Planning a trip around Dubai starts with one question: when does the Metro actually run? Between weekday schedules, Friday’s extended hours, and Sunday’s later start, the timing pattern trips up even long-term residents. Here’s the exact 2026 breakdown, verified against current RTA figures.
Dubai Metro Trip Planner & Fare Simulator
Period
Off-peak
Train every
7–8 min
Silver Nol fare
3.00 AED
Gold Class fare
6.00 AED
Fares and frequency based on 2026 RTA schedule data. Always confirm live timings via the RTA app before travel.
Table of Contents
Dubai Metro Operating Hours 2026 (Quick Reference)
| Day | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 05:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Friday | 05:00 AM | 01:00 AM (next day) |
| Saturday | 05:00 AM | 01:00 AM (next day) |
| Sunday | 08:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
RTA Rule to note: the closing time refers to when the system shuts down — not the last train reaching the far end of a line. On a full end-to-end trip (Rashidiya to UAE Exchange, or Etisalat to Creek), the last train departs well before the stated closing time. Always check last-train timing for your specific station, not just the network's official close.
Friday & Saturday — The Extended Weekend Window
Fridays and Saturdays both run until 01:00 AM the next day, aligning with the UAE's Saturday–Sunday weekend and giving commuters and night-out travelers an extra hour compared to the weekday close.
Sunday — The Late Start
Sunday is the outlier: service doesn't begin until 08:00 AM, three hours later than every other day. If you're planning an early Sunday trip, this is the one day you can't assume a 5:00 AM start.
Dubai Metro Red Line Timing
The Red Line is the network's backbone, running from Rashidiya to UAE Exchange along the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor — including Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Full station-by-station first and last train times are broken down in the Red Line timing guide, which is worth bookmarking if you're commuting daily on this stretch.
Red Line Peak vs Off-Peak Frequency
| Period | Time Window | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Peak (AM) | Mon–Fri, 07:00 AM – 09:30 AM | Every 3–4 minutes |
| Peak (PM) | Mon–Fri, 04:30 PM – 08:00 PM | Every 3–4 minutes |
| Off-peak | All other hours | Every 7–8 minutes |
The Red Line's peak windows are tight enough that you rarely wait more than a few minutes even during rush hour — the bigger planning concern is train crowding, not frequency, especially through the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station corridor during evening peak.
Dubai Metro Green Line Timing
The Green Line runs from Etisalat to Creek, serving the city's older, denser districts — Deira, Al Rigga, and Bur Dubai. It carries a very different character from the Red Line's business-corridor route. Full details are in the Green Line timing guide.
Green Line Peak vs Off-Peak Frequency
| Period | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Peak (rush hours) | Every 5 minutes |
| Off-peak | Every 8–10 minutes |
Green Line frequency runs slightly wider than the Red Line even at peak, reflecting somewhat lower daily ridership on this stretch relative to the business-district-heavy Red Line.
Dubai Metro Fares 2026 — Nol Card & the Account-Based Ticketing Upgrade
What's Actually Changing (Not a Rebrand)
RTA is not replacing Nol with a new brand — it's running a major backend upgrade, shifting from card-based ticketing to account-based ticketing (ABT), currently around 72% complete with full rollout expected by early 2027. The rollout has three phases: QR-code ticketing through digital platforms, next-generation Nol cards built on modern payment technology, and finally bank card and digital wallet acceptance directly at gates. Once complete, riders will manage multiple linked Nol cards, set automatic top-ups from a bank account, and view transaction history from one platform — all under the existing Nol name.
Blockquote — RTA Fine Warning: Boarding with an insufficient Nol balance isn't just an inconvenience — gates reject cards below the minimum threshold with no grace period. Check and top up your balance through the Nol balance and top-up guide before you travel, not at the platform.
Nol Card Types & Starting Costs
| Card Type | Cost | Included Balance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | AED 25 | AED 19 | Regular commuters, general use |
| Gold | AED 25 | AED 19 | Gold Class cabin access (premium fare) |
| Blue | AED 70 | AED 20 | Long-term residents, personalized/replaceable |
| Red Ticket | Low-cost, single/multi-use | Reloadable up to ~10 trips | Tourists, short stays |
Fare Tier Pricing (Silver Nol)
| Zones Crossed | Fare |
|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | 3.00 AED |
| 2 adjacent zones | 5.00 AED |
| 3 or more zones | 7.50 AED |
Gold Class runs exactly double the Silver price across every tier — so a 3-zone Gold Class trip costs 15.00 AED against 7.50 AED Silver. Use the interactive planner above to check both the fare and current train frequency for any time of day before you head out.
Key Interchange & Landmark Stations
Union Station (Red/Green Interchange)
Union Metro Station is one of two points where you can switch between the Red and Green Lines without leaving the paid zone — critical if your journey crosses from the business district into Deira or Bur Dubai.
BurJuman Station (Red/Green Interchange)
The second interchange point, BurJuman Metro Station, consistently ranks among the network's highest-footfall stations — worth knowing if you're trying to avoid peak-hour crowding on the platform itself.
Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station
The tourist-traffic anchor of the Red Line — see the full Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station guide for exit numbers and mall-entrance walking times.
Common RTA Fines & Rules to Avoid
Eating or drinking inside the train or on platforms is fined — no exceptions for water bottles.
Sitting in a dedicated Women & Children cabin as a man is fined — three cabins on every train are reserved.
Boarding with insufficient Nol balance gets your card rejected at the gate with no grace period — top up before you travel, not at the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Dubai Metro open on Friday?
05:00 AM, the same as most weekdays — the difference on Friday is the extended closing time of 01:00 AM the next day, rather than midnight.
What time does the Dubai Metro close?
Midnight (12:00 AM) on Monday–Thursday and Sunday; 01:00 AM the next day on Friday and Saturday.
Is a new payment system replacing Nol?
No. RTA is upgrading Nol's backend to account-based ticketing — the Nol name and cards stay, with added QR-code and digital wallet support arriving in phases through early 2027.
How much is the Dubai Metro fare in 2026?
3.00 AED within a single zone, 5.00 AED across 2 adjacent zones, and 7.50 AED for 3 or more zones on Silver Nol — Gold Class is exactly double at every tier.
Does the Dubai Metro run on public holidays?
Yes, though hours are frequently extended for major events like New Year's Eve, Eid, and National Day — check RTA's announcements in the days before any public holiday.
Hi! We’re the Travel Blog Dubai Team — passionate travelers who explore Dubai every day to bring you honest tips, best places to visit, budget ideas, and real experiences.Whether you’re planning your first trip or you live in the UAE, our guides help you discover the best of Dubai, hassle-free.
