Sooner or later, almost every Dubai Metro rider needs to know how to transfer between metro lines. Maybe your office is on the Green Line but you live near a Red Line station, or you’re heading somewhere that sits on the other side of the network. The good news is that switching lines is one of the easiest things you can do on the metro — once you know where the interchange stations are and which platform to head for.
This guide walks you through exactly how a transfer works: the two stations where lines meet, how to follow the signs, what it does to your fare, and the small mistakes that catch first-time riders out.
Quick Answer
To transfer between metro lines, ride to one of the two interchange stations — Union or BurJuman — get off, follow the signs for the other line, and board the next train. You do not need to tap out and back in; your Nol card journey continues as one trip, and changing lines costs nothing extra. Transfers work the same in both directions.
The Two Lines at a Glance
The Dubai Metro currently runs two lines. Knowing which one you’re on (and which one you need) is the first step to a smooth transfer.
| Line | Colour on signs | Rough route |
|---|---|---|
| Red Line | Red | Runs roughly from Centrepoint (Rashidiya) in the east to UAE Exchange (Jebel Ali) in the south-west, passing through the airport, Deira, Bur Dubai, Business Bay, Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta |
| Green Line | Green | Runs through Deira and Bur Dubai in a loop-ish shape, serving areas like Al Qusais, Al Nahda, Al Rigga, Al Jafiliya and Dubai Creek |
Both lines are driverless, fully air-conditioned and clearly colour-coded on every map, sign and platform. If you ever feel lost, check the colour strip along the station walls — red means Red Line, green means Green Line. If you’re riding for the first time, our guide on how to use the Dubai Metro covers the basics before you add a transfer to the mix.
Where You Can Change Lines
This is the key fact of the whole system: only two stations connect the two lines. They are:
- Union — in Deira, one of the busiest stations on the network. Both lines stop here on separate levels, with clear interchange corridors between them.
- BurJuman — near the BurJuman shopping centre in Bur Dubai. Again, both lines stop here, and interchange walkways link the platforms.
There is no direct interchange anywhere else. If your trip needs both lines, your route will always pass through Union or BurJuman — whichever is closer to your start or destination. When you’re planning, it’s worth checking how to plan a metro journey so you pick the interchange that gives you the shortest trip.
How to Transfer Between Metro Lines: Step-by-Step
Here’s the full process, in order:
- Ride to the interchange station. Board a train on your starting line and stay on until Union or BurJuman. Announcements and the overhead displays name the next station in English and Arabic, so it’s hard to miss.
- Get off and follow the transfer signs. Look for signs that say the name of the line you’re switching to (for example, “Green Line” if you’re leaving the Red Line). The signs use the line colour and usually include a little train icon — just follow the colour.
- Walk to the other line’s platform. At both interchange stations this is a short walk through an interchange corridor or a different level. No exits, no gates — you stay inside the paid area.
- Check the direction board. Each platform shows the direction of travel (the name of the last station on that line in the direction the train is heading). Make sure you’re on the platform for the direction you want.
- Board the next train. That’s it. Your Nol card was tapped in at the start of your journey, and you only tap out when you reach your final station.
The walk between platforms at Union and BurJuman typically takes a few minutes — factor that in if you’re in a hurry, especially at peak times when the corridors get crowded. If you’re travelling at an unusual hour, it’s worth checking how to check metro timings so you don’t arrive to find the last train has gone.
Red Line to Green Line
Get off at Union or BurJuman, then follow the green-coloured signs marked “Green Line”. The Green Line’s trains will show one of its two end stations on the direction board — pick the side that matches your destination.
Green Line to Red Line
The mirror image: get off at Union or BurJuman, follow the red-coloured signs marked “Red Line”, and board in the direction of your destination (towards Centrepoint one way, towards UAE Exchange the other).
Do Transfers Cost Extra?
No. Transferring between lines does not add an extra charge. The Dubai Metro fare is calculated on the total journey from where you tap in to where you tap out, based on the number of zones you cross — not on how many trains you ride. Changing lines mid-journey is treated as part of the same trip, so the fare works out exactly as if you’d travelled the same distance on a single line.
There is one condition: your whole trip has to fit inside the journey time limit for your fare zone tier. These limits are generous (well over an hour even for the shortest trips), so a normal transfer is never a problem — but if you wander off, grab lunch and come back, the system may treat it as two separate journeys. For the full breakdown of how fares are calculated, see Metro Fares Explained.
Common Transfer Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Getting off at the wrong station. Only Union and BurJuman have both lines. If you get off at any other station looking for the Green Line, you won’t find it. Double-check the station name on the platform display.
- Boarding in the wrong direction after switching. This is the most common one. You’ve changed lines correctly, but then you hop on a train heading back the way you came. Always read the direction board — it names the final station in that direction.
- Tapping out at the interchange. You don’t need to. Stay inside the gates; tapping out and back in can start a second journey and you may be charged twice.
- Following the crowd instead of the signs. During rush hour, hundreds of people pour out at Union and BurJuman heading for exits, buses and taxis. Most of them are not changing lines. Follow the coloured line signs, not the crowd.
- Cutting it too fine for the last train. Lines wind down at slightly different times. A transfer that works fine at 9pm might not work at 11pm, because the connecting train’s last service has already run. Build in a buffer late at night.
Tips for a Smooth Transfer
- Stand near the doors a station early. Union and BurJuman are busy stations with a lot of passengers getting off — being ready at the doors saves you from the squeeze.
- Use the station maps on the platform. Every platform has a network map showing both lines and the two interchange stations. A quick glance confirms you’re switching at the right place.
- Ask station staff if you’re unsure. RTA staff at interchange stations deal with confused riders all day; asking takes ten seconds and beats riding in the wrong direction for twenty minutes.
- Keep your Nol card topped up. A transfer is part of one journey, so your card only needs enough balance for the full trip — but a low balance at the gates is a headache you don’t need. Official RTA information is the best place to confirm current balance requirements; check the RTA’s official website for the latest details.
- Allow extra time during peak hours. Transfers are quick on paper, but the corridors at Union and BurJuman get very busy between roughly 7–9am and 5–8pm on working days.
If you’re comparing the metro with driving for your commute, remember that road travel in Dubai comes with its own costs — see our Dubai Salik system guide for how the toll gates work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many stations connect the Red and Green lines?
Just two: Union and BurJuman. These are the only interchange stations where you can switch between the Red Line and the Green Line.
Do I need to tap my Nol card again when changing lines?
No. Tap in once at the start of your journey and tap out once at your final destination. The transfer happens inside the paid area, so the system treats it as one continuous trip.
Does changing lines cost extra?
No. The fare depends on the zones you travel through, not the number of trains you use. A transfer adds nothing to the price.
What happens if I miss my stop at the interchange?
Stay calm — just get off at the next station, cross to the opposite platform, and ride back one stop. You’ll still be inside the paid area, so there’s no extra charge as long as you complete the journey within the time limit.
Can I transfer if I’m in a Gold Class cabin?
Yes. Gold Class works the same way — just move between the Gold cabins on each line. Note that Gold fares are higher, so make sure your card has enough balance.
Is the interchange signposted in English?
Yes. All metro signage, announcements and displays are in both English and Arabic, and interchange directions are clearly colour-coded by line.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to transfer between metro lines comes down to two station names — Union and BurJuman — and one habit: follow the coloured signs, not the crowd. Tap in once, switch lines inside the gates, tap out at the end, and you’ll be charged a single journey fare. Do it once and it becomes second nature; the Dubai Metro is designed so that even a first-time visitor can manage a transfer without any trouble.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 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.