Dubai Metro FAQ

Dubai Metro operates with the following schedule in 2025:

Important Note: Timings may vary during public holidays, special events, and maintenance periods. Always check the latest schedule before your journey.

The Dubai Metro starts at 5:00 AM for the Red Line and 5:30 AM for the Green Line on all days of the week.

First Train Timings:

• Red Line (UAE Exchange to Rashidiya): First train departs at 5:00 AM
• Red Line (Rashidiya to UAE Exchange): First train departs at 5:00 AM
• Green Line (Etisalat to Creek): First train departs at 5:30 AM
• Green Line (Creek to Etisalat): First train departs at 5:30 AM

The first trains reach all stations along the route within 30-40 minutes of departure from the terminal stations.

Dubai Metro closing times vary depending on the day:

Saturday to Thursday: The last train departs at 12:00 AM (Midnight) from terminal stations. This means the last trains arrive at intermediate stations between 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM depending on the station location.

Friday: Extended service until 1:00 AM (Saturday morning) to accommodate weekend travelers.

Train frequency varies based on time of day and demand:

Peak Hours (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM):

• Red Line: Every 3-4 minutes
• Green Line: Every 5-6 minutes

Off-Peak Hours:

• Red Line: Every 7-8 minutes
• Green Line: Every 8-10 minutes

Late Evening (After 10:00 PM):

• Both lines: Every 10-15 minutes

During special events and peak tourist seasons, additional trains may be added to reduce waiting times.

No, Dubai Metro does not operate 24 hours a day. The metro closes daily for maintenance and cleaning:

• Saturday to Thursday: Service stops from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM (5 hours closure)
• Friday: Service stops from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM (4 hours closure on Friday night)

Alternative Late-Night Transportation:

• RTA Buses (including night services)
• Licensed taxis (Careem, Uber, RTA Taxis)
• E-hail services available 24/7

Dubai Metro fares are based on a zone system. The city is divided into zones, and the fare depends on how many zones you travel through:

Red Ticket (One-time journey): Fares are slightly higher than Nol Card, ranging from AED 4 to AED 8.50 depending on zones.

Cost-Saving Tip: Using a Nol Card provides better value than Red Tickets, especially for regular travelers. Daily and monthly passes offer even more savings for frequent users.

The Nol Card is Dubai's unified transportation payment card used across metro, buses, trams, and water taxis.

Types of Nol Cards:

• Red Ticket: Single-use paper ticket (valid for 10 trips, then discard)
• Silver Card: Reloadable card (AED 25 including AED 19 credit + AED 6 card fee)
• Gold Card: For Gold Class travel (AED 25 including credit)
• Blue Card: For students, people of determination (discounted fares)

Where to Purchase:

• All Metro stations (ticket vending machines and ticket offices)
• RTA Customer Service Centers
• Select supermarkets and convenience stores
• Online through RTA website and mobile app

Top-up Options: Recharge your Nol Card at metro stations, RTA buses, authorized retailers, or through the RTA Dubai app.

Yes! Dubai Metro offers passes for frequent travelers:

Annual Pass: Available at discounted rates for long-term residents (approximately AED 3,600 for standard class).

These passes offer excellent value if you're making 3 or more trips daily. Perfect for tourists exploring Dubai or daily commuters.

Yes! Dubai Metro now accepts multiple payment methods:

Contactless Payments Accepted (2025):

• Contactless credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• Apple Pay
• Samsung Pay
• Google Pay
• Nol Card (traditional and virtual)

How to Use:

1. Simply tap your contactless card or mobile wallet at the entry gate
2. Tap again at the exit gate when you leave
3. The correct fare is automatically calculated and charged

If your Nol Card doesn't have sufficient balance:

At Entry:

• The gate will not open if your balance is below the minimum fare (AED 3)
• You'll need to top up at ticket vending machines or ticket offices before entering
• Minimum top-up amount is AED 10

During Journey (Insufficient for exit):

• If you have some balance but not enough for your complete journey, you can exit with a negative balance
• You must recharge before using the card again
• The negative balance will be deducted from your next top-up

Quick Top-up Locations:

• Ticket vending machines (cash and card accepted)
• Customer service counters at stations
• RTA Dubai mobile app (online top-up)
• Authorized retail outlets

As of 2025, Dubai Metro has two operational lines with a third under construction:

Dubai Airport is served by three metro stations on the Red Line:

Airport Stations:

• Airport Terminal 3 Station: Direct access to Terminal 3 (Emirates flights)
• Airport Terminal 1 Station: Connected to Terminal 1 via air-conditioned walkway
• GGICO Station: Near Terminal 2 (requires short taxi/bus ride)

Operating Hours from Airport: Same as regular metro timings (5:00 AM - 12:00 AM/1:00 AM depending on day).

The closest metro station to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station on the Red Line.

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station
2. Exit the station and follow signs to Dubai Mall
3. Take the air-conditioned covered walkway (approximately 700 meters / 8-10 minute walk)
4. The walkway leads directly to Dubai Mall's ground level

Nearby Attractions Accessible from this Station:

• Burj Khalifa (5 minutes walk from Dubai Mall)
• Dubai Fountain (at Dubai Mall)
• Souk Al Bahar (adjacent to Dubai Mall)
• Dubai Opera (10 minutes walk)

Dubai Creek Harbour is accessible via metro with a connecting bus or taxi:

Best Route (Metro + Bus):

1. Take the Green Line to Creek Station
2. Exit the metro and head to the bus station
3. Board RTA Bus Route 11, 33, or 42 to Dubai Creek Harbour
4. Journey time: 15-20 minutes by bus

Alternative Route (Metro + Taxi):

1. Take metro to Creek Station (Green Line)
2. Take a taxi from the station (approximately 10-15 minutes ride)
3. Estimated taxi fare: AED 20-30

Dubai Creek Harbour Highlights:

• Dubai Creek Tower (under construction)
• Island District shopping and dining
• Creek Marina
• Waterfront promenades

There are two interchange stations where you can transfer between Red and Green lines:

Transfer Process:

1. Exit your train and follow "Line Transfer" signs
2. Walk through the connecting corridor
3. You DO NOT need to tap out and tap in again
4. Board your connecting train on the other line
5. The fare is calculated for your complete journey

Important: No additional fare is charged for transfers. Your Nol Card tracks your complete journey across both lines.

Yes! Dubai Marina is served by two stations on the Red Line:

Dubai Tram Connection:

Both stations connect to the Dubai Tram, which provides easy access to:

• Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
• The Beach mall
• Bluewaters Island (Ain Dubai)
• Media City and Internet City

Use your Nol Card to transfer seamlessly between metro and tram.

Dubai Metro has strict regulations about prohibited items. The following are NOT allowed:

Absolutely Prohibited (Heavy Fines):

• Food and drinks (including water bottles if open) - Fine: AED 100
• Chewing gum - Fine: AED 100
• Smoking and e-cigarettes - Fine: AED 200
• Alcohol - Fine: AED 500+
• Flammable materials (petrol, gas cylinders, fireworks)
• Sharp objects (unless properly secured)
• Hazardous chemicals

Restricted Items:

• Bicycles: Not allowed during peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM); permitted during off-peak with size restrictions
• Large luggage: Must not obstruct pathways or doors
• Pets: Only service animals and small pets in carriers are allowed
• Musical instruments: Large instruments may be restricted during peak hours

No, eating and drinking are strictly prohibited on Dubai Metro trains and in all station areas.

Penalties:

• First offense: AED 100 fine
• Monitored by CCTV and security personnel
• Fines issued on-spot or through registered Nol Card

Where You CAN Eat:

• Outside the metro station premises
• Designated eating areas in connected shopping malls
• After completing your metro journey

Dubai Metro enforces fines for various violations. Here's the complete list of penalties (2025):

How Fines Are Issued:

• On-the-spot by metro security or RTA inspectors
• Through registered Nol Card (deducted automatically)
• CCTV monitoring with follow-up notification

Payment: Fines must be paid within 60 days through RTA website, app, or customer service centers. Unpaid fines may result in travel restrictions.

Yes! Dubai Metro provides dedicated cabins for women and children for added comfort and privacy.

Who Can Use These Cabins:

• Women of all ages
• Children under 12 years (boys and girls)
• Male guardians accompanying children under 5 years

Gold Class Alternative:

Gold Class cabins (available to all with Gold Class tickets) offer additional premium features:

• More spacious seating
• Wider walkways
• Fewer passengers (more comfortable)
• Located in the middle of each train

Yes, both luggage and strollers are allowed on Dubai Metro with certain guidelines:

Luggage Guidelines:

• Standard suitcases: Fully permitted (carry-on and checked bag sizes)
• Large items: Should not obstruct doorways, aisles, or seats
• Maximum dimensions: Should be manageable by one person
• Placement: Keep luggage close to you in designated areas
• Peak hours: Avoid traveling with very large luggage during rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM)

Baby Strollers:

• All stroller types are welcome
• Elevators available at all stations for easy access
• Fold strollers during peak hours if possible
• Priority seating areas near doors recommended
• Use brakes when stationary

Best Practices:

• Travel during off-peak hours with large luggage
• Use Gold Class for more space (extra fare applies)
• Keep valuables with you at all times
• Be considerate of other passengers

Yes! Free WiFi is available throughout Dubai Metro system.

How to Connect:

1. Enable WiFi on your device
2. Select "RTA WiFi" from available networks
3. Open your browser - you'll be redirected to a portal
4. Accept terms and conditions
5. Enjoy free internet access

WiFi Features:

• Good speed for browsing, messaging, and social media
• Suitable for video calls and streaming (may vary with passenger density)
• Automatic reconnection as you move between trains and stations
• No time limits or data caps

Yes! Dubai Metro is fully accessible for people of determination (wheelchair users and people with disabilities).

Accessibility Features at Stations:

• Elevators: At all 49 stations from ground level to platform
• Ramps: Where elevation changes are minimal
• Wide entry gates: Designated gates for wheelchairs and strollers
• Tactile paving: For visually impaired passengers
• Audio announcements: Station names and safety information
• Braille signage: At ticket machines and information boards
• Priority seating: Clearly marked near each door

On-Train Accessibility:

• Level boarding: Minimal gap between platform and train
• Wide doorways: Easy wheelchair access
• Designated spaces: Wheelchair spaces in each cabin
• Emergency intercoms: Accessible at wheelchair height
• Visual and audio alerts: For next station and doors

Parking: Designated accessible parking spaces available at metro stations with parking facilities.

If you lose an item on Dubai Metro, follow these steps to recover it:

Immediate Actions:

1. Inform station staff immediately: Visit the nearest station's customer service desk
2. Check with security: CCTV footage may help locate your item
3. Provide details: Description, time, train direction, and station

Information to Provide:

• Detailed item description (brand, color, size, distinctive features)
• Date and approximate time of loss
• Metro line (Red or Green)
• Boarding and alighting stations
• Your contact information

Lost and Found Centers:

• Main Center: Union Station (largest collection)
• Secondary: Ibn Battuta, Mall of the Emirates, and Burj Khalifa stations
• Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily

Collection Process:

• Items are held for 90 days
• Bring ID to claim your item
• No fees for item collection
• Proof of ownership may be required for valuable items

Following directions on Dubai Metro is straightforward with clear signage:

Understanding Metro Directions:

How to Determine Your Direction:

1. Check your destination station on the metro map
2. Identify if it's towards the start or end of the line
3. Follow platform signs showing the terminal station name
4. Look at digital displays showing next train direction and destination

Station Signage Features:

• Color-coded signs (Red for Red Line, Green for Green Line)
• Directional arrows pointing to platforms
• Station sequence maps showing all stops in order
• Digital screens with real-time train arrivals
• Audio announcements in English and Arabic

If You Go the Wrong Way:

• Simply get off at the next station
• Cross to the opposite platform (follow "Change Direction" signs)
• Board the train going the other way
• Your Nol Card fare includes transfers within the journey

Yes! You can freely use your mobile phone on Dubai Metro with some etiquette considerations:

Permitted Phone Activities:

• Making and receiving calls
• Texting and messaging
• Browsing the internet (free WiFi available)
• Using apps and social media
• Listening to music (with headphones/earphones)
• Watching videos (with headphones/earphones)
• Taking photos (respectful of other passengers)

Phone Etiquette and Rules:

• Volume: Keep phone calls at reasonable volume
• Headphones required: For all audio/video content
• No speakerphone: Use handset or headphones for calls
• Privacy: Don't photograph other passengers without permission
• Priority seating: Be alert if you're in priority seats and someone needs them

Network Coverage:

• Full mobile network coverage in stations and on trains
• All UAE operators supported (Etisalat, du)
• 4G/5G connectivity available
• Free WiFi as backup option

What's Not Allowed:

• Playing audio without headphones (fine may apply)
• Using flash photography that disturbs others
• Recording others without consent
• Disruptive behavior while on phone