Sharjah International Airport is around 9 miles from Sharjah city. If you have not booked a private transfer with us, you will have a few options.

There is a shuttle bus connecting the airport with Sharjah city center (Rolla) running every 30 minutes. You can also use taxis or rental cars to reach your final destination.

There are intercity buses operated by the Roads and Transport Authority that run from Dubai to Sharjah. Most buses arrive at the Al Jubail (Al Jabal) bus station next to the Sharjah Fishmarket and the Sharah Fruit and Vegetable market, nearby to the Central Souk. A bus from Dubai to Sharjah takes about 1 hour.

Taxis run from Dubai to Sharjah and vice versa without any restrictions. During rush hour, 7 am to 11 am on weekdays, it can take up to 3 hours.

Sharjah has an extensive public transportation network, including the Dubai Metro. If you are coming from Dubai, you can take the Dubai Metro’s Green Line, which connects to Sharjah.

While not a common option for most travelers, there is a boat from Bandar Abbas in Iran that runs three times a week - Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The boat leaves at 9 pm and takes about 12 hours.

Regardless of the mode of transportation you choose, make sure to check schedules, routes, and any travel restrictions or requirements, especially if you are traveling internationally.

Sharjah is a perfect place to walk. Of course, you cannot walk around the entire city (it is not that small), but you can get to many attractions on foot, and you only really have to take a taxi once in a while.

Another great way to see the city is on the city sightseeing bus - the hop-on and hop-off bus will drop you off at the most popular spots.

Taxis or Ubers are an easy way to get around the city. Taxi drivers, although mostly courteous, have the tendency to refuse passengers if the time of travel coincides with rush hour traffic. It is advisable to plan your travel well, allowing for traffic jams which could take 90 min to get out of. Taxis are distinguished by their reflective green plates, making them easier to spot at night.


Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

The best time to visit Sharjah is from October to April, as in the rest of UAE. Temperatures in summer are high, ranging between 104 and 118 degrees Fahrenheit, while the winter months stay within a comfortable 55 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit range.

Like the rest of the emirates in the UAE federation, Sharjah’s official religion is Islam, and it is widely practiced. Friday is the official holy day for Muslims, where special midday mass prayers are performed. However, Muslims are required to pray five times a day. Non-Muslims are free to practice their own religions as the UAE Constitution provides for freedom of religion.

Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Quran (Islam's holy book). It’s a time of fasting, and Muslims abstain from all foods, drinks, smoking, unclean thoughts and activities between dawn and dusk. The dates of Ramadan change each year following the Islamic (Hijri) lunar calendar and based on the sighting of the moon.

Muslims break their fast at sunset with the Iftar feast. All over the emirate, festive Ramadan tents are filled to the brim each evening with people of all nationalities and religions enjoying traditional Arabic food and sweets.

During the holy month of Ramadan, shops often close for Iftar, re-open an hour or two after sunset and stay open till late at night. Food outlets and restaurants generally remain closed during the day or offer exclusively takeaway services, and then open up for Iftar.

Non-Muslims are respectfully required to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public places during daylight hours.

Ramadan ends with the official Muslim holiday of Eid Al Fitr, a three-day celebration characterized by gifts being exchanged amongst families, friends, neighbors and charities.

Currency in Sharjah is AED (Emirati Dirham). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted around Sharjah. ATMs are available at numerous locations in the emirate, including local banks, petrol stations and shopping malls.

When it comes to tipping, most restaurants and hotel establishments automatically charge a service charge. In addition, you are free to tip service staff – the norm is 10%. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in the UAE by clicking here UAE

Sharjah is more conservative than Dubai. In respect of local customs, tourists may dress conservatively, particularly in the city and public areas.

Visitors should be aware that, in keeping with Sharjah’s decency guidelines, revealing clothing is not acceptable for men and women. It’s fine to wear swimwear at the beach or hotel pool, but visitors should dress modestly in public places like shopping malls and hotel lobbies. This means covering up from shoulder to knee and avoiding tight, transparent or revealing clothes. Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, with a cardigan, sweater or light jacket for cooler winter nights and air-conditioned premises.

In Sharjah, you’ll find it to be a little more conservative than Dubai and Ajman when it comes to the dress codes, especially for women. You will not stand out in a jeans and T-shirt but short dresses and sleeveless tops will make you stand out. You can still wear it, but you may stand out.

Sharjah is virtually crime-free and is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world. Nevertheless, tourists are advised to keep an eye on their valuables, especially during the busy holiday season – a little vigilance goes a long way.

While photography is permitted, except in some declared restricted areas like government buildings, military installations and ports and airports, it is polite to ask permission before taking photos of people, particularly women.

When it comes to nightlife, Sharjah is fairly lowkey since alcohol sales and consumption is banned in all of the Emirate. Most visitors looking for nightlife head to neighboring Dubai, where alcohol regulations are much more lax and party venues are aplenty.

Evenings in Sharjah itself are mostly spent at restaurants or outdoor cafés, enjoying a meal accompanied by freshly squeezed juices. One of the most popular after-sundown spots in the city is the Al Majaz Waterfront, where quite a few establishments located right by the water offer unobstructed views of the daily fountain light show in the lagoon.

As per the law, all Sharjah visitors must have medical insurance coverage. In case of an emergency, hospitals will stabilize the case for free. Other treatments must be covered by a cash payment or insurance card for those who are covered. Public and private hospitals are easily accessible in the emirate.

You may call the emergency phone number for Sharjah Police (999) at any time, whether you need police assistance, an ambulance, or for any other emergency situations. Calls to this number are free.