Metro Dubai: everything you need to know in 2024!

 

In this article, I present Dubai Metrowhich could come in very handy during your stay!

Here you'll find

• A presentation of this metro
• Available routes and useful stops
• Ticket prices and how to buy them
• Tips for using the Dubai metro with ease
• Operating hours
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about the Dubai Metro, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

Dubai Metro: article summary

Introducing the Dubai Metro

The subway in Dubai was inaugurated on September 9 2009 (at 9 hours 9 minutes and 9 seconds, for the symbol). At the time, it consisted of just one line. In 2011, a second line opened to extend the distance covered, and others are under construction.

There are currently :

• Visit red line with 29 stops
• Visit green line which has 20

Plans call for a blue line to open in 2025, with 20 additional stops, followed by a purple line adding 8 stops in 2030. This metro would then be as long as those in New York and London! In fact, it is currently the longest metro in the world. the longest driverless metro line in the world.

The metro was designed to relieve the city's heavy traffic and reduce car pollution. The results seem convincing, and ridership is growing steadily, with over 200 million passengers every year.

During your stay in Dubai, chances are you'll be using this metro. Whether you're travelling from Dubai airportWhether you're travelling between the city's most attractive districts or to a specific attraction, this is a fast and practical means of transport.

Metro Dubai: lines, map and useful stops

Even if you're not a frequent subway user, the Dubai metro is easy to navigate. The directions are very clear, there are only 2 lines and the staff will be happy to guide you if you have any problems.

Dubai metro lines

• Visit red line departs from Dubai International Airport and crosses the city along the Sheikh Zayed Roadwhich is one of the city's major thoroughfares. It runs from north to south, and is your first port of call.
• Visit green line runs from Deira, the old center of Dubai, to Dubai Creek. This is the line to take if you want to visit the Gold Souk or the historic Bur Dubaia true testimony to the town's past

Which stops are most useful to travellers?

Among the decisions that are sure to be of use to you, I would like to mention :

• Terminals 1 and 3 from Dubai International Airport (red line)
• Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (red line), which allows you to visit the world's tallest tower (the Burj Khalifa) and one of the world's largest shopping malls (the Dubai Mall), packed with activity, from the
• The Dubai Marina (Dubai Marina, red line)
• Internet City and Nakheelwhich are the two closest resorts to the artificial islands of Palm Jumeirah.

Dubai metro map

To help you find your way around, here is the current map of the Dubai Metro:

How much does a metro ticket cost in Dubai?

In Dubai, the metro is divided into zones - there are 7 - and the cost of each trip will depend on the route taken. You can count on

• Between 4 and 8 AED (approximately from 2 euros) for each trip within a zone
• From 6 to 12 AED (i.e. 3,2 euros max) for a trip covering 2 zones
• Up to 17 AED (i.e. 4.5 euros) if you pass through 3 zones

You can travel for 180 minutes on the same ticket, with a maximum of 3 connections allowed.

What is the Nol Card?

While it is possible to buy single tickets to use Dubai's public transport system, there is a system called Nol Card which saves you money.

The a rechargeable cardaccepted in other public transport systems. It can quickly become essential, as it is not possible to pay in cash on certain types of transport.

The various NOL cards (Silver Card, Gold Card, Personal Card and Red Card) offer lower unit prices for each trip, and are particularly interesting when traveling between 2 or more zones.

For example, with a Nol Silver Card or a Nol Red CardFor a trip that takes you through more than 2 zones, you'll pay AED 7.5 (2 euros) and AED 805 (2.15 euros) respectively. At full fare, it would cost you AED 17 (4.5 euros).

The a very interesting solutionIt's a great way to save money if you plan to use the Dubai Metro frequently during your stay. A fee is charged - from AED 50 to AED 220 depending on the card and the zones used - and it is valid for 7 days, with journeys deducted from the balance on the card.

Where can I buy tickets for the Dubai Metro?

Subway tickets and NOL cards are available:

• In RTA agencies (Roads and Transport Authoritythe company in charge of transport in Dubai) of the various metro stations
• At vending machines distributed throughout the stations
• At an authorized dealer RTA

How to use the Dubai metro easily?

If you've been on a metro before, you won't feel out of place on this one. It may simply be much cleaner than those you're used to! But there are a few things you need to know to use it properly.

The first is that the Dubai metro has cars of different classes:

• Visit Gold Class available at extra cost, offering greater comfort and space
• Visit Silver classYou can access it with a ticket or a NOL silver card.
• Visit women's and children's wagonswith space for strollers and various amenities. As a woman, you don't have to use these cars.

Then, among the rules to be aware of, it's forbidden to eat or drink on the Dubai metro, and luggage dimensions are limited (81 cm x 58 cm x 30 cm for suitcases / 55 cm x 38 cm x 20 cm for hand luggage).

Fines ranging from AED 100 to AED 2,000 are provided for offenders.

Last but not least, you'll have access to a permanent Wifi connection in the metro, which is always good to know.

My advice If you can, sit back and enjoy the view of the city from the first carriage. There's no driver, so you'll have a front-row seat to enjoy Dubai's architecture during the journey.

Metro Dubai: timetables, tips and practical information

Here's what you need to know about the Dubai Metro and the alternatives available.

Opening hours

The metro operates at the following times:

• Monday to Thursday, 5 a.m. to midnight
• Fridays from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
• Saturday from 5 a.m. to midnight
• Sunday, 8 a.m. to midnight

Departures are regular and you'll never have to wait long.

Please note: it's very busy at rush hour.

Useful info

You will need to validate your ticket at the corresponding kiosks at the metro entrance, but also at the exitand the fare will be charged.

 

Other options for getting around Dubai

In addition to the metro, you can take :

• Buses in Dubai
• The monorail serving the Palm Jumeirah
• Cab or Uber driver services
• A car, passing through a rental service
• The tramway, which serves 14 km of Dubai

What to do in Dubai in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?

Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Dubai guide.

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