Up to 30-minute delays: Dubai taxi drivers share tips to avoid back-to-school traffic

As schools reopen across the UAE, motorists in Dubai are being advised to allow extra time for their daily journeys, particularly when travelling through school zones during morning and afternoon rush hours.

Taxi drivers who spend much of their day on Dubai's roads said traffic has already begun increasing as residents return from their summer holidays. They expect some school zones to add 15 to 30 minutes to journeys, while the first three days of the new academic year could be the most unpredictable.

Which Dubai Areas Could See Heavier Traffic?

Taxi drivers expect congestion to build quickly in areas including:

Karama
Bur Dubai
Oud Metha
Garhoud
Al Twar
Al Nahda
Al Barsha
Al Quoz

Roads around schools and nearby residential communities are likely to experience some of the earliest slowdowns.

Taxi driver Shahidul Islam said the increase in traffic is already noticeable as holidaymakers return to Dubai. He also expects heavier traffic around Garhoud, Al Nahda and Festival City, where several roads serve school communities.

When Are School Zones Expected to Be Busiest?

The morning school rush is expected to be strongest between 6am and 8am.

Areas such as Al Twar, Garhoud and Oud Metha could see particularly heavy traffic between 6.30am and 9am. Another wave of congestion is likely after 2pm, when parents begin picking up children from school.

Taxi driver Mushtaq said motorists should not expect completely clear roads during school hours, as traffic can spread across multiple routes.

How Much Extra Time Should Drivers Allow?

For journeys within Dubai, drivers recommend leaving around 10 to 15 minutes earlier than usual.

Those travelling directly through busy school zones may need to allow an additional 15 to 30 minutes, depending on road conditions.

Drivers also noted that congestion tends to start earlier after the summer break, as school and office traffic begin overlapping with residential movement.

Sharjah-Dubai Commuters Should Leave Earlier

Motorists travelling from Sharjah to Dubai have been advised to allow significantly more time.

Mushtaq recommended leaving at least one hour earlier once schools reopen. According to him, commuters entering Dubai before 6am generally face easier traffic, while those travelling after 7am should expect longer delays.

Are Shortcuts Always a Better Option?

Taxi drivers say motorists should not automatically rely on smaller roads or shortcuts.

Internal roads can become heavily congested because they often pass directly through school and residential areas. Instead, drivers are advised to check live traffic conditions before starting their journey.

Using navigation apps to compare routes can help motorists identify congested roads and select alternatives based on real-time conditions.

Could New Roads and Flyovers Ease Congestion?

Recently opened roads, bridges and flyovers could help reduce traffic pressure in some parts of Dubai.

Drivers have encouraged motorists to consider routes that were not available before the summer break. Some new flyovers have been built in areas that previously experienced significant congestion.

However, taxi drivers said it may take two or three days after schools reopen to understand which routes are genuinely moving faster.

Major Roads to Watch During Peak Hours

Motorists should keep an eye on major routes including:

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road
Sheikh Zayed Road
Al Ittihad Road
Drivers are advised to check live traffic conditions before setting out and avoid roads immediately surrounding schools whenever possible.

Why Could the First Three Days Be Challenging?

The first three days of the academic year are expected to be particularly unpredictable as parents, school buses and motorists adjust to their regular routines.

New roads and flyovers could also change familiar traffic patterns, meaning routes that were previously congested may perform differently once schools reopen.
Traffic is expected to become easier to predict after the first few days as motorists become familiar with the new congestion hotspots.

Taxi Drivers Still Enter School Zones

Despite the expected congestion, taxi drivers said they cannot always avoid school-heavy areas.

Neighbourhoods such as Al Twar, Garhoud and Oud Metha continue to generate passenger demand during the morning, particularly between 7.30am and 9am.
As a result, taxi drivers may still enter these areas even when traffic is heavy.

Motorists Urged to Stay Patient and Focused

Beyond choosing the right route, taxi drivers said patience and safe driving will be essential during the back-to-school rush.

Motorists have been urged not to use their phones while driving, avoid aggressive manoeuvres and allow extra time for their journeys.

Even a minor accident can cause significant delays during peak hours. Drivers therefore recommend leaving earlier, staying focused and avoiding road rage rather than attempting risky shortcuts to save a few minutes.