The Dubai Metro, operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is a pivotal driverless urban transportation system in the United Arab Emirates. As of August 2025, it comprises the Red Line, Green Line, and the Route 2020 extension (often called the Expo Line), with the Blue Line under construction. This comprehensive guide details the metro lines, Dubai metro stations, operational attributes, and future expansions, integrating all stations and served areas for clarity and usability.
Core Network Entities: Lines & Stations
The Dubai Metro network includes two operational lines—Red Line (with Route 2020/Expo Line) and Green Line—totaling 89.6 km and 53 stations. The Blue Line, set to open in 2029, will further expand the system. Below is a detailed breakdown of each line and its stations.
Red Line
- Inauguration Date: 9 September 2009 (Initial Phase: Centrepoint to Jebel Ali).
- Route: Northeast-Southwest along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Dubai’s primary arterial highway.
- Termini: Centrepoint Station (Northeast) / UAE Exchange Station (Southwest).
- Length: 52.1 km + 15 km Route 2020, totaling 67.1 km.
- Stations: 35 (4 Underground, 30 Elevated, 1 At-Grade).
Branches
- Jebel Ali Branch: Original terminus at Jebel Ali Station, serving Jebel Ali Industrial Area and Dubai Investments Park.
- UAE Exchange Branch: 15.5 km extension from Nakheel Harbour & Tower to UAE Exchange, opened 15 April 2010. Serves Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) and Dubai World Central (DWC)/Al Maktoum International Airport area.
- Route 2020 (Expo Line): 15 km extension from Nakheel Harbour & Tower to Expo City Dubai, opened 1 June 2021. Adds 7 stations, often referred to as the Expo Line.
Red Line Stations
| Station Name | Type | Primary Served Areas/Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Centrepoint | At-Grade | Centrepoint residential area, Centrepoint Depot & Bus Station, Centrepoint Park |
| Emirates | Elevated | Emirates HQ, Emirates Technical Training Centre |
| Airport Terminal 3 | Elevated | Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 3 |
| Airport Terminal 1 | Elevated | Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 1, Airport Free Zone |
| GGICO | Elevated | Al Garhoud residential area, Civil Aviation HQ, GGICO Tower |
| Deira City Centre | Elevated | Deira City Centre Mall, Dubai Creek, Century Village |
| Al Rigga | Elevated | Al Rigga Street (commercial district), Deira hotels/clinics |
| Union | Underground | Union Square (Green Line interchange), Al Sabkha Bus Station, Naif Souq |
| BurJuman | Underground | BurJuman Centre (Green Line interchange), Al Mankhool residential area |
| ADCB (Al Karama) | Elevated | Al Karama residential/commercial area, Zabeel Park (north) |
| Al Jafiliya | Elevated | Zabeel Park (south), Dubai Frame, Dubai Municipality HQ, Etisalat by e& HQ |
| World Trade Centre | Elevated | Dubai World Trade Centre complex, Convention Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road offices |
| Emirates Towers | Elevated | Emirates Towers (offices/hotel), DIFC Gate Village access |
| Financial Centre | Elevated | Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Gate Avenue |
| Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Elevated | Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Souk Al Bahar |
| Business Bay | Elevated | Business Bay district, Bay Avenue, Dubai Water Canal (Marasi Promenade) |
| Noor Bank (Al Safa) | Elevated | Al Safa residential area, Wasl Portico |
| First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) | Elevated | Al Quoz industrial area (north), Al Serkal Avenue |
| Mall of the Emirates | Elevated | Mall of the Emirates, Kempinski Hotel, Ski Dubai, Barsha Heights (Tecom) |
| Sharaf DG | Elevated | Barsha 1, Dubai American Academy |
| Dubai Internet City | Elevated | Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Park |
| Al Khail | Elevated | Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) district, Damac Maison Mall |
| Dubai Marina | Elevated | Dubai Marina Walk, Marina Mall, JBR (access via tram) |
| Jumeirah Lakes Towers | Elevated | JLT clusters, DMCC Business Centre |
| Nakheel | Elevated | Palm Jumeirah Gateway, Nakheel Mall, The Pointe |
| Nakheel Harbour & Tower | Elevated | Palm Jumeirah trunk, Ibn Battuta Mall (via bridge) |
| Jebel Ali | Elevated | Jebel Ali Industrial Area, Dubai Investments Park (DIP) |
| The Gardens | Elevated | The Gardens residential community, Jebel Ali Village |
| Discovery Gardens | Elevated | Discovery Gardens residential complex |
| Al Furjan | Elevated | Al Furjan community, Jebel Ali Racecourse |
| Jumeirah Golf Estates | Elevated | Jumeirah Golf Estates, Green Community DIP |
| Dubai Investment Park | Elevated | Dubai Investment Park (DIP), Expo Golf Club |
| Expo City Dubai | Elevated | Expo 2020 legacy site, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) proximity |
Green Line
- Inauguration Date: 9 September 2011.
- Route: East-West arc through Deira and Bur Dubai, intersecting Red Line at Union and BurJuman.
- Termini: Etisalat Station (Al Qusais, East) / Creek Station (Al Jaddaf, Southwest).
- Length: 22.5 km.
- Stations: 20 (12 Underground, 8 Elevated).
Green Line Stations
| Station Name | Type | Primary Served Areas/Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Etisalat | Elevated | Al Qusais Industrial Area, Etisalat HQ, Al Qusais Bus Depot |
| Al Qusais | Elevated | Al Qusais residential area, Dubai Police HQ |
| Dubai Airport Free Zone | Elevated | Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA), Al Twar |
| Al Nahda | Elevated | Al Nahda residential area (Dubai/Sharjah border) |
| Stadium | Elevated | Al Nahda Pond Park, Al Ittihad Stadium (planned) |
| Al Qiyadah | Underground | Dubai Police Academy, Al Ghusais police HQ |
| Abu Hail | Underground | Abu Hail community, Al Bustan Centre |
| Abu Baker Al Siddique | Underground | Al Muraqqabat commercial district, Reef Mall |
| Salah Al Din | Underground | Al Rigga Road, Salah Al Din Bus Station |
| Union | Underground | Union Square (Red Line interchange), Naif Souq, Heritage district |
| Baniyas Square | Underground | Baniyas Road, Deira Corniche, Gold Souq |
| Palm Deira | Underground | Deira Palm area, Fish Market, Port Rashid proximity |
| Al Ras | Underground | Al Ras historic district, Spice Souq, Textile Souq |
| Al Ghubaiba | Underground | Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, Heritage Village, Dubai Creek |
| Al Fahidi | Underground | Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai Museum, Textile Souq |
| BurJuman | Underground | BurJuman Centre (Red Line interchange), Al Mankhool |
| Oud Metha | Underground | Oud Metha residential area, Rashid Hospital, Wafi Mall |
| Dubai Healthcare City | Elevated | Dubai Healthcare City, Al Jaddaf Waterfront, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library |
| Al Jadaf | Elevated | Dubai Culture Village, Dubai Design District (d3) access, CREC development |
| Creek | Elevated | Dubai Creek Harbour, Al Jaddaf Marine Station (water buses) |
How to Use the Dubai Metro?
Navigating the Dubai Metro is efficient and user-friendly. This guide provides practical information for travelers, covering ticketing, fares, hours, and accessibility.
Nol Card
- Types: Red (single-use), Silver (standard), Gold (premium), Blue (personalized for residents).
- Purchase/Recharge: Available at ticket offices, vending machines, or via the RTA’s S’hail app.
Fare Structure
- Zones: 7 fare zones, with fares based on zones traversed and class (Silver/Gold).
- Cost: Starts at AED 3 for 1-2 zones (Silver Class); Gold Class fares are double.
- Payment: Validate Nol card at entry/exit gates.
Operating Hours
- Standard: Saturday-Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Thursday: 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM. Subject to RTA announcements.
Accessibility
- Features: Elevators, ramps, tactile paths, and dedicated train spaces for passengers with disabilities.
Mobile Apps
- S’hail App: Journey planning, schedules, and station locations. Download from RTA’s website or app stores.
Metro Station Classification
- Underground Stations: Primarily on Green Line and urban Red Line sections (e.g., BurJuman, Union, Al Fahidi, ~25m depth). Feature platform screen doors (PSDs) and concourse levels.
- Elevated Stations: Predominant on Red Line and outer Green Line, with iconic “shell” roof designs by Aedas Architects.
- At-Grade Station: Centrepoint Depot Station (Red Line), near depot and bus station.
Functional Attributes
- Platform Screen Doors (PSDs): System-wide for safety and climate control.
- Station Codes: Unique identifiers (e.g., R11 for Centrepoint, G11 for Etisalat).
- Facilities: Ticket offices, Nol card validators, retail kiosks (e.g., Zoom), ATMs, prayer rooms, restrooms, CCTV, customer service desks.
- Accessibility: Tactile paths, elevators, ramps, dedicated train spaces.
- Park & Ride: Multi-level car parks at Centrepoint, Etisalat, UAE Exchange, Jebel Ali, Stadium.
Rolling Stock: The Trains
- Supplier: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Mitsubishi Corporation Consortium.
- Model: Japan Railways (JR) driverless design, adapted for Dubai’s climate.
Configuration
- Cars per Train: 5-car trains, with potential for 8- or 10-car configurations.
Compartments
- Gold Class: One car (Car 1), premium leather seating, requires Gold Nol card.
- Women & Children: One car (Car 2 or 3), requires standard Nol card.
- Silver Class: Three cars (Cars 3-5 or 2,4,5), standard seating, requires Silver Nol card.
- Capacity: ~650 passengers per 5-car train (50 Gold, 400+ Silver, remainder Women & Children).
- Propulsion: Electric Multiple Units (EMUs), 750V DC third rail.
- Automation: Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) – Fully Automated Operation, controlled by Operations Control Center (OCC).
- Climate Control: HVAC systems maintain temperatures below 24°C.
- Fleet Size: 87 trainsets (44 Red Line, 23 Green Line, 20 for extensions), with additional units for Route 2020.
Metro Infrastructure
Viaducts
- Structure: Precast segmental concrete box girders, total length >70 km.
- Height: 6-14 meters above ground.
- Design Life: Minimum 100 years.
- Expansion Joints: Accommodate thermal movement in desert climate.
Metro Tunnels
- Method: Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), 9 used initially.
- Length: Green Line: ~12.5 km twin tunnels; Red Line: ~4.7 km in central sections (total ~17 km).
- Diameter: ~8.5 meters (internal ~7.3m).
- Lining: Precast concrete segments, bolted and gasketed.
Depots
- Centrepoint Depot (Red Line): Maintenance and stabling near Centrepoint Station, includes workshops and OCC.
- Al Qusais Depot (Green Line): Maintenance and stabling near Etisalat Station.
Metro Operations Control Center (OCC)
- Location: Centrepoint Depot.
- Function: Controls train movements, signaling, power, and station systems (escalators, elevators, PSDs, CCTV), staffed 24/7.
Metro Signalling & Control
- System: Thales SelTrac™ CBTC.
- Function: Automatic train protection (ATP), operation (ATO), and supervision (ATS) for precise headway and safety.
Metro Power Supply
- Traction Power: 750V DC via third rail.
- Substations: Traction power substations fed by DEWA 132kV/33kV grid.
Metro Operational
- Operator: Serco Group plc, contracted by RTA for operation and maintenance.
- Headways (Peak): Red Line core: ~2 min 38 sec; Green Line and branches: 5-8 min.
- Average Speed: 45-50 km/h (including stops).
- Ridership: ~850,000 daily (2023, ~500,000 Red Line, ~350,000 Green Line), among top driverless metro systems globally.
Future Metro Line Development
- Blue Line: Under construction since April 2025, expected completion 9 September 2029. Spans 30 km with 14 stations, connecting Ras Al Khor, Al Warqaa, Mirdif, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Academic City, and Dubai International City. Features interchanges with Red Line (Centrepoint) and Green Line (Creek), and the world’s tallest metro station (74m) at Dubai Creek Harbour. More at Time Out Dubai.
- Purple Line: Conceptual express route linking Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), part of Dubai 2040 plan. No confirmed timeline.
Summary Statistics
| Metric | Red Line | Green Line | Blue Line (Future) | Network Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 67.1 km | 22.5 km | 30 km | 89.6 km (current) |
| Stations | 35 | 20 | 14 | 53 (current) |
| Underground Stations | 4 | 12 | TBD | 16 |
| Elevated Stations | 30 | 8 | TBD | 38 |
| Daily Ridership (2023) | ~500,000 | ~350,000 | – | ~850,000 |
| Interchange Stations | Union, BurJuman | Union, BurJuman | Centrepoint, Creek | 2 (current) |
Data Source: RTA Annual Reports 2023, Network Map v3.2
The Dubai Metro is a world-class infrastructure asset, defined by advanced engineering, driverless automation, and ongoing expansion. It serves as a backbone of Dubai’s urban mobility, with the Blue Line set to enhance connectivity by 2029.