Since its launch in 2009, the Dubai Metro has changed the entire landscape of the city. In fact, getting around Dubai is simpler and more affordable.
If you want to know all about one of the world’s most advanced and modern rail systems, look no further. This handy guide on how to use the Dubai Metro has all the information you need, including timings, ticket prices and stations.
Let’s now learn more about the popular public transport system that has made the lives of Dubai residents and tourists much easier.
DUBAI METRO TIMINGS 2023
The Dubai Metro line is operational throughout the week; however, weekend timings vary from weekdays.
From 1 June 2021, EXPO 2020 Metro Station is the last designated stop on the Dubai Metro Red Line. Passengers travelling to UAE Exchange Metro Station must change trains at Jabal Ali Metro Station.
Similarly, if you want to visit Ibn Battuta Mall, don’t forget to get off at Jabal Ali Metro Station. You will then have to board the train departing for UAE Exchange.
For Dubai Metro Green Line users, the journey starts at Etisalat Metro Station and ends at Creek Metro Station.
Searching for RTA Dubai Metro timing today? Coming up next is the latest metro schedule for weekends and weekdays.
METRO TIMINGS 2023 FOR ALL LINES
Searching for Dubai Metro timing today? The new Dubai Metro hours are as follows:
DAYS | STARTS AT | ENDS AT |
|---|---|---|
DAYS Monday to Thursday | STARTS AT 05:00 am | ENDS AT 12:00 am |
DAYS Friday | STARTS AT 05:00 am | ENDS AT 01:00 am (Next Day) |
DAYS Saturday | STARTS AT 05:00 am | ENDS AT 12:00 am |
DAYS Sunday | STARTS AT 08:00 am | ENDS AT 12:00 am |
Are Dubai Metro Friday timings different? Well, the service starts at 05:00 am and the Dubai Metro closing time for Fridays is 01:00 am (the next day).
Remember that the RTA Dubai usually announces different Dubai Metro working hours during public holidays such as Eid and National Day.
For essential trips outside Dubai Metro operating hours, passengers can book an RTA taxi or use Careem and Uber applications.
DUBAI METRO MAP 2023
Two main lines, the Red Line and Green Line, run through the Dubai Metro.
- The Red Line runs from Centrepoint Metro Station to EXPO 2020 Metro Station and vice-versa.
- The Green Line runs from Etisalat to Creek and vice-versa.
The Red and Green lines in Dubai Metro intersect at Burjuman and Union, two of the busiest metro stations in Dubai. While Burjuman is close to those living in the flats for rent in Bur Dubai and neighbouring areas, Union is convenient for those staying in Deira.
You can board the train based on the intended travel direction. The two Red Line platforms are named Centrepoint and EXPO 2020 based on the desired direction of travel.
Similarly, the two Dubai Metro Green Line platforms are named Etisalat and Creek. The Dubai Metro schedule allows you to catch a train every 5 minutes from whichever station you are at.
Want to have the Dubai Metro station map handy when travelling around Dubai? Download our Dubai Metro Map highlighting all the stations on the Red and Green line and Route 2020.
DUBAI METRO STATIONS LIST
The metro network has 20 stations on the Green Line and 35 stations on the Red Line (including the Route 2020 Branch Line). Here’s an updated list of Dubai Metro stations.
The Red Line metro stations include:
- Centrepoint
- Emirates
- Airport Terminal 3
- Airport Terminal 1
- GGICO
- City Centre Deira
- Al Rigga
- Union
- Burjuman
- ADCB
- max
- World Trade Center
- Emirates Towers
- Financial Centre
- Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall
- Business Bay
- ONPASSIVE (previously Al Safa)
- Equiti
- Mall of the Emirates
- mashreq
- Dubai Internet City
- Al Khail
- Sobha Realty
- DMCC
- Jabal Ali
- Ibn Battuta
- Energy
- Danube
- UAE Exchange
- The Gardens
- Discovery Gardens
- Al Furjan
- Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dubai Investment Park
- EXPO 2020
The new Route 2020 extension of the Red Line has a total of six stations:
- The Gardens
- Discovery Gardens
- Al Furjan
- Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dubai Investment Park
- EXPO 2020
These stations have made commuting easier for those living in residential areas near Route 2020.
The Dubai Metro station list for the Green Line includes:
- Etisalat
- Al Qusais
- Dubai Airport Free Zone
- Al Nahda
- Stadium
- Al Qiyadah
- Abu Hail
- Abu Baker Al Siddique
- Salah Al Din
- Union
- Baniyas Square
- Gold Souq
- Al Ras
- Al Gubaiba
- Sharaf DG
- Burjuman
- Oud Metha
- Dubai Healthcare City
- Al Jadaf
- Creek
If you are looking for a home near train stations in Dubai, here is a list of the best places to live near metro stations.
Dubai Metro Red Line includes:
- Two Interchange Stations to the Dubai Tram (Sobha Realty and DMCC)
- Two Transfer Stations to the Green Line (Burjuman and Union)
- Jabal Ali is the interchange station between the Metro Red line and Route 2020
On January 11 2023, the RTA announced that Al Safa Metro Station would be fully rebranded as ONPASSIVE Metro Station.
#RTA granted the Naming Rights of Al Safa Metro Station to ONPASSIVE, one of the leading global AI Technology Companies. Al Safa Metro Station will be fully rebranded as ONPASSIVE Metro Station for 10 years.https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f pic.twitter.com/ldEUCAP6aU
— RTA (@rta_dubai) January 11, 2023
Remember that the metro stations are sometimes renamed due to the naming rights initiative. Bookmark this guide to stay updated on the Dubai Metro station name changes.
DUBAI METRO ROUTE 2020
Route 2020, a 15-kilometre track extension of the Dubai Metro, is now operational with seven stations. Five elevated and two underground stations on The Dubai Metro Route 2020 extension have made public transport more accessible for residents of Discovery Gardens and those living in the villas for rent in Al Furjan.
The Red Line from Centrepoint now travels directly to EXPO 2020 station with stops at Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Investments Park. The route terminates at the Expo 2020 Metro Station.
All stations of Dubai Metro’s Route 2020 are now open to the public.
RTA DUBAI METRO ZONES
The city is split into 7 public transport zones, as highlighted in the Dubai Metro Map. With the opening of Route 2020 stations, the metro will run through 5 zones: Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 5 and Zone 6.
Remember:
- The number of zones you travel through determines the total cost of your journey.
- These zones also apply to transfers from the metro to other modes of public transport, such as buses, trams and water buses.
- For a single journey on two different modes of transportation to be charged as one, the transfer must be done within 30 minutes.
DUBAI METRO FARES AND NOL CARDS
Anyone wishing to use the metro must buy a Dubai NOL card. This electronic card is used mainly to access and pay the Dubai Metro fees, but that’s not all. Your metro NOL cards can be used for other RTA transport modes and services, such as parking fee payments, shopping at the Zoom supermarkets and even paying for taxis in Dubai.
There are different types of NOL cards in Dubai. Remember that each card has different benefits and prices. Also, Dubai Metro prices depend on the card you buy.
- Gold Card
- AED 25 with AED 19 balance
- Ride exclusively in Gold Class cabins on metro and tram
- Double the regular fare
- Validity is 5 years
- Silver Card
- AED 25 with AED 19 balance
- Access to all standard metro and tram cabins
- Regular card
- Validity is 5 years
- Blue Card/Personalised
- Regular – AED 70 with AED 20 credit
- Ideal for students, adults, senior citizens, social affairs beneficiaries and people of determination
- This card bears your registered photo and name
- You can recover your balance if your card gets lost or stolen
- Mandatory for concession fares
- Validity is 5 years
- Red Card
- AED 2
- Dubai Metro tickets for single trips
- Can only be used for one transport mode at a time
- This is a rechargeable ticket that can be loaded for up to 10 trips
- Validity is 90 days or 10 trips
DUBAI METRO MONTHLY PASS
A monthly pass for Dubai Metro allows you to travel on the train for the entire month. All nol Cards, nol Red Tickets and Virtual nol card users can benefit from the service.
Here are the 30-day monthly pass fares for nol Silver and Gold card users.
Nol Card Type | 1 Zone | 2 Zones | All Zones |
|---|---|---|---|
Nol Card Type Silver | 1 Zone AED 140 | 2 Zones AED 230 | All Zones AED 350 |
Nol Card Type Gold | 1 Zone AED 280 | 2 Zones AED 460 | All Zones AED 700 |
Besides monthly passes, Silver and Gold card users can sign up for a 90-day or all-year Dubai Metro pass (which remains valid for 365 days).
90-day Dubai Metro pass charges are:
Nol Card Type | 1 Zone | 2 Zones | All Zones |
|---|---|---|---|
Nol Card Type Silver | 1 Zone AED 330 | 2 Zones AED 550 | All Zones AED 830 |
Nol Card Type Gold | 1 Zone AED 660 | 2 Zones AED 1,100 | All Zones AED 1,660 |
A 365-day travel pass for Silver and Dubai Metro Gold Class is charged as follows:
Nol Card Type | 1 Zone | 2 Zones | All Zones |
|---|---|---|---|
Nol Card Type Silver | 1 Zone AED 1,060 | 2 Zones AED 1,770 | All Zones AED 2,670 |
Nol Card Type Gold | 1 Zone AED 2,120 | 2 Zones AED 3,540 | All Zones AED 5,340 |
HOW TO CHECK DUBAI METRO CARD BALANCE
Dubai Metro card balance check is quite simple.
- You can read the remaining balance on the screen when tapping the card at check-in/check-out during the journey.
- The balance will be displayed if you decide to recharge your card at any of the Dubai Metro stations.
- Frequent metro users also like to use the RTA app for nol card balance checks and top-ups.
- You can visit the official RTA website to check the Dubai Metro card balance. Enter your nol tag ID and hit search. The remaining balance will be displayed on your screen.
DUBAI METRO TRAIN CABINS
Dubai Metro travellers can find three metro cabins.
- Gold Class Cabin – This cabin right at the front is only accessible to Gold NOL cardholders.
- Ladies & Children’s Cabin – Dedicated cabin for ladies and children can be accessed with any NOL Card. These cabins are located at the end of the train to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
- Standard Class Cabin – General cabin for all metro users and can be accessed with any NOL Card.
PARKING AT THE DUBAI METRO STATIONS
Three stations offer free car parking for private vehicle owners who want to use the train.
Centrepoint and Jabal Ali are the two free car park stations on the Red Line.
Etisalat Metro Station has a free car park on the Green Line and is often used by those who work in Dubai but live in apartments for rent in Sharjah.
HOW TO TRAVEL IN DUBAI METRO: RULES AND THINGS TO AVOID
All public transport modes in Dubai are monitored and follow strict rules and regulations. When travelling by train in Dubai:
- Always ensure you are in the right cabin, per your NOL card. Every compartment is clearly marked to denote the correct cabin. Failure to follow this can result in fines of up to AED 100.
- Avoid eating or drinking in the metro. Chewing gum is not allowed. The fine for chewing gum on the metro is AED 100.
- Sleeping is not allowed in the waiting areas of the metro.
- Sitting on the floor or between two train cars is also not allowed.
- Pushing the emergency button when there is no emergency can cost you AED 2,000 if found guilty.
- As per the Dubai Metro luggage rules, two suitcases are allowed per passenger on the train. These include one large and small suitcase that must be stowed in the dedicated luggage area found in each compartment.
Don’t forget to check out other Dubai public transport rules to ensure a safe and pleasant journey.
Also, passengers must wear a mask when travelling on the Dubai Metro. Adherence to safety precautions and physical distancing while commuting is also mandatory. Remember that commuters can face hefty fines for violating the COVID-19 precautionary measures set by the government.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Dubai Metro.
WHAT IS DUBAI METRO?
Dubai Metro is a driverless rapid transit rail network managed by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) that serves many areas in Dubai.
WHAT IS RED LINE AND GREEN LINE IN DUBAI METRO?
Dubai Metro currently consists of two main lines – Red and Green. The Red line starts from Centrepoint and ends at EXPO 2020 Metro Station. Similarly, Green Line starts at Etisalat and terminates at Creek Metro Station.
WHAT TIME IS THE LAST METRO IN DUBAI?
You can easily find the time of the last Dubai Metro train for each station by checking the timetable for RTA metro timings.
WHAT TIME DOES METRO OPEN IN DUBAI?
Metro services start at 05:00 am except for Sunday.
DOES DUBAI METRO GO TO THE AIRPORT?
Yes, two Red Line stations are connected to the Dubai Airport terminals. They are:
- Dubai International Terminal 3
- Dubai International Terminal 1
IS THERE A DUBAI METRO APP?
S’hail is one of the approved RTA apps you can use to plan your journey on the metro in Dubai.
WHICH METRO STATIONS ARE NEAR MALLS?
Wonder how to get to Dubai Mall by metro? Well, the good news is that many popular malls in Dubai are located near train stations. The list includes:
- City Center Deira
- Al Ghurair (Union)
- Burjuman
- The Dubai Mall
- Dubai Marina Mall (via Dubai Tram)
- Mall of the Emirates
- Ibn Battuta*
*All Red Line users must get off at Jabal Ali Metro Station and board the train departing for UAE Exchange to reach Ibn Battuta Mall.
IS THE DUBAI METRO AVAILABLE 24 HOURS?
No, the last metro timing in Dubai is until midnight, except for Fridays.
CAN I CARRY LUGGAGE ON THE DUBAI METRO?
Yes, you can carry luggage in the metro. However, only two suitcases are allowed per person. This includes one large suitcase that must not exceed 81 cm x 58 cm x 30 cm and a small suitcase that must not exceed 55 cm x 38 cm x 20 cm. All luggage must be stored in the dedicated cabins in each compartment.
HOW MUCH DOES METRO COST IN DUBAI?
The amount you pay for the journey depends on the number of zones covered and the type of NOL card used. Here’s a quick breakdown of the fares.
Zones | Silver | Gold | Personal | Red Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zones Within 1 Zone | Silver AED 3 | Gold AED 6 | Personal AED 3 | Red Ticket AED 4 |
Zones 2 Adjacent Zones | Silver AED 5 | Gold AED 10 | Personal AED 5 | Red Ticket AED 6 |
Zones More than 2 Zones | Silver AED 7.50 | Gold AED 15 | Personal AED 7.50 | Red Ticket AED 8.50 |
CAN I BUY NOL CARDS FOR A SINGLE TRIP?
Yes, you can buy a nol red ticket (Regular or Gold) to pay for single trips.
Zones | nol Red Ticket Regular | nol Red Ticket Gold |
|---|---|---|
Zones Within 1 Zone | nol Red Ticket Regular AED 4 | nol Red Ticket Gold AED 8 |
Zones 2 Adjacent Zones | nol Red Ticket Regular AED 6 | nol Red Ticket Gold AED 12 |
Zones More than 2 Zones | nol Red Ticket Regular AED 8.50 | nol Red Ticket Gold AED 17 |
CAN I PAY CASH ON THE DUBAI METRO?
You can only pay for your metro trips with the NOL Card. This card can be used to pay for other public transport services such as public buses and trams. However, you can top up the balance on your NOL Card using cash.
WHERE CAN I BUY METRO TICKETS IN DUBAI?
You can purchase an NOL card or ticket from the ticket offices or self-service kiosks at any of the metro stations in Dubai. The self-service kiosks for purchasing or topping up your NOL card are also available at Dubai Tram stations.
If you are in violation of any laws, you will face public transportation fines in Dubai.
HOW TO GO TO DUBAI MARINA BY METRO
All you have to do is hop on the Red Line and get off at Sobha Realty Metro Station. DMCC Metro Station is another convenient choice for those who want to go to Dubai Marina.
HOW TO GO TO GLOBAL VILLAGE DUBAI BY METRO
Presently, Global Village isn’t directly served by the metro. However, connecting buses from Red Line stations can take you to the desired destination. These include:
- Bus 102 from Centrepoint Metro Station
- Bus 103 from Union Metro Station
- Bus 106 from Mall of the Emirates Metro Station
HOW TO GET TO DUBAI MIRACLE GARDEN BY METRO
RTA Bus route 105 from Mall of the Emirates Metro Station can take you to Dubai Miracle Garden.
HOW TO GO TO DUBAI AIRPORT TERMINAL 1 BY METRO
As stated earlier, two dedicated Dubai Metro Red Line stations serve DXB International Airports. And Terminal 1 has its metro station!
That concludes our guide to the metro train in Dubai! You can learn more about this incredible service by reading Dubai Metro facts.
Many other resources help you get around the city using public transport. For instance, if you want to know the exact metro train timings to plan your journey, you can use public transport apps in Dubai, such as S’hail.
For more updates on life in Dubai, stay tuned to MyBayut – the best property blog in the UAE.
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