Sharjah Taxi Fare Structure (SRTA 2026)
Sharjah taxis are regulated by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) under a four-franchise model. All licensed operators - Citi Taxi, Union Taxi, and Sharjah Taxi - use the same SRTA-approved metered tariff.
| Charge | Day (06:00 - 22:59) | Night (23:00 - 05:59) |
|---|---|---|
| Flag fall | AED 3.00 | AED 4.00 |
| Rate per km | AED 1.61 - 1.99 | Higher rate applies |
| Service charge (per trip) | AED 3.50 | AED 3.50 |
| Minimum fare | AED 11.50 | AED 11.50 |
| Waiting (first 10 min) | Free | Free |
| Waiting (after 10 min) | AED 0.50 per min (~AED 30/hr) | AED 0.50 per min |
| Phone booking surcharge | AED 5.00 | AED 5.00 |
| SHJ Airport pickup surcharge | AED 20.00 | AED 20.00 |
What Is the Minimum Taxi Fare in Sharjah?
The minimum taxi fare in Sharjah is AED 11.50. That is the least you will pay for a metered SRTA trip, even a very short one - if the meter total comes out lower once the flag fall, distance, and service charge are added, you still pay the AED 11.50 minimum.
To see how that floor is reached: the day flag fall is AED 3.00, the per trip service charge is AED 3.50, and distance is charged at AED 1.61 to AED 1.99 per km. Add a few kilometres of travel and a short trip lands at or above AED 11.50 quickly. At night (23:00 to 05:59) the flag fall rises to AED 4.00, so short night trips reach the minimum even faster. The minimum fare figure is set by SRTA (Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority); confirm the current amount at srta.gov.ae.
How Much Is a 20 km Sharjah Taxi Ride?
A 20 km Sharjah taxi ride costs roughly AED 39 to AED 46 by day, with no heavy traffic. Here is the arithmetic using the SRTA day tariff already listed above:
- Flag fall (day): AED 3.00
- Distance: 20 km x AED 1.61 to AED 1.99 per km = AED 32.20 to AED 39.80
- Service charge: AED 3.50
- Estimated total: AED 38.70 to AED 46.30 (call it AED 39 to AED 46)
This is an estimate for a clear run. Two things push it higher: waiting time in congestion is charged at AED 0.50 per minute after the first 10 free minutes, and the night rate (from 23:00) uses a higher flag fall and per km rate. On the busy Sharjah-Dubai corridor a 20 km stretch can sit in traffic long enough to add several dirhams in waiting charges. Treat the figure as a guide and verify current rates at srta.gov.ae.
Sharjah Airport Taxi Charges
Taxis picking up from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) add a AED 20 airport surcharge on top of the normal metered fare. Everything else follows the standard SRTA tariff: AED 3.00 day flag fall (AED 4.00 at night), AED 1.61 to AED 1.99 per km, and the AED 3.50 per trip service charge. A phone-booked taxi adds a further AED 5.
In practice that means a short trip out of SHJ starts from around AED 31.50 (AED 11.50 minimum metered fare plus the AED 20 airport surcharge), and rises with distance from there. A ride into central Sharjah is inexpensive; a longer transfer to Dubai or Abu Dhabi follows the route fares in the next section, with the AED 20 surcharge added on top. Confirm the current surcharge and tariff at srta.gov.ae before you travel.
Sharjah Taxi Fares: Key Routes
Estimated metered fares from central Sharjah (Al Majaz area). The Sharjah-Dubai corridor is among the most congested in the UAE - rush hour significantly increases journey time and cost through waiting charges.
Estimates for travel starting from central Sharjah (Al Majaz / Creek area). Fares include service charge but exclude airport pickup surcharges where applicable.
Sharjah to Abu Dhabi Airport: Why the Fare Is So High
The Sharjah to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) fare of AED 300 to AED 320 surprises many first-time users. It is a 160 km journey - approximately twice the distance of a Sharjah to Dubai trip - and takes around two hours without traffic delays. The metered fare reflects both the distance charge and the waiting time accumulated along the E311 highway.
For early morning flights (where night-rate flag fall applies from 23:00) or journeys with heavy departure traffic, the meter can exceed AED 320. Many travellers making this trip opt for a fixed-price pre-booked private transfer to avoid metered uncertainty on one of the UAE's longest airport routes.
Gulf Chauffeur covers Sharjah to AUH Airport as a standard route. WhatsApp us with your pickup address, flight time, and date - we confirm a fixed price before you travel.
Sharjah Taxi vs. Dubai RTA Taxi
Sharjah and Dubai operate separate regulated taxi fleets. The key practical differences:
| Sharjah Taxi (SRTA) | Dubai Taxi (RTA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | SRTA, Sharjah | RTA, Dubai |
| Flag fall (day) | AED 3.00 | AED 5.00 |
| Per km rate | AED 1.61 - 1.99 | ~AED 1.96 |
| Service charge | AED 3.50 per trip | AED 3.00 per trip |
| Return pickups | Cannot pick up in Dubai | Cannot pick up in Sharjah |
| App booking | SRTA app, limited options | Hala, Careem, Uber |
The cross-emirate restriction is the most important difference in practice. A Sharjah taxi dropping you at Dubai Airport or Dubai city must return to Sharjah empty - it cannot accept a Dubai pickup for the return journey. This creates a reluctance among some drivers for Dubai-bound trips during busy periods.
When a Private Transfer Makes More Sense
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - at AED 300 to AED 320 metered, a private transfer at a confirmed fixed price removes fare uncertainty on a 2-hour journey.
- Early morning / late night - Sharjah taxi supply drops significantly before 6am and after 11pm. A pre-booked vehicle is guaranteed to arrive.
- Groups and families - GMC Yukon seats 6 to 7 with luggage; avoids splitting across two taxis and paying two fares plus two service charges.
- Corporate travel - fixed invoice, professional vehicle, no metered surcharge risk during congestion.