Please note that a small section of the Red Line will be closed from January 5 2018 to mid-2019. See here for more information.
By the start of the millennium, fast population growth plus rapidly increasing numbers of tourists was putting a huge burden on Dubai’s transport infrastructure.
The Dubai Metro was the city’s answer to the problem. Construction began in 2006 with the first stations opening in 2009.
Trains are driverless and include first class, and women and children only sections. Extensive window panels offer great views of the city.
Station interior
Lines
2 lines have been constructed:
| Line | Completion | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Red Line | 2009 | Rashidiya to UAE Exchange (Jebel Ali) |
| Green Line | 2011 | Etisalat to Dubai Healthcare City |
The Red Line runs from Rashidiya (near Dubai International Airport) to UAE Exchange (formerly Jebel Ali). All 29 stations are now open.
The Green Line runs from Etisalat Metro Station in Al Qusais to Dubai Healthcare City in Umm Hurair. All 20 stations are now operational.
Passengers can transfer between lines at either Union or BurJuman (formerly Khalid Bin Al Waleed).
Dubai Tram
The Metro is connected to the Dubai Tram system at DAMAC Metro Station (formerly Dubai Marina Metro Station) and Jumeirah Lakes Towers Metro Station, both on the Red Line.
Map
An interactive map of the Dubai Metro system can be found here.
A link to download the pdf version of this map can be found on this page.
Timetable
The Dubai Metro runs every day of the week. Operating times are:
- Red Line – 5 am until midnight Saturday to Wednesday, 5 am until 1 am on Thursday, and 10 am until 1 am on Friday.
- Green Line – 5.30 am until midnight Saturday to Wednesday, 5.30 am until 1 am on Thursday, and 10 am until 1 am on Friday.
Changes to the Metro start times on Fridays took effect at the beginning of October 2015. Previously the Metro had started running at 1 pm on Fridays. Earlier start times on all days were introduced in November 2017.
Train timings are frequent so no timetable is necessary. Trains arrive every 4 minutes on average during peak hours and every 7 minutes during off-peak hours.
A journey along the entire length of the Red Line (from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali) takes 1 hour and 8 minutes. The Green Line is shorter. The trip from Etisalat to Dubai Healthcare city takes 36 minutes.
Fares
Fares are cheap compared to similar systems around the world.
Contactless tickets or cards must be purchased prior to commencing a journey. They are available at all Metro stations, bus stations, and authorised sales agents (Carrefour, Spinneys etc.)
Train Layout
Each train has five carriages. One carriage is divided into two cabins; Gold Class (first class) and Women & Children only. The Gold Class cabin features leather seats and is typically less crowded. The Women & Children section offers extra space for strollers.
The other four carriages are for Standard Class passengers.
Passengers on Red Line trains travelling towards Jebel Ali should note that the Gold Class cabin is at the front of the train. On trains going east towards Rashidiya the Gold Class cabin is at the rear of the train.
On Green Line trains heading towards Creek the Gold Class cabin is at the front of the train. On trains travelling to Etisalat the Gold Class cabin is at the rear.
Fines are imposed for passengers travelling in the wrong class of cabin.
Standard Class carriage
Parking
There are three large park and ride facilities on the Dubai Metro where drivers can leave their cars.
| Station | Line | Spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Rashidiya | Red Line | 2700 |
| Nakheel Harbour and Tower | Red Line | 3000 |
| Etisalat | Green Line | 2300 |
Parking is free for Metro users.
Airport
The Dubai Metro offers 2 dedicated stops for Dubai International Airport; Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. They are situated at the eastern end of the Red Line.
Passengers are permitted to carry 2 items of luggage on a Metro train (one large suitcase and one piece of hand baggage). The dimensions of the suitcase should not be greater than 81 cm x 58 cm x 30 cm. The hand baggage should measure less than 55 cm x 38 cm x 20 cm.
A handful of Metro stations boast Emirates Self Check-in machines where Emirates passengers can check-in for their flights up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. To obtain a boarding pass, passengers simply need to enter their Skywards frequent flyer number, e-ticket number, or booking reference code.
The stations with this facility are Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall, and Financial Centre.
Dawne says
Question,
Does it cost extra for 1st class, or women and children cabin tickets?
Ankur says
Yes, first class tickets are more expensive. No extra charges for women cabin.
Syd says
Dubai Metro is great value for money if compared with taxi fares. It is really convenient.
Dubai Metro staff is helpful and patient.
Dubai airport staff, especially Visa issuance, Immigration and security needs to be more polite. One problem across many public places in Dubai – staff / employees of various government departments, retail stores are on mobiles phones calling / using messenger apps while they are on the floor and on duty. It looks unprofessional and needs to improve keeping in mind strict rules in Dubai.
Many Dubai local staff are rude and sarcastic at airports, metros and get impatient with passengers / travelers. I have experienced this on my two visits in one year.
Overall, Dubai is a great city – offers amazing nightlife, shopping big brands or brands on discount. Dubai is one of the cleanest cities and the culture is great. The deserts during desert safari needs to be free of plastic bags, bottles, eatable packets. Lot of places the desert had lot of litter which is sad. The travelers need to take care of cleanliness as well.
The plastic shopping bags given at retail outlets at shopping malls, shops at Dubai metro and Dubai airport should be banned. Plastic is one of the greatest polluters of environment
Meera says
I love traveling in Dubai metro! It’s the best! But I feel there is no control or monitoring on the prices on items sold in the shops in the station , e.g. Like in Zoom! A 250 ml low fat milk gets sold for 2.50 dhs, where as outside it is 1.75. U can understand a 25fil increase but 75 fil is quite like robbing the passengers!! Other items too hv a price difference of 7fil to 1 dhs. Pls check this. Thank u
Sean says
Lot of non gold card users in the gold cabin. Can we have this rectified please. Its unfair for the gold card holders as we dont have space to sit.
Syed says
Any plans of linking the Metro to Sharjah, it will be a big relief for the daily sharjah commuters
samir lubega says
Note: the last train to UAE exchange departs union station at 11:10pm. I’ve been stranded before and i had take 60 dirham taxi all the way to Dubai media city
Cristian Monsalves says
Is there an options for those whom bike to the Metro?
Can one bring a bike inside? Is there a special (cargo) vagon?
Are there bike parking spots where one can lock a bike and take the train back and forth?
I’ll be working in the business bay and living close to the Marina; it would be great to bike from home to the train and walk from the train to the office.
Rod M says
The Dubai Metro is a fantastic way to travel in Dubai. As it is relatively new, it is extremely clean and safe. We have been to Dubai twice and both times we bought an all day pass and got on and off whenever we saw something interesting. When we became tired, we just traveled on the train. Well done Dubai!
Saiyed says
Very informative website.
One question
Does Day pass for 1 day entitles all day travel on both the lines ( Green & Red ) and one can get off & on any where all day along .
Please reply
Rosario Zaballero says
If I need to be at Emirates Tower Station at 6:25am, what time should I catch the train from Rashidiya?
Tracy says
Can I get the metro from the cruise terminal (Port Rashid) to downtown Dubai to visit the Dubai Mall and fountain, thanks
Stuart says
We will be in Dubai in 3 weeks as part of a cruise, is there a metro station close to Port Rashid and Burj Khalifa?
Regards
Dorcas says
I don’t speak Arab. Will it be easy to use the Dubai metro on my next visit? What’s the difference between the red and blue line. The metered taxis were too expensive and i would really want to move around this time by the metro on my next visit. I need a guide as i have seen that it’s quite easy to use. Thanks for your help
Muhammad Hashim says
I want know that. There is have a parking place in UAE Exchange station
SIRAJ says
CAN I CARRY TWO CABIN BAGGAGE AND 1 HAND LUGGAGE BY METRO TRAIN
Thomas Lakaparambu says
The announcement in Metro while it leaves or approaches a station is always as “the next station”. Probably the announcement can be corrected while approaching a station as “the current station or approaching station is” by its name rather than announcing as the next station is” which is confusing.
Hameed says
Now some of the Metro Stations have been renamed e.g UAE Exchange. So i got confused when i returned from my vacation. Therefore people who went on their vacation for a short period of time, please dont get confused and see the map before boarding.
mall merina says
Dubai metro is safe ,sure ,on time,clean and excellent.
whenever and whereever the people can,t hire a car ,they maybe used it.
the signs is OK.
the staff of RTA are friendly.
MICHAELTHEGREAT says
METRO IN DUBAI IS GREAT AND VERY CLEAN. VERY AFFORDABLE AND GREAT COUNTRY TO VISIT. PEOPLE (LOCAL) ARE FRIENDLY. SINCE IM LIVING HERE FOR A YEAR IT REALLY HELPS ME A LOT IN SO MANY WAYS.
Teresa says
Teresa I.
Sept.15/09/15
Metro is great value and fast. Timings should be earlier, starting at 5 am in the mornings as many people have to be in places for 6 am. From TECOM to Dubai International Airport takes over an hour.
Also Friday people travelling we need train metro
All transport , metro in world working ,I don’t understand here to late also Friday start to late !
Please start 5 am including Friday !
keith s says
Whats all this complaining about the Metro users, I found great majority of users kind and courteous. It is the only form of transport where someone actually offered me their seat.
Gray says
How long can a driver leave their car at the park and ride parking facilities. I’m going on business trip for 7 days.
Noor says
24 hours or u can use a parking near
Harry says
Overnight parking is not allowed at the metro parking lots. Best to just take a taxi or bus to the station closest to you and take the metro the remainder of the way. It is also VERY expensive to park your car at the airport.
Karen Bruce says
I will be travelling with my husband next month (February) arriving at Dubai International Airport and we plan on taking the Metro to our hotel. I noticed that there is a carriage for women and children. Do I have to travel in this carriage or can I travel with my husband in the standard class carriage?
Editor says
You don’t have to travel in the women’s carriage. It’s optional.
Karen Bruce says
Thank you very much for answering so promptly.
Ramshad says
sure
Harry says
As commented earlier, women are welcome to ride in the Standard Cabins.
Ensure your husband does not stand with you or even cross through the Ladies Cabin. There is a stiff fine for any man doing so. Fines are levied on the spot at the metro station kiosk, and even an ordinary citizen can turn you in.
anu mathew says
I need the fare details for blue card for different zones.
Editor says
The new fares for blue cards (from November 2014) are 7.5 AED for 3 zone trip, 5 AED for 2 zone trip, and 3 AED for a single zone trip. Halve the cost for seniors and students.
Abbas says
Hi, you have to travel with your family in standed carriage and you will find that most of the time you will have to stand, this is what is like on public transport
Peter says
The Metro system in Dubai is excellent; but I think it is now mature enough to have an earlier start on Fridays. The RTA should consider a 10 am start on Fridays, rather than 1 pm as is the case presently.
Ross says
Does anyone know any of the companies building the Metro?
Editor says
I presume you mean companies that built the Dubai Metro?
The Dubai Metro was built by Dubai Rail Link (DURL), a consortium of four Japanese companies (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, and Kajima Corporation) and one Turkish company (Yapi Merkezi).
dr hamdy says
Really it is the best way to visit all Dubai. I enjoyed all the day using the Metro. It was my first time using it but it was so easy.
Rifat says
Do you have any information about Dubai Trams? When it will start at Dubai Media City?
Editor says
We’ve just added a route map for the Dubai Tram system, together with the location of all tram stations. It opens to the general public on November 12 2014. It actually opens on November 11, but that is a VIP-only day.
Editor says
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA is considering adding an additional 25 to 35 trains to the current fleet to cope with increasing numbers of passengers. There are currently 79 trains operating on the Dubai Metro; 61 on the Red Line and 18 on the Green Line.
Dudley says
My number one tip when booking your hotel in Dubai would be to make sure your hotel is near a metro station. It is the best and safest way to travel around the city. You can get to almost all of the tourist attractions and best malls on the Dubai metro.
RJ says
When I visited Dubai a few years ago the Metro wasn’t very busy. Now it seems to be busier and I frequently had to stand. I guess it is a victim of its own success. Nevertheless is it is still quick, clean, and the best way to get around the city.
Giorgi Safaris says
Yes its still the best way to go around Dubai but you are most likely to travel whilst standing due to all the seats taken. It is very cheap as compared to taxi fares. As for Dubai taxis, nowadays their interiors seem worn-out and dirty and the taxi drivers are not very customer friendly (except for the women taxis). The other option is the Dubai tram or Dubai bus which are kind of slow.
nayz says
Yeah your right… it’s quick and easy buy the only problem I feel is that it gets far to over crowded more carriages and seats needed I have stand all the time rarely get a seat it’s hard with a 5 year old travelling with me at having to stand.
Baz says
The Dubai Metro is very clean and cheap. The passes were excellent value. The stations have beautiful interiors and are very modern. It is very simple to use. It got a little busy at rush hour though you can avoid this with a little planning.
Treek says
Like others have said, it would be greatly improved if the lines were to start earlier. The Metro itself is good. It is just a shame about the people who use it. They lack common sense and manners. In Dubai all the damn Indian try to pile on to the train before waiting for passengers to get off first. Typical Indians letting the world down.
Editor says
It’s much worse on the London Underground or the Kiev Metro. People behave far better on the Dubai Metro than on other systems around the world.
G says
In London people know to wait for passengers to get off first before running on. In Dubai they lack this common sense!
Giorgi Safaris says
That is because the metro just stops for a brief period at every station. There’s hardly enough time for people to alight and board especially during rush hours when the cabins are full. So you can’t blame them.
Shabana Zuilfiqar says
Lol, that’s not the case…at busy times I have seen ppl being rude and aggressive.
P Parker says
Metro is great value and fast. Timings should be earlier, starting at 5 am in the mornings as many people have to be in places for 6 am. From TECOM to Dubai International Airport takes over an hour.
Dammy Mansheye says
As a matter of fact, I supported your view for metro to start by 5am. This will go a long way in helping the people to reach their work places on time especially those that need to clock in by 6am. Also, it would be more appreciated if the train could start earlier on Fridays .
tony says
Dubai Metro is a great transport system for every one in the city. It would be more helpful if the morning timing would move earlier from 6 am to 5.30 am for employees like me that start at 7 am sharp.
Julian M says
The Metro is a great way to get around the city. It’s clean and all the signs are in English. It’s closed on Friday mornings though so don’t plan on using it then.
Christophe says
The Dubai Metro is efficient, fast, and spotlessly clean. It was very easy to use and took us everywhere we wanted. There really is no need to hire a car in Dubai.