Dubai Metro guide: lines, fares, nol cards and tips (2026)

The Dubai Metro has two working lines, the Red Line and the Green Line, and runs from 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 5am to 1am on Friday, and 8am to midnight on Sunday. You pay with a nol card or ticket: a Silver nol card costs AED 25 (with AED 19 of credit inside), and a single trip costs AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50 depending on how many fare zones you cross. A third line, the Blue Line, is under construction and is scheduled to open on 9 September 2029.

I use the Metro most weeks, and it is still the easiest way to cross Dubai without sitting in traffic. This guide covers the lines, the cards, the fares, the rules that catch visitors out, and a few habits that make every trip smoother.

What lines does the Dubai Metro have?

Right now there are two lines in service, both driverless and run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The Red Line

The Red Line is the long one. It runs from Centrepoint in Al Rashidiya, past Dubai International Airport (Terminals 1 and 3), through Deira and Bur Dubai, then along Sheikh Zayed Road past Downtown Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali. Most first-time visitors spend nearly all their Metro time on this line, because it links the airport with the big hotel areas and landmarks.

Near Jabal Ali station the line splits. Some trains continue on Route 2020 toward Expo City Dubai, and others run along the branch past Ibn Battuta Mall. Always check the destination shown on the platform screen and on the front of the train before you board.

Route 2020

Route 2020 is the Red Line extension built for Expo 2020. It is about 15 km long, with seven stations from Jabal Ali to the Expo 2020 station, and it serves areas such as The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Investment Park. It was fully open by June 2021 and is the easiest way to reach Expo City Dubai by public transport.

The Green Line

The Green Line is shorter and loops through the older heart of the city: Deira, Al Ghubaiba, Oud Metha, Dubai Healthcare City and Al Jaddaf, ending at Creek station. It is the line to use for the Gold and Spice Souks, Al Fahidi and the creek side of town.

Where do the Red and Green lines meet?

You can change between the two lines at Union and BurJuman stations. Transfers happen inside the station, so you do not tap out and you do not pay twice.

Is the Dubai Metro Blue Line open?

Not yet. The Blue Line is under construction and RTA has set an opening date of 9 September 2029. According to the Dubai Media Office, it will be 30 km long with 14 stations on two branches:

• One branch starts at Creek station on the Green Line and runs through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor and International City to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Academic City.
• The second branch starts at Centrepoint on the Red Line and runs through Mirdif and Al Warqa to International City.

Work started in June 2025, and RTA reported 10% progress after about five months, with 30% expected by the end of 2026. The first phase of tunnelling was completed in July 2026. Until 2029, the areas on the future Blue Line are served by buses and taxis.

What are the Dubai Metro operating hours?

These are the regular hours for both the Red and Green lines, as listed by Dubai Airports:

Hours change during Ramadan, on public holidays and for big events. On New Year’s Eve, for example, RTA often runs the Metro through the night, and for the Dubai Marathon it has opened early on a Sunday. Always check the RTA website or the RTA Dubai app before a late trip, because exact last-train times differ slightly from station to station.

What is a nol card and which one should you get?

Nol is Dubai’s transport payment system. The same card works on the Metro, the Dubai Tram, RTA buses and the water buses, and you tap in and tap out at the gates. These are the main options:

Silver and Gold cards are anonymous and valid for five years, so you can keep one for your next trip. The personal Blue card can be protected if it is lost and is also the card used for concession discounts for eligible groups. If you are staying more than a day or two, a Silver card is almost always cheaper than buying Red tickets.

How much does the Dubai Metro cost?

Fares depend on your card and on how many fare zones you cross. These are the standard single-trip fares reported by Gulf News and Property Finder’s 2026 fare guide:

So a ride from the airport to Dubai Marina, which crosses several zones, costs AED 7.50 on a Silver card. A nol day pass with unlimited rides for one day is also sold, reported at AED 20 for Silver and AED 40 for Gold, along with longer travel passes for commuters. If you want to estimate your own trip, try our nol fare calculator.

How do you top up a nol card?

You can top up at ticket vending machines and ticket offices in stations, in the nol Pay app, on the RTA website, and at some shops and bus stop machines. Since 1 March 2025, the minimum top-up at Metro ticket vending machines is AED 20, according to RTA’s notice. Each top-up must use one payment method. If you only want to add a few dirhams, use the nol Pay app or a Tram station machine, where the AED 20 minimum does not currently apply.

What is Gold Class on the Dubai Metro?

Gold Class is a separate cabin at one end of each train with wider leather seats and fewer people. You need a Gold nol card to enter, and fares are double the Silver price. Standing in the Gold Class cabin with a Silver card can get you a fine, so check the floor markings on the platform before you board. For a short ride it is rarely worth it, but on a long trip at rush hour some people happily pay the extra.

Who can use the women and children cabin?

Every train has a section reserved for women and children, clearly marked on the platform and on the doors. Men should not sit in it or walk through it. Women are free to ride in any cabin they like; the reserved section is simply an option. Sitting in areas reserved for specific groups carries a AED 100 fine.

What are the Dubai Metro rules and fines?

The Metro is clean and calm, and the rules are enforced. Inspectors do check cards. Here are the fines you are most likely to need to know, from the list published by Gulf News:

The eating and drinking rule applies inside the paid area of the station as well as on the train, so finish your coffee before you tap in. Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs. Folded e-scooters are allowed again under RTA guidelines, as long as you keep them out of the aisles and doorways. For more on local etiquette, see our do’s and don’ts in Dubai.

Can you take the Metro from Dubai Airport?

Yes. The Red Line stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB). You can buy nol cards and Red tickets from the ticket offices and machines in both terminals. Terminal 2 is not on the Metro, so you will need a taxi or bus from there.

Luggage is the main catch. Dubai Airports says you can travel with up to two pieces of luggage, including hand luggage, and RTA has size limits. With two large suitcases plus a carry-on, or if you land after the last train, a taxi is easier. If you are planning the rest of your first days, our travel guide for Dubai and itinerary builder can help.

How does the Metro connect to the tram and buses?

The Dubai Tram runs through Dubai Marina, JBR and Al Sufouh, and links to the Red Line by footbridge at two stations: Sobha Realty (connecting to Dubai Marina tram stop) and DMCC (connecting to Jumeirah Lake Towers tram stop). A single tram trip within one zone costs AED 3 on a Silver card. The tram usually runs from about 6am to 1am, starting later on Sundays. From the Palm Jumeirah tram stop, a footbridge leads to the Palm Monorail, which is a short walk away and accepts nol cards.

Many Metro stations also have bus stops right outside, including feeder buses that serve neighbourhoods away from the line. The same nol card works on the bus, so switching between Metro, tram and bus needs no new ticket.

Practical tips for riding the Dubai Metro

1. Tap in and tap out every time. Your fare is worked out from where you enter and exit, so a missed tap can cause problems at the gate or the wrong charge.
2. Keep enough credit. Top up before you are close to zero, especially if you are heading to the airport with luggage and no time to queue.
3. Avoid rush hour if you can. Trains through Union, BurJuman and the business districts get very full at weekday commuting times in the morning and early evening.
4. Use the right cabin. Look at the floor markings for Gold Class and the women and children section before the train arrives.
5. Plan for the heat. Stations are air-conditioned, but the walk from the station to your destination may not be. Some stations link straight into malls, such as Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station with its long air-conditioned walkway. Our list of things to do at Dubai Mall starts right there.
6. Download the apps. The RTA Dubai app and nol Pay help with journey planning and top-ups. We list others in our must-have apps for Dubai.
7. Budget your trip. Transport is one of the cheapest parts of a Dubai holiday if you use the Metro. Our trip budget planner can help you see the full picture.

Is the Dubai Metro worth using?

For most visitors, yes. It is clean, cheap and reliable, and it reaches the airport, Downtown, the Marina and the old town. It is less useful for places far from the line, such as much of Jumeirah Beach Road or the Palm’s outer crescent, where a short taxi from the nearest station often works best. Combine the Metro with the tram, buses and the occasional taxi and you can see most of the city without ever renting a car. For a quick plan, see what to do in 24 hours in Dubai.

Last checked: October 2026. Rules and fees in the UAE change; confirm on the official pages above before you rely on them.