The Dubai Metro has two operating lines, Red and Green, run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). You pay with a nol card tapped at the gates, and a standard (Silver Card) single trip costs AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50 depending on how many fare zones you cross. Trains run from 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 5am to 1am on Friday, and 8am to midnight on Sunday. The Red Line stops at Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina, which covers most first-time itineraries. Fares and hours below are as of September 2026; check rta.ae before travelling.
| Operator | Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai |
|---|---|
| Lines in service | Red Line and Green Line, both driverless |
| Under construction | Blue Line, 30 km and 14 stations, scheduled to open in 2029 |
| Payment | nol card or Red Ticket, tapped in and tapped out |
| Standard fare | AED 3 (1 zone), AED 5 (2 zones), AED 7.50 (more than 2 zones) on Silver or Blue cards |
| Opening hours | Mon to Thu and Sat 5am to midnight; Fri 5am to 1am; Sun 8am to midnight |
| Airport stations | DXB Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 (Red Line); Terminal 2 has no Metro station |
| Cabins | Gold Class, Women and Children, and standard cabins on every train |
| Luggage | Up to 2 suitcases per passenger, size limits apply |
Red Line and Green Line: where each goes
The Red Line is the one most visitors use. It runs from Centrepoint in the east, through Airport Terminals 3 and 1, Deira and the city centre, then down Sheikh Zayed Road past Downtown, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina. Near Jabal Ali it splits into two branches: one continues to Life Pharmacy station, the other (Route 2020) runs to Expo 2020 station at Expo City Dubai. Check the train's destination on the platform screen before you board if you are heading south of the Marina.
The Green Line is shorter and runs from Etisalat by e& station to Creek station through Deira, Bur Dubai and Oud Metha. It is the line for old Dubai: the souks, the Creek and the historic Al Fahidi and Al Seef area.
The two lines meet at two interchanges, Union and BurJuman, where you change platforms without leaving the paid area or paying again.
| Line | End stations | Useful stops for visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Centrepoint to Life Pharmacy, with a branch to Expo 2020 | Airport T1 and T3, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina area stations, Expo 2020 |
| Green | Etisalat by e& to Creek | Al Ras (Gold and Spice Souks), Al Ghubaiba (Bur Dubai waterfront and abra stations) |
| Interchange | Union and BurJuman | Change between lines on one fare |
Several Dubai Metro stations carry sponsor names that change over time, so a station on an older map may appear under a new name. The RTA app and station signs show current names.
Blue Line status
The Blue Line is under construction and not open to passengers. According to the RTA it will add a 30 km route with 14 stations, connecting to the existing network at Centrepoint on the Red Line and Creek on the Green Line, and serving areas such as Mirdif, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour and International City. The RTA has set a 2029 opening. It will not affect a trip in 2026 or 2027, except for roadworks around those districts.
Opening hours
| Day | First train (approx.) | Stations close |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5am | Midnight |
| Friday | 5am | 1am (Saturday) |
| Saturday | 5am | Midnight |
| Sunday | 8am | Midnight |
Two points catch visitors out. First, Sunday is the late start, not Friday: if you have an early Sunday flight from Terminal 3, the Metro will not get you there before about 8am, so book a taxi. Second, the RTA extends hours for Eid, New Year's Eve and other big events and publishes the changes a few days before, so check rta.ae or the RTA app if you plan a late return on a holiday. Trains come every few minutes at peak times and less often late at night; the platform screens count down to the next train.
Staying near Sheikh Zayed Road or in Deira? Send us your hotel name and we will tell you the nearest station and the right line.
Ask us a questionFares and zones
Dubai is split into fare zones. Your fare depends on how many zones you pass through between tapping in and tapping out, not on distance. The RTA's published single-trip fares are below.
| Journey | Red Ticket | Silver or Blue card | Gold Card (Gold Class) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 4 | AED 3 | AED 6 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 6 | AED 5 | AED 10 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 8.50 | AED 7.50 | AED 15 |
Fares are per person, per trip. Children aged 5 and under travel free. Check the RTA nol fares page before travelling, as tariffs can change.
In practice, a long ride such as the airport to Dubai Marina crosses more than two zones, so expect the top fare (AED 7.50 on a Silver Card). Short hops between neighbouring stations often stay within one or two zones. The fare machine or RTA app shows the exact fare between any two stations. The same card works on the tram; see our Dubai Tram guide for the Marina and JBR link.
Which nol card to buy
You need one ticket per person. There are four types, and the Gold Card is often misunderstood: it is not a pass or an unlimited card. It is a pay-as-you-go card that lets you sit in the Gold Class cabin, and every trip costs double the standard fare.
| Card | Cost | What it is | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Ticket | AED 2 plus fares | Paper ticket, valid 90 days, up to 10 journeys; Metro, bus and tram only | A stopover or a handful of rides |
| Silver Card | AED 25 (includes AED 19 credit) | Rechargeable plastic card, valid 5 years, standard cabins, cheaper fares than the Red Ticket | Most visitors staying 3 days or more |
| Gold Card | AED 25 (includes AED 19 credit) | Same as Silver but gives access to Gold Class cabins on the Metro and Tram at double the standard fare | Travellers who want a quieter cabin and wider seats |
| Blue (Personal) Card | AED 70 (includes AED 20 credit) | Registered card in your name, used for concession fares for students, seniors and People of Determination | Residents; rarely worth it for a short visit |
A simple rule: if you will take more than four or five trips, a Silver Card is usually cheaper overall than a Red Ticket because each Silver fare is AED 1 lower. Buy cards and top up at ticket offices and ticket machines in every station, including the Airport Terminal 1 and 3 stations. For top-up methods, balance checks, travel passes and refunds, read our nol card guide. RTA is moving to account-based ticketing that will eventually accept bank cards and phones at the gates; until that reaches your station, you still need a nol card or Red Ticket to get through.
Stations visitors actually use
- Airport Terminal 3 and Terminal 1: Red Line stations linked to the terminals. Emirates flights use Terminal 3. Terminal 2 (mainly flydubai) has no station, so use a taxi or bus from there. Our airport to city transfer guide compares the Metro with taxis and buses.
- Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall: connected to the mall by a long enclosed, air-conditioned walkway. Allow 10 to 15 minutes on foot before a timed Burj Khalifa slot. The Dubai Mall visitor guide covers entrances and layout.
- Mall of the Emirates: a bridge links the station to the mall, home to Ski Dubai. See our Mall of the Emirates guide.
- Dubai Marina area stations: change to the Dubai Tram for JBR beach and The Walk, or walk to Marina Walk.
- Al Ras and Al Ghubaiba (Green Line): for the Gold and Spice Souks and the abra crossings on Dubai Creek.
- Expo 2020 (Red Line branch): for Expo City Dubai at the southern end of the network.
The Metro gets you close to most sights but rarely to the front door. Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road and the Burj Al Arab area are not on the Metro, so plan a short taxi from the nearest station. If your hotel is on Sheikh Zayed Road, you are probably a short walk from a Red Line station.
Rules, luggage and cabins
- No eating or drinking on trains or in the restricted areas of stations marked by signs. The RTA fine is AED 100. Smoking and littering are AED 200.
- Women and Children cabin: reserved for women and children. Men travelling in it can be fined. Signs on the platform show where it stops.
- Gold Class: only for Gold Card holders. Sitting there on a Silver Card or Red Ticket can lead to a fine.
- Luggage: up to 2 suitcases per passenger, one large (max 81 x 58 x 30 cm) and one small (max 55 x 38 x 20 cm), stowed in the luggage area of the cabin. Oversized bags on an airport run mean a taxi is the better choice.
- Tap in and tap out every time. The gate reads both taps to calculate your fare; keep your card until you exit.
- Keep a balance buffer. A low balance can stop you at the gate, so top up before a long ride.
Stations have lifts, tactile paths and wheelchair spaces on trains. Our accessible Dubai guide has more on step-free travel. For routes the Metro does not reach, the Dubai bus guide covers the network that uses the same nol card.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Dubai Metro?
With a Silver Card, a single Dubai Metro trip costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 across more than two zones, as of September 2026. Red Ticket fares are AED 1 higher per trip, and Gold Class costs double the Silver fare. Children aged 5 and under travel free.
What is a nol card?
A nol card is the RTA smart card used to pay for the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses and water buses. You tap it at the gate when you enter and again when you exit, and the fare is deducted. Visitors usually buy a Silver Card for AED 25, which includes AED 19 of credit, or a paper Red Ticket for AED 2 for a few trips.
Does the Gold Card give unlimited travel?
No. The Gold Card is a pay-as-you-go card like the Silver Card. It gives access to the Gold Class cabin on the Metro and Tram, and each trip costs double the standard fare, for example AED 6 instead of AED 3 within one zone.
Does the Metro go to Dubai Airport?
Yes. The Red Line has stations at Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 has no Metro station. Each passenger can bring up to two suitcases within the RTA size limits.
What are the Dubai Metro timings?
As of September 2026, stations open at 5am and close at midnight Monday to Thursday and on Saturday. On Friday they open at 5am and close at 1am. On Sunday they open at 8am and close at midnight. Hours change on public holidays and for major events, so check rta.ae before a late or early trip.
Is the Dubai Metro Blue Line open?
No. The Blue Line is under construction. The RTA plans a 30 km line with 14 stations, linking to the Red Line at Centrepoint and the Green Line at Creek, with opening scheduled for 2029.
Can I pay with a bank card or phone at the gates?
Not yet as a general rule. You still need a nol card or Red Ticket to pass the Dubai Metro gates. The RTA is upgrading the nol system so that bank cards and digital wallets can be used, but until that reaches the network you should buy a card at the station.
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