The futuristic city of Dubai is a well-known tourist hotspot and is visited by thousands of people per year. Travelling from attractions and other places of interest has been made so much easier and hassle-free with its extensive metro system that spans over 90kms! If you have questions as to how the Dubai Metro works, here is a small guide that may be useful to you.

How to use the metro

There are single, return or day passes available for both locals and tourists to purchase according to their requirements. Another handy option is the cashless smart card known as ‘The Nol Card’. This is similar to a London’s Oyster Card or Newyork’s Metro Card, where you can preload up to AED1000 of credit. This would be ideal if you are planning to frequently use the metro during your visit.

The main metro stations and zones

Dubai main Metro Station | Image via flickr

The Dubai Meto currently consists of 2 lines – red and green. There are two stops on the Redline at the Dubai International Airport – Terminals 1 & 3 which you can use to travel directly to the location of your choice as soon as you land. The redline also can take you to some of the city’s iconic attractions and neighbourhoods such as The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Mak of the Emirates and so many more. This line can also be used to reach hotel apartments near Ibn Battuta Mall, the likes of Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai. The Green line on the other hand goes from the Etisalat station in the Al Twar area to the historic Dubai Creek, taking you to visit the majority of the gold souqs and spice markets.

Timing of the metro

The Dubai Metro runs 7 days a week and below are the times that the stations are open:

  • Monday to Thursday: 5 am to 1.15 am (the following day)
  • Friday and Saturday: 5 am to 2.15 am (the following day)
  • Sunday: 8 am to 1.15 am (the following day)

Additional tips for first-timer travelers

There is a chance the Metro timings can differ during public holidays, so ensure you check beforehand, and keep in mind that peak hours (6 am to 8:30 am and 5 pm to 7 pm) can be quite packed, so it is better if you can avoid these times during your excursions. Eating on the metro is not allowed and you will be glad to know that there’s WiFi on all the metros, which means you can stay connected at all times!