Dubai Metro opened in September 2009, connecting the city from Jebel Ali in the south right through to the northern end of the emirate to Rashidiya, near Dubai International Airport. In this guide, you will find Dubai Metro timings, prices, fares, stations, rules and fines.
Dubai Metro is a 74.6 km mass rapid transit system with 47 stations and 2 lines: Red and Green.
And now a Blue line is in the offing, which will see the introduction of 14 stations including three interchange stations. It will stretch over a total of 30km, with 15.5 km running underground and 14.5 km above ground. It’s expected to begin operations in 2029.
All Dubai Metro cabins, across the entire network, offer free wi-fi, and trips are paid for using Nol cards (like Oyster cards in London, or MetroCards in New York), which hold a balance and can be topped up at kiosks or machines inside Metro stations.
Jump to:
• Dubai Metro timings
• Dubai Metro fares
• Dubai Metro Nol cards
• Dubai Metro stations
• Dubai Metro rules
• Dubai Metro fines
Dubai Metro timings (all lines)
Monday to Thursday: 5am – midnight
Friday: 5am – 1am (Next day)
Saturday: 5am – midnight
Sunday: 8am – midnight
The average shortest wait for a Dubai Metro train is around three minutes and 45 seconds during peak (rush-hour) times, while the longest wait during off-peak times is around seven minutes.
Timings are subject to change during public holidays and celebrations, such as Eid and New Year’s Eve, when Dubai Metro services typically run longer hours to accommodate increased volumes of passengers.
Dubai Metro fares
Dubai is divided into seven public transport zones. Each contacts Dubai Metro stations, bus stations, Tram stations and Water bus stations. You can complete your journey using different modes of transport – you will be charged only for the total number of zones you have passed.
However, if travelling using two different modes of transport, you must check in on your second mode of transport within 30 minutes, in order to be charged for a single trip.
A maximum of three transfers are allowed for a trip to be considered a single journey.
Dubai Metro fares vary by type of Nol card, as follows:
Within 1 Zone
Silver: Dhs3
Gold: Dhs6
Personal: Dhs3
Red: Dhs4
Within 2 adjacent Zones
Silver: Dhs5
Gold: Dhs10
Personal: Dhs5
Red: Dhs6
More than 2 Zones
Silver: Dhs7.5
Gold: Dhs15
Personal: Dhs7.5
Red: Dhs8.5
Students, Social Affairs and Senior Citizens and Residents get 50 percent off journeys with their Personal Card, while people of determination and children are eligible to use public transport free. Students, Social Affairs and Senior Citizens and Residents, and people of determination, must have a Nol Personal Card for discounted or free travel.
Dubai Metro nol cards
Gold Card
Price: Dhs25, including Dhs19 balance
Validity: Five years
Top-up limit: Dhs1,000 (anonymous); Dhs5,000 (registered)
Benefits: Access to Gold Class seats on Dubai Metro
Valid for use on: All public transport
Silver Card
Price: Dhs25, including Dhs19 balance
Validity: Five years
Top-up limit: Dhs1,000 (anonymous); Dhs5,000 (registered)
Benefits: None
Valid for use on: All public transport
Personal Card
Price: Dhs70, including Dhs20 balance
Validity: Five years
Top-up limit: Dhs5,000
Benefits: Recover your balance if your card gets lost or stolen, secure online services for credit top-up
Valid for use on: All public transport
Red Card
Price: Dhs2
Validity: 90 days
Top-up limit: Rechargeable use for maximum of ten journeys or five daily passes
Benefits: None
Valid for use on: Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and bus services
Student Card
Price: Dhs70, including Dhs20 balance
Validity: 1 year
Top-up limit: Dhs5,000
Benefits: 50 percent off on Dubai bus, Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro services.
Valid for use on: Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and bus services
Dubai Metro stations
Dubai Metro stations are split across two lines – the Green Line, and the Red Line, with overground and underground routes. All stations have lift access at all levels.
It is important to note that station names do not always reflect the geographical location of the station. Many stations are sponsored by brands, and as such named after them, for example, property developer DAMAC has a station named after it – this station is actually located in Dubai Marina.
Our guide below tells you which stations are located in which areas of the city.
Dubai Metro Green Line
Dubai Metro’s Green Line services the northern end of Dubai, and runs from Etisalat Metro Station in Al Qusais to Creek Metro Station, through Deira and Bur Dubai neighbourhoods.
Green Line stations are:
Al Qusais Area
• etisalat by e& (Zone 5)
• Al Qusais (Zone 5)
• Dubai Airport Free Zone (Zone 5)
• Al Nahda (Zone 5)
• Stadium (Zone 5)
Al Twar Area
• Al Qiyadah (Zone 5)
Deira Area
• Abu Hail (Zone 5)
• Abu Baker Al Siddique (Zone 5)
• Salah Al Din (Zone 5)
• Union (Zone 5) (Red Line connection)
• Baniyas Square (Zone 5)
• Gold Souq (Zone 5)
• Al Ras (Zone 5)
Bur Dubai Area
• Al Ghubaiba (Zone 6)
• Sharaf DG (Zone 6)
• BurJuman (Zone 6) (Red Line connection)
Oud Metha Area
• Oud Metha (Zone 6)
• Dubai Healthcare City (Zone 6)
Al Jaddaf Area
• Al Jaddaf (Zone 6)
• Creek (Zone 6)
Dubai Metro Red Line
Dubai Metro’s Red Line runs between the UAE Exchange station in Jebel Ali at the southern end of the city, through to Rashidiya, near Dubai International Airport, passing all the way along Sheikh Zayed Road.
Red Line stations are, from north to south:
Rashidiya Area
• Rashidiya (Zone 5)
Garhoud and Airport area
• Emirates
• Airport Terminal 3 (Zone 5)
• Airport Terminal 1 (Zone 5)
• GGICO (Zone 5)
Deira Area
• Deira City Centre (Zone 5)
• Al Rigga
• Union (Zone 5) (Red Line connection)
Bur Dubai Area
• BurJuman (Zone 6) (Red Line connection)
Karama Area
• ADCB (Zone 6)
Jafiliya / Satwa Area
• max (Zone 6)
Trade Centre Area
• World Trade Centre (Zone 6)
• Emirates Towers (Zone 6)
DIFC Area
• Financial Centre (Zone 6)
Downtown Dubai Area
• Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall (Zone 6)
Business Bay Area
• Business Bay (Zone 6)
Al Quoz Area
• Onpassive (Zone 2)
• Equiti (Zone 2)
Al Barsha Area
• Mall of the Emirates (Zone 2)
• Mashreq (Zone 2)
Barsha Heights, Dubai Internet and Media City Area
• Dubai Internet City (Zone 2)
• Al Khail (Zone 2)
Dubai Marina and JLT Area
• Sobha Realty (Zone 2)
• DMCC (Zone 2)
Jebel Ali Area
• Jabal Ali (Zone 2)
• Ibn Battuta (Zone 2)
• Energy (Zone 2)
• Danube (Zone 1)
• UAE Exchange (Zone 1)
Expo 2020 route
• Jabal Ali
• The Gardens
• Discovery Gardens
• Al Furjan
• Jumeriah Golf Estates
• Dubai Investment Park
• Expo 2020
Dubai Metro rules
Can I take a suitcase with me?
Two suitcases are permitted per passenger. One large suitcase (no more than 81cm x 58cm x 30cm) and one small suitcase (no more than 55cm x 38cm x 20cm). All suitcases must be stowed in the dedicated luggage area in each cabin.
Can I bring an e-scooter with me?
No. Dubai Metro has banned e-scooters, effective Friday March 1.
Are kids allowed to ride alone in the Dubai Metro?
Children who are below eight need to be accompanied by adults. Those who are between 8 and 11 years old need a letter from their parents stating that they are allowed to travel alone on the Metro. Those who are over 12 can travel on public transportation alone.
What are the public transport fines in Dubai?
Dhs100 fines are applied for:
• Putting feet on seats
• Eating or drinking in areas where not permitted
• Bringing animals into public transport facilities, except guide dogs for the visually impaired
• Accessing or sitting in areas designated for specific categories (e.g. ladies-only areas)
• Entering restricted areas inside public transport services
• Standing or sitting in non-passenger areas
• Disturbing or inconveniencing other passengers
• Misusing lifts or escalators
• Boarding transport facilities by climbing or jumping
• Opening doors or attempting to access / leave public transport while it is moving between stations and stops
• Carrying or using materials or equipment that may cause inconvenience to, or endanger, other passengers
Dhs100 per day and up to Dhs1,000
• Parking vehicles in areas designated for Metro users for a period exceeding the permitted time
Dhs200 fines are applied for:
• Spitting, littering or any act that compromises the cleanliness of public transport facilities
• Smoking inside public transport facilities
• Using public transport services without paying the applicable fare
• Failure to present a valid Nol card on request
• Using a card designated for others
• Using an expired card
• Using an invalid card
• Selling Nol cards without permission from the RTA
• Selling or promoting goods and commodities inside public transport facilities
• Failure to comply with instructions from inspectors or authorised personnel, or obstructing their duties
• Using public transport services contrary to instructions posted on signboards
Dhs300 fines are applied for:
• Sleeping in passenger shelters or any place where sleeping is prohibited
Dhs500 fines are applied for:
• Using counterfeit cards
• Carrying alcoholic beverages inside public transport facilities
Dhs1,000 fines are applied for:
• Carrying hazardous items, including weapons, sharp tools or inflammable materials, inside public transport facilities
Dhs2,000 fines are applied for:
• Damaging, vandalising or destroying equipment or seats on public transport facilities
• Using any security, safety device or tool, including emergency exits, when not neccesary
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