The Dubai Metro is one of the easiest, cheapest and most comfortable ways to get around the city. The driverless trains are spotless, air-conditioned (a lifesaver in summer) and run every few minutes, linking the airport with Old Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina. For a visitor, a single trip usually costs less than the start fare of a taxi.
This guide explains everything you need to use the Dubai Metro in 2026: the map and lines, the most useful stations for tourists, metro timings, ticket prices and Nol cards, rules and fines, luggage limits, the women-and-children cabins, Gold Class and the new Blue Line. Information comes from the RTA (Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority) and recent guides such as Property Finder (October 2026) and Trvlogue.
Dubai Metro map: the lines explained
| Line | Length & stations | Route | Useful for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line | about 67 km, 35 stations | Centrepoint – Airport T1 & T3 – Deira – Union – BurJuman – Downtown – Business Bay – Mall of the Emirates – Dubai Marina – Jabal Ali / Expo 2020 | Airport, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Marina & JBR |
| Green Line | 22.5 km, 20 stations | Etisalat by e& – Deira – Union – Al Ras – Gold Souq – BurJuman – Healthcare City – Creek | Gold and Spice Souks, Old Dubai, Dubai Creek |
| Blue Line (under construction) | 30 km, 14 stations | Interchanges at Creek (Green Line), Centrepoint (Red Line) and International City | Due to open in 2029 |
Sources: Property Finder for line lengths and station counts; RTA for the Blue Line. Some stations have been renamed after sponsors over the years, so the name on older maps may differ — always check the latest map in the RTA app or Google Maps.
Where the lines meet: you can change between the Red and Green Lines at Union and BurJuman. At DMCC and Sobha Realty (Dubai Marina area), the Red Line connects with the Dubai Tram to JBR and the Palm Monorail area. The official Dubai Metro map is on the RTA website and in the RTA app.
Best Dubai Metro stations for tourists
| Station | Line | For |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Terminal 1 / Terminal 3 | Red | Dubai International Airport (DXB) |
| Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall | Red | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain (10–15 min covered walkway) |
| Business Bay | Red | Business Bay hotels, Dubai Water Canal |
| Mall of the Emirates | Red | Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai, Al Barsha |
| Dubai Internet City | Red | Media City / Internet City, quick taxi to the Palm |
| DMCC / Sobha Realty | Red | Dubai Marina, JBR (via the tram) |
| Expo 2020 | Red (Route 2020) | Expo City Dubai |
| BurJuman / Union | Red + Green | Changing lines, Bur Dubai, Deira |
| Al Ras / Gold Souq | Green | Spice Souk and Gold Souk (source) |
| Al Ghubaiba | Green | Bur Dubai abra station, Al Fahidi area |
Planning your sightseeing? Our Dubai itinerary shows which stations to use each day, and our guide to where to stay in Dubai lists the nearest station for each area.
Dubai Metro timings 2026
| Day | Red & Green Line hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 5:00 am – midnight |
| Friday | 5:00 am – 1:00 am (next day) |
| Saturday | 5:00 am – midnight |
| Sunday | 8:00 am – midnight |
Source: Property Finder, updated October 2026. Trains run about every 2–3 minutes at peak times and every 5–7 minutes off-peak. Hours often change during Ramadan, on public holidays and for big events like New Year’s Eve — check the RTA app on the day.
Dubai Metro fares and ticket prices
Dubai Metro fares are based on how many zones you cross, not distance (source):
| Zones travelled | Silver Nol card | Red ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 | AED 4 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 | AED 6 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 | AED 8.50 |
Example: Airport to the Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall crosses two adjacent zones (Zone 5 to Zone 6) — AED 5 with a Silver card or AED 6 with a Red ticket. Gold Class costs about twice the standard fare.
Nol cards: which one should you buy?
You need a Nol card or ticket to ride the metro, tram, buses and water buses. Buy and top them up at ticket offices and machines in every station.
- Red ticket (AED 2): a paper ticket for single trips, rechargeable for up to 10 journeys. Good for 1–2 days (source).
- Silver card (AED 25, including AED 19 credit): the best choice for most visitors — cheaper fares, reusable for years.
- Gold card: lets you ride in the Gold Class cabin.
Tip: keep a minimum balance on your card, and always tap in and tap out at the gates.
Gold Class and the women-and-children cabin
Every train has three types of cabin (RTA):
- Gold Class — the front cabin, with wide leather seats and panoramic views. Quieter at rush hour and useful with luggage.
- Women and Children — reserved for women and children only. Men who use it can be fined.
- Silver (standard) — the rest of the train.
Dubai Metro rules and fines
Dubai takes metro rules seriously, and fines start at AED 100 and can reach AED 2,000 (RTA):
- No eating or drinking on trains and inside the paid areas of stations (including water and chewing gum).
- No smoking — a fine of AED 200.
- Always have a valid card — fare evasion or an invalid card is fined AED 200.
- Respect the women-and-children cabins and the Gold Class cabin if you have a Silver card.
- Don’t sleep across seats or put your feet up.
- Children under 8 must travel with an adult.
Luggage on the Dubai Metro
Each passenger may bring two suitcases: one large (up to 81 × 58 × 30 cm) and one small (up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm), stowed in the luggage area of the cabin (RTA). Only foldable bikes are allowed. With more luggage, or at rush hour (about 7–9:30 am and 5–8 pm), a taxi from the airport is easier — see Dubai Airport to the city.
How to use the Dubai Metro, step by step
- Buy a Nol card at a ticket office or machine (cash or card).
- Tap in at the gate — the gate shows your balance.
- Find your platform using the line colour and the final station of the direction you want.
- Stand behind the yellow line and let passengers out first.
- Tap out at your destination; the correct fare is deducted.
Dubai Metro tips for visitors
- Stations are far apart and walks from the station can be long in the heat. If your hotel is more than 10 minutes from a station, combine the metro with a taxi or Careem (source).
- Avoid rush hour with luggage — trains are packed with commuters.
- Use the tram to reach JBR and the Marina from DMCC or Sobha Realty stations.
- Sundays start later (8 am) — plan early airport trips accordingly.
- The views are great: the Red Line runs elevated along Sheikh Zayed Road, past the Burj Khalifa and the skyline — a free sightseeing ride.
Dubai Metro vs taxi: which is better?
| Metro | Taxi / Careem | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AED 3–8.50 per trip | AED 25 airport start fare; city trips often AED 20–80 |
| Speed at rush hour | Fast and reliable | Can be slow in traffic |
| Comfort with luggage | Limited to two bags | Door to door |
| Reaches the Palm and beaches | Not directly | Yes |
Taxi figures from Andreon Digital and Trvlogue; city fares are typical ranges. For most visitors, the best plan is metro by day and taxis in the evening or to the Palm and beaches.
More Dubai guides
- Dubai Airport to the city: metro, taxi and transfers
- Dubai itinerary: 3, 4 and 5 days
- Best time to visit Dubai
- Desert safari Dubai
- Dubai travel guide
Still planning? Find a hotel near a metro station and get travel insurance.
FAQ: Dubai Metro
What are the Dubai Metro timings?
Monday to Thursday and Saturday 5 am–midnight, Friday 5 am–1 am, and Sunday 8 am–midnight (2026). Hours can change during Ramadan and holidays.
How much is the Dubai Metro?
AED 3, 5 or 7.50 with a Silver Nol card, or AED 4, 6 or 8.50 with a Red ticket, depending on the number of zones.
How many metro lines are there in Dubai?
Two: the Red Line (35 stations) and the Green Line (20 stations). A third, the Blue Line, is under construction and due in 2029.
Does the Dubai Metro go to the airport?
Yes, the Red Line stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 has no metro station.
Which metro station is closest to the Burj Khalifa?
Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall station on the Red Line, connected to the Dubai Mall by a covered walkway.
Can I use a credit card on the Dubai Metro?
Buy a Nol card or Red ticket at the station — machines and ticket offices accept cash and cards.
Can you eat or drink on the Dubai Metro?
No. Eating and drinking are not allowed in trains and paid areas, and fines start at AED 100.
Is the Dubai Metro safe?
Very. It’s clean, monitored and has women-and-children cabins on every train.
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