Table of contents
Quick answer
The Dubai Metro Red Line stops at DXB Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, with trains into Deira, Downtown, Business Bay and on to Dubai Marina. A single trip costs a few dirhams on a Nol card. Each passenger may bring one large and one small bag. It is the cheapest way into the city if your hotel is near a station, but not ideal with heavy luggage or a late-night arrival.
1Which Dubai Airport terminals have a Metro station?
Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 each have a Red Line station, linked to arrivals by signed walkways. Terminal 2 has no station; from there, take a taxi or the airport shuttle to Terminal 1 or 3 first.
Emirates flies from Terminal 3, most other international airlines from Terminal 1, and flydubai and some regional carriers from Terminal 2.
2Where can you go on the Metro from the airport?
| Destination | Station | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Deira and Al Rigga | StationUnion, Al Rigga | Typical time10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa | StationBurj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Typical time25–30 minutes |
| Business Bay | StationBusiness Bay | Typical timeAbout 30 minutes |
| Mall of the Emirates / Al Barsha | StationMall of the Emirates | Typical timeAbout 45 minutes |
| Dubai Marina and JBR | StationDMCC, Sobha Realty or Marina stations | Typical timeAbout 55–60 minutes |
Journey times are approximate. The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station links to the mall by a long walkway.
3How much is the Metro from the airport?
Fares are by zone and cost a few dirhams — far less than a taxi. You pay with a Nol card, bought from the machines or ticket office at the station and topped up there. A Silver card works for regular class; a Gold card pays the higher Gold Class fare.
Tap in and tap out at the gates. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the Metro, including water, and are fined.
4Can you take luggage on the Dubai Metro?
Yes, within limits: each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one small bag, within set size limits. Oversized bags are not allowed. Trains can be crowded at rush hour, and some stations involve long walks with bags — worth weighing against a taxi if you are tired or travelling with children.
5What time does the Dubai Metro run from the airport?
The Metro runs from early morning to around midnight on most days, with later service on some days of the week and on special occasions. It does not run through the night, so late arrivals need a taxi or a transfer. Check the RTA's current timetable before you travel.
Landing late? The last train can leave before you clear immigration and collect bags. Book a transfer or plan on a taxi rather than racing for it.
6Metro or taxi? Which suits you
| You are… | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Solo, one suitcase, hotel near a station | Better choiceMetro |
| A couple with two large suitcases | Better choiceTaxi or transfer |
| A family with children | Better choiceTransfer or taxi |
| Landing after about 11pm | Better choiceTaxi or transfer |
| Staying in Deira or near Downtown on a budget | Better choiceMetro |
7From arrivals to the train, step by step
- 1Follow the Metro signs from arrivals at Terminal 1 or 3.
- 2Buy a Nol card at the machine or ticket office and add credit.
- 3Tap in at the gate and take the Red Line towards the city (Centrepoint for the airport end, the other direction for the Marina).
- 4Tap out at your destination and keep the card for the rest of your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Metro station at Dubai Airport Terminal 2?
No. Only Terminals 1 and 3 have Red Line stations.
How much luggage can I take on the Dubai Metro?
One large and one small bag per passenger, within the RTA's size limits.
Can I pay for the Metro with a bank card?
Fares are paid with a Nol card, which you can buy and top up with cash or card at the station.
Does the Dubai Metro go to Dubai Marina from the airport?
Yes, on the Red Line without changing, in about an hour.
Is the Dubai Metro safe at night?
Yes. The Metro is clean, well lit and staffed, with CCTV throughout, and every train has a carriage for women and children and a Gold Class carriage.
Do I need a Nol card for the Metro from the airport?
You need a Nol card or ticket to pass the gates. Buy one from the machines or the ticket office at the station and add enough credit for your trips.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 22 September 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
