Dubai Metro Map 2026: Routes, Stations, Timings, Fares & Nol Card Guide

The Dubai Metro map covers 55 stations across two operating lines, the Red Line and the Green Line, plus the Route 2020 branch to Expo City. This guide brings together the current Dubai Metro map, a full Dubai Metro stations list, Dubai Metro timings for every day of the week, Dubai Metro fares by zone, and the Nol card you need to ride. It's built for tourists landing at Dubai International Airport, residents planning a daily commute, and anyone working out how to reach Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina, or the Gold Souk by train. Because station names, fares, and timings on the Dubai Metro do change from time to time, every figure below is checked against the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and dated so you know exactly how current it is. Below the map you'll find complete Red Line and Green Line station tables, a Route 2020 breakdown, an interchange guide, a first-and-last-train explainer, a fare calculator section, a full Nol card comparison, airport-to-attraction routes, Metro rules and fines, and 15 quick-answer FAQs.

Planning your trip to Dubai? Check whether your passport requires a pre-arranged UAE visa before you book your airport transfer — see our Dubai visitor visa guide for current entry requirements.

Quick Facts: Dubai Metro at a Glance

• Operator: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), operated day-to-day by the Keolis MHI consortium
• Lines in service: Red Line and Green Line (Route 2020 is a branch of the Red Line, not a separate line)
• Network size: 89.6 km of track, 55 stations in total — 35 on the Red Line (including the 7-station Route 2020 branch) and 20 on the Green Line
• Red Line: Centrepoint (Rashidiya) to Life Pharmacy, with the Route 2020 branch running from the Jebel Ali junction to Expo City
• Green Line: Etisalat (Al Qusais) to Creek (Al Jaddaf)
• Interchange stations: Union and BurJuman connect the Red and Green Lines; Jebel Ali connects the Red Line's main branch with Route 2020
• Airport stations: Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3 sit directly on the Red Line; Terminal 2 has no metro station
• Normal operating hours: 5:00 am–midnight (Mon–Thu and Sat), 5:00 am–1:00 am (Fri), 8:00 am–midnight (Sun) — extended on some public holidays
• Fares: Zone-based, from AED 3 (Silver card, 1 zone) up to AED 7.50 (3+ zones); daily fare cap AED 14 (Silver/Blue), AED 20 (Gold)
• Payment: Nol card required for every journey — no cash accepted at gates
• Upcoming: Blue Line under construction, targeted for 2029, adding 14 stations and 30 km

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Dubai Metro Map

The map below is the starting point for planning any Metro journey in Dubai. It shows the Red Line running roughly parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road from Rashidiya in the northeast down to Jebel Ali in the southwest, the Route 2020 branch peeling off toward Expo City, and the Green Line looping through Deira and Bur Dubai on the other side of Dubai Creek. Interchange stations, airport stations, and Dubai Tram connection points are marked separately from ordinary stops so you can see at a glance where a change of train is needed.

Because this map is built from verified, current RTA station data rather than copied from a third-party source, it can be safely embedded, zoomed, and printed. On mobile, the map is designed to be legible at typical phone screen widths, with high-contrast line colours and station labels that meet accessibility contrast standards. A text description of every station, in list form, appears beneath the map for anyone using a screen reader or a slow connection — nothing on this page is locked behind JavaScript alone.

Tap or click any station on the interactive map to see its name, station code, line, the previous and next stops, any interchange or Dubai Tram connection, nearby landmarks, and a link to step-by-step directions. A "Download Map" button and a "Print Map" button sit above the map for anyone who wants an offline copy before heading out. The map carries a visible "map last verified" date, which is updated only when the underlying station data has actually been checked against RTA sources — not on a fixed schedule.

Download Dubai Metro Map PDF

For travellers who want a Dubai Metro map PDF to save on their phone or print before a trip, this page offers:

• Full Dubai Metro map (PDF): every Red Line and Green Line station, Route 2020, and interchange points on one page
• Mobile-friendly map image: a simplified version sized for reading on a phone screen without zooming
• Printable A4 version: designed for hotel front desks, tour operators, and printed itineraries
• Red Line only map: for travellers focused on Downtown Dubai, the airport, and Dubai Marina
• Green Line only map: for trips into Deira, Bur Dubai, and the Gold Souk area
• Tourist attraction map: the same network overlaid with icons for Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future, and other major sights
• Airport Metro route map: a simplified diagram just for the DXB-to-city connection

dubai-metro-map-2026.pdf is rebuilt from current station data each time a name, line, or fare zone changes, and it carries a version date in the footer of the document itself. If you've downloaded a copy before, it's worth checking that footer date against the "map last verified" date above before relying on it for a same-day trip, since Dubai Metro station names are updated by RTA more often than most transit systems, largely due to corporate naming-rights sponsorships.

Dubai Metro Lines Explained

The current network has two lines and one branch. The Red Line is the backbone of the system, running along Sheikh Zayed Road from Rashidiya (now Centrepoint) in the northeast to Jebel Ali in the southwest, carrying the airport stations, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina. The Green Line loops through the older parts of the city — Deira, Bur Dubai, and Dubai Healthcare City — on the other side of the creek. Route 2020 is not a separate line; it's a 15 km branch of the Red Line that splits off at the Jebel Ali junction and runs to Expo City, and RTA's own network classification treats it as part of the Red Line rather than a third line.

The two lines meet at two interchange stations, Union and BurJuman, where you can change trains without leaving the paid area or tapping your card again. Two Red Line stations, DMCC and Sobha Realty, also connect to the Dubai Tram along the Marina and JBR waterfront. The Metro does not reach Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC); the nearest station is Ibn Battuta, followed by a taxi or bus. A fourth line, the Blue Line, is under construction and covered separately below — it is not yet operational, and nothing on this map should suggest otherwise.

Dubai Metro Red Line

The Red Line is the busiest and longest line on the network, running along Sheikh Zayed Road from Centrepoint (Rashidiya, close to Dubai International Airport) to Life Pharmacy in the Jebel Ali area, with the Route 2020 branch continuing to Expo City. It's the line most tourists use, since it serves both airport terminals, Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall), the DWTC/DIFC area, Dubai Marina, and Mall of the Emirates.

Heading southwest from Centrepoint, the line passes the airport stations, then Deira, before reaching Union, the first interchange with the Green Line, and BurJuman, the second, before Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station in the Financial Centre/DIFC corridor. It then reaches Mall of the Emirates, the Marina and JLT area — where DMCC and Sobha Realty connect to the Dubai Tram — before running on to Ibn Battuta and the industrial Jebel Ali corridor.

At the Jebel Ali junction, the line splits: one branch continues a short distance to the original terminus, now named Life Pharmacy (previously known as Jebel Ali, then UAE Exchange), while the Route 2020 branch heads toward Expo City. Several stations along this corridor have changed names more than once due to corporate sponsorship deals — the table below lists current names with former names in brackets where that helps with recognition.

Red Line Station Table

Order	Station Name	Station Code	Interchange	Nearby Landmark
1	Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya)	R1	—	Dubai Airport Free Zone approach, northern depot
2	Emirates	R2	—	Emirates Group HQ
3	Airport Terminal 3	R3	Airport station	DXB Terminal 3
4	Airport Terminal 1	R4	Airport station	DXB Terminal 1
5	GGICO	R5	—	Al Garhoud
6	Deira City Centre	R6	—	Deira City Centre Mall
7	Al Rigga	R7	—	Al Rigga shopping street
8	Union	R8	Green Line	Deira / Dubai Creek
9	BurJuman	R9	Green Line	BurJuman Centre
10	ADCB (formerly Al Karama)	R10	—	Al Karama
11	Al Jafiliya	R11	—	Zabeel Park, Dubai Frame (~10–15 min walk)
12	World Trade Centre	R12	—	Dubai World Trade Centre
13	Emirates Towers	R13	—	Museum of the Future (link bridge)
14	Financial Centre	R14	—	DIFC
15	Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall	R15	—	Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain
16	Business Bay	R16	—	Business Bay towers
17	ONPASSIVE (formerly Noor Bank)	R17	—	Al Wasl fringe
18	Equiti	R18	—	Al Quoz fringe
19	Mall of the Emirates	R19	—	Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai
20	InsuranceMarket (formerly Sharaf DG, Mashreq)	R20	—	Al Barsha
21	Dubai Internet City	R21	—	Dubai Internet City / Media City
22	Sobha Realty (formerly Nakheel)	R22	Dubai Tram	Dubai Marina, JBR
23	DMCC (formerly Jumeirah Lakes Towers)	R23	Dubai Tram	JLT, Almas Tower
24	Ibn Battuta	R24	—	Ibn Battuta Mall
25	Energy	R25	—	Jebel Ali residential
26	Danube	R26	—	Jebel Ali residential
27	Jebel Ali (junction)	R27	Route 2020	Split point for Expo City branch
28	Life Pharmacy (formerly Jebel Ali, UAE Exchange)	R28	—	Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), southern depot

Station order and current names reflect the most recent verified naming as of the date at the top of this page. Because several stations in the Al Barsha–Jebel Ali corridor have carried more than one sponsor name in recent years, always cross-check platform signage or the RTA app if a name looks unfamiliar.

Dubai Metro Green Line

The Green Line covers the older, more historic side of the city, running from Etisalat in Al Qusais down through Deira and across to Bur Dubai and Al Jaddaf, ending at Creek station near Dubai Creek Harbour. This is the line for the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, the Al Fahidi historic district, and Dubai Healthcare City, and it's generally quieter than the Red Line outside the Union–BurJuman corridor.

From Etisalat, it runs south through Al Qusais and Al Nahda — passing close to Terminal 2, though not connecting to it directly — before reaching Union, the first interchange with the Red Line. It then continues into Deira, stopping at Gold Souq (formerly Palm Deira), closest to the Gold and Spice Souks, and Al Ghubaiba, gateway to the Bur Dubai heritage district, Al Seef, and the abra crossing. BurJuman is the second interchange, after which the line runs through Oud Metha and Dubai Healthcare City to its terminus at Creek.

Green Line Station Table

Order	Station Name	Station Code	Interchange	Nearby Landmark
1	Etisalat (by e&)	G11	—	Al Qusais, northern Green Line depot
2	Al Qusais	G12	—	Al Qusais residential
3	Dubai Airport Free Zone	G13	—	DAFZA business park
4	Al Nahda	G14	—	Al Nahda residential
5	Stadium	G15	—	Al Nahda Stadium
6	Al Qiyadah	G16	—	Twar area
7	Abu Hail	G17	—	Nearest station to Airport Terminal 2 (~2 km, taxi/bus needed)
8	Abu Baker Al Siddique	G18	—	Hor Al Anz
9	Salah Al Din	G19	—	Salah Al Din Road shopping
10	Union	G20	Red Line	Deira / Dubai Creek
11	Baniyas Square	G21	—	Naif Souk, Deira markets
12	Gold Souq (formerly Palm Deira)	G22	—	Dubai Gold Souk, Spice Souk
13	Al Ras	G23	—	Deira waterfront
14	Al Ghubaiba	G24	Water bus/abra	Bur Dubai heritage district, Al Seef
15	Sharaf DG (Bur Dubai, formerly Al Fahidi)	G25	—	Al Fahidi historical neighbourhood, Dubai Museum
16	BurJuman	G26	Red Line	BurJuman Centre
17	Oud Metha	G27	—	Oud Metha district
18	Dubai Healthcare City	G28	—	Dubai Healthcare City
19	Al Jadaf	G29	—	Al Jaddaf, Dubai Creek Harbour approach
20	Creek	G30	—	Dubai Creek, southeastern Green Line terminus

Route 2020 Stations

Route 2020 is the branch of the Red Line built to serve Expo 2020 Dubai, now Expo City Dubai. It splits from the main Red Line at the Jebel Ali junction and runs roughly 15 km further southwest, adding seven stations to the network (six beyond the junction itself). RTA's official network classification treats Route 2020 as an extension of the Red Line rather than a standalone line, so a journey from, say, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall to Expo City is a single Red Line trip with no line change — just a continuation past the Jebel Ali junction.

The branch serves a mix of established and newer residential communities — Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, and Jumeirah Golf Estates — along with Dubai Investment Park, before terminating at Expo City Dubai, which hosts Expo-legacy pavilions, Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, and ongoing exhibitions and events. For tourists, Expo City is usually a half-day or full-day destination in its own right rather than a stop along a longer route, so plan the last-train time at Expo City carefully if you're visiting in the evening.

Route 2020 Station Table

Order	Station	Main Connection	Nearby Area
1	Jebel Ali (junction)	Red Line main branch	Split point for Route 2020
2	The Gardens	Red Line (Route 2020)	The Gardens residential community
3	Discovery Gardens	Red Line (Route 2020)	Discovery Gardens residential community
4	Al Furjan	Red Line (Route 2020)	Al Furjan residential community
5	Jumeirah Golf Estates	Red Line (Route 2020)	Jumeirah Golf Estates, DP World Tour Championship venue
6	Dubai Investment Park	Red Line (Route 2020)	Dubai Investment Park
7	Expo City (formerly Expo 2020)	Red Line (Route 2020 terminus)	Expo City Dubai, Terra pavilion

Dubai Metro Interchange Stations

Only a handful of stations let you physically change lines without leaving the paid network, and it's worth knowing exactly which ones before you plan a route with a transfer.

Interchange Station	Connected Lines	Best For
Union	Red Line ↔ Green Line	Deira, Gold Souk area, connecting airport routes to Old Dubai
BurJuman	Red Line ↔ Green Line	Bur Dubai heritage district, connecting Downtown Dubai to Al Fahidi and Healthcare City
Jebel Ali	Red Line main branch ↔ Route 2020	Continuing from Downtown Dubai or the Marina toward Expo City
DMCC	Red Line ↔ Dubai Tram	Reaching JBR and Marina waterfront promenades
Sobha Realty	Red Line ↔ Dubai Tram	Reaching Dubai Marina Mall and Marina Walk

Union and BurJuman both have platforms for each line linked by escalators and lifts inside the paid area, so a transfer typically takes two to three minutes of walking and no extra fare — the system charges a single fare based on the total zones crossed for the whole journey, not per line. DMCC and Sobha Realty are Metro-to-Tram connections rather than same-station interchanges; you tap out of the Metro gate and tap into the Tram separately, though both are covered by the same Nol card and the 30-minute transfer window still applies for fare purposes.

Dubai Metro Timings

The Dubai Metro runs every day of the year, but the exact hours differ between weekdays, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. These are the standard operating hours as confirmed by RTA and Dubai Airports as of the date at the top of this page.

Day	General Operating Hours	Important Note
Monday	5:00 am – 12:00 midnight	Standard weekday hours
Tuesday	5:00 am – 12:00 midnight	Standard weekday hours
Wednesday	5:00 am – 12:00 midnight	Standard weekday hours
Thursday	5:00 am – 12:00 midnight	Standard weekday hours
Friday	5:00 am – 1:00 am (next day)	Only day with extended after-midnight service
Saturday	5:00 am – 12:00 midnight	Standard weekend hours
Sunday	8:00 am – 12:00 midnight	Later start than every other day

These are the general network opening and closing hours measured at the terminus stations — they are not the same as the first or last train time at every individual station along the line, which is covered in the next section. Hours are sometimes extended on public holidays, during Ramadan, and around major events such as New Year's Eve at Burj Khalifa or the Dubai Shopping Festival, but RTA announces these changes separately and they are not reflected in the table above until officially confirmed. If you're planning a journey close to closing time, or travelling on a public holiday, it's worth checking the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app before you leave.

Dubai Metro First and Last Train

A common mistake is assuming that because the network "opens at 5 am" or "closes at midnight," every station has a train arriving at exactly that time. In reality, the published operating hours describe when the terminus stations start and stop dispatching trains — a station in the middle of the line will see its first train some minutes later and its last train some minutes earlier than the network-wide figures above, and the exact gap depends on direction of travel and how far the station sits from the terminus.

First and last train times also vary by:

• Direction — a train heading toward Rashidiya and one heading toward Jebel Ali/Expo City won't necessarily line up at every intermediate station
• Line — Red Line and Green Line terminus times are published separately, and Route 2020's branch timing can trail slightly behind the main Red Line schedule
• Interchange stations — the last connecting service at Union or BurJuman may close its connection earlier than the last train on either individual line
• Day of week — Sunday's later 8 am start and Friday's later 1 am close shift every downstream station's first and last train
• Public holidays and events — extended-hours announcements affect last-train times station by station, not just at the terminus

Because of this, this guide does not publish a single "last train" time that applies to every station — doing so would be misleading for anyone travelling from a station partway along the line. Instead, use the first-and-last-train tool on this page, where you can select your station, direction, day, and destination to see an accurate departure window, or check the RTA S'hail app for live, station-specific timings. If you're relying on the Metro for a late-night airport departure or a night out that runs past 11 pm, always confirm the specific last train from your station rather than working backwards from the network closing time.

Dubai Metro Fares

Dubai Metro fares are calculated by zone, not by the number of stations you pass through, and the amount you pay also depends on which Nol product you're using.

Fare and Zone Table (per single trip)

Zones Crossed	Silver Card	Gold Card	Personal (Blue) Card	Red Ticket
1 zone (≤3 km)	AED 3.00	AED 6.00	~AED 1.50–2.00	AED 4.00
2 zones	AED 5.00	AED 10.00	~AED 2.50–3.00	AED 6.00
3 or more zones	AED 7.50	AED 15.00	~AED 3.75–4.00	AED 8.50
Daily fare cap	AED 14.00	AED 20.00	AED 14.00	Not applicable

Currency: UAE Dirham (AED). Personal/Blue card concession fares are approximately 50% of the Silver rate for eligible students, senior citizens, and residents; exact concession pricing can vary by category, so confirm your eligibility and rate on the RTA nol Fares page before relying on the figures above for budgeting. Children aged 5 and under (or under 90 cm in height) and People of Determination travelling on a personalised Nol card travel free. Once your daily spend reaches the fare cap, further journeys on the same card are free until midnight.

Gold Class passengers pay a Gold Surcharge on top of the standard zone fare, and it's only charged once per zone even if you transfer between the Metro and Dubai Tram within the same zone during one journey. Every fare shown above assumes a standard single trip; monthly and multi-day travel passes are priced separately by zone coverage and are worth considering if you'll be using the Metro daily for more than a week. A minimum balance of AED 7.50 is required on your Nol card to pass through the gates, so it's worth checking your balance before you tap in, not after.

Dubai Metro Zones Explained

Dubai's public transport network — Metro, Tram, and buses together — is divided into fare zones, and the RTA counts up to seven zones across the wider network, though most Metro journeys fall within four commonly referenced zones for practical fare purposes. What matters for your fare isn't how many stations you pass, but how many zone boundaries your journey crosses:

• Same-zone travel: your start and end station sit in the same zone — this is the cheapest tier
• Two-zone travel: your journey crosses into one neighbouring zone
• Three-or-more-zone travel: your journey crosses multiple zone boundaries — this is the top single-trip fare tier and applies to most long cross-city trips, such as the airport to Dubai Marina
• Transfers: moving between Metro, Tram, or bus within 30 minutes is treated as a single journey for fare purposes, and you're charged once for the total zones crossed across all modes, not once per mode

Because zone boundaries don't map neatly onto a simple list of station names, and because the RTA doesn't publish a single official image of the zone map for public reproduction, this guide doesn't attempt to redraw exact zone borders station-by-station. For a precise zone count on your specific route, use the fare calculator on this page or the RTA journey planner, both of which apply the current official zone logic rather than an estimate.

Dubai Metro Fare Calculator

Rather than adding up zones manually, use the fare calculator built into this page to get an estimate for any specific journey.

Inputs:

• Starting station
• Destination station
• Nol card type (Silver, Gold, Personal/Blue, or Red Ticket)
• Standard or Gold Class cabin

Outputs:

• Line(s) used and any interchange required
• Number of zones crossed
• Approximate fare for your card type
• Approximate number of stops
• Whether the journey involves an airport or Dubai Tram connection
• Any relevant transfer note (for example, if your route requires a change at Union or BurJuman)

The calculator provides an estimate. The fare deducted by the Nol system is the final amount.

Nol Card Guide

You cannot pay Dubai Metro fares with cash, a credit card, or a mobile wallet at the gate — every journey requires a Nol card or Nol Red Ticket. There are four Nol products, each aimed at a different kind of traveller.

Nol Card Comparison Table

Nol Option	Best For	Purchase Price	Included Credit	Main Limitation
Silver Card	Most tourists and occasional riders	AED 25	AED 19 (AED 6 is a non-refundable card fee)	Anonymous — balance isn't protected if the card is lost
Gold Card	Travellers who want Gold Class comfort	AED 25	AED 19 (AED 6 card fee)	Same price as Silver but fares are doubled every trip
Personal (Blue) Card	Residents, students, seniors, People of Determination	AED 70	Approx. AED 20 (rest is card fee)	Requires registration with ID; not ideal for a short one-off visit
Red Ticket	Single trips or a one- or two-day visit	AED 2	None — you pay per trip, loaded on the spot	Valid for up to 10 trips over 90 days, and per-trip fares run slightly higher than smart card fares

All Nol products work across Metro, Dubai Tram, RTA buses, and water buses, and Silver, Gold, and Personal cards can also be used at RTA paid parking meters and at some retail outlets. A minimum balance of AED 7.50 is required to pass through the Metro gates, and cards can be topped up at any station, ticket office, or through the RTA and nol apps.

Best Nol Card for Tourists

There's no single "best" Nol card for everyone — the right choice depends on how long you're staying and how you plan to travel.

One or Two Journeys

Taking the Metro once or twice — say, airport to hotel and back? A Red Ticket avoids the AED 6 issuance fee that comes with a Silver or Gold card. It's slightly pricier per trip, but for one or two rides the difference is small.

Multi-Day Tourist

For several Metro trips a day over a multi-day visit, a Silver Card is usually most convenient — the AED 19 starting credit covers several journeys, it's accepted everywhere, and it tops up at any station.

Gold Class Traveller

Want the quieter, more spacious Gold Class cabin during peak hours or with extra luggage? Buy a Gold Card. It costs the same AED 25 as Silver but doubles your fare every trip, so it only pays off if you'll use Gold Class regularly.

Resident or Frequent Traveller

Anyone who wants their balance protected against loss, or who qualifies for a concession fare as a student, senior citizen, or person of determination, should register a Personal (Blue) Card — the only option where a lost card's balance can potentially be recovered.

Short-Stay Tourist Package

RTA has, at times, offered short-stay passes bundling unlimited Metro, Tram, and bus travel over a set number of days. Availability changes, so if you expect four-plus Metro trips a day for several days, check the current RTA nol Fares page before assuming a Silver card is cheapest.

Where to Buy and Recharge a Nol Card

Nol cards and Red Tickets are sold and topped up through several official channels:

• Metro stations: every station has ticket vending machines, and busier stations also have staffed ticket offices
• Ticket offices: for registering a Personal card or getting help with a damaged card
• Approved retailers: a number of supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores across Dubai sell and recharge Silver and Gold cards
• RTA Customer Happiness Centres: for Personal card registration and replacement
• Digital channels: the RTA app and the nol website allow balance top-ups on registered cards
• Mobile recharge: some Nol cards can be linked to a mobile wallet for tap-and-go top-ups

Not every Nol product is available everywhere — Red Tickets are typically only sold from vending machines rather than over the counter, and Personal card registration usually requires a visit to a staffed location with valid ID. Always keep your balance above the AED 7.50 minimum, and remember to tap out at your destination gate; forgetting to tap out can result in the maximum possible fare being deducted from your card.

Dubai Airport Metro Route

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has three terminals, but only two of them connect directly to the Dubai Metro Red Line.

• Terminal 1 Metro Station: connects directly to Terminal 1 arrivals
• Terminal 3 Metro Station: connects directly to Terminal 3 arrivals, used by Emirates flights
• Terminal 2: has no metro station of its own. The nearest station is Abu Hail on the Green Line, roughly 2 km away, from where a short taxi ride or feeder bus (such as routes 31 or C26) completes the journey. Airport Free Zone and Al Qiyadah stations, also on the Green Line, are sometimes used as alternatives depending on where you're travelling from.

Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 stations have ticket vending machines right at the station, so you can buy a Nol card the moment you land, and both are within the Metro's normal operating hours — but if you're arriving on a very early or very late flight, check the timings table above before assuming a train will be running when you land. Passengers are allowed up to two suitcases each in the designated luggage area of every carriage, which is covered in more detail in the luggage section below. If your flight lands outside Metro operating hours, or you're travelling to or from Terminal 2, a taxi or ride-hailing app is usually the more practical option.

Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central, DWC) is not currently served by the Metro at all — the nearest station is Ibn Battuta on the Red Line, and a taxi or bus connection is needed for the remaining distance.

Dubai Airport to Dubai Mall by Metro

From either Airport Terminal 1 or Airport Terminal 3 station, board a Red Line train heading toward Jebel Ali/Expo City and stay on through Union and BurJuman — no line change needed — to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. A covered, air-conditioned walkway connects the station directly into Dubai Mall, so you shouldn't need to step outside at all. If you're carrying luggage, use the designated luggage area and allow extra time on the walkway during peak arrival hours. Exact journey time depends on your starting terminal, so check the fare calculator or RTA app for a live estimate rather than a fixed figure.

Dubai Airport to Dubai Marina by Metro

From Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, take a Red Line train toward Jebel Ali/Expo City past Downtown Dubai and Mall of the Emirates. Get off at Sobha Realty for Dubai Marina Mall and the Marina promenade, or continue one stop to DMCC for Jumeirah Lakes Towers. For JBR, either station connects to the Dubai Tram along the beachfront. This is one of the longer end-to-end journeys on the network, so check the last-train time for your direction before setting off late at night.

Dubai Airport to Expo City by Metro

From Airport Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, board a Red Line train toward Jebel Ali. At the Jebel Ali junction, the train continues onto the Route 2020 branch (some services run through without requiring you to change trains, depending on the scheduled route — check the platform display or the RTA app for your specific train). Continue through The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Dubai Investment Park to reach Expo City at the end of the line. If you're visiting for an evening event, check the last train back toward the airport or your hotel before you go, since Route 2020's last-train timing can trail slightly behind the main Red Line schedule.

Dubai Metro Routes to Popular Attractions

Attraction Route Table

Attraction	Nearest Metro Station	Additional Transfer	Walking Note
Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall	Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (Red Line)	None	Direct covered walkway from station to mall
Dubai Marina	Sobha Realty (Red Line)	None, or short Tram ride	Short walk to Marina Walk; Tram for further points along the Marina
JBR	DMCC or Sobha Realty (Red Line)	Dubai Tram	Tram connection required to reach the JBR beachfront directly
Palm Jumeirah	Sobha Realty area (Red Line)	Palm Monorail (Nol-integrated)	Monorail required to reach the island itself
Mall of the Emirates	Mall of the Emirates (Red Line)	None	Direct access from station
Museum of the Future	Emirates Towers (Red Line)	None	Air-conditioned link bridge, 5–10 min
Dubai World Trade Centre	World Trade Centre (Red Line)	None	Short walk
Expo City Dubai	Expo City (Route 2020 branch)	None	Station at the site entrance
Gold Souk & Spice Souk	Al Ras (Green Line)	None	Short walk through Deira's souk streets
Old Dubai / Al Fahidi	Al Ghubaiba or Sharaf DG (Bur Dubai) (Green Line)	None	Short walk into the heritage district
Al Seef	Al Ghubaiba or BurJuman (Green Line)	None	Short walk along the creek
Dubai Creek	Al Jadaf or Al Ghubaiba (Green Line)	None	Depends which side of the creek you want
Dubai Frame	Al Jafiliya (Red Line)	None	10–15 min walk through Zabeel Park
City Walk	No direct station	Taxi or rideshare	Business Bay or World Trade Centre station is the closest, followed by a short taxi ride

"Nearest" reflects the closest station with a reasonable walking connection at the time of writing; always allow extra time in summer heat, and consider a short taxi ride from the station for the last few hundred metres if you're travelling with children, luggage, or during the hottest part of the day.

Dubai Metro Route Planner

To plan a specific journey rather than relying on the general routes above, use the route planner on this page. Select your starting station, your destination, the day you're travelling, and your Nol card type, and it will show you:

• The line (or lines) your journey uses, and where you switch
• Any Union, BurJuman, or Jebel Ali interchange required
• The approximate number of stops
• The approximate number of zones crossed and the estimated fare
• Whether an airport or Dubai Tram connection is involved
• Any walking connection needed at your destination
• A warning if your planned journey falls close to the first or last train of the day

All of the route data behind the planner is also available in plain HTML on this page — in the station tables above — so the core information remains accessible even without JavaScript.

Dubai Metro Station List

The tables in the Red Line, Green Line, and Route 2020 sections above make up the full current station directory for this page, and each entry can be filtered by line, interchange status, airport connection, tourist relevance, park-and-ride availability, or Dubai Tram connection using the station finder tool. For nearby landmarks, accessibility notes, or parking information at an individual station, click through from the relevant table row rather than relying on a "walking distance" figure alone — actual walking time can vary considerably depending on the exit used and the time of day.

Dubai Metro Rules

The Metro's code of conduct and associated fines are set and enforced by RTA, and the values below are the officially published fine amounts as of the date at the top of this page.

Rule Category	Examples	Fine (AED)
Fare violations	Travelling without payment, using someone else's card, using an expired or invalid card	200
Counterfeit card	Using a counterfeit Nol card	500
Restricted areas / seating	Entering restricted areas, standing or sitting in non-passenger areas, feet on seats	100
Selling / non-compliance	Selling goods on board, ignoring RTA staff instructions, misusing services against posted rules	200
Disturbance / wrong cabin	Causing a disturbance, sitting in an area reserved for another category of passenger (e.g. the wrong cabin), eating or drinking where prohibited	100
Sleeping in prohibited areas	Sleeping in shelters or areas where it's not permitted	300
Vandalism	Damaging or destroying equipment or seats	2,000
Parking overstay	Overstaying in metro parking	100/day, up to 1,000
Animals	Bringing animals aboard, except guide dogs for the visually impaired	100
Cleanliness / smoking	Littering, spitting, smoking on board or in stations	200
Misuse of equipment	Misusing lifts or escalators, boarding by climbing or jumping, opening doors between stations, carrying materials that endanger others	100
Alcohol	Carrying alcoholic beverages	500
Hazardous items	Carrying weapons, sharp tools, or flammable materials	1,000
Safety equipment misuse	Using emergency or safety equipment unnecessarily	2,000

RTA also sets an unaccompanied-minors policy: children under 8 are not permitted to travel alone; children aged 8 to 11 need a permit issued by a parent (except on intercity buses); and from age 12, young travellers may use public transport without an accompanying adult.

Women and Children's Cabin

Each train includes a cabin reserved for women and children. Men travelling without an accompanying woman or child may not sit here, and using it incorrectly falls under the "sitting in an area reserved for another category of passenger" fine listed above. Boys travelling with their mother are generally accepted; if unsure whether an older child should join the general cabin instead, ask station staff. The cabin is clearly marked on the platform and inside the train, and it's worth knowing during peak hours when general cabins get crowded.

Gold Class Cabin

The Gold Class cabin offers wider leather seating and panoramic windows, and access requires a Gold Nol Card or a Red Ticket purchased specifically for Gold Class — a standard Silver card does not permit entry, and doing so is treated as travelling in a cabin reserved for another passenger category. Gold Class is located at a specific end of the train (the exact end differs between the Red and Green Lines, and floor markings at each station indicate where to stand), and fares are double the standard rate, deducted automatically when you tap in with a Gold card. For most short tourist trips the standard Silver cabin is perfectly comfortable, but Gold Class can be worth it for a longer cross-city journey during peak hours or when travelling with extra luggage.

Luggage on Dubai Metro

Each passenger may bring up to two suitcases aboard: one large case up to 81 × 58 × 30 cm, and one small case up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm. Luggage must be stowed in the designated luggage area within each carriage, not left in the aisle or doorway, both for convenience and to avoid a fine for obstructing other passengers. Travelling to or from the airport with checked-bag-sized luggage, plan for slower movement through gates and escalators at peak times, and prefer lifts over escalators for heavy cases. Weapons, sharp tools, and flammable materials are prohibited entirely, and lost luggage should be reported to station staff or RTA customer service promptly. Bags that exceed these dimensions, or several large pieces at once, are better suited to a taxi.

Dubai Metro Accessibility

Every station is wheelchair accessible, with lifts connecting street level, concourse, and platform, and dedicated wheelchair spaces on every train. Tactile guidance paths assist passengers with visual impairments, and platforms combine audible tones with flashing light signals when doors open and close, alongside screen displays throughout trains and stations. People of Determination — the official UAE term for people with disabilities — travel free on RTA services with a personalised Nol card, and station staff can assist with boarding and interchanges on request. Lift and entrance layouts can vary slightly between older and newer stations, so for specific mobility needs at an unfamiliar station, it's worth checking with RTA or a station agent in advance.

Park-and-Ride Stations

RTA operates several large multi-level car parks at key stations, offering free parking for Metro users. The main facilities are at Centrepoint (around 2,700 spaces) on the Red Line, Life Pharmacy (around 3,000 spaces) at the southern end of the Red Line, and Etisalat (around 2,300 spaces) at the northern end of the Green Line, with a smaller car park at Jumeirah Golf Estates on the Route 2020 branch. These facilities are aimed primarily at commuters driving in from outside the immediate city centre and parking for the day, so capacity can be tight during peak hours and around major events; arriving early is the most reliable way to guarantee a space.

Dubai Metro With Children

Children aged 5 and under, or under 90 cm in height, travel free on the Dubai Metro, though an accompanying adult still needs a valid Nol card of their own. Strollers are permitted on board, and the women and children's cabin can be a more comfortable option for families during busy periods, though it's not compulsory to use it. Lifts are available at every station if you'd rather avoid escalators with a stroller or young children, and platform edge doors mean there's a physical barrier between waiting passengers and the track. As with any busy transit system, keep a close eye on children on platforms and near escalators, and note that eating and drinking is not permitted in the same way it would be on, say, a long-haul flight — plan snack breaks for before or after your journey rather than on board.

Dubai Metro During Ramadan and Public Holidays

RTA typically adjusts Metro operating hours during Ramadan and around major public holidays such as Eid and UAE National Day, and hours can also be extended for large-scale events like New Year's Eve celebrations at Burj Khalifa. Because these adjusted schedules are announced separately each year and are not fixed in advance, this guide does not publish specific future Ramadan or holiday timings — doing so risks giving you outdated information for a date that hasn't been confirmed yet. During major events, some stations may also see temporary access restrictions for crowd control. If your trip falls during Ramadan, a public holiday, or a major citywide event, check the RTA website or app for that specific period's schedule before finalising your plans.

Upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line

The Blue Line is Dubai's third Metro line, currently under construction and not yet open to passengers. It has been approved by Dubai's Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a 30 km line with 14 stations, and it is scheduled for completion in 2029 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro's launch.

The Blue Line will extend in two directions from its two main interchange points. One direction starts at the Creek interchange (the current Green Line terminus in Al Jaddaf) and runs through Dubai Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbour, then on to Ras Al Khor and International City, continuing to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City. The other direction starts at the Centrepoint interchange (the current Red Line terminus in Al Rashidiya) and runs through Mirdif and Al Warqa before meeting the first direction at International City. Together, the two branches are intended to give a direct connection between Dubai International Airport's side of the city and nine currently underserved areas: Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, the Ras Al Khor industrial area, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City. RTA has also said the Blue Line will be the first Dubai transport project designed to meet Platinum-level green building standards.

Until the Blue Line opens, none of the stations, station names, or routes described above should be treated as operational — they do not appear on the current interactive map on this page, and any future update to this section will be clearly dated once new, officially confirmed details are available.

Common Dubai Metro Travel Mistakes

• Relying on an outdated map or a station name that's since been changed by a sponsorship rebrand
• Assuming the network's general opening hours apply as the exact first or last train at your specific station
• Boarding in the wrong direction and missing your interchange
• Forgetting that only Union and BurJuman connect the Red and Green Lines
• Trying to enter Gold Class with a standard Silver card
• Sitting in the women and children's cabin without being eligible to
• Letting your Nol card balance drop below the AED 7.50 minimum before tapping in
• Forgetting to tap out at your destination, which can result in the maximum fare being deducted
• Assuming Terminal 2 at DXB has its own metro station — it doesn't
• Carrying luggage that exceeds the permitted suitcase sizes or count
• Eating or drinking on board where it isn't allowed
• Treating Route 2020 as a separate line rather than a Red Line branch
• Assuming the Blue Line is already open — it is still under construction
• Depending on the Metro for a journey that finishes after the network closes for the night
• Underestimating how far a "nearby" attraction actually is on foot from its closest station, especially in summer heat

Is Dubai Metro Good for Tourists?

For most visitors, yes — it's one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around, particularly for Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and the older Deira and Bur Dubai districts from either connected DXB terminal. Trains are frequent, clean, and air-conditioned, and coverage along Sheikh Zayed Road puts many well-known attractions within a short walk of a station.

It does have real limitations. It doesn't reach Al Maktoum International Airport, Terminal 2, Palm Jumeirah's resorts directly, or several beachfront and residential areas off the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor, so a taxi is often needed for the final leg. Summer heat makes even a 10–15 minute walk genuinely uncomfortable at midday, and travelling with heavy luggage or very young children can be more comfortable by taxi, especially late at night once the network closes. For a typical multi-day city-and-shopping itinerary, though, it's a practical, low-cost backbone that pairs well with occasional taxis for the gaps it doesn't cover.

Arriving at DXB? Confirm your Dubai visa requirements before departure — check our Dubai visa guide so your airport-to-city journey starts without delays.

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Need a Dubai visitor visa before your trip? Compare available visa types and apply online at DubaiVisitorVisa.com before you travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find the latest Dubai Metro map? The most current Dubai Metro map is published by RTA on rta.ae and inside the RTA Dubai and S'hail apps, and it's updated whenever a station is renamed or a new line opens. This page's interactive map and station tables are checked against that official data and carry a visible "last verified" date at the top, so you can confirm how current the version you're looking at is before you travel.

2. Can I download the Dubai Metro map as a PDF? Yes. A full Dubai Metro map PDF covering both lines, plus separate Red Line, Green Line, and airport-route versions, is available to download from this page. Each version carries a review date in its footer — check that it matches the "map last verified" date at the top of this page before relying on it for same-day travel.

3. What are the Dubai Metro operating hours? The Metro runs 5:00 am to midnight Monday through Thursday and on Saturday, 5:00 am to 1:00 am on Friday, and 8:00 am to midnight on Sunday. These are network-wide hours measured at the terminus stations; hours can be extended during Ramadan, public holidays, and major events, so check for updates before travelling on those dates.

4. What time is the last Dubai Metro train? There isn't one universal last-train time — it depends on your station, direction, and the day of the week, since the published operating hours describe the terminus stations rather than every stop along the line. Use the first-and-last-train tool on this page, selecting your station and direction, or check the RTA S'hail app for a station-specific answer before a late-night journey.

5. How much does the Dubai Metro cost? Fares are zone-based rather than flat-rate. On a Silver Nol card, a single trip costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two zones, and AED 7.50 across three or more zones, with a daily cap of AED 14. Gold Card fares are double, and Personal (Blue) card holders receive a concession discount if eligible. A Nol card is required for every journey; cash isn't accepted at the gates.

6. Which Nol card is best for tourists? It depends on your length of stay. A Red Ticket suits one or two trips, a Silver Card is the most convenient option for a multi-day visit with several trips a day, and a Gold Card is worth it only if you specifically want the quieter Gold Class cabin, since it doubles your per-trip fare. Registered Personal (Blue) cards suit longer stays or residents who want their balance protected if the card is lost.

7. Can I use Dubai Metro from Terminal 1? Yes. Airport Terminal 1 has its own Red Line station with direct access from the arrivals area, so you can buy a Nol card and board a train without leaving the terminal building.

8. Can I use Dubai Metro from Terminal 3? Yes. Airport Terminal 3, used by Emirates flights, also has its own Red Line station with direct access from arrivals, working the same way as Terminal 1's station.

9. Does Dubai Airport Terminal 2 have a Metro station? No. Terminal 2 is not connected to the Metro network directly. The nearest station is Abu Hail on the Green Line, roughly 2 km away, and you'll need a short taxi ride or a feeder bus such as route 31 or C26 to complete the journey between the station and the terminal.

10. Which Metro station is nearest to Dubai Mall? Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Red Line sits directly beneath Downtown Dubai and connects to Dubai Mall via a covered, air-conditioned walkway, so you can reach the mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Fountain without needing to go outside.

11. How do I reach Dubai Marina by Metro? Take a Red Line train toward Jebel Ali/Expo City and get off at Sobha Realty station, which sits closest to Dubai Marina Mall and the Marina promenade, or continue one stop to DMCC for Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Both stations connect to the Dubai Tram for onward travel further along the Marina and JBR waterfront.

12. Can I carry luggage on Dubai Metro? Yes, up to two suitcases per passenger: one large case up to 81 × 58 × 30 cm and one small case up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm, stowed in the designated luggage area inside each carriage rather than left in the aisle. Very large or numerous bags are better suited to a taxi than the Metro.

13. Are children allowed to travel free on Dubai Metro? Children aged 5 and under, or under 90 cm in height, travel free, though the adult accompanying them still needs a valid Nol card. Unaccompanied children under 8 aren't permitted to travel alone at all; those aged 8 to 11 need a parent-issued permit, and from age 12 young travellers can use the network without an accompanying adult.

14. What is Route 2020? Route 2020 is a roughly 15 km branch of the Red Line, not a separate metro line, running from the Jebel Ali junction to Expo City Dubai with seven stations along the way. A journey onto Route 2020 doesn't require a line change from the main Red Line — the train simply continues past the Jebel Ali junction onto the branch.

15. When will the Dubai Metro Blue Line open? The Blue Line is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2029, coinciding with the Dubai Metro's 20th anniversary. It will add 14 stations and 30 km of track, connecting the current Green Line terminus at Creek and the Red Line terminus at Centrepoint to areas including Dubai Creek Harbour, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Mirdif, and Al Warqa. Until it opens, none of its stations are operational and none appear on the current network map.

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