By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
Expo Centre Sharjah sits in the Al Khan area, a short hop across the emirate line from Dubai. Its busiest stretch is the Sharjah International Book Fair, a 12-day November event that fills the car parks and the roads around them.
When is the book fair?
The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair ran from 4 to 15 November 2026. Oman was guest of honour. Khaleej Times reported participants from 124 countries and more than 2,000 publishing houses.
Dates for 2027 had not been published in the sources we checked on 17 October 2026. Treat November as the likely month and confirm with the Sharjah Book Authority before you plan around it.
How far is it from Dubai?
Road figures are from OSRM (OpenStreetMap), checked on 17 October 2026, to approximate centre coordinates.
| From | Road distance | Without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai International (DXB) | about 6 km | about 9 minutes |
| Deira (City Centre area) | about 10 km | about 14 minutes |
| Downtown Dubai | about 19 km | about 21 minutes |
| Business Bay | about 20 km | about 21 minutes |
| Sharjah International (SHJ) | about 19 km | about 20 minutes |
| Dubai Marina | about 41 km | about 41 minutes |
| Al Maktoum International (DWC) | about 66 km | about 65 minutes |
The centre is closer to DXB than most Dubai hotels are. For the crossing itself, see our guide to the drive from Dubai to Sharjah and the Sharjah to Dubai transfer options.
Shuttles and boats
Free transport is the official route most visitors use. What we can confirm is limited.
- 2026: Khaleej Times reported free shuttle buses and more parking. We found no published routes, stops or times.
- 2025: Free shuttles left Al Rashidiya Bus Station in Dubai and City Centre Ajman at 9am, 1pm and 5pm, returning at 12pm, 4pm and 9pm. A marine service ran from Al Ghubaiba in Dubai to Sharjah Aquarium, with free boats on to the Expo Centre.
Use the 2025 plan as a pattern, not a promise. The shuttles run on fixed times, which suits an early start and a midday exit more than an evening session.
Parking and drop-off
Organisers announced expanded parking for 2026 but gave no number of spaces. Weekends and the first and last days are the pressure points. A pre-booked driver drops you at the entrance and takes the car away, so you never circle the car park.
Who books a private transfer?
- Publishers and authors with boxes of books: a van with luggage space, loaded at the hotel.
- School and community groups: one 13 or 19 seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter keeps the class together. Coaches are available through our partner network, subject to availability.
- Exhibition staff setting up stands: a morning pickup before the shuttles start.
- Families: a chauffeur service in Sharjah by the hour, with a stop at a Sharjah attraction on the way back.
After the fair, the same trip works for the Sharjah Light Festival from Dubai, also a high-traffic evening. Large exhibitions in Dubai use the same planning, as in our World Trade Centre parking guide. For other dates, open the UAE events calendar and the events we cover.
Photos in this guide
The Sharjah International Book Fair entrance hall at Expo Centre Sharjah, with fountains on the lawn and UAE flagsMostafameraji / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A publisher's stall at the Sharjah International Book Fair, with shelves and tables stacked with Arabic booksMostafameraji / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A white Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passenger van with side windows, seen from the front rightMercedes-Benz (manufacturer image), Manufacturer image, as listed in the Assure fleet library
