Let’s get one thing clear. Sharjah is not in Dubai. It might be nearby (just a 20-minute drive from centre to centre), but the two are completely separate.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why Sharjah and Dubai are different places
There are two reasons why this causes so much confusion. Firstly, Sharjah and Dubai are very close to each other – if you’re not up for driving yourself, it’s a very quick taxi journey or you can even take a bus between the two emirates.
Secondly, Dubai and Sharjah are often both referred to as cities. While that’s technically correct, they are officially two of seven separate states that make up the United Arab Emirates.
UAE government structure
Each emirate – the others being Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah – has its own local government (although the federal government does rule country-wide on matters including defense, the Armed Forces, security and foreign affairs.
Why visit Sharjah from Dubai
There are no internal borders or barriers in the UAE, so you can quite easily and quickly drive from Dubai up to Sharjah and vice-versa.
It’s well worth checking out, too. As well as the stunning Al Majaz Waterfront, which is a great spot to explore in the evening, the emirate is full of culture and art.
Now you know the difference between Sharjah and Dubai, pay it forward – next time you hear someone mistaking the two emirates, it’s time for a bit of a geography lesson.
