Al Rigga Metro Station is on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro, located in the Al Muraqqabat area of Deira. The station opened on 9 September 2009 as part of the original Red Line launch. It sits underground and serves one of Dubai’s busiest and most historic commercial districts. In 2016, Al Rigga was recorded as the busiest metro station in Dubai with over 2 million riders that year, which gives you an idea of how active this station remains today.
Station Code: R17 | Line: Red Line | Zone: 5 | Type: Underground | Opened: 9 September 2009
Table of Contents
Where is Al Rigga Metro Station Located?
Al Rigga Metro Station is on Al Rigga Road in Al Muraqqabat, Deira. It is close to Deira Clock Tower, the Delta Centre, and a large number of hotels that make this area popular with budget and mid-range travelers. The station is underground, which makes it more comfortable to access in Dubai’s summer heat compared to elevated stations.
Neighboring Stations:
- Previous Station: City Centre Deira (towards Centrepoint/Rashidiya)
- Next Station: Union Metro Station (towards Expo 2020/Jebel Ali)
Union is just one stop away, making Al Rigga a convenient indirect access point to the Green Line as well. Read our full guide on Union Metro Station Dubai for transfer details.
Al Rigga Metro Station Timings 2026
| Day | First Train | Last Train |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday to Wednesday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
On Fridays the station opens at 10:00 AM. If you need to travel earlier on a Friday, use a taxi or Careem. During Ramadan, service typically extends until around 2:00 AM. Always confirm on the RTA website or S’hail app.
Train frequency during peak hours: every 3 to 4 minutes Train frequency off-peak: every 7 to 8 minutes
Peak hours are 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays.
For the full Red Line schedule visit our Dubai Metro Red Line Timings guide.
Fares — Al Rigga Metro Station is Zone 5
Al Rigga Metro Station is in Zone 5 of the RTA fare system.
| Zones Crossed | NOL Silver Card | Paper Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | AED 3.00 | AED 5.00 |
| 2 Zones | AED 5.00 | AED 7.50 |
| 3 or More | AED 7.50 | AED 10.00 |
Always use a NOL Card. Paper tickets cost more and do not work on feeder buses. Children under 5 travel free. NOL Day Pass costs AED 25 for unlimited travel in 24 hours.
To check your card balance read: How to Check Your NOL Card Balance
Station Exits
Al Rigga Metro Station has four exits, all opening onto Al Rigga Street:
Exit 1 and Exit 2 — East side: Al Rigga Street East, taxi and bus stop, Gift Gallery direction
Exit 3 and Exit 4 — West side: Al Rigga Street West, taxi and bus stop, Dar Sultan Building direction
Since the station is underground, all exits lead directly onto the street level with no elevated walkways involved.
Bus Routes from Al Rigga Metro Station
| Route | Coverage |
|---|---|
| C09 | Connects to surrounding Deira areas |
| Route 77 | Local Deira connectivity |
Both stops are within walkable distance of the station exits. All buses require a NOL Card. For full route details visit our Dubai Bus Routes guide.
How to Get to Al Rigga Metro Station
By Metro: Al Rigga is on the Red Line between City Centre Deira and Union Station. Trains from both directions stop here throughout the day.
By Taxi: Taxis, Uber, and Careem all serve the station. Drop-off and pickup points are available at the exits on Al Rigga Street.
By Car: Street parking is available on surrounding roads in Deira, though it fills up quickly during peak hours. For full parking rules see our Dubai Parking Guide.
For airport transfers read our Airport Transfers in Dubai guide.
Nearby Landmarks and Attractions
Gold Souk — approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the station. One of the most famous markets in Dubai with over 380 gold retailers. Best visited in the evening when the displays are fully lit.
Spice Souk — approximately 12 to 15 minutes on foot, located near the Gold Souk. A traditional market selling spices, herbs, teas, and Arabic perfumes. A sensory experience worth the short walk.
Al Rigga Street Markets — 2 to 5 minutes walk from the exits. A busy commercial strip with shops, restaurants, and cafes that comes alive in the evening.
Dubai Creek — approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot. From here you can take a traditional abra water taxi across the creek and explore Old Dubai on foot.
Deira Clock Tower — a well-known landmark visible from the station area, useful as a navigation reference point.
Key Destinations from Al Rigga by Metro
| Destination | Route | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station | Red Line, 1 stop | 2 minutes |
| Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall | Red Line direct | 15 to 18 minutes |
| Business Bay Metro Station | Red Line direct | 18 to 20 minutes |
| Mall of the Emirates | Red Line direct | 25 to 30 minutes |
| BurJuman Metro Station | Red Line via Union | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Financial Centre Station | Red Line direct | 20 minutes |
| DMCC Metro Station | Red Line direct | 35 to 40 minutes |
For the complete metro network timing guide visit Dubai Metro Timing.
Station Facilities
- NOL Card purchase and top-up kiosks
- Customer service counter
- Free WiFi throughout the station
- Full air conditioning on all platforms and trains
- Elevators and ramps for wheelchair users
- Tactile flooring for visually impaired passengers
- Women and children-only carriages in first and last carriage
- Gold Class cabin in front carriage
- ATMs and small retail kiosks near exits
- Taxi stand at street level exits
FAQs
Where is Al Rigga Metro Station located?
Al Rigga Metro Station is on Al Rigga Road in Al Muraqqabat, Deira, Dubai. It is an underground station close to Deira Clock Tower and the Gold Souk area.
What zone is Al Rigga Metro Station in?
Al Rigga Metro Station is in Zone 5 of the RTA fare system. The station code is R17 on the Red Line.
What time does Al Rigga Metro Station open?
Saturday to Thursday the station opens at 5:00 AM. On Fridays it opens at 10:00 AM. Last trains run at midnight Saturday through Wednesday and at 1:00 AM on Thursdays and Fridays.
How do I get from Al Rigga to the Gold Souk?
Exit the station onto Al Rigga Street and walk east toward the Deira market area. The Gold Souk is approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot. You can also take a short taxi ride which takes about 5 minutes.
Is Al Rigga the busiest metro station in Dubai?
Al Rigga was recorded as the busiest Dubai Metro station in 2016 with over 2 million riders. It remains one of the most active stations on the Red Line due to its central location in Deira’s commercial district.
How do I reach Downtown Dubai from Al Rigga?
Take the Red Line from Al Rigga toward Expo 2020 direction and ride to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. The journey takes approximately 15 to 18 minutes with no transfer needed.
Also Read:
- Dubai Metro Red Line Timings
- Dubai Metro Timing
- Union Metro Station Dubai
- BurJuman Metro Station
- Business Bay Metro Station Dubai
- How to Check Your NOL Card Balance
- Dubai Bus Routes
- Dubai Parking Guide
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