Riding the metro, step by step
- Get a card. A Silver nol card costs AED 25, including AED 19 of credit. The paper Red Ticket costs AED 2 plus the fare and each trip is more expensive. Compare cards.
- Check your balance. You need at least AED 7.50 on a Silver card to enter.
- Tap in at the gate. Food and drinks stay outside the gates.
- Find your platform by line colour and final station. On the Red Line, trains going away from Centrepoint end at Life Pharmacy or at Expo 2020; look at the screen before boarding.
- Choose your cabin. Gold Class needs a Gold card; the Women & Children cabin is reserved for women and children.
- Tap out at your destination. The fare depends on the zones you crossed.
From Dubai Airport (DXB) by metro
- DXB Terminals 1 and 3 have direct Red Line stations (Airport T1, Airport T3). Red Line passes and nol cards on sale at ticket offices and vending machines in T1 and T3.
- To reach DWC: RTA bus or taxi from Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 stations.
- Keep AED 15 (Silver) / AED 30 (Gold) for an airport round trip; max two bags (81x58x30 cm and 55x38x20 cm) stowed in luggage areas.
| From DXB to | Get off at | Change? | Silver fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deira hotels, Al Rigga | Al Rigga / Union | No | AED 3 |
| Downtown, Burj Khalifa | Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | No | AED 5 |
| Business Bay | Business Bay | No | AED 5 |
| Dubai Marina, JBR | Sobha Realty / DMCC | No | AED 7.50 |
| Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi | Sharaf DG / Al Ghubaiba | Yes, at BurJuman to the Green Line | AED 5 |
| Gold Souq | Gold Souq | Yes, at Union to the Green Line | AED 3 |
Fares calculated from the zone of each station; the exit gate charges the final amount.
Plan your trip from the airport
Pick two stations to see the route, the number of stops, where to change lines and the estimated fare.
Luggage, bikes and scooters
- Max two pieces per passenger: one large suitcase up to 81 x 58 x 30 cm and one small up to 55 x 38 x 20 cm; bags must be stowed in the designated luggage areas in each cabin.
- Only foldable bicycles allowed: fold at station, use wide gates and lifts, place in cabin luggage area. Cycling inside stations and on footbridges prohibited; bike racks outside stations.
- Ban lifted Oct 2024: foldable e-scooters without a seat allowed at all operating times if within 120 x 70 x 40 cm and max 20 kg; must be folded before entering stations, switched off, no charging, no riding in stations or on footbridges, no damaged or dual batteries.
Using your phone
- Buy at Metro ticket offices and vending machines, RTA customer service centres, Zoom stores, Al Ansari Exchange, Europcar, Rayna Tours.
- Digital nol: Samsung (Samsung Wallet + nol Pay, Silver and Gold cards) and Huawei (Huawei Wallet) phones; Apple Wallet/iPhone not supported. Physical card becomes inactive once digitised.
- RTA S'hail app recommended for journey planning (e.g. DXB to DWC via Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 stations).
- nol cards can be topped up (min Dh5) via rta.ae, nol Pay app or S'hail app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the metro from Dubai Airport Terminal 2?
No, Terminal 2 has no metro station. The metro serves Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 only.
How do I get from DXB to Dubai Marina by metro?
Board the Red Line at Airport Terminal 3 or Terminal 1 towards Life Pharmacy or Expo 2020 and get off at Sobha Realty (formerly Dubai Marina) or DMCC. There is no change of line; the trip crosses three zones (AED 7.50 Silver).
Can I reach Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) by metro?
Not directly. Take the Red Line to Ibn Battuta or Expo 2020 and continue by RTA bus or taxi.
Reviewed 1 October 2026.