X23 Bus Route Dubai: Complete Guide
The X23 bus route is an RTA-operated service connecting Al Ghubaiba Bus Station with International City Bus Station in Dubai. It provides a useful connection between areas such as Bur Dubai, Oud Metha, Wafi City, Ras Al Khor, and International City.
The route covers approximately 25–27 km, while a complete journey can take around 45–75 minutes, depending on traffic, stops, and travel time. Most sources place the normal journey around 55–65 minutes.
The X23 generally operates from around 5:00 AM until 11:00–11:30 PM, with buses arriving approximately every 15–20 minutes during regular service. Weekend timings and frequency can be slightly different.
X23 Bus Route at a Glance
| Information | X23 Details |
|---|---|
| Route | X23 |
| Operator | RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) |
| Starting Point | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station |
| Main Destination | International City Bus Station |
| Route Distance | Approximately 25–27 km |
| Approx. Stops | Around 21–27 |
| Normal Journey Time | Around 55–65 minutes |
| Possible Journey Range | Approximately 45–75 minutes |
| Typical Frequency | 15–20 minutes |
| Weekend Frequency | Around 20–25 minutes |
| Operating Window | Approximately 5:00 AM–11:00/11:30 PM |
| Full-route Fare | Approximately AED 5–AED 7.50 |
| Payment | Nol Card |
| Cash Payment | Not accepted |
| Recommended Arrival | 5–15 minutes early |
X23 Bus Timings
The X23 normally begins service early in the morning and continues until late evening. However, the exact first and last departure can vary depending on the direction, day, and operating conditions.
Al Ghubaiba to International City
According to the combined timetable information, the service generally follows this pattern:
- First bus: Around 5:00–5:20 AM
- Last bus: Around 11:00–11:30 PM
- Typical frequency: Every 15–20 minutes
- Journey duration: Around 45–75 minutes
- Normal journey: Approximately 55–65 minutes
Some timetable information lists the first departure at 5:00 AM, while another source gives 5:20 AM. This difference can occur because schedules may change according to the day or timetable update.
International City to Al Ghubaiba
For the return journey:
- First bus: Around 5:00 AM
- Last bus: Approximately 11:19 PM
- Typical frequency: Every 15–20 minutes
- Journey duration: Around 45–75 minutes
For an exact departure, passengers should check the latest RTA journey information before leaving.
Weekend Timings
Some sources report slightly later weekend starts and lower frequency:
| Day | First Bus | Last Bus | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 5:00–5:20 AM | 11:00–11:30 PM | 15–20 min |
| Saturday–Sunday | Around 5:30 AM | Around 11:00 PM | 20–25 min |
Public-holiday schedules can also differ, so checking the latest service information is recommended.
X23 Bus Stops
The X23 stop count differs between route descriptions. One source lists 21 stops, while others describe approximately 26–27 stops because they include additional stop variations and International City locations.
The commonly listed stops include:
- Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
- Raffa
- Rolla
- Sharaf DG Metro Bus Stop
- Four Points Sheraton Hotel
- BurJuman Metro Bus Stop C
- Oud Metha Metro Bus Stop
- Oud Metha Road 1
- Oud Metha Road 2
- Wafi City
- Aden Street
- Ras Al Khor Terminus
- Used Car Exhibition
- Vegetable Market
- Manama Road
- International City, Greece
- International City, Civil Defence
- International City, Trafalgar Tower
- International City, Rivera Dreams Apartments
- International City, Post Office
- International City Bus Station
Depending on the direction and timetable version, additional International City stops may appear, including areas around Persia, Morocco, China, France, Greece, Dragon Mart, and the Central Business District.
X23 Bus Route Map
X23 Bus Fare
The fare depends on the number of zones crossed and the type of Nol Card used. The combined competitor information gives the following zone-based figures:
| Zones Crossed | Silver Nol | Gold Nol | Personal/Blue Nol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 3.00 | AED 6.00 | AED 3.00 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5.00 | AED 10.00 | AED 5.00 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15.00 | AED 7.50 |
For the full X23 journey, the commonly reported fare is around AED 5–AED 7.50, although the exact amount depends on the zones crossed and card type.
Is Cash Accepted on X23?
No. The competitor information states that cash is not accepted for X23 travel. Passengers should have a valid Nol Card with sufficient balance before boarding.
For a full journey, keeping at least AED 7.50 available is a practical minimum based on the fare information provided by the sources.
Nol Card for X23
A Nol Card is used to pay for the X23 bus journey. Passengers should tap in when boarding and tap out when leaving.
Available card types mentioned in the route information include:
- Silver Nol Card
- Gold Nol Card
- Blue Nol Card
- Personalised Nol Card
Keeping enough balance on the card is important because insufficient credit can cause problems during the journey.
X23 Route and Major Areas
The route links several important parts of Dubai. From the Al Ghubaiba side, passengers can travel through areas around Bur Dubai, Raffa, Rolla, BurJuman, Oud Metha, Wafi City, and Ras Al Khor before reaching International City.
Al Ghubaiba and Bur Dubai
Al Ghubaiba is an important transport area with connections to bus and metro services. The route also passes through Bur Dubai, making X23 useful for passengers travelling between the historic side of Dubai and International City.
BurJuman and Oud Metha
The route provides access to BurJuman and Oud Metha, two useful transport locations with connections to Dubai’s metro network.
Passengers travelling from other parts of Dubai can therefore combine metro and bus services when planning their trip.
Wafi City and Ras Al Khor
The X23 also serves Wafi City before continuing towards Ras Al Khor. These locations are useful landmarks for passengers who need to identify where they are along the route.
International City
The eastern end of the journey serves International City and its different residential and commercial clusters. Depending on the direction and service pattern, passengers may see stops associated with Greece, Persia, Morocco, China, Civil Defence, Post Office, and other International City locations.
Dragon Mart is another important landmark associated with the International City area.
X23 Metro Connections
X23 can be useful as part of a combined bus-and-metro journey.
Important metro-related locations mentioned in the route information include:
- Al Ghubaiba
- Sharaf DG
- BurJuman
- Oud Metha
BurJuman is particularly useful because passengers can connect with Dubai Metro services from the area. This can make X23 a practical option for longer journeys involving different parts of the city.
X23 Travel Time and Distance
The complete route is approximately 25–27 km long.
Travel time is not fixed because Dubai traffic can significantly affect the journey. The combined information gives several estimates:
- 45–55 minutes: Faster journeys under suitable traffic conditions
- 55–65 minutes: Typical normal journey
- 70–75 minutes: Possible during busy periods or heavier traffic
- Up to around 80 minutes: Mentioned in some timetable information
X23 Peak Hours
The busiest periods highlighted in the route information are approximately:
- Morning peak: 7:00 AM–9:00 AM
- Evening peak: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM
If your schedule is flexible, travelling outside these periods may provide a more predictable journey.
X23 Bus Tracking and Live Timings
Because departure times can change, passengers should check the latest information before travelling. The competitor information specifically mentions RTA S’hail and Wojhati for journey planning and updates.
The S’hail app can be used to:
- Check bus timings
- Track the bus location
- Plan journeys
- Find alternative routes
- Check transport information
- Manage or recharge Nol Card services
Live information is especially useful when travelling late at night, during weekends, public holidays, or busy traffic periods.
X23 Bus Facilities
The route information highlights several passenger facilities and safety features associated with RTA buses, including:
- Air-conditioned buses
- Priority seating
- Seating for elderly passengers
- Seating for pregnant women
- Accessibility for people of determination
- CCTV
- Standard RTA safety facilities
Passengers should follow the instructions displayed inside the bus and give priority seats to people who need them.
X23 Passenger Tips
A few simple steps can make the journey easier:
- Arrive 5–15 minutes early, particularly when travelling from a busy bus station.
- Keep your Nol Card balance topped up before starting the trip.
- Tap in and tap out correctly.
- Check live timings before leaving.
- Allow extra time during the 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM peak periods.
- If travelling on a public holiday, check the latest timetable because service can change.
- Keep personal belongings secure during the journey.
- Follow RTA passenger and luggage instructions.
X23 Bus Route: Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the X23 route? | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to International City |
| Who operates X23? | RTA |
| How far does X23 travel? | Approximately 25–27 km |
| How many stops are there? | Around 21–27, depending on the stop listing |
| How long is the journey? | Around 45–75 minutes |
| What is the usual frequency? | Around every 15–20 minutes |
| What time does it start? | Around 5:00 AM |
| What time does it finish? | Around 11:00–11:30 PM |
| How much does the full trip cost? | Approximately AED 5–AED 7.50 |
| Can I pay cash? | No, Nol Card is required |
| What is the recommended arrival time? | 5–15 minutes before departure |
| Does it operate daily? | Yes, with possible timetable variations |
| Which areas does it serve? | Bur Dubai, Oud Metha, Wafi City, Ras Al Khor and International City |
Final Thoughts
The X23 bus is a practical RTA connection between Al Ghubaiba and International City, covering approximately 25–27 km and around 21–27 stops, depending on the timetable and stop listing used. A normal journey takes roughly 55–65 minutes, although traffic can extend it to around 70–75 minutes or more.
The service generally operates from about 5:00 AM to 11:00–11:30 PM, with buses commonly arriving every 15–20 minutes. The fare is generally reported at around AED 5–AED 7.50 for the full trip, with payment made through a Nol Card.
Since schedules, stop patterns, and travel times can change, checking the latest live information before travelling is the safest way to plan your X23 journey.
