Dubai Metro
Are you living in Dubai or planning to shift shortly? Here is everything you need to know or learn about the Dubai Metro. Here you go!
The Dubai metro system is one of the largest automated metro stations in the world, which was launched in 2009 by Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Makhtoum. Its entire network is 75 km, and it runs down the 49 operational stations. Dubai metro is one of the most reasonable and convenient public transport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It carries 500,000 passengers daily. The owner of Dubai metro train is Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
As follows is the complete guide, covering everything related to Dubai metro from lines to routes to timings and fares.
What are the two lines of Dubai metro (Red line and Green line)?
Dubai metro has two lines; Red and Green lines of the Dubai metro is one of the most advanced, luxurious and modern rail systems worldwide.
What is a Red line train? (Dubai Metro)
The total length of Red line is 52.1 km which runs from Al Rashidiya (center point metro station) to UAE exchange station (jebel ali) i.e. from north to south with total of 35 stations which also includes the Branch line; it also stops at tourist attractions such as Burj Khalifa, Ibn Battuta, Emirates mall, Dubai mall, Jumeirah lakes towers, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina.
The stations Red line includes; Centrepoint, Emirates, Airport terminal 3 and terminal 1, GGICO, Deira city center, Al Rigga, Union, Burjuman, ADCB, Max near the Dubai Frame and Zabeel park, World Trade Center, Emirates Towers, Financial Centre, Burj Khalifa/ Dubai mall, Business Bay, Al Safa, Equiti, Mall of the Emirates, Mashreq, Dubai internet city, Al Khail, Sobha Realty, DMCC, Jabal Ali, Ibn Battuta, Energy, Danube, UAE Exchange, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and EXPO 2020. In 2020 Red line extended with six more stations.
What is a Green line train? (Dubai Metro)
The length of the green line is 22.5 km from Etisalat (station in Al Qusais area) to Al Jaddaf Creek with total of 20 stations. One could visit the cultural highlights which include Al Fahidi, gold souk (Khalid Bin al Waleed metro station), spice souk and Deira.
The stations through which Green line runs; Etisalat, Al Qusais, Dubai Airport free zone, Al Nahda, Stadium, Al Qiyadah, Abu Hail, Abu Baker Al Siddique, Salah Al Din, Union, Baniyas Square, Gold Souq, Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba, Sharaf DG, Burjuman, Oud Metha, Dubai healthcare city, Al Jaddaf and Creek.
Moreover, Blue line has been proposed since August 2021. It would run between Dubai international airport and the new Al Maktoum international airport in Jebel Ali along Emirates road.
NOTE: There are two stops of Dubai metro at Dubai international airport at terminal 1 and terminal 3. Dubai international airport is located at the eastern end of Red line.
How many types or classification of Cabins are in Dubai metro?
There are three types which are described as follows:
- Regular Class: It could be accessed with any type NOL card.
- Gold class (VIP carriages): only be used Gold NOL card users and it is equal to first class.
- Women and Children Cabin: only women could access with any NOL card. There is extra space in cabin for prams, push-chairs etc. which is clearly identified with the pink signs.While each station has customised space for wheelchairs, push chairs and prams etc.
What are the fares and payment for Dubai Metro?
Fares of Dubai metro is quite reasonable or economical compared to other similar systems in other part of the world. It is cheaper than a taxi. Cost have been set according to the number of zones travelled. The total number of zones in Dubai are seven. It runs through five zones that includes Zone 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. The 4 and 7 Zone are for other modes of the public transport including buses.
Type of ticket=>1 Zone (less than 3 km)=> 2 Zone=> more than 3 Zones
Standard ticket (Red NOL)=> 4 dirhams=> 6 dirhams=> 8.5 dirhams
Pre-paid standard ticket (Silver NOL)=>3 dirhams=> 5 dirhams=> 7.5 dirhams
Concessionary (Blue NOL)=> 1.5 dirhams=> 2.5 dirhams=> 3.75 dirhams
Gold class (Red ticket)=> 8 dirhams=> 12 dirhams=> 17 dirhams
Gold class Pre-paid=> 6 dirhams=> 10 dirhams=> 15 dirhams
RTA NOL card is the payment form that is used as Dubai metro tickets as no other payment form could be used. NOL card is similar to credit or debit card. You just need to swap NOL card at the vending machine while entering or leaving the metro stations. Total four types of NOL cards available; Red, Blue, Gold and silver.
Red NOL card or Red ticket=> This type of card is best for non-frequent travellers. Its validity is up to ninety days from the date of purchase and could be used for total ten single journeys. Its price is AED 2.
Silver NOL card or Silver ticket=> It is usually suitable for frequent users of Dubai metro. Its validity is up to five years since the date of purchase. The cost of this card is AED 25 in which AED 19 is e purse balance. You could fill up your e purse balance till AED 1000 at the time of registration.
Gold NOL card or Golden Ticket=> If you prefer comfort then Gold card is the best choice. Silver and the Gold card have the same features but this card allows you to use their luxurious gold cabin. The holders of the Gold ticket could only use gold class or gold compartment. Its price is AED 25 in which AED 19 is e purse balance. The limit of filling it at the time of registration is up to AED 5000.
Blue NOL card or Blue Ticket=> These type of cards are suitable for senior citizens, students and people of determination as these are personalised cards. If for example your cards gets stolen or lost, still your balance would be secure. Additionally the children under the age of 5 or the people of determination could travel free of cost with this card. Its validity is up to five years. Important note: buy blue NOL card only if you are resident of the Dubai.
Also, if anyone tries to misuse the NOL card he/she would have to pay fine of AED 200.
Monthly NOL card passes=> 1 Zone=> 2 Zone=> more than 3 Zones
- Silver NOL card=> 140 dirhams=> 230 dirhams=> 350 dirhams
- Gold NOL card=> 280 dirhams=> 460 dirhams=> 700 dirhams
- Pass for students and senior citizens=> 70 dirhams=> 115 dirhams=> 175 dirhams
What actually NOL cards are?
It is basically a rechargeable ticket and helps you to give cheap fares. These cards could also be used to pay fares of other forms of public transport for instance buses, taxis and trams. NOL cards could be bought from any Dubai metro station or bus station and supermarkets such as Spinneys, Waitrose and Carrefour.
What are the timings for the Dubai metro?
Monday – Thursday: 5 a.m to midnight
Friday: 5 a.m to 1 a.m (next day)
Saturday – Sunday: 5 a.m to midnight
However the timings of Dubai metro stations could vary on national holidays such as on Eid etc.
Facilities available at the Dubai metro:
Metro users could access free Wi-Fi all along their journey. There is emergency call box, also radio links the emergency services and metro. More than 3000 CCTVs are installed for monitoring everything inside metro for security purposes.
Moreover metro police keep checks on all the rules and regulations and if someone does not follows the code of conduct stated then strict actions are taken against that person.
Accessibility features in Dubai metro
For the Dubai metro service the convenience is the most important factor. It makes sure that every service is available to every passenger.
- Tactile guidance path: For visually impaired contrasting tactile guidance paths are used by the Dubai metro stations.
- Lift service availability: The lift service is available at all metro station levels.
- Wheelchair users could access wheelchairs: There are reserved spaces for wheelchairs.
- Platform alerts for instance audible beeps and flashing light signals: This is to make sure that everyone knows when is train leaving or arriving.
- Screens displaying information all time: To keep everybody informed.
What is the Code of conduct or Rules of Dubai metro?
- No pushing is allowed
- Passengers need to respect others personal spaces
- Eating and drinking is not allowed in cabins of Dubai metro, if anyone found eating would be fined up to AED 100.
- Moving along the platform or designated spaces
- Giving way or space for moving to others
- First let passengers get off the train before moving into it.
- Move down to respective cabins
- Sleeping or taking nap into Dubai metro train is not allowed as it could also lead to the fine of 300 dirhamsIt is made sure that all the set of regulations should be followed properly. If you break any rule then you would be fined up to AED 2000.
Others
Passengers are allowed to carry two items on Dubai Metro such as one large suitcase as there is a dedicated luggage area and one small handbag.
For wheelchair users, carriages have reserved or dedicated spaces.
The waiting time is the shortest of Dubai metro compared to other metros in the world, it doesn’t exceed more than 3.5 minutes. Times of first and last train varies at each metro stations.
Roads and Transport authority doesn’t waste water while cleaning the luxurious metro train as it recycles 80% of the water while washing. The theme of the Dubai metro stations is based on four elements that includes earth, water, fire and air.
Each train has five carriages. At one end of the train the carriage is divided into two cabins where one being the gold class cabin and the carriage at the other end of train is of women and children.
- Gold class cabin has leather seats and usually less crowded compared to other cabins.
- Women and children cabin has extra space compared to others for strollers.
- The rest of the area of train is for Silver class passengers.
Passenger travelling in the wrong cabin would be fined.
For Dubai metro users there are designated spaces for parking and it is free of cost but if any other person parks their car in that designated area then he would be penalised up to AED 1000.
On the 9th of September 2020 the Dubai metro system completed its 11 years of service.
Advice for the first time users:
- 6 a.m to 8:30 a.m and 5 p.m to 7 p.m are peak time hours so it would be better to avoid this time.
- If travelling during peak hours, it is better to travel in gold class cabin.
- The names of Dubai metro stations is set according to the nearby landmarks, neighbourhoods etc. so it is better to ask about the right stop from your hotel.
- Free wi-fi is available all time on the train so it would be better to stay connected all through your journey so you could know where exactly you are.
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