All You Need to Know about Dubai Metro Blue Line
Public transportation in Dubai is one of the most sophisticated ones in the world. The Government of Dubai has ensured that navigation is of the highest standard, allowing residents and tourists to travel seamlessly from one point to another within Dubai and to other emirates and countries.
Among its varied modes of transportation, one that thousands of people rely on every day is the metro system. Considered to be the lifeline of the city, the metro lines of Dubai are minutely intricate and offer comfortable journeys to passengers at an affordable rate.
While there are currently two major lines in operation – the Red Line and the Green Line- a soon-to-be-launched line is going to add further dimension to commuting in the city. Dubbed as the Blue Line, this is the highly anticipated and upcoming development of the Dubai Metro and will strategically link key areas of the city.
As with any new development, a zillion questions arise in the minds of the residents of the city. Which areas will the Blue Line cover? What route will the Blue Line follow? When does the Blue Line Metro start its operation? What are the features of the Blue Line? We uncover the answers to all these and more in our all-inclusive guide to the Dubai Metro Blue Line.
What is the Dubai Metro Blue Line Project?
The Dubai Metro Blue Line project is the third and upcoming phase of the Dubai Metro that is designed to span a distance of 30 km in two distinct routes. It is believed that this line will reduce traffic congestion by 20% and will link with both the existing Red and Green Lines.
The project has been approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has stated that the project serves the city’s comprehensive development strategy. It focuses on meeting the needs of the present times as well as preparing for future demands.
On June 9th, 2025, His Highness officially laid the foundation stone for the first station for the Blue Line project. This pioneering project, estimated at a cost of AED 56 billion, is set to transform the urban mobility of Dubai immensely and make navigation seamless by expanding the rail network.
Regarding the project, His Highness has said, “Remarkable achievements don't happen by chance; rather, they result from deliberate planning, creative thinking and a commitment to attaining the highest levels of leadership. The true measure of achievement lies in its positive impact on society. We strive for the best for our society, sparing no effort to achieve it at the highest standards.”
The project aligns with the concept of the ‘20-minute city’ of the 2040 Dubai Urban Master Plan, which essentially calls for the creation of a scenario wherein 80% of essential services are within a 20-minute reach for the residents of the emirate.
Dubai Metro Blue Line Opening Date
As per the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Blue Line is scheduled to start its operation by 2029. This means that in a span of just a few more years, the already sophisticated public transportation system of the city will experience an even bigger transformation, upscaling it further to the convenience of the residents and tourists.
Stations and Routes of Dubai Metro Blue Line
The Dubai Metro Blue Line will cover a distance of 30 km, which will be split into two distinct routes, with the first one covering 21 km and the second one covering the rest of the 9 km.
Additionally, the Blue Line will have both arrangements of underground and above-ground train facilities. There will be an underground track of 15.5 km and an above-ground track of 14.5 km. The line will comprise 14 individual stations with major interchange connections to the Red Line as well as the Green Line. There will be five underground stations and nine elevated stations.
The first route will have 10 stations, starting from the Creek station of the Green Line and passing through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Ras Al Khor, after which it will reach International City 1. This station will have an underground interchange station for the commuters. The route will then follow International City 2 and International City 3, and will extend to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City.
On the other hand, the second route will have four stations and will start from the Centrepoint station of the Red Line. It will then pass through Mirdif and Al Warqa, before concluding at the International City 1 Interchange station.
As the Blue Line will connect to the Dubai Academy City, it is believed that the project will accommodate over 50,000 university students by the year 2029. In addition, it will also provide seamless navigation in Dubai Silicon Oasis, which is undoubtedly one of the major urban centres of the city.
As the new line will offer a direct connection between the Dubai International Airport and nine major areas, it will cut traffic congestion on its served routes by 20%, which means travelling will take hardly 10-25 minutes for daily commuters, saving them precious time every day.
An amazing aspect of the Blue Line Metro is that you can name a station after your business. Naming rights announcements will be made in the next phase.
Nine Key Areas to be Connected through the Blue Line Metro Project
The Dubai Metro Blue Line will connect nine strategic areas in the city and offer direct access. These areas are as follows.
- Dubai International Airport
- Mirdif
- Al Warqa
- International City 1 and 2
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Academic City
- Ras Al Khor Industrial Area
- Dubai Creek Harbour
- Dubai Festival City
Size and Passenger Capacity of Dubai Metro Blue Line
As we stated above, the Dubai Metro Blue Line will span over a distance of 30 km, with 21 km being covered by the first route and the rest of the 9 km being covered by the second route. At the completion of this much-anticipated project, the total rail network will Dubai will expand to a massive distance of 131 km, having 168 trains operating on 78 stations across the emirate.
Based on the scale of the stations, it is estimated that it will have a capacity of carrying over 850,000 passengers every day. Additionally, by 2030, it is predicted that the number of daily commuters will reach 200,000, and by 2040, the same will rise to 320,000 per day.
Features of the Dubai Metro Blue Line
The Dubai Metro Blue Line stations will feature modern infrastructure, bespoke amenities, and accessible facilities, including the following aspects.
- Barrier-free accessibility
- Taxi stands
- Dedicated bus bays
- Bike and e-scooter zones
- Charging points for e-vehicles
- Private car drop-off and pick-up
- Parking spaces
By using natural lighting, premium materials, and integrated urban placemaking, the stations of the Blue Line will showcase the forward-looking infrastructure philosophy of the emirate.
The community-oriented features and accessible parking spaces for People of Determination (PoD) will vastly improve the travelling experience for the residents and tourists of the city.
The design of the exteriors of the elevated stations of the Blue Line will be inspired by seashells, and the interiors will reflect design elements based on the thematic models of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Heritage.
Additionally, the project will feature the first-ever metro bridge over Dubai Creek. This 1.3 km bridge is the first of its kind and is definitely one of the project’s biggest highlights.
The Emaar Properties Station in the Blue Line Project is also set to become the highest metro station in the world, standing 74 m high. It is designed by the globally renowned firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), who are the genius architects behind the iconic Burj Khalifa. The design of the station is inspired by the idea of a crossing gateway and will blend seamlessly with its surroundings while serving as a marvellous architectural display.
It will integrate natural lighting by using glass ceilings on towering walls and feature earthy tones. The use of metal and stone will portray the fusion of new and old and embody the vision of the city as a ‘gateway to the future’.
Economic Benefits of the Dubai Metro Blue Line
This project is estimated to yield major economic benefits for the city as well, since it will feature a benefit-cost ratio of 2.6 by 2040. This means a benefit of AED 2.60 for every AED that is spent. From substantial savings in fuel to major savings in time, from lower carbon emissions to reducing accident-related fatalities, this multi-beneficiary project is going to be a boon for the city.
Furthermore, the project is anticipated to appreciate the value of land and properties positioned near the stations by 25%, which is remarkable for the real estate market of the city. Not to forget, the Blue Line project is also the first transport-based project in Dubai to completely comply with green building standards, as it has achieved the Platinum Category Certification.
To Conclude
The Dubai Metro Blue Line project highlights the long-term strategy of the government to create a sustainable and smart urban development and seamless connectivity across its neighbourhoods. It marks the beginning of a new era for the transportation sector of the city.
It is not just an innovative development; it is a strategic move to serve the residents and tourists of the city where they most need it. From easing congestion to reducing travel time, the Blue Line will make daily commuting extremely easy for commuters, especially students, and will connect vital areas to each other.