Knowing How to Check Metro Timings in Dubai takes about a minute, and it is the difference between a smooth trip and a long wait on an empty platform. Whether you are catching an early-morning flight, staying out late in Dubai Marina, or simply commuting to work, the operating hours and live train times are all published by the RTA and easy to find once you know where to look.
This guide explains every reliable way to check Dubai Metro timings, from live departure boards to the official S’hail app, plus the standard opening hours, first and last trains, and how schedules change during Ramadan and public holidays.
Quick Answer
How to check metro timings: open the RTA S’hail app (free on iOS and Android), select your station or destination, and view live departure times. Alternatively, use the live train tracker on the official RTA website, or read the real-time countdown boards on the station platforms. Standard operating hours are Monday to Thursday and Saturday: 5:00 AM to midnight; Friday: 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM; Sunday: 8:00 AM to midnight. Always confirm timings on the day of travel, as hours change during Ramadan, public holidays, and major events.
Dubai Metro Standard Operating Hours
Both the Red Line and the Green Line follow the same opening and closing times. These are the regular daily hours, published by the RTA:
| Day | Operating Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 midnight |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM (next day) |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 midnight |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 midnight |
Sunday starts later because the metro does not run through the night on Friday, unlike the extended Friday service. Treat the table as the regular baseline, not a guarantee: if you are travelling on a public holiday or during Ramadan, check the RTA announcements for that week. Timing your trip well matters just as much as knowing the station, so once you have the hours, read our guide on how to plan a metro journey to put together the full trip.
How to Check Metro Timings Online
Scheduled hours tell you the window; live timings tell you when the next train actually leaves. Use these official channels, in order of reliability:
1. The S’hail App (fastest option)
S’hail is the RTA’s official transport app and the most practical tool for daily travel. It is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and works in English and Arabic. To check live timings:
- Download and open S’hail, and allow location access (or type your station manually).
- Tap the journey planner and enter your starting station and destination.
- Set your departure time (“Depart Now” is the default) and tap search.
- Choose your route to see the next departures, any line transfers, and the total journey time.
S’hail shows live departure countdowns for your station, fare estimates, and real-time alerts about delays or service disruptions. If you want to plan around the last train, set your arrival time to just before closing and the app will show the latest possible journey from your station. For a fuller walkthrough of using the metro itself, see how to use the Dubai Metro.
2. The RTA Website’s Live Train Tracker
If you prefer a browser, the RTA runs a live metro tracker on its official website where you can pick your line and station and watch trains move in real time, with estimated arrivals. It is a good option when you are on a laptop and want to check before leaving home or the office.
3. Station Platform Boards
Every Dubai Metro platform has electronic boards showing the next two or three trains and the minutes until they arrive. These boards are connected to the same live feed as S’hail, so if you are already in the station, they are the most convenient check of all.
4. RTA Customer Service
For anything unclear, the RTA’s customer service line is 800 90 90. It is useful when you want a human confirmation about holiday schedules or a specific station’s last train.
First and Last Train Times
The system-wide opening hours and your station’s first and last trains are not the same thing. A station near the end of the line may see its last train depart noticeably earlier than the official closing time, because that train still has to complete its route before the system shuts down.
As a rough reference, the first trains leave the Red Line terminuses at around 5:00 AM on weekdays, and the last trains from terminuses depart at around 11:15 PM on regular days and around 12:15 AM when the service runs extended (Fridays). These exact minutes shift with timetable updates, so never rely on memory for a late-night journey: check S’hail or the platform board on the day. Our guide to peak and off-peak times explains how train frequency changes through the day, which helps when the last few trains of the night run further apart.
Checking Timings During Ramadan and Public Holidays
The RTA adjusts metro schedules for Ramadan, Eid, New Year, and large public events such as major festivals. Changes can include extended evening hours or shifted morning starts. For Ramadan 2026, for example, the RTA confirmed the metro kept its standard hours on both lines, but with earlier announcements sometimes adjusting specific services.
The practical rule is simple: during any holiday period, check S’hail or the RTA website on the day of travel instead of assuming the standard timetable. Announcements usually appear a few days before the holiday, and planning your week around these changes is part of a good routine.
Practical Tips for Timing Your Trip
- For late nights, aim one train early. Do not plan to catch the final departure; if it is delayed or cancelled, there is no backup train.
- Allow transfer time. Changing lines at Union or BurJuman can add 5 to 10 minutes, including walking between platforms and waiting for the connecting train.
- Friday mornings start later on the roads but the metro still opens at 5:00 AM — the late 1:00 AM closing is for Thursday and Friday nights, not the morning start.
- Keep your Nol card topped up the night before an early trip, so a low balance does not hold you up at the gates.
- Save your regular routes. S’hail lets you save frequent journeys, which cuts the daily timing check down to a glance.
If your trip starts with a drive to a park-and-ride station, remember that road costs still matter — our guide to Dubai’s Salik toll system explains what the drive to the station will cost you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the Dubai Metro operating hours today?
Under the standard timetable: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 5:00 AM to midnight, Friday 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM, and Sunday 8:00 AM to midnight. Hours change during Ramadan, public holidays, and major events, so confirm on the day using the S’hail app or the RTA website.
How do I check the exact time of the next train?
Open the S’hail app, enter your station, and look at the live departure countdowns. The electronic boards on station platforms show the same real-time information if you are already in the station.
What time does the last metro train run on Friday?
On Fridays the metro runs until 1:00 AM. However, the exact last train from your station will be earlier than 1:00 AM depending on where the station sits on the line, so check S’hail on the evening of travel. If you need the stations themselves, see how to check metro stations.
Does the metro run 24 hours?
No. The Dubai Metro closes overnight, every day of the week. For late-night travel outside metro hours, RTA buses (some routes run around the clock) and taxis are the alternatives.
Do Red Line and Green Line have different timings?
No. Both lines follow the same daily operating hours. The difference between the lines is in route, station list, and train frequency, not opening and closing times.
Where can I find official metro schedule updates?
The S’hail app, the live tracker on rta.ae, and the RTA’s official announcements are the authoritative sources. Third-party websites may carry outdated timetables, so prefer the RTA’s own channels. And if you are new to the system, fines on the road network are a separate matter — metro fare offences are enforced under public transport rules, not road traffic law.
The Bottom Line
Checking metro timings is quick: the S’hail app gives you live departures, the RTA website has a real-time tracker, and platform boards confirm the next trains when you are in the station. Memorise the standard hours as your baseline, double-check on holidays and Ramadan, and always aim for a train earlier than the last one. With that habit, the timetable will never catch you off guard.
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.