The Dubai Metro is the backbone of public transport in the city: two fully driverless lines, fares that start at just a few dirhams, and stations that connect the airport, the malls, the business districts and the historic creekside neighbourhoods. Whether you are a new resident planning a daily commute or a visitor trying to get from the airport to your hotel, this Complete Dubai Metro Guide covers the lines, stations, fares, timings, rules and practical tips you need to travel with confidence.
Everything here is based on how the system actually works day to day. Fares and timings can change, so treat the figures below as a guide and check the official RTA website before an important trip.
Quick Answer
The Dubai Metro has two lines: the Red Line (about 67 km, 35 stations, running from Centrepoint near the airport to Expo City and Jebel Ali) and the Green Line (about 22.5 km, 20 stations, serving old Dubai and the creek area). Trains run roughly from 5am to midnight (later on Fridays), fares range from AED 3 to AED 7.50 on a Silver nol card depending on zones crossed, and you must tap in and tap out with a nol card or ticket. The two lines interchange at Union and BurJuman stations.
Complete Dubai Metro Guide: The Lines and Stations
The network is simple to grasp because there are only two lines, colour-coded throughout the stations, trains and maps. For background on the network’s history and development, see the Dubai Metro article on Wikipedia.
The Red Line
The Red Line is the main artery of the system. It runs from Centrepoint (near Dubai International Airport) in the north, through Deira, Bur Dubai, Downtown, Business Bay, the malls along Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Marina, down to Jebel Ali and the Route 2020 extension to Expo City. If you are heading to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Internet City or the Marina, the Red Line is your line.
The Route 2020 branch splits off at Jebel Ali and serves The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan and Dubai Investment Park before ending at Expo City. Check the destination boards on the platform carefully at Jebel Ali so you board a train going the right way.
The Green Line
The Green Line serves the older, historic side of Dubai. It runs from e& (Etisalat) station in Al Qusais through Deira, crosses Dubai Creek, and ends at Creek station via Al Ghubaiba and Dubai Healthcare City. This is the line for the Gold Souq, the Spice Souq, Baniyas Square and the traditional trading districts.
The Green Line is shorter and mostly underground in the central areas, which makes it feel quite different from the elevated Red Line. Journey times end to end are around 40 minutes.
Interchange Stations: Union and BurJuman
The two lines meet at two stations: Union (in Deira) and BurJuman (in Bur Dubai). Changing lines is straightforward — follow the colour-coded signs for the Red or Green Line, tap through the internal transfer gates if needed, and allow a few extra minutes at peak times when the interchange corridors get busy.
Operating Hours
Metro hours follow a consistent weekly pattern, with later running on Fridays. Typical timings are:
- Monday to Thursday: around 5:00am to midnight
- Friday: around 5:00am to 1:00am
- Saturday: around 5:00am to midnight
- Sunday: around 8:00am to midnight
First and last train times vary by station and direction, and hours can change on public holidays or during major events, when the RTA often extends service. Always check the current timetable before a late-night or early-morning trip, and see our guide on how to check metro service updates for the fastest ways to confirm live running information.
Fares, Zones and Nol Cards
Fares are based on how many zones you cross: 1 zone, 2 zones, or 3+ zones (all zones). Dubai is divided into fare zones, and the system calculates your fare automatically when you tap out. Typical single-trip fares are:
| Ticket type | 1 zone | 2 zones | 3+ zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver nol card (regular) | AED 3 | AED 5 | AED 7.50 |
| Red Ticket (single trip) | AED 4 | AED 6 | AED 8.50 |
| Gold Class (double the regular fare) | AED 6 | AED 10 | AED 15 |
A Silver nol card costs around AED 25 including AED 19 of credit, and you can top it up at station machines (minimum top-up is typically AED 5), through official apps and at retail outlets. The Red Ticket is aimed at occasional users and tourists, while one-day passes (around AED 20 regular, AED 40 Gold) suit heavy sightseeing days. If you transfer between metro, bus and tram within about 30 minutes, the legs count as one journey rather than separate fares.
The golden rule: always tap in and tap out. If you forget to tap out, the system deducts the maximum fare. Travelling without a valid ticket or in the wrong cabin can lead to fines, so check the current penalty amounts on official channels rather than relying on old figures — and watch out for the classic errors newcomers make, like forgetting to tap out at the end of a journey.
Metro Rules Worth Knowing
The Dubai Metro has a clear code of conduct, and it is enforced. The headline rules:
- No eating or drinking on trains or in the paid areas of stations — water excepted in some interpretations, so safest is nothing at all.
- Gold Class cabins are for Gold ticket holders only; the women-and-children cabin is reserved accordingly.
- Give up priority seats to elderly passengers, pregnant women and people of determination.
- No smoking anywhere in stations or trains.
- Keep luggage out of doorways and walkways, and stand clear of the doors when they open.
- Follow staff instructions during disruptions or evacuations.
Breaches can result in fines, and inspectors do check tickets on board. None of this is onerous — it is simply a system that expects tidy, considerate behaviour, which is one reason the metro stays so clean. The unwritten etiquette matters too: stand on the right on escalators, let passengers off before you board, and keep the priority seats free for those who need them.
Connections: Bus, Tram and Beyond
The metro does not work in isolation. Feeder buses wait outside most stations, the Dubai Tram connects with the Red Line at Dubai Marina and JLT, and taxis queue at the main entrances. One nol card covers metro, bus and tram, with transfers within about 30 minutes counted as a single journey.
If your trip mixes modes, the transfer rules work in your favour: switching between metro, bus and tram within about 30 minutes counts as a single journey rather than separate fares, so you are not paying twice. For the full picture of what you will find inside the stations themselves — lifts, shops, prayer rooms, parking — see our Metro Station Facilities Explained guide.
Planning a Daily Commute
If you will be riding every day, a little planning pays off. Pick your home station based on walking distance and feeder-bus options rather than just the nearest dot on the map, learn the peak-hour patterns on your stretch (roughly 7–9am and 5–8pm on working days), and consider whether a monthly pass or daily cap works out cheaper than pay-as-you-go for your route.
Our guide to planning a daily metro commute walks through the whole calculation. Drivers comparing the metro with driving should also look at our Dubai Salik toll system guide — tolls and parking often tip the maths in the metro’s favour. And if you are new to the country entirely, the Dubai tourist visa requirements guide covers the entry formalities before you even reach the airport station.
What Is Next: The Blue Line
The network is still growing. The Blue Line — around 30 km with 14 stations — is under construction and expected to open in 2029, linking the Red and Green Lines and serving fast-growing areas like Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City and International City. A longer-term Gold Line is also on the drawing board. For residents buying or renting along the future route, these expansions are worth watching, since new stations reliably lift the convenience (and appeal) of surrounding neighbourhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which metro line goes to Dubai International Airport?
The Red Line. Airport Terminal 3 and Airport Terminal 1 stations serve the airport directly, and Centrepoint station is a short hop away at the northern end of the line.
Which line should tourists use for the old souqs?
The Green Line. Al Ras and Gold Souq stations put you right by the Gold Souq and Spice Souq, and Al Ghubaiba is handy for the creek and abra crossings.
Can visitors use the Dubai Metro, or is it residents only?
Anyone can use it. Visitors typically buy a Red Ticket for single trips or a one-day pass, while longer stays are easier with a rechargeable Silver nol card from any station machine.
Is the Dubai Metro open on Fridays?
Yes — Friday service typically runs from around 5:00am to 1:00am, which is later than other days. Timings can change on public holidays, so check before you travel.
How do I pay for the metro?
With a nol card or a Red Ticket, tapped in at the start and out at the end of every journey. Cards are sold and topped up at station machines, through official apps and at retail outlets.
What happens if I board the wrong train?
Just get off at the next station and go back — you will not be charged extra as long as you stay within the maximum journey time and tap out correctly. At Jebel Ali, double-check whether your Red Line train is heading for Expo City or Jebel Ali terminus.
The Bottom Line
The Dubai Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the city: two lines, simple zone fares, air-conditioned driverless trains and stations that are well signposted in English and Arabic. Learn the Red and Green Line routes, get a nol card, tap in and out, and respect the basic rules — that is genuinely most of what you need. For station-by-station facilities, continue with our Metro Station Facilities Explained guide, and check live running information with how to check metro service updates before you head out.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.