Your One-stop Guide to Dubai Metro

Spanning a distance of approximately 90 km, the Dubai Metro is one of the most efficient and economical modes of transportation in Dubai that connects you to the major hubs of the city. It is a symbol of a well-developed network and modern engineering. Designed to perfection, both in terms of cabins and routes, a huge chunk of the city’s population relies on it every day from getting to one point to another.

In this comprehensive Dubai Metro guide, we are going to provide you with a detailed view of the timings, maps, stations, fares, tickets, and apps, among other aspects of the Dubai Metro that will help you navigate this mode of transportation easily.

Dubai Metro – An Overview

Dubai Metro became operational in 2009 and has since been rendering its services to millions of people across the city. Due to its efficient performance, it has turned out to be among the most reliable modes of public transportation in the city with thousands of people depending on it for their daily commute. Whether you are a resident or a tourist, it's equally helpful for everyone. It is an intrinsic part of Dubai's development that makes Dubai one of the best cities to live in and attracts foreign real estate investment.

Owned and managed by the RTA (Road and Transport Authority), the Dubai Metro has played a pivotal role in relieving the motor traffic of the city to an extensive degree. Dubai Metro follows a mix of both elevated and underground stations.

All the metro stations in Dubai are wheelchair-friendly. The metro trains have a dedicated space for wheelchair users as well. Visually impaired individuals can use contrasting tactile guidance paths that the stations are equipped with. Disabled citizens can get free rides on Dubai Metro just like on any other mode of transportation facilitated by the RTA with the help of a special, customized Nol card.

The Dubai Metro stations are air-conditioned and feature one of five major themes as part of their interior design.

• Earth – Symbolizing durability and force of the soil and marks the start of the modern and urban drive of the city.
• Water – Symbolizing the human values that the city aims to ensure in its modern achievements.
• Air– Symbolizing the joy and happiness the city provides to its tourists and residents.
• Fire – Symbolizing the strength, vigour, and energy displayed by the leaders of the city.
• Heritage – Symbolizing the history and culture of the UAE.

Dubai Metro Lines

There are two Dubai Metro lines – the Red Line and the Green Line. The Red Line further branches out into two routes at the Jebel Ali interchange. Understanding the route of these two lines will help you map out your journey properly and make navigation easier in the process. While the construction of both lines began in 2006, the Red Line opened in 2009 whereas the Green Line opened its services in 2011.

The Dubai Metro Red Line

The Red Line starts from the Centrepoint (Rashidiya) Metro Station, which is near the Dubai International Airport. It stops at Airport Terminal 3 and Airport Terminal 1, which means you can directly board the Metro after your flight lands at the airport or catch your flight after exiting the metro. The Red Line covers the main highway of the city – Sheikh Zayed Road, and stops at prime places of interest such as World Trade Center, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Internet City, and Jumeirah Lake Towers (DMCC) to name a few.

From the Jebel Ali station, the Red Line gets divided into two separate branches, with one of them ending at Expo 2020, located at Expo City Dubai, and the other one finishing at the UAE Exchange, just beyond the Jebel Ali Industrial Area. A recent development that took place in 2024 now allows passengers to directly board metro trains from Centrepoint to Expo 2020 and Centrepoint to the UAE Exchange.

The Dubai Metro Green Line

The Green Line of Dubai Metro runs from Etisalat by e& in the Al Twar area to the iconic Dubai Creek. Throughout the way, you will find various places of cultural interest such as the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Al Ghubaiba, and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, among others.

Dubai Metro Stations

Whether you are a resident of Dubai who wants a convenient mode of transportation from home to work or a tourist who wants to check out the hotspots of the city, the metro is always an apt choice since it covers all the significant hubs of this magnificent city. To help you out with the navigation of the city and figure out which line of metro you should get on, we are providing the list of stations of both the Red and Green Line.

List of Dubai Metro Red Line Stations

The Dubai Metro Red Line stops at the following stations. Please note that the Red Line is divided into two separate branches from Jebel Ali station. The numbers preceding the name of the stations denote their station code.

• R11 - Centrepoint
• R12 - Emirates
• R13 - Airport Terminal 3
• R14 - Airport Terminal 1
• R15 - GGICO
• R16 - City Centre Deira
• R17 - Al Rigga
• R18 - Union
• R19 - BurJuman
• R20 - ADCB
• R21 - Max
• R22 - World Trade Centre
• R23 - Emirates Towers
• R24 - Financial Centre
• R25 - Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
• R26 - Business Bay
• R29 - Onpassive
• R31 - Equiti
• R32 - Mall of the Emirates
• R33 - Mashreq
• R34 - Dubai Internet City
• R35 - Al Khail
• R36 - Sobha Realty
• R37 - DMCC
• R38 - Jebell Ali
• R39 - Ibn Battuta
• R40 - Energy
• R41 - Danube
• R42 - UAE Exchange
• R70 - The Gardens
• R71 - Discovery Gardens
• R72 - Al Furjan
• R73 - Jumeirah Golf Estates
• R74 - Dubai Investment Park
• R76 - Expo 2020

List of Dubai Metro Green Line Stations

The Dubai Metro Green Line stops at the following stations. The numbers preceding the name of the stations denote their station code.

• G11 - Etisalat by e&
• G12 - Al Qusais
• G13 - Dubai Airport Free Zone
• G14 - Al Nahda
• G15 - Stadium
• G16 - Al Qiyadah
• G17 - Abu Hail
• G18 - Abu Baker Al Siddique
• G19 - Salah Al Din
• G20 - Union
• G21 - Baniyas Square
• G22 - Gold Souq
• G23 - Al Ras
• G24 - Al Ghubaiba
• G25 - Sharaf DG
• G26 - BurJuman
• G27 - Oud Metha
• G28 - Dubai Healthcare City
• G29 - Al Jadaf
• G30 - Creek

Dubai Metro Timing

The Dubai Metro working hours are quite extensive and long, functioning all seven days a week. The metro trains run frequently – at intervals of approximately 2-3 minutes during peak hours of the day and approximately every 5-7 minutes during non-peak hours of the day.

Here is a breakdown of the Dubai Metro timings for all lines.

Please note that the first and last train timings may vary for each station and the operating hours of the metro stations may change on public holidays.

Dubai Metro Map

Navigating the Dubai Metro is extremely convenient because of its user-friendly mechanism. All you need to do is buy a ticket or fill up your Nol card before boarding a metro train. Proceed to follow the signs to your preferred station, board the right train, and then exit from the destination station of your choice. Dubai Metro Map is available at all stations.

Click Here for the map of metro and tram stations.

Dubai Metro Fares

Dubai Metro is one of the most affordable modes of travel that provides efficient service, which is why a significant portion of the city’s population depends on it for daily commute.

The metro system of Dubai is divided into seven zones spread throughout the city and your fare is determined depending on the number of zones you pass during your trip. The type of ticket you purchase also determines your fare.

A single journey ticket can cost anywhere between AED 3 to AED 7.50. As we just mentioned, the fare also depends on the type of ticket you purchase as the system offers a wide variety of tickets to make the daily commute easier and quicker. There are also ways where you don’t have to wait in line and waste time purchasing a ticket every day. This brings us to our next section.

Dubai Metro Tickets

There is a wide range of ticket options and you can pick one that suits your needs and preferences the best. Here are the different types of Dubai Metro tickets you can purchase for travelling from one point to another.

Single Journey Ticket

The single journey ticket can be purchased at the ticket vending machines at every metro station. This ticket is meant for a single journey and the charge is based on the total number of zones. It is available in Silver as well as Gold Class.

Day Passes

Day passes allow you unlimited travel and are ideal for exploring various parts of the city. They hold different validity as you can buy a one-day pass, a 7-day pass, a 30-day pass, and a 90-day pass. Available in both Silver and Gold Class, you can buy them from the customer service centres of Dubai Metro or at the ticket vending machines at the stations. The Dubai Metro day pass price starts from AED 20.

Special Tickets

There are different categories of special tickets that apply to different groups. Person of Determination Tickets offer free rides to disabled individuals. Children aged between 5-12 years can avail of Child Ticket which provides discounted single journey tickets. Senior Ticket offers similar discounted rates on single-journey tickets to individuals aged 60 years and above.

Nol Card

Nol card is a rechargeable card with prepaid funds that allows multiple journeys. They are extremely convenient as you don’t have to deal with purchasing tickets every day. They are available in both Silver as well as Gold Cards and the minimum top-up at Metro stations ticket offices is AED 50. You can top-up with a lower amount at ticket machine.

Dubai Metro App

The RTA Dubai Metro app includes over 40 features and services designed to provide seamless support to passengers throughout metro stations. You can download them to get real-time information on the train timings and plan your route so that you can have an effective journey.

You can visit the RTA Smart Apps page of the RTA website to download various apps designed to make your journey easy. While the S’hail app helps you navigate the route, the Nol Pay app helps recharge your Nol card and check its balance.

Dubai Metro Blue Line Project

The Blue Line of Dubai Metro is an ongoing project that was announced in 2023 with an estimated opening planned for 2029. This will be the third line of metro in the city and will cover an area of 30 km with 14 stations.

Upon its completion, it will connect the neighbourhoods of Dubai International City, Dubai Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Creek Harbour, Mirdif, Al Warqa, and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area. The main depot of Blue Line is at Al Ruwayyah 3.

There are also two transfer stations in the Blue Line – one at Centrepoint Station with the Red Line and the other at Creek Station with the Green Line. Furthermore, the International City 1 station acts as an interchange station between the Centrepoint and Creek branches.

FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions about Dubai Metro

How to use the metro in Dubai?

Using the Dubai Metro system is very easy. You need to purchase a ticket from the station or use your Nol card and take the right train to your destination. You can follow the Dubai Metro map or ask station officials as to which line of metro (Red or Green) you need to get into to reach your destination.

What are Nol cards?

Nol card is an electronic ticketing card that is rechargeable. This smart card can be topped up with prepaid funds and used to pay fares on various modes of transportation such as metro, tram, and buses.

How many zones are there in the Dubai metro?

There are seven Dubai Metro zones and your fare is calculated based on the number of zones you cross during your journey.

What is the Dubai Metro timing on Sunday?

For Sunday, the metro station opening hours are 08:00 AM -12:00 AM (midnight) for all lines.

What is the Dubai Metro timing on Friday?

On Fridays, the metro station opening hours are 05:00 AM - 01:00 AM (next day) for all lines.

Where do I buy Dubai Metro tickets?

You can purchase a one-time ticket or nol card at the customer service center of metro stations, bus stations, vending machines, and a few supermarkets. Nol card top-up can be done through ticket machines, mobile app, online, or ticket booths at metro stations.

What facilities can I find in a Dubai Metro station?

You can find ticket vending machines, Nol card top-up machines, restrooms, food and beverage kiosks, elevators, escalators, and ATMs at most stations. The stations are also accommodating as they are wheelchair-friendly.

How to use an Nol card in the Dubai metro?

To use the Nol card in the Dubai metro, you need to touch the card to the reader before beginning your journey and touch it again to the reader while exiting the metro station.

What is Gold Class?

Gold Class refers to a distinct cabin reserved for premium passengers and offers a luxurious journey with special amenities such as spacious leather seats for extra comfort. Gold Card holders get access to gold class cabin making their entry and exit procedure quicker. They are less crowded and offer a quieter and more relaxed journey. As you can guess, the Dubai Metro Gold Card price is among the highest.

Is Dubai Metro accessible for wheelchair users?

All the metro stations in Dubai are wheelchair-friendly. All the trains have a dedicated space for wheelchair users as well. Disabled individuals are referred to as ‘people of determination’ in the country. They can ride any mode of transportation facilitated by the RTA free of cost with the help of a special, customized Nol card.

What is the starting point of Dubai Metro?

The starting point of Dubai Metro is Centrepoint for the Red Line and Etisalat by e& for the Green Line.

What time does Dubai Metro start?

From Monday to Saturday, the first train starts at 05:00 AM and on Sunday, it starts at 08:00 AM for all lines. This is the timing of starting station. For other stations, it can vary.

What time does Dubai Metro close?

From Saturday to Thursday, it closes at 12:00 AM (midnight), and on Friday, it closes at 01:00 AM (next day). The timings are based on the final destination; for other stations, it can vary.

Can I carry my luggage with me in the Dubai metro?

You are not permitted to carry more than two pieces of luggage on a Dubai Metro train. Among them, one can be a large suitcase (measuring not more than 81cm x 58cm x 30cm) and another carry-on bag (measuring not more than 55cm x 38 cm x 20cm).

Is there Wi-Fi available in the Dubai Metro?

There is Wi-Fi access throughout the entire Metro network.

Is there a metro from Dubai to Ras Al-Khaimah?

There is no direct metro from Dubai to Ras Al-Khaimah, however there is good connectivity of buses. You can also take a taxi.