Getting from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) to the city takes as little as 15 minutes by taxi or up to 40 minutes on a bus, depending on what matters most to you.
This guide covers every practical way from Sharjah airport to city: taxi, public bus, ride-hail, and car rental, with real costs and journey times for each.
- Fastest: a taxi reaches Sharjah city centre in around 15-20 minutes, but costs AED 60-80 including the airport’s AED 20 pickup surcharge.
- Cheapest: public Bus 15 costs AED 9 cash (AED 7 with a Sayer card) to Rolla Terminal, departing roughly every 20-40 minutes.
- Ride-hail apps like Uber and Careem operate at the airport too, with fares quoted upfront in-app — compare against the metered taxi rate before you book.
- Heading to Dubai instead? An Air Arabia coach runs straight to Al Ghurair Centre for AED 20.
- Car rental counters are in the arrivals hall, open 24 hours, if you’d rather drive yourself.
How far is Sharjah Airport from the city?
Sharjah International Airport sits about 13 km from Sharjah city centre, off the Emirates Road interchange. Most transfers take between 15 and 40 minutes depending on the mode you pick and the time of day.
Sharjah airport to city: cost and time by transfer mode
Taxi is quickest, the bus is cheapest, and ride-hail sits somewhere in between. Here’s how the main options compare side by side.
Taxi from Sharjah Airport
A taxi is the fastest way into town, reaching Sharjah city centre in about 15 to 20 minutes. Taxis line up at the arrivals level stand, and every one runs on a meter, so there are no flat rates to negotiate.
Every trip starting from the airport carries an AED 20 pickup surcharge on top of the metered fare. Add the standard daytime base fare and per-kilometre rate, and a typical run into the city centre lands around AED 60-80.
You can also call Sharjah Taxi directly or book through your hotel if you’d rather not queue. Family and ladies-only taxis are available on request at the stand.
Public bus from Sharjah Airport
Mowasalat, Sharjah’s public bus operator, runs two routes through the airport. Both are regulated by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA).
Bus 15 (to Rolla Terminal)
Bus 15 is the more useful route for a straight airport-to-city trip. It terminates at Rolla Terminal, a central hub for onward buses and taxis, and costs AED 9 cash or AED 7 with a Sayer card.
Buses run roughly every 20-40 minutes between about 6:30am and 9pm. Mowasalat doesn’t publish an exact ride duration, so budget more time than a taxi and check the departure board once you’re at the stop.
Bus 116 (via the airport, to Al Jubail Terminal)
Bus 116 also stops at the airport, but it’s a long-haul route linking Khorfakkan and Fujairah with Sharjah’s Al Jubail Terminal. The full route costs AED 27 and takes about 2 hours end to end, running every 30 minutes from 5:30am to 11pm.
The airport-to-Al Jubail segment you’d actually ride is shorter and cheaper than the full fare, since Sharjah bus tickets are priced by distance. Confirm the exact segment fare with the driver, or call SRTA on 600 525 252, before you board.
The Sayer card itself costs AED 5 as a one-time issuance fee, separate from your travel credit. A common top-up option loads AED 45 of credit for AED 50, and the card can be bought or recharged from the driver or at Al Jubail Terminal.
Uber, Careem, and other ride-hail apps
Ride-hailing apps operate at Sharjah Airport alongside the metered taxi rank. Pickup points are signposted at arrivals, and fares are shown upfront in the app before you confirm.
There’s no fixed rule on which is cheaper — pricing depends on demand, and can land above or below the metered taxi rate. Surge pricing is common during busy arrival banks or bad weather, so it’s worth comparing both in the moment before you commit.
Car rental at Sharjah Airport
Car rental counters sit in the arrivals hall, open 24 hours a day. Several local and international operators run desks here, covering everything from economy hatchbacks to SUVs and minivans.
Renting makes sense if you’re staying several days, travelling with a family, or planning day trips beyond the city. Pricing varies by provider, car class, and season, so it’s worth comparing a couple of counters or booking ahead online.
Continuing on to Dubai
If Sharjah is just your entry point and Dubai is the real destination, you don’t need to backtrack through the city first.
An Air Arabia coach runs directly from the airport to Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai for a flat AED 20.
Departures from the airport run within a roughly 10:30am-11:30pm window (the airport’s published 8am-11:30pm window is for the opposite, to-airport direction), and it’s a handful of scheduled trips a day rather than an hourly service. Confirm the next departure time with Air Arabia or at the airport’s transport desk before you plan around it.
A metered taxi or ride-hail straight to Dubai is faster but costs considerably more than the coach, and prices climb further if you’re headed to Dubai Marina or the airport area.
If you’re only transiting rather than clearing immigration, check our current read on whether it’s safe to transit through Sharjah before you plan a tight connection.
Which transfer option fits you?
The fastest option isn’t always the best one for your trip. Here’s a quick match-up by traveller type.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi cost from Sharjah Airport to the city?
Expect around AED 60-80 to Sharjah city centre, including the airport’s AED 20 pickup surcharge on top of the metered fare. The exact amount depends on your drop-off point and traffic.
Is there a public bus from Sharjah Airport?
Yes, Bus 15 runs from the airport to Rolla Terminal for AED 9 cash (AED 7 with a Sayer card), departing every 20-40 minutes. Bus 116 also stops at the airport on its longer route to Al Jubail Terminal — confirm that segment’s fare with the driver.
Can I use Uber or Careem from Sharjah Airport?
Yes, both apps operate at the airport with signposted pickup points at arrivals. Fares are quoted upfront in the app and can run above or below the metered taxi rate depending on demand.
How do I get from Sharjah Airport to Dubai?
An Air Arabia coach runs directly to Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai for AED 20, with a handful of scheduled departures a day within a roughly 10:30am-11:30pm window rather than an hourly service. A taxi or ride-hail is quicker but costs noticeably more for the longer distance.
Where do I rent a car at Sharjah Airport?
Car rental counters are in the arrivals hall and open 24 hours. Several local and international operators are represented, so it’s worth comparing a couple of desks before you sign.
Is Sharjah Airport far from Sharjah city centre?
Not really — it’s about 13 km away, off the Emirates Road interchange. Most transfers take 15 to 40 minutes depending on which option you choose.
Plan your Sharjah trip
Whichever way you get into town, it’s worth locking in your onward plans before you land. Compare flights to Sharjah and browse hotels in Sharjah on Wego to line up the rest of your stay.
Sources
- Sharjah International Airport — Taxis
- Sharjah International Airport — Public Transport
- Sharjah International Airport — Car Rentals
- Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority — Sayer Card
- Mowasalat — Route 15: Rolla – Sharjah Airport (official fares and timetable)
- Kayfuae — Fujairah to Sharjah Bus Timings: Route 116 Schedule, Fare & Stops
- Wikipedia — Sharjah International Airport (location and distance)
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
