Dubai Metro Timings 2026: Red & Green Line Hours, First & Last Train, Fares

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.

Frequency shown is approximate guidance only — check live departures in the RTA S'hail app.

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	12:00 AM (midnight)
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 (Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya) to Life Pharmacy (formerly UAE Exchange), or e& (formerly 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 — The Extended Weekend Window

Friday runs until 01:00 AM the next day, giving commuters and night-out travelers an extra hour compared to the weekday close. Saturday closes at midnight (00:00), the same as weekdays.

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.

Midnight (1am on Friday) is when the system shuts down — it is NOT the time of the last train. Last departures from the termini leave earlier in the evening, and the last train from your station depends on where you board and which direction you travel. RTA does not publish a per-station last-train timetable: check your station's last train in the RTA S'hail app before you travel, and do not rely on a midnight departure.

First trains leave around opening time — 05:00 on Monday to Saturday, 08:00 on Sunday. RTA publishes system hours, not a per-station first/last timetable, so the exact first and last trains for your station live in the S'hail app. As a rule: arrive well before closing, because the last train from your station leaves before the system shuts down.

Dubai Metro Red Line Timing

The Red Line is the network's backbone, running from Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya) to Life Pharmacy (formerly UAE Exchange) along the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor — including Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and DMCC. The Red Line has 35 stations including the Route 2020 branch (29 main-line + 6 branch). 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

Trains typically run every few minutes at peak times and less often late at night — check live departures in the RTA S'hail app. 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 e& (formerly 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

Trains typically run every few minutes at peak times and less often late at night — check live departures in the RTA S'hail app.

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), reported 72% complete in July 2026 (AED 550 million programme, full rollout due by the end of Q1 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	AED 2	Reloadable up to ~10 trips	Convenient for tourists and short stays (it costs MORE per trip than Silver: AED 4/6/8.50 vs 3/5/7.50)

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, is one of the busiest 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.

Two Red Line stations connect to the Dubai Tram: Sobha Realty and DMCC. From there the tram serves Dubai Marina, JBR and nearby areas. RTA feeder buses also connect stations to nearby neighbourhoods — check your connection in the S'hail app.

Dubai Metro Station Name Changes (2025–2026)

Several stations were renamed, so older maps and guides show different names for the same stations: Rashidiya is now Centrepoint; UAE Exchange is now Life Pharmacy; Jumeirah Lakes Towers is now DMCC; Etisalat is now e&; GGICO is now Al Garhoud; Al Khail is now Al Fardan Exchange; Jebel Ali is now National Paints. If a sign, map or older article uses the old name, it is the same station.

Future Lines: Blue (2029) and Gold (2032)

These lines are announced plans, not operating lines. The Blue Line (30 km, 14 stations) is announced to open on 9 September 2029. The Gold Line (42 km, 18 stations, fully underground) was approved in April 2026 and is announced to open on 9 September 2032. Neither line carries passengers yet — do not plan journeys on them.

Common RTA Fines & Rules to Avoid

Eating and drinking are fined in trains and on platforms. Sitting in the dedicated Women & Children cabin as a man is fined. 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.

Fine amounts below follow RTA's published penalty list as reported in 2026. Confirm current amounts via RTA on 800 90 90 before travelling.

Fine	Amount (AED)
Eating or drinking in trains or on platforms	100
Sitting in a reserved cabin (Women & Children, Gold Class)	100
Putting feet on seats	100
Causing a disturbance, entering restricted areas	100
Travelling without paying the fare	200
Failure to present a Nol card on request	200
Using an expired, invalid or someone else's card	200
Smoking, littering or spitting	200
Selling without permission, ignoring inspectors' instructions	200
Sleeping in prohibited areas	300
Counterfeit card, carrying alcohol	500
Weapons or hazardous items	1,000
Misusing emergency buttons or safety equipment, vandalism	2,000

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, Saturday and Sunday; 01:00 AM the next day on Friday only.

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 may change on public holidays and during special events — check RTA announcements and the S'hail app before travelling.

What time is the last Dubai Metro train?

There is no single last-train time. The system shuts down at midnight (1am on Friday), but last departures leave earlier and vary by station and direction. Check your station's last train in the RTA S'hail app before you travel.

What time does Dubai Metro open on Sunday?

At 08:00 — three hours later than other days (05:00 Monday to Saturday). Sunday closing is midnight, the same as weekdays.

Does Dubai Metro go to the airport?

Yes. The Red Line serves Airport Terminal 3 and Airport Terminal 1 stations at Dubai International Airport. Terminal 2 has no metro station.

Which stations connect the Red and Green lines?

Union and BurJuman. You can change lines at either station without tapping out.

Is Nol being replaced?

No. The account-based ticketing upgrade is a backend change (reported 72% complete in July 2026, full rollout due by the end of Q1 2027). The Nol name and cards stay, and current cards keep working throughout. QR tickets have been reported as available in the nol Pay and S'hail apps.