Dubai has one of the easiest metro systems in the world to use. Two lines, clean driverless trains, and a fare that starts at AED 3. The hard part for visitors is not the metro itself. It is knowing which station goes with which sight, and which card to buy. This guide fixes both.
Use this Dubai Metro map guide as your one page for the whole system. Below you will find every station on both lines, the Dubai Metro timings for each day, the Dubai Metro ticket price for each card, and the right station for the places you actually came to see.
Quick Answer: The Dubai Metro has 2 lines: the Red Line (airport, Downtown, Marina) and the Green Line (old Dubai, souks, Creek). They cross at Union and BurJuman. You pay with a Nol card: AED 3 for 1 zone, AED 5 for 2 zones, AED 7.50 for 3 or more zones with a Silver card. Trains run from 5 AM (8 AM on Sundays) until midnight, and 1 AM on Fridays.
The Dubai Metro Map, Explained Simply
Think of the Dubai Metro map as two lines that do two different jobs. The Red Line is the tourist line. It runs beside Sheikh Zayed Road, past the airport, Downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina. If you only ride one line on your trip, it will be this one. Near the end of the line, the Red Line splits into two branches: one branch goes to UAE Exchange, and the other branch goes to Expo 2020 and Expo City. Check the front of the train before you board at the split, so you end up on the right branch.
The Green Line is the old Dubai loop. It serves Deira and Bur Dubai, the Gold Souq, the Spice Souq, Baniyas Square and Dubai Creek. This is the line for abra boats, museums, markets and the older, cheaper side of the city that many visitors miss.
The two lines cross at just two stations: Union and BurJuman. These are the only places where you can change lines, and both are big, busy stations, so follow the signs for the other line and allow a few extra minutes. You may also hear about a Blue Line. It is planned for 2029. It is not running yet, so do not plan any trip around it.
Red Line Stations (All 35)
Here are all the Dubai Metro stations on the Red Line, in order, from Centrepoint in the north-east to Expo 2020 at the far end of the Expo branch:
- Centrepoint
- Emirates
- Airport Terminal 3
- Airport Terminal 1
- Al Garhoud
- City Centre Deira
- Al Rigga
- Union
- BurJuman
- ADCB
- Max
- World Trade Centre
- Emirates Towers
- Financial Centre
- Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall
- Business Bay
- Onpassive
- Equiti
- Mall of the Emirates
- InsuranceMarket
- Dubai Internet City
- Al Fardan Exchange
- Sobha Realty
- DMCC
- National Paints
- Ibn Battuta
- Energy
- Danube
- Life Pharmacy
- The Gardens
- Discovery Gardens
- Al Furjan
- Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dubai Investment Park
- Expo 2020
Green Line Stations (All 20)
And here are all the Dubai Metro stations on the Green Line, in order, from Etisalat by e& down to Creek:
- Etisalat by e&
- Al Qusais
- Dubai Airport Free Zone
- Al Nahda
- Stadium
- Al Qiyadah
- Abu Hail
- Abu Baker Al Siddique
- Salah Al Din
- Union
- Baniyas Square
- Gold Souq
- Al Ras
- Al Ghubaiba
- Sharaf DG
- BurJuman
- Oud Metha
- Dubai Healthcare City
- Al Jadaf
- Creek
Which Station for Each Famous Place?
This is the table most visitors need. Save it on your phone before you go out.
| Place | Station | Line and note |
|---|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall | Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall | Red Line. A covered walkway takes you straight into the mall. |
| Mall of the Emirates | Mall of the Emirates | Red Line. The station connects to the mall. |
| Dubai Marina and JBR | DMCC or Sobha Realty | Red Line. Both stations serve the Marina area. |
| Airport Terminal 1 | Airport Terminal 1 | Red Line. |
| Airport Terminal 3 | Airport Terminal 3 | Red Line. |
| Gold Souq and Spice Souq | Gold Souq or Al Ras | Green Line. |
| Dubai Creek and an abra ride | Al Ghubaiba or Baniyas Square | Green Line. |
| Global Village | NO station | Take the metro to Mall of the Emirates, then a bus or taxi. |
| Miracle Garden | NO station | Take the metro to Mall of the Emirates, then a taxi, about 15 minutes. |
| Expo City | Expo 2020 | Red Line, Expo branch. |
Be honest with your plans: two of Dubai’s biggest attractions have no metro station at all. There is no station for Global Village and no station for Miracle Garden. The metro still gets you most of the way. Ride to Mall of the Emirates and finish the trip by bus or taxi. Read our full Global Village guide and our Dubai Miracle Garden guide before you go, so you know the opening hours and ticket rules.
Dubai Metro Timings
The Dubai Metro timings are simple, but Sunday catches people out. The first train on Sunday is three hours later than on other days.
| Day | First train | Last train |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5 AM | 12 AM (midnight) |
| Friday | 5 AM | 1 AM |
| Saturday | 5 AM | 12 AM (midnight) |
| Sunday | 8 AM | 12 AM (midnight) |
Trains run every few minutes, so you rarely wait long on the platform. On public holidays and big event days, the metro often runs for longer hours. Check the station signs on the day if you are travelling late on a holiday.
Fares and the Nol Card (Read This Before You Buy)
You cannot pay with cash or a bank card at the metro gates. You need a Nol card. Tap in when you enter and tap out when you leave. The system counts the zones you crossed and takes the right fare from your card. Dubai is split into zones, and most visitor trips cross 1, 2 or 3 or more zones.
| Card | 1 zone | 2 zones | 3 or more zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Nol card | AED 3 | AED 5 | AED 7.50 |
| Red Ticket | AED 4 | AED 6 | AED 8.50 |
| Gold Nol card | AED 6 | AED 10 | AED 15 |
So what is the Dubai Metro ticket price for most visitors? With a Silver card it is AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50, based on zones. The Silver Nol card is the best card for visitors. It costs AED 25 to buy, including AED 19 credit, and you can buy it at any metro station ticket office or machine. Top it up at any station when the balance runs low.
The Red Ticket is a paper ticket. It costs more for every ride, so it only makes sense for a single trip. The Gold card costs double the Silver fare and lets you ride in the front Gold Class cabin, with wider seats and the best view. The Blue card is a personal card, mainly for residents. With the right Blue card, students, senior citizens and other concession users pay half fare: AED 1.50, AED 2.50 or AED 3.75. People of determination ride free with the right card. Children under 5 ride free.
7 Metro Rules and Tips Nobody Tells You
- Tap out, always. If you forget to tap out, you can be charged the wrong fare. Tap in and tap out on every ride, even a short one.
- Use the right cabin. Every train has a women and children cabin, marked with pink signs. Men who ride in it can be fined, so check the signs on the platform and on the floor.
- No eating or drinking. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the train or in the stations, and that includes chewing gum. Finish your snack before you tap in.
- Airport trains allow big bags. On airport trains you can take 2 big pieces of luggage. This makes the metro a cheap and easy way to reach the city from Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
- Avoid rush hour if you can. The busy times are 7 to 9 AM and 5 to 8 PM. Union and BurJuman get very crowded then. If you can, ride after 9:30 AM and enjoy a quiet train.
- Stand at the front for the view. The trains are driverless, so the front window gives you a driver’s view of the track and the skyline. It is one of the best free views in Dubai, and Gold Class sits at the very front.
- Keep your balance topped up. A low balance can stop you at the gate at the worst time. Check your Nol card balance at the machines and top up before a long day out.
Dubai Metro FAQs
How much is one metro ride in Dubai?
With a Silver Nol card, one ride costs AED 3 for 1 zone, AED 5 for 2 zones, or AED 7.50 for 3 or more zones. That is the standard Dubai Metro ticket price for most visitors.
Which station is closest to the Burj Khalifa?
Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall station on the Red Line. A covered walkway leads from the station into Dubai Mall, a short walk from the tower. If you are going up the tower, read our guide to Burj Khalifa tickets and prices first.
Can I ride from the airport to Dubai Marina on one train?
Yes. Stay on one Red Line train from Airport Terminal 1 or Airport Terminal 3 to DMCC or Sobha Realty for the Marina. The ride takes about 45 to 55 minutes and costs AED 7.50 with a Silver card.
Does the metro run on Fridays and Sundays?
Yes. On Fridays the Dubai Metro timings are 5 AM to 1 AM, the longest day of the week. On Sundays the metro starts later, at 8 AM, and runs until midnight.
Is there a metro station for Global Village or Miracle Garden?
No. There is no metro station for Global Village and no station for Miracle Garden. Ride the metro to Mall of the Emirates, then take a bus or taxi for the last part of the trip.
What is the difference between the Red Line and the Green Line?
The Red Line is the main tourist line beside Sheikh Zayed Road, for the airport, Downtown, Mall of the Emirates and the Marina. The Green Line loops through old Dubai, for the souks, Baniyas Square and the Creek. They cross at Union and BurJuman.
Final Word
The Dubai Metro is cheap, clean and easy once you know the two lines, the right station for each sight, and the one card to buy. Keep this Dubai Metro map guide open on your phone, tap in and out with your Nol card, and you will move around the city like a local. For more help planning your trip, browse our Dubai travel blog and check the best months for your visit in our Dubai Weather guide.
Checked on 11 October 2026. Station lists, Dubai Metro timings and Nol card fares were checked against official Dubai transport information at the time of writing. Times and fares can change, so check the station signs before a late or early trip.
The Dubai Tours and Safari editorial team researches and updates our Dubai and UAE travel guides, checking prices, timings and facts against official sources.
