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Dubai Metro Guide 2026: Routes, Stations, Timings & Fares
Are you stressing over your finances, rents, commute, cost of living?
Stress a little less, because Dubai metro can subsidize one of these aspects.
Dubai Metro is one of the most economical and convenient modes of public transport in the city,
Spanning over 90kms, it connects various commercial spots, airports, tourist attractions etc.
This article will talk you through the below major aspects:
- Timings
- Maps
- Stations
- Fares
- Tickets
- Apps
Is this precisely what you wanted to know, let’s get straight into it
| Feature | Details |
| Metro Lines | Red Line & Green Line |
| Stations | 55+ stations across Dubai |
| Airport Connections | Terminals 1 & 3 via the Red Line |
| Upcoming Expansion | Blue Line (2029) & Gold Line (2032) |
| First Train | 5:00 AM (Monday–Saturday), 8:00 AM on Sunday |
| Last Train | 12:00 AM (1:00 AM on Fridays) |
| Payment Options | Nol Card, Single Journey Ticket, Day Pass |
| Operator | Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) |
| Most Popular Stations | Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Mall of the Emirates, Union |
Dubai Metro – An Overview
Dubai Metro, operational since 2009, is managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
The network currently operates through the Red and Green lines, and is anticipated to expand the network through Blue line and Gold Line
It is one of the world’s longest driverless metro system, combining elevated and underground stations.
Accessibility is an important aspect of the network.
Every station is designed in such a way that a wheelchair can access it.
Trains are equipped with places specifically designed for handicapped passengers and walkways for blind passengers are marked.
Dubai Metro stations are designed around five themes, each reflecting a different aspect of UAE’s values, culture, and development.
Its themes are:
- Earth
- Water
- Air
- Fire
- Heritage
Dubai Metro Lines
Here are some details about the Dubai Metro lines:
| Metro Line | Status | Opened / Expected Opening | Key Information |
| Red Line | Operational | 2009 | One of Dubai Metro’s main operational lines |
| Green Line | Operational | 2011 | Connects key areas across old Dubai |
| Blue Line | Upcoming | 2029 | Expected to open for the Dubai Metro’s 20th anniversary |
| Gold Line | Upcoming | 2032 | Planned future addition to the Dubai Metro network |
The Dubai Metro Red Line
The Red Line is among the two operational lines in Dubai Metro and connects Dubai International Airport with key business, shopping, tourism, and residential areas in Dubai.
Red Line at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Status | Operational |
| Starting Point | Centrepoint (Rashidiya) |
| Route Length | Approximately 67 km |
| Number of Stations | 35 |
| Airport Terminals | Terminal 1 & Terminal 3 |
| Main Route | Sheikh Zayed Road |
| Terminal Destinations | Expo 2020 & UAE Exchange |
Major Destinations Along the Red Line
The Red Line passes through several of Dubai’s most important destinations, including:
- Dubai International Airport — Terminals 1 & 3
- World Trade Center
- Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall
- Business Bay
- Mall of the Emirates
- Dubai Internet City
- Al Furjan
- DMCC
Red Line Branches
The Red Line splits into two branches around National Paints Metro Station, serving two different terminal destinations:
| Branch | Terminal Station |
| Branch 1 | Expo 2020, Expo City Dubai |
| Branch 2 | UAE Exchange (Life Pharmacy Metro Station) |
Good to know: Please remember that individuals who are departing from Centrepoint are able to take the subway to Expo 2020 and UAE Exchange without changing trains at National Paints.
Airport Access
The Red Line allows passengers to reach Terminals 1 and 3 at the Dubai International Airport directly.
The Dubai Metro Green Line
The Green Line links the Etisalat by e& in Al Twar with Dubai Creek and is one of the routes connecting areas populated densely and historically.
Green Line at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Status | Operational |
| Starting Point | Etisalat by e& |
| End Point | Dubai Creek |
| Route Length | Approximately 22.5 km |
| Number of Stations | 20 |
| Station Type | Most stations are elevated |
| Main Areas Served | Al Twar, Al Ghubaiba, Al Fahidi, and Dubai Creek |
Major Attractions Along the Green Line
The Green Line is particularly useful for exploring Dubai’s historic and cultural side.
Major attractions and areas along the route include:
- Gold Souk
- Spice Souk
- Al Ghubaiba
- Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
- Dubai Creek
Why Use the Green Line?
Dubai’s historic souks, its old districts, and its important monuments have now become much more accessible due to the Green Line.
The line is also an efficient means of getting around the busy parts of Dubai.
If one intends to visit old parts of Dubai, souks, or Dubai Creek, the Green Line can certainly be an asset.
Dubai Metro Blue Line Project
The Dubai Metro Blue Line is under construction.
The announcement regarding it was made in 2023 and now it is expected to be opened for the public by September 9, 2029.
Once completed and operational, the metro will work as a third line of the Dubai Metro and hence facilitate connectivity with a number of busy areas.
Blue Line at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Status | Under construction |
| Announced | 2023 |
| Expected Opening | September 9, 2029 |
| Network Position | Dubai’s third metro line |
| Route Length | Approximately 30 km |
| Number of Stations | 14 |
| Main Depot | Al Ruwayyah 3 |
| Expected Reach | Around 1 million residents |
Areas Covered
Once completed, the Blue Line will connect several major neighbourhoods and districts, including:
- Dubai International City
- Dubai Academic City
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Dubai Creek Harbour
- Mirdif
- Al Warqa
- Ras Al Khor Industrial Area
This expanded network is expected to improve connectivity between these areas and reduce reliance on road travel.
Major Interchange Stations
The Blue Line will connect with Dubai’s existing metro network through several interchange points:
| Interchange | Connects With |
| Centrepoint Station | Red Line |
| Creek Station | Green Line |
| Dubai International City Station 1 | Blue Line |
| Dubai Creek Harbour Station | Blue Line |
Notable Features
Among the main elements of the Blue Line, there are:
- World’s Highest Underground Metro Station: The Blue Line will have the world’s highest underground metro station.
- Massive Underground Transfer Station: The Blue Line is going to have a massive underground transfer station that will be able to serve about 350 thousand passengers daily.
- Reduction in Traffic: It is estimated that the Blue Line will maintain a significant reduction of road congestion of around 20 percent.
- High Capacity: The Blue Line will be able to transport about a million passengers daily.
Overall, the Blue Line is going to play a significant role in connecting eastern and central parts of Dubai and expanding its urban transportation system.
Dubai Metro Gold Line Project
It is said that the Dubai Metro Gold Line currently being constructed is the first underground train system in Dubai.
This was confirmed on April 22, 2026, by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Gold Line at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Status | Planned |
| Announced | April 22, 2026 |
| Expected Opening | September 9, 2032 |
| Route Length | Approximately 42 km |
| Type | Fully underground |
| Areas Served | At least 15 key areas |
| Expected Reach | Approximately 1.5 million residents |
| Underground Depth | Up to 40 metres |
Major Areas Connected
The Gold Line is expected to improve connectivity between several important residential, commercial, and urban centres, including:
- Business Bay
- Bur Dubai
- Other major hubs across Dubai
It is also expected to strengthen public transport connections to 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
Key Features
The Gold Line is planned to support Dubai’s long-term urban development by:
- Improving connectivity between major residential and commercial areas
- Supporting the city’s growing population
- Reducing reliance on road transport
- Helping ease traffic congestion
- Connecting major real estate developments to the metro network
- Supporting more sustainable urban mobility
Underground Network
In contrast with the already established metro lines in Dubai, the Gold Line is planned to be an entirely underground route, going as deep as 40 metres underground in certain spots.
Scheduled to open on September 9, 2032, the Gold Line will be a part of Dubai’s plans to develop its public transportation network and keep pace with the city’s urban as well as economic growth.
Dubai Metro Stations
If you need a way to travel hassle-free in Dubai, whether as a resident who wants to go from home to work or even a tourist who wants to explore the city, the metro proves to be a good option as metro lines connect the most important areas of the city.
To assist you in getting around and knowing which line to take, we provide you with a list of metro stations for both those in operation: the Green metro line and the Red metro 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 the National Paints station.
The numbers preceding the station names denote their station codes.
- R11 – Centrepoint
- R12 – Emirates
- R13 – Airport Terminal 3
- R14 – Airport Terminal 1
- R15 – Al Garhoud
- 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 – InsuranceMarket
- R34 – Dubai Internet City
- R35 – Al Fardan Exchange
- R36 – Sobha Realty
- R37 – DMCC
- R38 – National Paints
- R39 – Ibn Battuta
- R40 – Energy
- R41 – Danube
- R42 – Life Pharmacy
- 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 station names denote their station codes.
- 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 is operative for a long period of time.
The metro and service are available every day.
The frequency of trains in the Dubai Metro system is adhered to.
The period of trains can be changed from 2-3 minutes at peak hours to around 5-7 minutes at non-peak hours.
Below is an overview of the timings of each line of the Dubai Metro.
| Day | First Train | Last Train |
| Monday to Thursday | 05:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) |
| Friday | 05:00 AM | 01:00 AM (Next day) |
| Saturday | 05:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) |
| Sunday | 08:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) |
Please note that the first and last train times may vary by station, and metro station operating hours may change on public holidays and during special events.
Dubai Metro Fares
The fare you are charged for traveling on the Dubai Metro is determined by the number of zones you will pass through and by the ticket you select or the type of Nol Card you own.
The metro system consists of seven fare zones, with each zone representing geographies in various parts of the city.
Dubai Metro Fare Structure
| Number of Zones | Single Journey Fare |
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 |
Fares may vary depending on the type of Nol Card or ticket used.
What Determines Your Fare?
Your Dubai Metro fare depends on three main factors:
- Number of zones: Your fare increases as you travel across more zones.
- Ticket type: Different tickets and Nol Card options have different fare structures.
- Journey type: Your total fare depends on the zones covered during your trip.
Why Use a Nol Card?
If you use the metro regularly, buying tickets each time may be annoying.
Thanks to a Nol Card, you can simply swipe it each time you wish to travel.
Dubai has also made it easy for tourists and residents to travel since it offers various types of Nol Cards and tickets.
Let’s go on and see what kinds of tickets and Nol Cards are available in Dubai and how they work.
Dubai Metro Tickets
The Dubai Metro offers various ticket and travel pass options, since it caters to all types of passengers.
Depending on whether you want single-journey tickets, travel around for the day or take trips frequently, you can choose the appropriate travel option.
| Ticket Type | Best For | Validity / Use | Key Details |
| Single Journey Ticket | Occasional travellers | One journey | Fare depends on the number of zones; available in Silver and Gold Class |
| Day Pass | Tourists and frequent travellers | 1, 7, 30 or 90 days | Unlimited travel; available in Silver and Gold Class |
| Special Tickets | Children, seniors and People of Determination | Varies | Discounted or free travel depending on eligibility |
| Nol Card | Regular commuters | Rechargeable | Can be used for multiple journeys without buying a new ticket each time |
1. Single Journey Ticket
A Single Journey Ticket is suitable if you only need to make an occasional metro trip.
- Use: One journey
- Fare: Based on the number of zones travelled
- Classes: Silver and Gold
- Where to buy: Ticket vending machines at Dubai Metro stations
2. Day Passes
Day passes are designed for passengers who plan to make multiple journeys.
They can be particularly useful when exploring different parts of Dubai in a short period.
Available validity periods:
- 1 day
- 7 days
- 30 days
- 90 days
Key details:
- Unlimited travel during the selected validity period
- Available in Silver and Gold Class
- Can be purchased from customer service centres and ticket vending machines
- Prices start from AED 20
3. Special Tickets
Dubai Metro also offers special fare options for certain passenger groups.
| Passenger Category | Ticket Benefit |
| People of Determination | Free rides for eligible passengers |
| Children aged 5–12 | Discounted single-journey fares |
| Senior citizens aged 60+ | Discounted single-journey fares |
These options allow eligible passengers to travel at reduced or no cost, subject to the applicable requirements.
4. Nol Card
A Nol Card is a rechargeable prepaid card that allows passengers to pay for multiple journeys without purchasing a new ticket each time.
It is particularly convenient for regular commuters.
Key details:
- Rechargeable prepaid card
- Suitable for multiple journeys
- Available in Silver and Gold
- Can be topped up at metro stations
- Minimum top-up at ticket offices: AED 50
- Lower top-up amounts may be available at ticket vending machines
Which ticket should you choose?
One-way tickets can only be used for individual trips.
If you wish to make multiple journeys while exploring the city, it would be better to buy a day pass instead.
However, if you are traveling often, you might want to consider getting a NOL card so you don’t have to buy tickets for each ride.
Dubai Metro App
Dubai’s transport apps make it easier to plan your journey, check live metro information, manage your Nol Card, and stay informed about service changes.
The RTA offers several smart apps, each designed for a different part of the travel experience.
Which Dubai Metro App Should You Use?
| App | What It’s For | Key Features |
| S’hail | Planning your journey | Route planning, metro timings, public transport navigation, multimodal transport options |
| Nol Pay | Managing your Nol Card | Recharge your card, check your balance, and make digital payments |
| RTA Smart Apps | Accessing RTA services | Browse and download RTA’s range of transport and mobility apps |
S’hail App
The S’hail app comes in handy when you need to determine the right way to travel from one location to another.
Users can plan their own routes and explore the city’s transport links.
You can use it to:
- Plan metro and public transport routes
- Check real-time transport information
- Explore multimodal travel options
- Get information to help plan your journey
Nol Pay App
The Nol Pay app focuses on Nol Card management and digital payments.
You can use it to:
- Recharge your Nol Card
- Check your card balance
- Make digital payments
- Manage your Nol Card digitally
RTA Smart Apps
The RTA Smart Apps page offers a number of official RTA applications and digital services.
These applications are intended to streamline travel in Dubai and reduce the demand for physical ticket offices and information desks.
Real-Time Updates and Service Alerts
RTA’s digital services can also help passengers stay informed during their journey. Depending on the service or app being used, passengers can access information such as:
- Train and public transport timings
- Route information
- Fare estimates
- Service delays
- Route changes
- Digital payment options
Where Can You Download the Apps?
You can find the available official RTA transport apps through the RTA Smart Apps page:
Quick tip: If you mainly need help planning a route, start with S’hail. If you want to manage your Nol Card, Nol Pay is the more relevant option.
Tips for Using the Dubai Metro
- Avoid peak times: Train station crowding occurs most Monday to Friday during peak commuting hours.
- Check your Nol Card’s balance: Make sure you top up the Nol Card ahead of your travel to avoid any unnecessary delays.
- Consider using S’hail: Make sure to check your travel route and travel times before heading out.
- Follow cabin protocol: Always confirm you have boarded the right section whether Gold Class, women and children, or Persons of Determination.
- Verify timings: Checking the schedules prior to travel is especially important at Holiday travel times.
- Check for parking subscriptions: If you drive regularly to the metro station, look into getting a subscription.
The Bottom Line
The Dubai Metro is an automated system that is driver-free and is highly effective in terms of conveying people from one location to another in the city.
It has become an important part of the city’s modern-day infrastructure since its inception in 2009.
It is the choice of the masses for cheap travel with easy accessibility.
It is known for its high efficiency, cleanliness, and modern technology.
There are no comparisons with its role in controlling the traffic issues with its efficient means of public transport that can be relied on by people in Dubai.
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