pages contains an internal inconsistency: its main information table states AED 15, but its FAQ mentions AED 25 for a one-way trip. Since the AED 15 figure is repeated in the other modern route information, this difference should be treated as a source discrepancy rather than presented as a confirmed AED 25 fare.
C18 Journey Distance and Travel Time
The C18 route is reported as approximately 8 km, with an estimated journey time of around 25 minutes.
Actual travel time can be longer than 25 minutes depending on traffic, passenger demand, road conditions, and the exact boarding and exit points.
| Journey Detail | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | 8 km |
| Approximate journey time | 25 minutes |
| Service frequency mentioned | 20–30 minutes in one source |
The 20–30-minute frequency should be regarded as a general estimate because the detailed Monday schedule shows intervals that vary throughout the day.
C18 Bus Facilities
The supplied route information highlights several facilities and passenger conveniences associated with the service:
- Air conditioning
- Reserved seating
- Priority seating for senior passengers
- Seating considerations for pregnant women
- Accessibility provisions for people with disabilities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Onboard displays showing departure and arrival information
- Real-time tracking through the S’hail app
These features can make the journey more convenient, particularly for passengers travelling during busy periods.
How to Prepare for a C18 Bus Journey
A few simple steps can make travelling on the C18 easier.
Check the Bus Time Before Leaving
The sources show different timetable figures, including 06:04 AM–11:24 PM and a detailed Monday range of 06:00 AM–11:40 PM. Checking the latest information before travelling can help avoid relying on an outdated departure time.
Arrive Early
Arriving approximately 15 minutes before the expected departure gives passengers enough time to locate the correct stop and prepare their NOL Card.
Keep Your NOL Card Ready
Since the route information identifies the NOL Card as the payment method, passengers should ensure that their card has sufficient balance before boarding.
Use Real-Time Tracking
The S’hail app is mentioned as an option for checking real-time public transport information. This can be useful when the passenger needs to monitor the expected bus arrival.
Travel Carefully During Busy Periods
Peak hours and weekends can be busier. Allowing additional travel time can be helpful when travelling to an appointment, workplace, hospital, or connecting metro station.
C18 Route Information: Important Differences Between Sources
The four supplied sources do not agree on every numerical detail. Keeping these differences visible is important for passengers.
| Information | Reported Figures |
|---|---|
| Route endpoint | Shaikh Rashid Colony ↔ Lamcy Plaza |
| Alternative endpoint description | Al Qusais 1 ↔ Lamcy Plaza |
| Distance | 8 km |
| Journey time | Approx. 25 minutes |
| Stops | 29 / 35 / 37 |
| Common first bus | 06:04 AM |
| Detailed Monday first departure | 06:00 AM |
| Common last bus | 11:24 PM |
| Detailed Monday final departure | 11:40 PM |
| Fare in main tables | AED 15 |
| Fare in one FAQ | AED 25 |
These variations are worth highlighting rather than hiding. Timetables, stop counts, and route descriptions can differ depending on the direction, route version, stop naming, or date of the information.
RTA Customer Service
For public transport questions, the supplied C18 information gives the following RTA contact details:
| Contact Method | Number / Address |
|---|---|
| RTA Customer Service in UAE | 800 90 90 |
| RTA Customer Service outside UAE | +971 4 605 1414 |
| +971 58 800 9090 | |
| ASK@rta.ae |
Passengers can use these channels when they need clarification about current schedules, fares, route changes, or other RTA services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C18 bus route in Dubai?
The C18 is described in the supplied sources as a route serving Shaikh Rashid Colony and Lamcy Plaza, while another source describes the route between Al Qusais 1 and Lamcy Plaza.
What time does the C18 bus start?
The commonly reported first departure is 06:04 AM. A separate detailed Monday timetable begins at 06:00 AM.
What time is the last C18 bus?
The commonly reported last bus is 11:24 PM. The detailed Monday schedule supplied by another source lists a final departure at 11:40 PM.
How many stops does C18 have?
The sources report 29, 35, and 37 stops. The 29-stop version provides a specific list from Lamcy Plaza to Shaikh Rashid Colony, while longer versions include additional stops.
How much is the C18 bus fare?
The main fare information gives AED 15. One competitor FAQ states AED 25, creating a discrepancy that should be checked against the current RTA information before travelling.
How long does the C18 journey take?
The reported journey distance is approximately 8 km, and the estimated travel time is around 25 minutes. Actual time can vary with traffic and boarding points.
Can I use a NOL Card on C18?
Yes. The supplied information states that passengers can use a NOL Card, including Silver, Gold, and Blue card types.
Does C18 operate every day?
Yes. The supplied timetable information describes C18 service as operating Monday through Sunday, or 7 days a week.
Where can I check C18 bus information?
Passengers can use current RTA transport information and the S’hail app to check route and real-time travel information before starting their journey.
Final Takeaway
The C18 is a useful Dubai bus service connecting several major areas, with route information covering places such as Lamcy Plaza, American Hospital, Oud Metha, BurJuman, Abu Hail, Stadium, and Shaikh Rashid Colony. The commonly reported figures are 8 km, approximately 25 minutes, and AED 15, with service operating 7 days a week. However, the supplied sources differ on the exact number of stops and some timetable and fare figures. For the most reliable trip planning, passengers should verify the current departure, stop, and fare information before travelling.
