Al Barsha to Dubai Marina: Distance, Travel Time & Best Routes

If you are currently in Al Barsha and want to go to Dubai Marina for shopping or entertainment, I have good news for you: the distance from Al Barsha to Dubai Marina or vice versa from Dubai Marina to Al Barsha is very short and full of different options for getting there! You just need to know which option is best for you, how much it costs, and how long it takes. 

How far is Al Barsha from Dubai Marina?

If you are short on time and want to get a quick summary of the route, here are some statistics:

• Driving distance: between 8 and 14 km (depending on which part of Al Barsha you are travelling from).
• Travel time by car or taxi: 10 to 20 minutes in normal traffic (may increase to 35 minutes during rush hour).
• Travel time by metro: around 15 to 25 minutes (from Mall of the Emirates station to Sobha Realty or DMCC station).
• Taxi fare: around 25 to 45 AED.
• Metro/bus fare: around 3 to 5 AED with Nol Card.

If you are travelling from areas such as Al Barsha 1 near Mall of the Emirates, the route will be shorter. On the other hand, areas such as Al Barsha South may add a few kilometres to the route. For this reason, it is not possible to give a fixed number for the Al Barsha to Dubai Marina distance. However, we will look at the distance and time depending on the vehicle and route used.

Your Starting Point in Al Barsha Affects the Distance

When you say “I’m in Al Barsha”, you actually need to specify which area. For example:

• If you’re in Al Barsha 1 near the Mall of the Emirates, your distance to the Marina will be shorter, as it’s closer to the Sheikh Zayed Road and has more direct access to major routes.
• But if you’re in Al Barsha South or near Dubai Science Park, you’ll need to allow a few more minutes, as you’ll first need to get to the main road and then head towards the Marina.
• And if you’re in Barsha Heights (TECOM), it’s even easier to get to the Marina, as it’s close to the metro line and major streets.

On the other hand, your destination in Dubai Marina also matters. If your destination is near the DMCC Metro Station, the route will be slightly different from a destination near JBR or Marina Walk. Routes that look short on the map may take longer during rush hour in Dubai.

Best Ways to Travel from Al Barsha to Dubai Marina 

You have a few main options for getting from Al Barsha to Dubai Marina. Choosing the best method depends on your budget, number of people, amount of luggage and time of travel.

Note: Rental car costs vary depending on the vehicle type, rental duration, insurance, and other terms.

As you can see, taxis and rental cars are among the fastest and most convenient options. Renting a car is one of the best choices if you want more flexibility, especially if you are traveling with family, carrying luggage, or planning to visit several places around Dubai Marina.

Al Barsha to Dubai Marina by Car or Taxi 

We offer two suggested routes to customers using our car rental in Al Barsha and planning to go to Dubai Marina:

• Main Route (Sheikh Zayed Highway – E11): If you are in Al Barsha 1 or 2, the best route is to enter Sheikh Zayed Highway south (towards Abu Dhabi/Jebel Ali). You should take Exit 32 towards Dubai Marina and JBR. This is the fastest and most direct route.
• Alternative Route (Hessa Street – D61 or Al Khail Highway – E44): If you are coming from Al Barsha South, you can enter Hessa Street and head straight towards Sheikh Zayed Highway and then Dubai Marina

An important note! Plan your departure time as traffic is heaviest on Sheikh Zayed Road, especially near the Marina and JLT, between 7:30 and 9:30 in the morning and 5:30 and 7:30 in the evening.

Parking and Dropping Off

If you are driving, you can use car parks such as Dubai Marina Mall (usually free for up to 3 hours with certain purchases or movie ticket validation) or RTA public car parks, but they fill up quickly during peak seasons. If you are travelling by taxi, getting off at points such as Marina Mall or Marina Promenade provides easier access to the waterfront areas of the Marina.

Taking the Metro from Al Barsha to Dubai Marina 

The metro is one of the most popular ways to get around Dubai, especially for tourists who want to control their transportation costs. For the Al Barsha to Dubai Marina metro route, you can usually use the stations closest to Al Barsha:

• Mall of the Emirates Station: The main and most famous station in Al Barsha 1.
• Mashreq Station: A quieter station closer to the eastern parts of Al Barsha 1.

From these stations, you should use the red line of the metro and go to the stations near Dubai Marina.

On the Marina side, the important stations include these two:

• Sobha Realty Station (formerly known as Dubai Marina): The best option for accessing the northern part of the Marina, Marina Walk Towers and connecting to the Dubai Tram.
• DMCC Station (formerly known as Jumeirah Lakes Towers): Great for accessing the southern part of the Marina, Dubai Marina Mall and the JBR area.

Both routes provide convenient access to various parts of the Marina, JBR and the tram.

Getting around on the Dubai Tram

If your final destination is right by the JBR beach or the end of the Marina walkways and you don’t want to walk 10-15 minutes, you can get off the metro at Sobha Realty or DMCC stations and take the Dubai Tram directly. The tram circles Dubai Marina and JBR and drops you off right in front of your desired tower or hotel.

RTA tip: Always make sure your Nol Card has at least 7.5 dirhams of validity, otherwise the metro entrance gates will not open.

Taking the Bus from Al Barsha to Dubai Marina 

If you want to travel cheaply and enjoy the city views, the Dubai Regional Transport Authority (RTA) buses are a good option.

One of the best bus routes for this route is route 84. It departs from areas in Al Barsha, passes by Mall of the Emirates, and goes directly to Dubai Marina and JBR. It is a direct route, does not require changing lines, and the fare is very low (around 3-5 dirhams).

However, due to the numerous stops and traffic jams, the journey time can take between 35 and 50 minutes.

Important note on the day of travel: Dubai bus routes may be subject to minor changes based on new RTA schedules. Be sure to check the official S’hail app (Dubai’s comprehensive transport app) or Google Maps on the day of travel to ensure the exact departure time of bus route 84.

Which Travel Option Is Best for You?

We don’t necessarily recommend renting a car for everyone, as in some cases using public transport can be a cheaper and easier option. In general, our recommendations for different situations are as follows:

• If you’re travelling alone: ​​The metro is usually the best choice. Its low cost, well-defined route and lack of traffic congestion make it a popular option.
• If you’re travelling with family: A taxi or rental car is more convenient. Especially if you have children or luggage, the direct route is worth the extra cost.
• If you’re heading to the Marina for a night out: A car or taxi is a better choice, as return times may be reduced with fewer public transport options.
• If you’re travelling during rush hour: The metro can be more predictable, as it’s not affected by the heavy traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road.

If you have decided that a car would be a better option, you can also experience car rental in Dubai Marina at saadatrent in addition to Al Barsha. Our experts will help you choose the best option for your trip from Dubai Marina to Al Barsha or anywhere else.

What to Do Around Dubai Marina After Arrival 

Once you reach Dubai Marina from Al Barsha, you will find a wealth of entertainment options just a stone’s throw away:

• Marina Walk: A 7km promenade that runs along the water’s edge, lined with cafes, restaurants and views of luxury yachts.
• Dubai Marina Mall: A modern shopping mall right in the heart of the Marina, perfect for shopping and dining by the water.
• Pier 7: A 7-storey cylindrical building with a luxurious restaurant on each floor with 360-degree views of the Marina.
• JBR Beach & The Walk: A 10-minute walk or tram ride takes you to the public beach, water activities and the charming JBR promenade.

The Dubai Marina area is one of the most beautiful parts of Dubai, especially in the evening and at night, and the combination of skyscrapers, lighting and the coastal atmosphere creates a different experience for tourists.

Conclusion

As you can see, the distance from Al Barsha to Dubai Marina is not that far and you have several options to travel between the two. Just check out the Dubai public transport guide to explore the different options. Overall, if speed and cost are important to you and you are travelling during peak hours, the Dubai Metro (Red Line) is a great option, but if you are travelling with a family or have luggage, renting a car gives you more freedom.

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