Dubai Metro timings, fares and nol cards: a full guide

Dubai Metro is open from 5am every day except Sunday, when the first trains run at 8am. It closes at midnight, and at 1am after a Friday. You pay with a nol card or a Red Ticket, by the number of zones you cross, and cash is not taken on the trains.

Opening hours The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) gives the same hours for the Red Line and the Green Line at all stations. Monday to Thursday: 5am to midnight. Friday: 5am to 1am the next day. Saturday: 5am to midnight. Sunday: 8am to midnight. On public holidays and big nights such as New Year's Eve the RTA announces special timings on its website, so check there before a holiday trip. Dubai Tram runs from 6am to 1am the next day Monday to Saturday, and from 9am to 1am on Sunday.

The lines The Red Line runs between Centrepoint (R11) and Expo 2020 (R76), with a branch to Life Pharmacy (R42). The Green Line runs between e& (G11) and Creek (G30). You change between the two at Union and at BurJuman. Sobha Realty and DMCC stations connect the Red Line with Dubai Tram. A third line, the Blue Line, is being built: about 30 km with 14 stations, linking with the Green Line at Creek, with the Red Line at Centrepoint, and with International City. The RTA says it is due to be finished in 2029.

Fares You pay by zone: within one zone, across two neighbouring zones, or across more than two. With a Silver or a Personal (blue) nol card a trip costs AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50. With a Gold card, which gives a seat in the Gold Class cabin, it costs AED 6, AED 10 or AED 15. A paper Red Ticket costs AED 4, AED 6 or AED 8.50, or AED 8, AED 12 or AED 17 for Gold Class. One fare covers a journey of up to 180 minutes with up to three changes.

Which nol card to get The Silver card costs AED 25, including AED 19 of credit, and lasts five years. The Gold card costs the same and adds the Gold Class cabin at twice the regular fare. The Personal card costs AED 70 with AED 20 of credit; it carries your name, its balance can be recovered if it is lost or stolen, and is the only card that gives discounted fares. The nol Travel card costs AED 100 with AED 19 of credit and is aimed at visitors. The Red Ticket costs AED 2, works on one kind of transport at a time and holds up to 10 trips or 5 day passes for 90 days. You can top up any card online at nol.rta.ae, where you can also apply for a Personal card.

Passes Regular riders can buy a pass for 7, 30, 90 or 365 days. With a Silver card, a 30-day pass costs AED 140 for one zone, AED 230 for two zones and AED 350 for all zones. A 7-day pass costs AED 50, AED 80 or AED 110. Gold passes cost twice as much. Students and senior Emiratis and citizens pay half: AED 70, AED 115 or AED 175 for 30 days. An anonymous card can only hold a 7-day pass; longer passes need a registered card.

Who travels free or for less Children aged 5 and under travel free. People of determination travel free with a Personal card. Students, senior Emiratis and citizens, and social affairs beneficiaries get 50% off with a Personal card. Each group has its own document list on the RTA's nol page.

Cabins, bags and children travelling alone Each train has Gold Class cabins, cabins for women and children, and standard cabins. Every station has lifts to all levels, and every train has wheelchair spaces. You may take two suitcases: one large (up to 81 x 58 x 30 cm) and one small (up to 55 x 38 x 20 cm). Children under 8 may not travel without an adult. Children aged 8 to 11 need a permit from their parents. From 12, children may travel alone.

Rules on board The RTA lists penalties for breaking the rules: AED 100 for eating or drinking where it is not allowed, putting your feet on the seats or bringing an animal other than a guide dog; AED 200 for smoking; AED 500 for carrying alcohol; AED 1,000 for carrying weapons or flammable items; and AED 2,000 for damaging seats or equipment.

Common questions Can I pay with cash? Not on the network: load your nol card first. Is there a minimum balance? The RTA's card page does not publish one. Does the metro go to the airport? The RTA's metro pages do not list station names, so check the network map on the RTA website or app. The RTA says the future Blue Line will add a direct link between Dubai International Airport and nine areas along its route.

Sources: Roads and Transport Authority, "Timetable" (rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/public-transport/timetable); "nol Fares" (rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/public-transport/Nol-Fares); "Choose nol" (rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/public-transport/nol/choose-nol); "About Dubai Metro" (rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/public-transport/metro/about-metro).

Checked on 12 October 2026.