Dubai Airport to City by Metro

Costs, times & insider tips for 2026 — the cheapest and fastest way into Dubai.

Quick Facts

~AED 3–6

Cost

~35 min

Journey Time

Every 7 min

Frequency

The Dubai Metro Red Line runs directly from Terminal 1 & 3 into the city centre. Trains operate from around 05:00 to 00:00 (01:00 Fri–Sat). No taxis needed.

Step-by-Step: Arrivals to Platform

1Clear immigration and collect your bags from the arrivals hall.
2Follow green 'Metro' signs — the station is inside the terminal building (no outdoor walk).
3Terminal 3 uses Airport Terminal 3 station; Terminal 1 uses Airport Terminal 1 station.
4Buy or top up a Nol card at machines near the gates — accept cash and cards.
5Tap in, board the Red Line towards Rashidiya or UAE Exchange depending on your destination.

Ticket Prices

Class	AED	USD (approx)
Silver (standard)	AED 3–6	~$0.80–1.65
Gold (first class)	AED 6–12	~$1.65–3.30
Nol Card deposit	AED 25	~$6.80

Fares are zone-based. The Nol card deposit is refundable. Single-use tickets cost slightly more.

Key City Stops

Union
Deira / old city
BurJuman
Bur Dubai
Mall of the Emirates
Jumeirah / shopping
Dubai Marina
Marina & JBR beach
DAMAC Properties
Near Palm Jumeirah

3 Practical Tips

#1Top up your Nol card with at least AED 50 — it works on buses, trams, and the Palm Monorail too.
#2The first carriage is women-and-children only. Mixed carriages are clearly marked — choose accordingly.
#3Avoid the metro 07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:30 on weekdays — trains get very crowded during rush hour.

FAQs

Is the metro available 24/7?

No. The metro runs roughly 05:00–00:00 Sun–Wed, until 01:00 Thu, from 10:00 Fri, and 08:00–01:00 Sat. Plan late arrivals around taxi or ride-share.

Does Terminal 2 have a metro station?

No — Terminal 2 is not connected to the metro. Take a taxi or a free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first, then board the Red Line.

Can I bring large luggage on the metro?

Yes, but space is limited during peak hours. Each passenger may bring reasonable luggage; oversized items may require a taxi instead.

Search Flights to Dubai ✈️

Compare fares and find the best deals to Dubai International Airport.

Getting out of Dubai (DXB)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

Check transfer prices Want a local driver + sightseeing stop? Welcome Pickups · English-speaking, fixed price.Renting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.

Things to do in Dubai

Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.

Tours, tickets & day trips

Our pick

GetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Dubai and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.

Browse Dubai Just need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.

Fly to DXB

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Dubai Airport to City by Metro

Costs, times & insider tips for 2026 — the cheapest and fastest way into Dubai.

Quick Facts

~AED 3–6

Cost

~35 min

Journey Time

Every 7 min

Frequency

The Dubai Metro Red Line runs directly from Terminal 1 & 3 into the city centre. Trains operate from around 05:00 to 00:00 (01:00 Fri–Sat). No taxis needed.

Step-by-Step: Arrivals to Platform

1Clear immigration and collect your bags from the arrivals hall.
2Follow green 'Metro' signs — the station is inside the terminal building (no outdoor walk).
3Terminal 3 uses Airport Terminal 3 station; Terminal 1 uses Airport Terminal 1 station.
4Buy or top up a Nol card at machines near the gates — accept cash and cards.
5Tap in, board the Red Line towards Rashidiya or UAE Exchange depending on your destination.

Ticket Prices

Class	AED	USD (approx)
Silver (standard)	AED 3–6	~$0.80–1.65
Gold (first class)	AED 6–12	~$1.65–3.30
Nol Card deposit	AED 25	~$6.80

Fares are zone-based. The Nol card deposit is refundable. Single-use tickets cost slightly more.

Key City Stops

Union
Deira / old city
BurJuman
Bur Dubai
Mall of the Emirates
Jumeirah / shopping
Dubai Marina
Marina & JBR beach
DAMAC Properties
Near Palm Jumeirah

3 Practical Tips

#1Top up your Nol card with at least AED 50 — it works on buses, trams, and the Palm Monorail too.
#2The first carriage is women-and-children only. Mixed carriages are clearly marked — choose accordingly.
#3Avoid the metro 07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:30 on weekdays — trains get very crowded during rush hour.

FAQs

Is the metro available 24/7?

No. The metro runs roughly 05:00–00:00 Sun–Wed, until 01:00 Thu, from 10:00 Fri, and 08:00–01:00 Sat. Plan late arrivals around taxi or ride-share.

Does Terminal 2 have a metro station?

No — Terminal 2 is not connected to the metro. Take a taxi or a free shuttle bus to Terminal 1 first, then board the Red Line.

Can I bring large luggage on the metro?

Yes, but space is limited during peak hours. Each passenger may bring reasonable luggage; oversized items may require a taxi instead.

Search Flights to Dubai ✈️

Compare fares and find the best deals to Dubai International Airport.

Getting out of Dubai (DXB)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

Check transfer prices Want a local driver + sightseeing stop? Welcome Pickups · English-speaking, fixed price.Renting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.

Things to do in Dubai

Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.

Tours, tickets & day trips

Our pick

GetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Dubai and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.

Browse Dubai Just need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.

Fly to DXB

Compare flights · Powered by Trip.com

Search flights

Find hotels in Dubai

1.4M+ properties · Trip.com

Search hotels