Sharjah is a city near Dubai that works for a day trip from Deira, especially for a visit focused on museums and heritage. Travel to Sharjah, visit the Sharjah Art Museum and leave room for the return journey. Sharjah is about 30 km from Pearl Executive, making it a realistic excursion from Deira.
- Focus: Sharjah museums, art and heritage
- Suggested first stop: Sharjah Art Museum in the Arts Area
- Admission: Free at Sharjah Art Museum
- Transport options: Dubai–Sharjah intercity buses and the FR5 ferry
Why visit Sharjah for a day
Sharjah suits a day trip built around museums and local history. The Sharjah Museums Authority oversees 16 museums, spanning Islamic civilisation, arts, culture, heritage, science, archaeology, marine life and Sharjah and regional history.
For a focused visit, start with Sharjah Art Museum, which opened in 1997. Its collections and exhibitions include regional history, local painters and Arab artists. The museum also has an Art Library with more than 4,000 titles in Arabic, English and other languages.
The museum is in the Arts Area, Al-Shuwaihiyeen, near the Al-Corniche post office and Heart of Sharjah. Admission is free, and individual visitors do not need to book ahead. Tourist groups, school groups, VIP groups and organisations require advance booking.
How do you get from Deira to Sharjah?
You can travel between Dubai and Sharjah by intercity bus or ferry. Dubai’s RTA operates intercity services between the emirates; check its current route and timetable information to choose a departure that fits your plans.
The FR5 ferry connects Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai with Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. Adult one-way fares are AED 15 for Silver and AED 25 for Gold; children under 5 and People of Determination travel free. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, and allow for possible changes to ferry timings.
Choose transport before settling on a museum schedule: the ferry and bus services use different departure points, and the arrival point affects how you arrange the day. For local travel on the Dubai side, getting around Dubai from Deira can help you plan the first leg.
Build a heritage-focused day
Make Sharjah Art Museum the anchor, then use the wider museum network to shape the day around your interests. Its location near Heart of Sharjah also makes the surrounding heritage area a natural part of the plan.
Before leaving, check the museum’s current hours and any holiday closures so you can set a realistic arrival time. Sharjah Museums Authority’s general hours are Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Friday, 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, with Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Maritime Museum as exceptions. The Art Museum has its own schedule, including different Friday hours and Ramadan arrangements.
If you plan to visit more than one museum, confirm each venue’s hours rather than assuming the same schedule applies across the network. Individual visits do not require advance booking, while the specified group visits do.
Allow for traffic and return travel
Keep the return journey in the plan rather than treating it as an afterthought. Bus departure times and ferry schedules can affect how long you have in Sharjah, so check current service information before choosing a museum arrival time.
If you drive, public parking rules and fees are set by the local transport authority in each emirate. Costs vary by area, parking type and duration; payment and timing details are shown at parking payment booths. Leave room in your schedule to park and reach the first stop.
For the return, check departure information for the chosen service and allow time to reach its station. Al Rigga and Deira City Centre metro connections may help with onward travel within Deira.
Before you go
Transport schedules, fares and museum hours can change, and museum opening arrangements vary around Ramadan and certain religious holidays. Check the official site before you go, using Dubai RTA for transport details and Sharjah Museums Authority for museum information.
FAQs
Is Sharjah suitable for a day trip from Deira?
Yes. A museum-focused plan gives the day a clear structure, with Sharjah Art Museum as a central stop.
Is Sharjah Art Museum free?
Yes, admission is free. Individual visitors do not need to book in advance.
Can you take a ferry between Dubai and Sharjah?
Yes. The FR5 connects Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai with Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station. Check current departure times before travelling.