48 Hours in Dubai by Public Transport: A Car-Free 2-Day Plan

You can see Downtown, Old Dubai, Dubai Marina and a public beach in 48 hours without a single taxi. The Metro Red Line links almost everything on this route, the Dubai Tram covers the Marina, and a traditional abra crosses the Creek for AED 1 in cash. Budget roughly AED 25 for a Silver nol card plus about AED 15 to 30 per person per day in fares, as of September 2026.

This plan suits first-timers staying anywhere near a Red Line station. If you only have one day, use our one-day Metro-only route instead; if you have a car or prefer taxis, the classic Dubai weekend plan is built around door-to-door travel.

Before you start: the nol card and fares

Buy a Silver nol card at any Metro ticket office or machine. It costs AED 25, including AED 19 of travel credit. Red paper tickets exist but cost more per trip, so the Silver card pays for itself within a couple of days. See our nol card guide for top-up options.

RTA Silver card fares are charged by zone: AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 for more than two zones. Transfers between Metro, tram and bus within 30 minutes count as one journey. Children aged 5 and under travel free. Check the RTA nol fares page before travelling, as fares can change.

Metro hours: trains typically run from about 5am to midnight Monday to Saturday, until around 1am on Friday night, with a later start on Sunday morning. Hours change for holidays and events, so confirm on the RTA timetable. Every train has a Gold Class carriage (double fare) and a women-and-children section; standing in them with a standard ticket risks a fine.

Day 1: Old Dubai by abra, then Downtown at night

Morning: Al Fahidi and Bur Dubai (Metro: Al Ghubaiba or Sharaf DG)

Start early, before the heat builds. Take the Green Line to Al Ghubaiba, or the Red Line to Sharaf DG and walk about 15 minutes, into the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. The wind-tower lanes are free to wander. Note that the Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort has been closed since 2021, so don't plan around it. Our Old Dubai guide covers what is open.

Late morning: abra across the Creek to the souks

From the Bur Dubai Abra Station, a wooden abra crosses to Deira Old Souk in a few minutes. The fare is AED 1, paid in cash to the driver, so carry coins or small notes. On the Deira side, walk through the Spice Souk to the Gold Souk. Return the same way, or take the Green Line from Al Ras or Gold Souk station.

Afternoon: rest indoors

Between roughly noon and 4pm, especially from May to October, go back to your hotel or head indoors. The Red Line from BurJuman runs direct to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station.

Evening: Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the Fountain (Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall)

From the station, an air-conditioned walkway of around 10 to 15 minutes leads into Dubai Mall. If you want to go up the Burj Khalifa, book a timed slot online in advance; see our Burj Khalifa guide for ticket types. The Dubai Fountain show is free to watch from the lakeside promenade in the evening. Allow extra time to exit: the station gets very busy after the shows.

Day 2: Marina, beach and tram

Morning: JBR Beach (Metro: DMCC or Sobha Realty, then tram)

Ride the Red Line south to DMCC or Sobha Realty, then change to the Dubai Tram for Jumeirah Beach Residence 1 or 2. The tram shares the nol card, and the change counts as a transfer. JBR beach is free to use, with showers and paid loungers. Swim only in flagged areas.

Midday: Marina Walk

Walk north along the Marina Walk promenade, or ride the tram a few stops. Plenty of cafés and air-conditioned malls line the route for a lunch break out of the sun.

Afternoon: Palm Jumeirah by tram and monorail (optional)

The tram stops at Palm Jumeirah station, which connects to the Palm Monorail running up the trunk towards Atlantis. The monorail is run privately and is not covered by nol, so buy a separate ticket at the station. If you'd rather keep things simple and cheap, skip it and spend the afternoon on the beach instead.

Evening: sunset at the Marina, then back by Metro

Stay for sunset at JBR or take a short walk to the Marina for dinner. The Red Line runs back towards Downtown and Deira until late, but check the last-train time on a Sunday or holiday.

What public transport can't reach well

Some headline experiences need a pick-up or a taxi. A desert safari always involves a 4x4 transfer, and most operators collect from hotels; see our desert safari guide. The Burj Al Arab viewpoint and parts of Jumeirah Beach Road are served only by buses with long gaps, so for those a short taxi or ride-hail is the practical fill-in. If you want to leave the city for a night, Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi are covered in our weekend getaways from Dubai.

Practical tips for a car-free 48 hours

Tap in and out at every gate: forgetting to tap out can charge you the maximum fare. Eating and drinking, including water and chewing gum, is banned on the Metro and tram, and fines apply. Keep at least a few dirhams in cash for the abra. The RTA S'hail app plans routes across Metro, tram, bus and abra. Given the current regional security situation, check your government's travel advice before you travel, as flights to and from DXB were disrupted earlier in 2026.

Want help fitting this route around your hotel location? Send us your dates and where you're staying.

Related reading: Dubai Metro lines and stations and the water taxi and abra guide.