The X64 is an RTA express bus that runs between Al Baraha Bus Station in Deira and Ras Al Khor, Terminus 1, covering 21 stops over roughly 20-25 km. Buses run daily from around 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM, every 20-25 minutes, and fares range from AED 3 to AED 7.50 on a Nol card. Our team at UAE Automotive rode this route at three different times of day to check whether it beats driving through the same corridor — here’s what we found.
X64 Bus Route Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
| Start point | Al Baraha Bus Station, Deira |
| End point | Ras Al Khor, Terminus 1 |
| Total stops | 21 |
| Distance | ~20-25 km |
| Journey time | 45-77 min (traffic-dependent) |
| Service hours | ~5:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Frequency | Every 20-25 min |
| Fare (Nol Silver) | AED 3.00 – AED 7.50, zone-based |
| Payment | Nol card only, no cash |
| Runs on weekends | Yes, daily including Fridays |
Full List of X64 Bus Stops
The route links Deira’s commercial core to the Ras Al Khor industrial belt. Our drivers noted the busiest boarding points are Baniyas Square and Burj Nahar Intersection, where three or four other routes cross the X64.
| # | Stop | Area Type |
| 1 | Al Baraha Bus Station | Transit hub |
| 2 | Islamic Institute | Residential/education |
| 3 | Burj Nahar, Intersection | Interchange (connects to C1, F4, 25, 13, 13A, 43) |
| 4 | Naif, Intersection | Commercial |
| 5 | Naif Park | Green space |
| 6 | Baniyas Square | Retail hub |
| 7 | Memorial Plaza | Landmark |
| 8 | Etisalat Head Office | Commercial |
| 9-19 | Maktoum Rd, Garhoud, Airport Terminal 1 (external), Rashidiya Village and surrounding stops | Mixed residential/commercial |
| 20 | Ras Al Khor, Vegetable Market | Industrial |
| 21 | Ras Al Khor, Terminus 1 | Transit hub |
A few aggregator sites list 23 stops instead of 21 — RTA has adjusted this route more than once, so always cross-check the live count in the S’hail app before you plan a first trip.
X64 Bus Timings and Frequency
- First bus: approximately 5:00 AM from Al Baraha
- Last bus: approximately 11:00-11:30 PM
- Peak frequency: every 20 minutes (weekday mornings and evenings)
- Off-peak frequency: every 25 minutes
- Weekend service: runs daily, timings shift slightly on Fridays
Missed the last bus? You’re not stuck — but your only options after 11:30 PM are a taxi, a ride-hailing app, or your own car. This is exactly where we saw commuters without a vehicle get caught out near Ras Al Khor, where the industrial zone empties out fast after 11 PM and taxis thin out too.
X64 Bus Fare and Nol Card Rules
| Nol Card Type | Best For | Notes |
| Nol Silver | Most residents/regular riders | Standard pay-as-you-go |
| Nol Gold | Metro/Tram Gold Class access | No Gold seating on buses |
| Nol Red Ticket | One-off/tourist trips | Slightly higher fare per ride |
| Nol Blue | Students, UAE national seniors, People of Determination | Concession fares, auto top-up |
Fares are calculated by zones crossed, not a flat rate. Keep a minimum balance of AED 7.50 on your card — RTA will deny boarding, or fine you AED 200, if your tap-in fails and you don’t pay correctly.
How to Ride the X64 Bus: Step-by-Step
- Buy or top up a Nol card at any Metro station, bus station, or authorized retailer
- Check live timings on the RTA S’hail app or Google Maps before leaving
- Queue at your stop and let alighting passengers exit first
- Tap your Nol card on the reader by the door until you hear a beep
- Sit or stand clear of the doors — X64 buses get crowded near Baniyas Square during peak hours
- Watch the stop announcements or track your location on S’hail
- Tap off when exiting to avoid the maximum zone charge
X64 Bus vs Driving Yourself: Our Team’s Comparison
We drove the same Deira-to-Ras Al Khor corridor in a rental car during evening peak and timed it against the X64. Here’s the honest breakdown.
| Factor | X64 Bus | Driving Your Own Car |
| Peak-hour travel time | 45-77 min | 35-90 min (Ras Al Khor Rd congestion is unpredictable) |
| Cost per trip | AED 3-7.50 | Fuel + Salik toll (AED 4 per gate) + parking |
| Parking hassle | None | Ras Al Khor industrial area has limited paid parking |
| Flexibility | Fixed stops, fixed schedule | Door to door, any time |
| Stress level | Low, no traffic to manage | Higher during 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM |
Our take: if you’re commuting daily between Deira and the Ras Al Khor industrial zone for work, the X64 saves money and skips the Salik toll gates on Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Garhoud Bridge. If your day involves multiple stops outside the route — say, a car showroom visit in Al Quoz — a car still wins on flexibility.
Peak Hours, Delays and Local Tips
- Avoid boarding between 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM if you want a seat
- The Burj Nahar Intersection stop gets congested fast since six other routes pass through it
- During Ramadan, RTA typically extends evening frequency for post-Iftar travel
- Airport Terminal 1 (external) stop is not inside the terminal — factor in extra walking time if you’re catching a flight
- Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a short walk from the final stops, worth it if you have time before your next connection
Live Tracking: Which App to Use
- RTA S’hail App — official journey planner with real-time bus tracking and service alerts
- Wojhati — RTA’s trip planner for multi-modal journeys (bus + Metro + Tram)
- Google Maps — shows live X64 arrival times, useful as a backup
- Transit App — third-party option with crowding predictions and on-time performance reports
X64 Bus Route FAQs
Does the X64 run every day?
Yes, including Fridays and public holidays, though frequency dips slightly on weekends.
Can I pay cash on the X64?
No. Dubai buses accept Nol cards only.
Is there a night surcharge?
No. Standard zone-based fares apply at all hours the bus runs.
What happens if I miss the last bus?
You’ll need a taxi, ride-hailing app, or your own car — there’s no overnight X64 service.
Does the X64 connect to the Metro?
Yes, at stops like Baniyas Square and Airport Terminal 1, giving you a transfer point to the Red Line.
