The Dubai Metro is one of the world’s longest fully automated urban rail networks and the most practical way to move across Dubai without a car. Two lines cover the major tourist, business, and residential areas of the city. Understanding the network before you arrive saves time, avoids taxi queues, and cuts transport costs significantly.
The Two Lines: Red and Green
Red Line is the main artery and the one most visitors use. It runs 52.1 km from Rashidiya in the east (near Dubai International Airport) to UAE Exchange station in the west (near Dubai Investment Park). Key stops include both airport terminals, Union station (Deira), Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina, and JBR. The line runs elevated for most of its length, giving good views of Sheikh Zayed Road and the city skyline.
Green Line runs 22.5 km from Creek station in the south through Deira and across to Al Qusais in the northeast. It serves the older residential and commercial areas of the city — Deira’s gold and spice souk area (Al Ras station), Dubai Healthcare City, Al Qiyadah, and the Stadium. The Green Line intersects the Red Line at two interchange stations: Union and BurJuman.
Together the two lines cover most of central Dubai. However, areas like Jumeirah (the beach strip), Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Sports City are not well-served by Metro — for these you need a bus, taxi, or ride-hailing app.
Key Stations to Know
Rashidiya: Eastern terminus of the Red Line. Not commonly used by tourists but serves as the starting point if you are arriving from Dubai International Airport’s more remote satellite areas.
Dubai Airport Terminal 3: Direct access to Emirates Airlines’ terminal. One of the busiest Metro stations in the network. Trains from here to Downtown run every 3-7 minutes during peak hours.
Dubai Airport Terminal 1: One stop west from T3. Serves international carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and most non-Emirates airlines.
Union: The main interchange between the Red and Green lines. Located in central Deira, a short walk from the Deira souks. Also served by buses and water buses along Dubai Creek.
BurJuman: The second interchange point. Located in Bur Dubai, adjacent to BurJuman Mall. Good access to the Al Fahidi historic neighbourhood and the Dubai Frame area.
Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall: The station serving Downtown Dubai, with exits to Dubai Mall (the world’s largest by retail area), the Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Fountain. The walk from the station to the mall entrance is approximately 10-12 minutes via an air-conditioned covered walkway — follow the signs carefully. This is one of the network’s busiest stations on weekends and evenings.
Business Bay: One stop from Downtown. Serves the Business Bay area and Canal district, and is within walking distance of several upmarket hotels.
Dubai Marina / DMCC: The station serving Dubai Marina. Note: this is a 10-15 minute walk from the main marina waterfront. The Marina Tram (which connects to Dubai Metro here) runs to JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), JBR 1, and Sobha Realty station, covering the full marina strip.
UAE Exchange: Western terminus of the Red Line. Serves as the last stop before the Expo City area (accessible by changing to the Route 2020 extension).
Expo 2020 (Route 2020 extension): The Route 2020 extension branches from Jabal Ali station on the Red Line south to UAE Exchange and onward to Expo City Dubai. Useful for those visiting Expo City for concerts, exhibitions, or the permanent facilities there.
The Tram: Marina Connection
The Dubai Tram (Al Sufouh Tram) runs 10.6 km along Al Sufouh Road and JBR, connecting Dubai Marina Metro station (DMCC) to Palm Jumeirah Monorail Gateway and Jumeirah Lakes Towers. The Nol card works on the tram as well as the Metro. The tram is the easiest way to reach the beach at JBR without a taxi.
Nol Card Types
Red Nol Card (AED 2 + balance): Standard single-use contactless card for occasional travel. Buy from vending machines at any Metro station. Top up at machines, Union Co-op stores, and some Carrefour outlets. This is the correct card for most visitors. Maximum balance AED 1,000.
Silver Nol Card (AED 25 including balance): Reloadable card that also provides access to the Gold Class carriage on the Metro and premium areas on the water bus. Suitable for longer-stay visitors or those who expect to use the Metro daily. The AED 25 purchase price includes AED 19 of travel credit.
Gold Nol Card (AED 25): Provides access to Gold Class on all modes. No special priority over Silver except the Gold Class carriage option. Available at Metro customer service offices, not vending machines.
Blue Nol Card (concession card): For UAE residents with disabilities, elderly passengers, and students. Not applicable to tourists.
Important: Nol cards are not refundable on exit. Use up your remaining balance before leaving Dubai, or top up exactly what you need for your remaining journeys.
Fare Structure and Zones
Dubai Metro uses a two-zone fare structure:
Zone 1 (standard journeys): Most intra-city journeys fall within Zone 1. Fare: AED 3.00 per journey with a Nol card.
Zone 2 (longer journeys, including airport): Journeys that cross zone boundaries or are longer distance. Fare: AED 5.00 or AED 8.50 depending on the journey and starting point.
Airport surcharge: Journeys starting or ending at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 attract an additional surcharge of approximately AED 3.00, making the fare from the airport to central Dubai approximately AED 8.50-11.50 with a Nol card.
Paper tickets (single-journey): Available from vending machines but more expensive than Nol card fares. A single-journey paper ticket from the airport to Downtown costs AED 20 or more. Not recommended if you plan to take more than two Metro journeys.
Daily cap: There is no daily cap on Nol card spending. If you plan to make many journeys in a single day, taxis may be more cost-effective for distances beyond the Metro’s reach.
Gold Class surcharge: Travelling in the Gold Class carriage with a Red Nol card costs an additional zone-based charge on top of the standard fare. Travelling with a Silver or Gold card provides Gold Class access as part of the card.
Operating Hours
Sunday to Wednesday and Saturday: 05:30 to midnight
Thursday and Friday (UAE weekend): 05:30 to 01:00
Trains run every 3-7 minutes during peak hours (07:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00) and every 7-10 minutes during off-peak. On weekends and evenings, train frequency reduces further on the Green Line. The Red Line maintains more consistent frequency throughout.
Public holidays: The Metro typically extends hours on major public holidays, particularly UAE National Day (2-3 December) and New Year’s Eve. Check the RTA app or website for confirmed schedules on specific holiday dates.
Gold Class and Ladies’ Carriages
Every Dubai Metro train has specific carriages with restricted access:
Gold Class carriage: The first carriage at the front of the train. Open to passengers travelling with a Silver or Gold Nol card, or those who pay the zone-based Gold Class surcharge. Seats are wider, the carriage is less crowded, and it is slightly quieter.
Ladies and Children carriage: The last carriage at the rear of the train. Reserved for women and children under 10. Men are not permitted in this carriage. Signs and pink markings indicate the carriage doors on the platform. Non-compliance results in a fine of AED 200 as of 2026.
Getting to the Palm Jumeirah
The Dubai Metro does not reach the Palm Jumeirah directly. The Palm Monorail connects from the Palm Gateway station (accessible via the Dubai Tram from DMCC station) to the Atlantis Aquaventure area. The monorail accepts Nol cards. Journey time from DMCC Metro to Atlantis via tram and monorail is approximately 30-40 minutes.
Alternatively, a taxi from DMCC Metro to the Palm takes approximately 15-20 minutes in off-peak traffic and costs AED 25-35 to the main Palm trunk area.
Using the Metro: Practical Tips
Download the RTA Dubai app before your trip. It includes a journey planner, station maps, real-time arrivals, and Nol card balance checking. Available on iOS and Android.
Tap in and tap out: Your Nol card must be tapped at both entry and exit gates. Failing to tap out will result in the system charging the maximum single-journey fare.
Carry your card charged: The minimum balance required to enter a Metro station is AED 3.00 (or the cost of the minimum fare). If your balance is too low, you will be rejected at the gate. Top up at the machine before entering.
Avoid peak hours if you can: The Metro is particularly crowded Monday to Thursday between 07:30 and 09:30 and between 17:30 and 20:00. If your schedule is flexible, travelling just outside these windows makes the experience significantly more comfortable.
Etiquette: Eating and drinking on the Metro is prohibited and carries a fine. Seats near doors are designated priority seats for the elderly and pregnant — it is expected (though not enforced with fines) that passengers vacate these when needed.
For transport beyond the Metro, see our Dubai water transport guide and renting a car in the UAE.