The X28 bus schedule is a comprehensive resource that provides all the important details you need to know about the X28 bus service. It enables you to verify the route, stops, fare and departure details. The X28 runs from Lulu Village to Agora Mall and also serves several areas along the way. The schedule will help you with clearer route planning. It can also assist you in selecting the proper stop and traveling in the proper direction. The timetable can be helpful to both regular and first-time travellers. You may also see the fare and route information before you start your trip. It is important to have the most up-to-date RTA information so that you don’t fall into the trap of using outdated bus information.
X28 Bus Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Bus route | X28 |
| Operator | Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) |
| Main route | Lulu Village to Agora Mall |
| Starting point | Lulu Village |
| Terminal | Agora Mall |
| Service type | Express bus |
| Main areas served | Muhaisnah, Al Qusais, Al Nahda, Deira, Bur Dubai, Al Satwa, Jumeirah |
| Payment | Nol card / approved RTA ticket |
| Fare system | Based on Dubai transport zones |
| Timetable | Varies by day |
| Official timetable source | RTA Journey Planner and timetable service |
X28 was classified as an express bus route by RTA and in May 2024 it was announced that the route will be reduced to run from Agora Mall. The journey-planning service published a timetable that contains the route Lulu Village – Agora Mall.
X28 Bus Schedule
The published timetable is in place and the current one is different for each day of the week. Usually, buses leave Lulu Village from around 6:00 AM until about 9:00–9:30 PM, except on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
| Day | Lulu Village | Agora Mall |
| Monday | About 5:55 AM – 9:30 PM | About 6:00 AM – 9:47 PM |
| Tuesday | About 5:55 AM – 9:30 PM | About 6:00 AM – 9:47 PM |
| Wednesday | About 5:55 AM – 9:30 PM | About 6:00 AM – 9:47 PM |
| Thursday | About 5:55 AM – 9:30 PM | About 6:00 AM – 9:47 PM |
| Friday | About 5:50 AM – 9:00 PM | About 6:00 AM – 9:40 PM |
| Saturday | About 6:00 AM – 9:05 PM | About 6:14 AM – 9:40 PM |
| Sunday | About 5:55 AM – 9:05 PM | About 6:14 AM – 9:40 PM |
These are only approximate times and do not indicate any particular time at any stop. The time that a bus will arrive may vary depending on traffic conditions, changes in service or operations, or unforeseen delays. RTA’s specific services include a board to check departure time/stop and a route timetable and journey planner.
The published timetable also reveals that the bus does not necessarily stop at each stop at equal time intervals. So it’s better to find out what the departure time will be for your specific stop than to take it for granted that it will always be at the same time.
X28 Route and Direction
The X28 route is on Dubai’s Lulu Village and heads south and west all the way to Agora Mall on Jumeirah Street. As per RTA’s service announcement of 2024, the express route has been reduced to Agora Mall.
The following are major locations as displayed in the published timetable:
- Lulu Village
- Muhaisnah 4, New Housing
- Emirates Housing
- Russian International School
- Galadari Driving School
- Al Qusais Industrial Area
- Damascus Road
- Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Bus Stop
- Al Nahda Metro Bus Stop
- Stadium Metro Bus Stop
- Abu Baker Al Siddique Metro Bus Stop
- City Centre Metro Bus Stop
- Umm Hurair, Road 1
- Max Metro Bus Stop Seaside
- Satwa Roundabout
- 2nd December Street
- Etihad Museum
- Jumeirah Grand Masjid
- Century Plaza
- Mercato Shopping Mall
- Al Arouba Street
- Agora Mall
The stop list may vary with the changes made to the network by RTA and it is recommended that passengers refer to the official timetable or Journey Planner before traveling. The current published timetable for X28 makes these stops between Lulu Village and Agora Mall.
X28 Stops
The route is especially useful, as it connects residential neighborhoods in the north and northeast of Dubai with the central and coastal parts of Dubai. Those travelling from Muhaisnah or Al Qusais to Jumeirah will not need to change several local-bus journeys to get to Jumeirah, as they can continue on the same express bus.
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro, Al Nahda Metro, Stadium Metro, Abu Baker Al Siddique Metro, City Centre Metro and Max Metro are some of the more convenient interchange points. Depending on the traveler’s destination and origin, their usefulness varies and if the traveler needs to connect to the Dubai Metro, a travel planner is preferable.
At the western end, passengers are dropped near a number of established Jumeirah destinations such as Etihad Museum, Jumeirah Grand Masjid, Century Plaza and Mercato Shopping Mall. As per the final stop in the timetable, it is Agora Mall, Jumeirah Street.
X28 Timings from Lulu Village
Lulu Village will start departures around 5:50-6 AM daily. On weekdays, the services run into the evening and the final times are published, with the final services known as 9.30 PM from Monday to Thursday.
There is a slight difference in the schedule on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For instance, on some of the weekend services, we saw variation in the morning and earlier than the same service on the Monday-Thursday timetable and we saw earlier than the same service in the evening on some services from Lulu Village.
The first service time and the last service time should not be the only criteria used by passengers to book a journey of a given length. It is important to note that individual times of departure are given in the timetable and that the time on the timetable for Lulu Village will not necessarily agree with the time at intermediate stops.
X28 Timings from Agora Mall
Buses run in the opposite direction from Agora Mall to Lulu Village. The first service is likely to be at about 6:00 AM and the latest service will run around 9:40 PM to 9:47 PM, depending on the day.
Agora Mall is located on Jumeirah Street, which can benefit both commuters coming from the northern residential areas and those heading towards Jumeirah. The current data on public transport also identifies X28 as being at the Agora Mall stop and travelling to Lulu Village.
The time for passengers boarding at intermediate Jumeirah stops should be greater than that of terminal departure, as it is their expected time of arrival. The actual arrival time of the bus may be influenced by road conditions.
How Long Does X28 Take?
Generally, it takes about 90 minutes or more from Lulu Village to Agora Mall, depending on the departure, direction and traffic. There is a significant gap in time between the published departure time from Lulu Village and its arrival at Agora Mall.
This is an important consideration for passengers travelling across the entire route. Although the X28 is less frequent than other local buses, it is a long trip and should not be confused with a local journey.
If the appointment is time-sensitive, it is wise to check the actual timetable and plan for extra time in case of delays instead of relying strictly on the theoretical time only.
How to Check Live X28 Bus Times
There are a number of official methods of checking public transport departures on RTA. It has a timetable service that users can type in a route number and get a timetable and the Journey Planner can be used to find a starting point and a destination and specify a time. RTA also guides passengers to the S’hail app to provide them with information on their trip.
To get the closest outcome:
- Go to the RTA Journey Planner or timetable service.
- You need to enter the service line as X28.
- Choose the appropriate direction or stop.
- Look at the departure time for the date of travel.
- Plan for additional time for traffic and delays in operations.
RTA’s service information advises checking planned bus trips on RTA’s website or the S’hail app and arriving ahead of the time of the trip.
This is particularly crucial because different maps of the same route may appear on online transport pages. For instance, the current 3rd party pages still refer to Dubai Internet City as an X28 terminal point and the official announcement by RTA for 2024 states the route has been shortened to Agora Mall and the current transport data indicates Agora Mall as an X28 terminal stop/point.
As a consequence, if the RTA timetable conflicts with any other information, the RTA timetable is the priority.
X28 Bus Fare
The fare is not the same for each trip. The fare structure for Dubai public transport network is based on zones, where the distance travelled determines the number of zones covered and thereby the fare. RTA has zoned Dubai public transport system into 7 zones.
RTA currently charges AED 3 for a standard Nol within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 for more than two zones for Nol users, as is their standard fare. Gold Card fares are double the regular fare and a Red Ticket fare is different.
The fare for a specific passenger will vary depending on zones between the boarding and exit points, as the X28 passes several Dubai zones. It would be wrong to show an X28 fare, which is a single fare, if the passenger’s journey is not known.
How to Pay for X28
An RTA Nol card can be used for Dubai public buses. According to RTA, the Nol card is valid for all Dubai Metro lines, buses, tram and a few marine transport services.
Passengers must have enough balance prior to boarding and tap the card on the validator before boarding. Check the time of the bus trip, get to the bus on time and tap your ticket/nol card when getting on board at the bus stop.
There are no cash payments accepted for RTA’s public transport services and the passenger is expected to get the correct Nol card or ticket before embarking on the vehicles.
Connecting X28 with Dubai Metro
Several points in the Dubai public transport system are linked with this route, which is a nice feature. The route features stations related to Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro, Al Nahda Metro, Stadium Metro, Abu Baker Al Siddique Metro, City Centre Metro and Max Metro.
The exact interchange will depend on where the passenger is starting and ending their trip. The RTA fare system allows transfers to be made between buses and Metro under the transfer rules, where the fare amount is based on the total number of zones travelled. The current RTA rules and conditions are that transfers between Metro and buses in this case need to be within 30 minutes of each other in order to count as a single trip.
Although passengers are given the best possible connection on the Journey Planner, it is always best to confirm the whole journey as it may change depending on the travel time and destination.
X28 Travel Tips
The X28 is a long journey, so plan your trip before travelling. Check the route and time of departure on the RTA Journey Planner or S’hail app.
- Check the route before travelling: Enter your starting point and destination in the RTA Journey Planner to see the available route and connections.
- Arrive before the scheduled departure: RTA recommends that passengers arrive at the station before their departure time and adhere to the indications or waiting area information.
- Keep your Nol card ready: RTA recommends that passengers tap their real or virtual Nol card before entering the bus.
- Check for service updates: RTA periodically updates and reworks the bus network. It announced earlier in July 2026 that it had made various changes to some of its routes, so it’s better to check the RTA’s timetables for the latest updates than to use an old timetable.
- Check your exact stop: Terminal information does not tell you the exact time that you will arrive at the intermediate stop. Use RTA’s Departure Board for the stop you plan to use.
To ensure a smoother ride, verify the X28 service prior to departure, verify the direction and bring payment. These steps will help minimise confusion, particularly if you are taking the route for the first time.
Common X28 Mistakes to Avoid
A frequently encountered issue is using an outdated route description. In May 2024, the Express network was changed by RTA and it was announced that the X28 will be shortened and renamed to Agora Mall.
Another common error is assuming a third-party schedule is in stone. Bus networks are active systems and RTA can alter the bus times, stops and schedules. The information on a page that was correct several months ago may not be the most recent information about the service.
There is also a difference between a scheduled departure and an actual arrival. When travelling to and from a specific location at a specific time for an appointment or connecting to any other service, check when the service is departing and allow for a time buffer.
Conclusion
The X28 bus schedule helps passengers plan their journey between Lulu Village and Agora Mall with the right route and stop information. The service goes through several key areas and links into several Metro stations. It can be helpful to look at the most up-to-date schedule so you can make the right booking for your trip and avoid missing a departure. Useful for specific trips, the RTA Journey Planner and departure board offer useful information. The S’hail app can be used to plan a trip and to see the available transport options. Travelling with your Nol card makes it easier to get on and off. It is also advisable to look up the latest RTA updates prior to travelling.
Must Read:Al Jubail Bus Station Sharjah: Routes, Timings, Fares and Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the X28 bus schedule?
This is the X28 bus timetable, which indicates when the bus leaves from Lulu Village and what the travel time will be to Agora Mall.
What is the X28 bus route?
X28 connects Lulu Village with Agora Mall, passing several bus stops and several metro stations.
Does X28 run every day?
Yes. Published timetables are available for weekdays and weekends and may have varying service patterns from day to day.
How much is the X28 bus fare?
Fare for each zone will be charged. NOL cards cost AED 3, AED 5, or AED 7.50 each for one, two, or more than two zones.
Can I pay cash on X28?
No. RTA will not accept an unexpired NOL card or approved ticket as valid public transport.
Can I use X28 with the Metro?
Yes. X28 stops are close to Metro stations and can be used to transfer to and from Metro.
Where can I check X28 departures?
Information for routes and stops is available from the RTA departure board and the RTA timetable service.
How do I check the latest X28 service?
Check the service you need for your trip on the RTA Journey Planner or S’hail app.
Do I need a Nol card for X28?
Yes. A valid Nol card or a valid Nol ticket from the RTA is required to use the service. According to the RTA, they don’t take cash for their public transportation.
Can I transfer from X28 to the Metro?
Yes. RTA permits passengers to transfer between the buses and the Metro under their transfer rights. Changes of mode must be within 30 minutes to be considered one journey.
