Dubai Metro: Fares, Lines & Everything You Need to Know

The Dubai Metro operated by Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) was launched on September 9, 2009. The first phase, the Red Line, opened with 10 stations and has since expanded. The Green Line followed in 2011, extending the network into the historic areas of Dubai, such as Deira and Bur Dubai.

The metro construction was a part of Dubai’s larger vision under its strategic urban development plan, Dubai Vision 2021. The metro is fully automated, making it one of the few driverless metro systems worldwide.

In 2023, Dubai Metro served 260 million passengers, reflecting a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Burjuman and Union stations on the Red and Green Lines recorded the highest ridership. The Dubai Metro remained the most popular mode of public transport in the city, contributing significantly to the total of 702 million public transport riders that year.

Latest Developments In Dubai Metro

In addition to the Route 2020 extension (which serves seven new stations, including Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens, and the Expo 2020 site), the Dubai government has long-term plans to expand the metro system to cater to the increasing population and tourism. Future expansions are focused on:

Blue Line: The proposed Dubai Metro Blue Line will connect Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) along Emirates Road spanning a distance of about 30km.
Purple Line: The Purple Line is a proposed line in the Dubai Metro network, designed to provide a direct, rapid transit link between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Unlike the other lines, the Purple Line is intended to serve long-distance travellers and will run primarily along Al Khail Road, covering a distance of about 49km.
Hyperloop: Integration with hyperloop technology is also being considered for ultra-fast travel between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Dubai Metro Lines

Dubai Metro currently has:

Red Line: A total of 35 stations extend from Centrepoint in the northeast to Expo 2020 and UAE Exchange in the southwest.
Green Line: Runs from Etisalat station in the north to Creek station in the south, covering historic areas like Deira and Bur Dubai. It has 20 stations.
Route 2020 Extension: An extension of the Red Line that serves Dubai South, including the Expo 2020 site.

Dubai Metro Red Line Stations

Centrepoint
Emirates
Airport Terminal 3
Airport Terminal 1
GGICO
Deira City Centre
Al Rigga
Union (Interchange station with Green Line)
Burjuman (Interchange station with Green Line)
ADCB
Max
World Trade Centre
Emirates Towers
Financial Centre
Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall
Business Bay
Onpassive
Equiti
Mall of the Emirates
Mashreq
Dubai Internet City
Al Khail
Sobha Realty (Interchange with Dubai Tram)
DMCC (Interchange with Dubai Tram)
Jebel Ali
Ibn Battuta
Energy
Danube
UAE Exchange

New Route 2020 Extension

Jebel Ali
The Gardens
Discovery Gardens
Al Furjan
Jumeirah Golf Estates
Dubai Investment Park
Expo 2020

Dubai Metro Green Line Stations

Etisalat
Al Qusais
Dubai Airport Free Zone (Transfer to Dubai Airport Terminal 2)
Al Nahda
Stadium
Al Qiyadah
Abu Hail
Abu Baker Al Siddique
Salah Al Din
Union (Interchange with Red Line)
Baniyas Square
Gold Souq
Al Ras
Al Ghubaiba
Sharaf DG
BurJuman (Interchange with Red Line)
Oud Metha
Dubai Healthcare City
Al Jadaf
Creek (Interchange with Blue Line)

Dubai Metro Blue Line (Upcoming)

Creek (Interchange with Green Line)
Dubai Festival City
Dubai Creek Harbour
Dubai Square
Ras Al Khor Industrial
Dubai Car Market
International City 1
International City 2 & 3
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Academic City
Centerpoint (Interchange with Red Line)
City Center Mirdif
Al Warqa’a
Dragon Mart

Dubai Metro Exchange Stations

There are two main interchange stations currently where passengers can switch between the Red Line and Green Line:

Union (serves both lines)
Burjuman (serves both lines)

Dubai Metro To Dubai Tram

The Dubai Metro has direct connections to the Dubai Tram at two key stations:

DAMAC Properties (near Dubai Marina)
Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)

Difference Between Dubai Metro & Dubai Tram

Dubai Metro operates faster (with trains running at speeds of up to 110km/h), while the Dubai Tram operates at a much slower pace, with an average speed of 50km/h.
The Metro covers a broader geographic area across Dubai, whereas the tram focuses on local transport around Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.
The Metro runs above ground or underground, whereas the tram operates on street-level tracks.

Different Cabins In Dubai Metro

Gold Class Cabin: This premium cabin is equipped with luxurious leather seats, offering more legroom and comfort. It also has a panoramic window offering a better view. The Gold Class cabin is located at one end of the train.
Women and Children Cabin: Situated on the opposite end of the Gold Class cabin, it is a designated area providing privacy for women and children.
Standard Class Cabin: These are general-purpose cabins that accommodate all other passengers. They are the most widely used and have standard seating.

How To Pay For Dubai Metro?

Payment is made via NOL cards, which work on a “tap in, tap out” system. You must tap the card on the sensor at the entrance and exit gates. The fare is automatically deducted based on the zones travelled. NOL cards are rechargeable at ticket vending machines, online via the RTA website or nol Pay app, or at designated NOL card outlets.

Different Types Of NOL Cards

There are 4 types of NOL Cards that users can choose from:

Red Ticket or Red NOL Card

Target Audience: Tourists or occasional passengers
Cost: AED 2 for the ticket itself, plus the fare for each journey
Validity: Up to 90 days or 10 single journeys
Zones: Can be used in up to 2 zones for each trip
Top-up Limit: Rechargeable for up to 10 trips or 5 day-passes
Usage: Ideal for short-term visitors, and can also be used for single-day passes, offering flexibility for one-time use or limited travel.

Silver NOL Card

Target Audience: Regular commuters
Cost: AED 25 (AED 19 goes into the card balance)
Top-up Limit: Rechargeable up to AED 1,000
Validity: 5 years
Features: General-purpose NOL card for use across all public transport (metro, tram, bus, water bus). It’s cost-effective for daily users and offers access to Standard Class cabins in the Metro
Discount: Offers 15% cheaper fares compared to Red Ticket

Gold NOL Card

Target Audience: Regular commuters who prefer luxury travel.
Cost: AED 25 (AED 19 goes into the card balance)
Top-up Limit: Rechargeable up to AED 1,000
Validity: 5 years
Features: Allows travel in Gold Class cabins, which offer more comfort and luxurious seating. Similar to the Silver Card but at double the fare rate. Passengers enjoy a more spacious and premium journey with enhanced views
Zone Access: Same as the Silver Card but provides exclusive access to Gold Class cabins.

Blue NOL Card (Personalized Card)

Target Audience: Frequent commuters looking for added security and perks.
Cost: AED 70 (comes with AED 20 in balance)
Top-up Limit: Rechargeable up to AED 5,000
Validity: 5 years
Features:
Can be registered under a personal name, which offers protection in case of loss or theft (balance recovery)
Also used for concessionary discounts (e.g., students, senior citizens, and people of determination/disabled passengers)
Provides the same access and fares as the Silver Card but with the added security of balance protection
Personalized discounts: Holders can register to receive discounts based on eligibility (students and senior citizens)

Dubai Metro Charges

The fare is based on a zone-based fare system, with Dubai divided into 7 fare zones. Your fare is calculated based on the number of zones you travel through. Fares vary depending on the zones travelled. They typically range from:

AED 3 for travel within one zone.
AED 5 for travel across two zones.
AED 7.50 for journeys crossing three or more zones.

Travel in Gold class doubles these fares.

Dubai Metro Monthly Pass

Users can choose between two passes: Silver & Gold

Silver Monthly Pass Charges:

Class	Pass Type	Duration	Price	Use
Silver	1 Zone	30 Days	AED 140	Unlimited one zone
		90 Days	AED 330
		365 Days	AED 1,060
	2 Zones	30 Days	AED 230	Unlimited two adjacent zones
		90 Days	AED 550
		365 Days	AED 1,770
	All Zones	30 Days	AED 350	Unlimited all zones
		90 Days	AED 830
		365 Days	AED 2,670

Gold Monthly Pass Charges:

Class	Pass Type	Duration	Price	Use
Gold	1 Zone	30 Days	AED 280	Unlimited one zone
		90 Days	AED 660
		365 Days	AED 2,120
	2 Zones	30 Days	AED 460	Unlimited two adjacent zones
		90 Days	AED 1,100
		365 Days	AED 3,540
	All Zones	30 Days	AED 700	Unlimited all zones
		90 Days	AED 1,660
		365 Days	AED 5,340

Here are more details about Dubai Metro fares for NOL cards and monthly passes.

Digital nol Card Payments

The nol virtual card is a digital card that can be activated on your smartphone devices. You can add, top-up, and manage your virtual nol card using the nol pay app available for Android or iOS devices.

It works like a physical NOL card. Instead of tapping a card on the metro gates or bus readers, passengers can tap their smartphone equipped with NFC technology on the same readers to pay for the journey on the Dubai Metro and other public transportation services.

Dubai Metro Timings

Monday to Thursday: 5 AM – 1 AM
Friday: 5 AM – 2 AM
Saturday: 5 AM – 1 AM
Sunday: 8 AM – 1 AM

Dubai Metro Onboard Facilities

Dubai Metro trains are equipped with:

Wi-Fi: Available throughout the journey for free.
Air-conditioning: Ensuring comfort in Dubai’s hot climate.
Digital displays: Show route maps, station information, and journey updates.
Priority seating: For women, children, the elderly, and disabled passengers.
Security cameras: Every train has a surveillance system for safety.

Dubai Metro Rules & Regulations

Eating and drinking are prohibited on the train and within stations.
Smoking is not allowed.
Keep noise levels down; use headphones for music.
Sleeping is not allowed.
Observe seat preferences for women, children, and the disabled.

List Of Fines For Dubai Metro

Dubai Metro has strict regulations, and violating them can result in fines. Below is a comprehensive list of fines for the Dubai Metro:

Eating or drinking in prohibited areas (Metro stations and trains) Fine: AED 100
Using someone else’s NOL card or using an invalid NOL card Fine: AED 200
Sitting in areas designated for women and children (if you’re not eligible) Fine: AED 100
Sitting in the Gold Class cabin with a Silver or invalid card Fine: AED 100
Littering or spitting in metro stations or on the train Fine: AED 200
Causing any kind of damage to metro property (vandalism) Fine: AED 500 – AED 2,000 (depending on the severity of the damage)
Failure to produce a valid NOL card when requested by an inspector Fine: AED 200
Smoking within metro stations, platforms, or trains Fine: AED 200
Sleeping in prohibited areas of the stations Fine: AED 300
Crossing tracks or endangering others’ safety (e.g., by blocking doors) Fine: AED 2,000
Engaging in disruptive behaviour (e.g., playing loud music, loitering, etc.) Fine: AED 100 – AED 500 (depending on severity)
Using bicycles, scooters, or skateboards inside the metro stations Fine: AED 300
Not following security personnel’s instructions or obstructing them Fine: AED 500
Bringing prohibited items (such as sharp objects, and flammable materials) onto the metro Fine: AED 500
Causing a delay or disruption to metro services (intentionally blocking doors, etc.) Fine: AED 1,000 – AED 5,000 (depending on the impact caused)
Travelling without paying the fare or fare evasion (riding the metro without tapping your NOL card) Fine: AED 200
Misusing the emergency button or equipment (without genuine cause) Fine: AED 2,000
Running or using emergency exits for non-emergency purposes Fine: AED 2,000
Transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods Fine: AED 2,000
Pets or animals brought inside the metro (except guide dogs for the visually impaired) Fine: AED 100

Accessibility For Dubai Metro

Wheelchair Accessibility: All stations and trains are wheelchair accessible, with ramps, elevators, and dedicated spaces inside the train.
Tactile Paving: For visually impaired passengers to navigate.
Audio Announcements: In both English and Arabic, for hearing-impaired passengers.
Lift Access: All metro station levels have access to lifts.

Dubai Metro Mobile App

The official mobile app for Dubai Metro and other public transportation services in the city is the RTA Dubai app.

Key Features of the RTA Dubai App:

Plan your trips across Dubai using the metro, bus, or tram, and get real-time schedules and routes.
Top up your NOL card, check your balance, view your transaction history, and manage your account.
Get real-time updates on metro timings, station locations, and route information.
View fare structures, calculate trip costs, and understand the zone-based fare system.
Stay updated on any disruptions or changes in metro services.
Access metro and tram route maps to easily navigate the city.
The app provides features for people of determination, ensuring easy access to public transport information.

The RTA Dubai app is available for both Android and iOS devices.

This detailed guide will help you use Dubai Metro efficiently and effectively to explore the city.

FAQs

How to Use the Dubai Metro

To travel on the Dubai Metro, simply use your NOL card for payment. You can view all metro stations and plan your journey using the RTA website or the Dubai Metro mobile app (available for both Android and iOS).

How to Get a NOL Card in Dubai

You can purchase a NOL card at any metro, bus, or water bus station. Cards are also available at supermarkets like Carrefour. To top up your card, visit vending machines, kiosks, or booths at metro stations.

Does the Metro Connect to the Airport?

Yes, the metro connects to Dubai International Airport via the Airport Terminal 3 & Terminal 1 Metro Stations, providing access to popular destinations like Burj Khalifa, Dubai World Trade Center, Jumeirah Lake Towers, and Dubai Marina.

Can I Carry Luggage on the Dubai Metro?

Yes, passengers are allowed to carry up to two pieces of luggage: Small suitcase (55cm x 38cm x 20cm) and Large suitcase (81cm x 58cm x 30cm)

Is Parking Outside Dubai Metro Stations Free?

Parking is free for metro users at designated lots. Non-metro users parking in these areas can be fined AED 100 per day, with fines reaching AED 1,000 for repeated violations.

Can I Eat or Drink Inside the Metro?

No, eating and drinking are not allowed on the Dubai Metro. Violators can be fined AED 100.

Can I Be Fined for Sleeping in the Metro?

Yes, sleeping in the Dubai Metro is prohibited, and you may be fined AED 300.

Ultimate Guide To Using Dubai Metro Efficiently & Effectively