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Have you traveled around Iran and want to continue your journey without flying, perhaps to Dubai? Are you traveling by car and need to cross the Persian Gulf? In our article on Iran to Dubai ferry routes, you will find all the information about transportation options from two different ports (Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh), how long the ferry ride takes, where to buy tickets, the ferry timetables, and much more.
Are you considering staying in Dubai after your ferry journey?
➡️ Here is our article Where to stay in Dubai ⬅️
Table of Contents
FERRY OPTIONS FROM IRAN TO DUBAI
After your visit to Iran, by car, bike, or as a backpacker, you have two options to get to the UAE (Dubai) without flying.
There are two ferry routes, both located in the Hormozgan province in the south of Iran on the Persian Gulf.
Are you traveling to the opposite side, from Dubai to Iran?
➡️ Here is our article Ferry Dubai Iran ⬅️
BANDAR LENGEH TO DUBAI FERRY
The first option is the port of Bandar Lengeh, a small port town 192 km away from Bandar Abbas. From this port, there is a ferry twice a week, available only for pedestrian passengers and goods. The ferry from Bandar Lengeh arrives directly at Dubai port.
HOW TO GET TO BANDAR LENGEH
There is no public transport from Bandar Abbas to Bandar Lengeh. The only option is a shared taxi, which is a very affordable way to get around. The journey by shared taxi takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs €2.50 per person. Along the way, there are views of the Persian Gulf on one side and mountain views on the other.
Planning to visit Iran?
🛏️Book your stay in Iran with Hostelworld and Trip.com 🛏️
WHAT THE FERRY LOOKS LIKE
The ferry from Bandar Lengeh to Dubai is a small vessel, carrying only passengers and goods. The ferry has two decks, both equipped with seats and a toilet, and there is also and a small outdoor area is available for enjoying views of the Persian Gulf.
WHERE IS FERRY PORT IN BANDAR LENGEH
Bandar Lengeh is a small city on the shores of the Persian Gulf and has only one port. Valfajr Shipping International Terminal is the name under which you can find it on Google Maps.
HOW LONG IT TAKES
The ferry ride takes approximately 5 hours and covers a distance of 152 km.Ferries depart twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 9 AM.
HOW MUCH FOR THE TICKET
The price of a ticket for one person varies, but it is approximately €100. The price depends on where you buy the ticket and which season you go.
WHERE TO BUY A TICKET
Tickets can be purchased on-site, although this may be more complicated due to the language barrier. There are several travel agencies in Iran that provide ticket facilities for this ferry but they take a commission.
You can also buy tickets and check timetables on the websites:
Orienttrips
Tappersia
➡️ Read our article 1 Day in Dubai ⬅️
WHERE IS FERRY PORT IN DUBAI
Ferries from Iran to Dubai arrive at Rashid Port directly in Dubai, which is a 20-minute drive from the city. Taxis are available outside the port to pick up passengers.
HOW TO GET FROM DUBAI FERRY PORT TO DUBAI CITY
The easiest way to get from Port Rashid to the city is by taxi. Taxis are available in front of the building, or you can call one using the Careem or Uber app.
➡️ If you want to use a taxi app, you might need an eSIM ⬅️
Another option is to walk 2.7 km to the nearest metro station, Al Ghubaiba, where you can catch the metro that will take you directly to the city.
Planning to visit Dubai soon?
🛏️Booking hotels: Booking.com, Hostelworld
1.Papaya Backpackers Hostel (Affordable)
2.Pearl Marina Hotel Apartments(Mid-range)
3.Staybridge Suites Dubai Financial Centre by IHG(Luxury)
🏄🏻♂️Booking tours: GetYourGuide
1. Burj Khalifa Level 124 and 125 (1.5 hours)
2. Museum of the Future Ticket (1.5 hours)
3. Dubai: Desert Safari (4-7 hours)
🚗Car renting: Discover Cars
🚑Insurance: Ekta
📲Sim-cards: Airalo e-sim
OUR EXPERIENCE ON FERRY FROM IRAN TO DUBAI
On the Iran to Dubai ticket it was written that we had to arrive at the port 5 hours before departure for baggage and passport control. We arrived first after checking in our luggage, they took our passports and had them for about an hour. By the time they returned our passports, almost everyone was already on the ferry. We arrived first and were the last to get on the ferry.
Leaving Bandar Lengeh with a delay of 1.5 hours. The price of the boarding pass included lunch and a soft drink, there was a tank of drinking water in the room the whole time on board. The cabin was air-conditioned. After lunch we were given tea. The staff on the ferry spoke English and were friendly.The cruise went smoothly and quickly.
After arriving at the port in Dubai (Port Rashid), the luggage was first unloaded from the ferry. An hour of waiting on board passed before we finally got off the ferry and went through passport control, which was simple and fast. Taxis were already waiting for passengers in front of the port, but we chose to walk along the sunset to the nearest metro station (Al Ghubaiba), which was 2.7 km away.
The ticket mentioned that women should cover their heads with a scarf or hijab when traveling, especially in public or semi-public spaces.
WATCH OUR VIDEO FROM BANDAR LENGEH TO DUBAI FERRY
BANDAR ABBAS TO SHARJAH FERRY
The second option is the port of Bandar Abbas, a larger port city also on the Persian Gulf coast. Ferries depart from this port twice a week, with the difference being that you can take your own car on board the ferry.
The ferry does not go directly to Dubai, but instead to the nearby city of Sharjah.
Iran to Dubai ferry from Bandar Abbas to Sharjah operates between Shahid Bahonar Port ( Iran ) and Mina Khalid Port (Sharjah).
Although the ferry from Bandar Abbas to Dubai does not go directly to Dubai but instead to the nearby city of Sharjah, it is definitely worth mentioning because it is the main option for transporting a car or motorcycle from Iran to the Emirates.
🛏️Planning to visit Bandar Abbas?
Book your stay at Trips.com 🛏️
HOW TO GET TO BANDAR ABBAS
In Iran, trains run regularly between major cities, such as Isfahan, Tehran, and Yazd. We took the night train from Yazd to Bandar Abbas. The journey took 12 hours.
A convenient alternative is buses, which also run regularly between major cities.
WHAT THE FERRY LOOKS LIKE
The ferry has a separate deck for cars and cargo, while the other deck is reserved for passengers. The passenger deck features seats, but there are no beds available. Toilets are also located in this area. If you’re lucky and there are few passengers, you may be able to lie down on the seats. Additionally, the ferry has an outdoor deck with many benches, offering a great spot to enjoy the views of the Persian Gulf.
WHERE IS FERRY PORT IN BANDAR ABBAS
Bandar Abbas Shahid Bahonar Port is not located in the central area of the city, but it can be reached by taxi from the center in approximately 20 minutes.
HOW LONG IT TAKES
The journey from Iran to Dubai by overnight ferry takes approximately 12 hours and covers a distance of 320 km, from Shahid Bahonar Port to Mina Khalid Port.
HOW MUCH FOR THE TICKET
Prices may vary throughout the year. The ticket costs €107 per person without a vehicle. The price may vary throughout the year.
The ferry from Bandar Abbas to Sharjah allows passengers to take a vehicle on board. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to verify details in person at the port when purchasing your ticket the day before departure.
WHERE TO BUY A TICKET
Ferry tickets can also be purchased directly on-site, but it’s advisable to arrive early to ensure availability during the busy season.
Several travel agencies in Iran offer ticketing services for this ferry, though they charge a commission. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets directly through the websites : orienttrips,tappersia.
Female passengers are required to wear a headscarf or hijab during the journey.
WHERE IS FERRY PORT IN SHARJAH
It is located in Mina Khalid, one of Sharjah’s key ports, serving both cargo and passenger transport along the Arabian Gulf. This strategic location makes it a vital hub for maritime trade, offering access to important shipping routes in the region.
HOW TO GET FROM SHARJAH PORT TO DUBAI CITY
Sharjah is a city located just next to Dubai.There may be a few taxis waiting in front of the port building. Otherwise, you can order an Uber or Careem to the city. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs around €15.
➡️ Read our article about ferry from Corfu to Albania ⬅️
OUR EXPERIENCE
Upon arrival at the port, we went through baggage control, followed by passport control. If you have excess luggage, trolleys are available. All passengers were directed to the waiting room. The official boarding pass stated that the ferry from Iran to Dubai would take 8 hours, but in our case, the voyage lasted around 10 hours. The ferry operates twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, with departures at 9 pm.
Before boarding, our tickets were checked, and then it was a one-minute walk directly to the vessel. Passengers are seated on the second floor, while the first floor is reserved for passenger cars. The passenger area was spacious, with plenty of seating, toilets, and air conditioning. The temperature difference between the outside and inside was significant, so it’s recommended to bring something warm for the journey. Blankets were provided for the night, though they may not always be available.
The ticket price included food on board. For dinner, we were served meat with rice, white yogurt, and a soft drink. The lights were turned off at night, and since there weren’t many passengers, we were able to lie down on the seats. In the morning, we had the chance to go out to the open area at the back of the ferry, which had plenty of seating and offered a great view of the Persian Gulf. Breakfast followed, consisting of a baguette, cream cheese halva, and tea.
After 10 hours on board, we arrived at the port. First, they unloaded our luggage. About an hour later, we were able to continue our journey by transfer bus to the port. Border control was quick and easy since we didn’t need a visa for our visit.
As an EU citizen, you don’t need a visa for short stays in Dubai (up to 90 days). ➡️Check the latest visa info here ⬅️
After using both ports, we can say that the Bandar Abbas port is more popular among tourists, as it also transports cars. The journey takes longer, but they are more used to handling tourists there compared to Bandar Lengeh.
WATCH OUR VIDEO BANDAR ABBAS FERRY TO SHARJAH
Q&A
Is there a ferry from Iran to Dubai?
From the small port town of Bandar Lengeh, there is a direct ferry connection to Dubai for passengers and cargo. Alternatively, there is a ferry connection from Bandar Abbas to Sharjah, a city near Dubai, where you can also take a vehicle on board. There are two ferries per week from both ports.
How long is the ferry from Dubai to Iran?
Direct ferry connections between Dubai and Bandar Lengeh, Iran, take approximately 6 hours and operate twice a week in both directions.
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES
Did you know…
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Accommodation: We use Booking.com where we always find great deals for hotels.
For hostels, we use Hostelworld where we find cheaper options and meet new people.
Rental cars: To rent your car with free cancellation check out Discover Cars.
Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets worldwide we use Direct Ferries.
All travel options in one place: Omio.com we use for easy travel planning where we can find trains, buses, ferries, and more.
Tours and other activities: Wherever we go we look at GetYourGuide to find the best tours and many other activities around the world!
Travel insurance: Never travel without travel insurance! Ekta works all over the world and has 10 years of experience in the industry. It is your right choice!
Reviews: Before we travel somewhere we always look at Tripadvisor, where we always find a summary of restaurants, places to visit, or hotels with current ratings and photos from people who have visited this place recently.
Luggage storage: Radical storage is such a helpful Luggage storage network! When we have a late check-in or an early check-out we don’t need to carry our luggage with us, we just simply put it in the Radical storage which operates in over 70 countries!
E-sim card: The best way how avoid all the stress of searching for local SIM cards or wifi signals and save time after you arrive in your new country is to get Airalo e-sim. Download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions!
