The new station at Souk Al Marfa offers direct access to and from Dubai Old Souq, Deira Old Souq and Al Ghubaiba. Photo: RTA
The new station at Souk Al Marfa offers direct access to and from Dubai Old Souq, Deira Old Souq and Al Ghubaiba. Photo: RTA
The new station at Souk Al Marfa offers direct access to and from Dubai Old Souq, Deira Old Souq and Al Ghubaiba. Photo: RTA
The new station at Souk Al Marfa offers direct access to and from Dubai Old Souq, Deira Old Souq and Al Ghubaiba. Photo: RTA

UAE

Transport

Free ferry and abra rides to Dubai's Deira Islands

New Souk Al Marfa station offers easy access to and from Dubai Old Souq, Deira Old Souq and Al Ghubaiba

Sarah Forster
Sarah Forster

March 01, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

A new abra and ferry station has opened on Dubai's Deira Islands, and passengers will enjoy free rides for the first five months.

The new station at Souk Al Marfa offers direct access to and from Dubai Old Souq, Deira Old Souq and Al Ghubaiba.

The waterfront souq and marketplace can be accessed by a 25-minute abra journey between 5pm and 10pm on weekdays, and 10am to 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a break between midday and 5pm.

The 20-minute ferry trip runs between Souk Al Marfa and Al Ghubaiba from 6pm to 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only.

Visitors will enjoy free rides to and from the new station for the first five months. Photo: RTA
Visitors will enjoy free rides to and from the new station for the first five months. Photo: RTA

“The new abra and ferry service brings a new and memorable way for local residents and visitors from further afield to reach our newest retail destination," said Muath Abdelkader AlRais, general manager of Souk Al Marfa.

"It’s part of our commitment to continually enhancing Souk Al Marfa as a key retail and entertainment destination in Dubai."

The abra and ferry journeys will offer visitors views of the Deira Corniche, Deira Old Souq, Dubai Creek and the Gold Souq.

Souk Al Marfa is home to more than 900 shops with another 200 set to open, selling goods as diverse as carpets, lights and spices.

“We are pleased to join forces with Nakheel to launch the abra and ferry service, the city’s most traditional mode of transport," said Ahmed Bahrozyan, chief executive at the RTA's Public Transport Agency.

"This transportation method is an exciting new way to access Souk Al Marfa in an easy and seamless way and is in line with the comprehensive marine transport plan 2020 – 2030, which aims to enhance the service model as well as support Dubai’s strategic objective of improving overall quality of life."

Souk Al Marfa: in pictures

  • A sign for the Souk Al Marfa.
    A sign for the Souk Al Marfa.
  • One of the entrance gates of the Souk Al Marfa, a waterfront souk on Deira Islands in Dubai.
    One of the entrance gates of the Souk Al Marfa, a waterfront souk on Deira Islands in Dubai.
  • Shops open at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Shops open at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Birds at the Pets Fair shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Birds at the Pets Fair shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Bon beauty shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Bon beauty shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Sweets are displayed at the Amwaj shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Sweets are displayed at the Amwaj shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Shops welcome visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Shops welcome visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • One of the entrance gates at the Souk Al Marfa.
    One of the entrance gates at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • A stage for cultural events at the Souk Al Marfa.
    A stage for cultural events at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • An inside view of the Souk Al Marfa.
    An inside view of the Souk Al Marfa.
  • A toy shop welcomes visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
    A toy shop welcomes visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Visitors queue at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Visitors queue at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Ahlan and other shops at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Ahlan and other shops at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Shine's Korean and other shops at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Shine's Korean and other shops at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Beauty products are displayed at the Thai Souq at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Beauty products are displayed at the Thai Souq at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Decorative lights illuminates the Souk Al Marfa.
    Decorative lights illuminates the Souk Al Marfa.
  • A clothing shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
    A clothing shop at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • The Streaming Cafeteria serves visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
    The Streaming Cafeteria serves visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • A decorative lights shop illuminates the Souk Al Marfa.
    A decorative lights shop illuminates the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Beauty products are displayed at the Thai Souq at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Beauty products are displayed at the Thai Souq at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Shops display goods at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Shops display goods at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Beauty products are displayed at the Thai Souq at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Beauty products are displayed at the Thai Souq at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • Bon beauty shop welcomes visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
    Bon beauty shop welcomes visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • A stage for cultural events at the Souk Al Marfa.
    A stage for cultural events at the Souk Al Marfa.
  • A perfume shop welcomes visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
    A perfume shop welcomes visitors at the Souk Al Marfa.
While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Updated: March 01, 2022, 8:32 AM