Dubai is a luxury destination, from sky-touching buildings to innovative architectural designs. The city leaves the competitors in vain. Similarly, Dubai's transport structure, quite futuristic, bears testimony to an excellent feat.

The metro system in Dubai was inaugurated in 2009 and has since become the trademark for transportation in Dubai, which is relatively convenient for both the residents and tourists moving around town.

The Metro system has also been upgraded with ever-growing developmental projects and expansion of residential communities. So keep yourself updated about the routes and schedules of the Dubai Metro in order to travel hassle-free.

Whether one has come here for tourism with the documents such as the passport and an Emirates Visa from the UK or has shifted from the UK to Dubai, let it be informed that one has and needs to know the schedules and timings of the Metro so that the travel feels like a breeze.

Overview of the Dubai Metro System

1. A Brief History

This facility of public transportation was inaugurated on 9th September 2009. Since its establishment, it has become one of the major means of transport used daily by those commuting daily or tourists.

Metro comprises two major running tracks that divide the major sites of Dubai. Of these, the Red Line covers the greatest distance from Rashidiya in the northeast to the UAE Exchange in the southwest.

The Green Line, however, has only a limited route that connects major areas, such as the Al Fahidi district and Dubai Creek.

Driverless System : This metro system is automated, hence making it the longest self-operating public transportation facility in the world.

Air-conditioned : The stations are air-conditioned and so are the trams, allowing the passengers to have a hassle-free journey even in the scorching summer heat of Dubai.

Integrated Network : Metro connects easily with other modes of transportation like taxis, trams, and buses for passage to the ultimate destination.

Accessibility : The facilities are built to be accessible to the disabled, including tactile guidance paths, ramps, elevators, and escalators.

What are the Dubai Metro Timings?

1. Opening Time

Below is detailed information on the opening and closing times of Dubai Metro. The metro opens for travellers every day from 05:00 AM, but on Sundays, the timings are different.

Timings are subject to slight variations depending on the point of departure, and the line used respectively.

2. Dubai Metro Time Table

The operating time from Monday, Thursday, and Saturday is from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM. On Fridays, they start their services from 5:00 AM and go out of service until 1:00 AM. On Sunday, Dubai Metro starts its timings at 8:00 AM till midnight.

Other interesting facts about the Red Line track or its stations are that.

The total number of stations in all is 35.

The estimated length of the route is about 67 kilometers.

The Red Line Route has two branches. The original one started in 2009 and is called Line 2. It runs between UAE Exchange and Jebel Ali. The one that opened in 2021 is Line 1, also famous for being Route 2020, running from Centerpoint to Expo 2020.

Metro runs every 2 to 5 minutes during the peak hours and can rise to 6-8 minutes in slack hours.

Operating hours and timings slightly differ on special occasions and public holidays. Listen to the announcement of the public very carefully and read the signs of the trains so that you get off at your desired station. The Dubai Metro opening and closing hours throughout the week are given below.

Jebel Ali

Mon to Thurs and Sat: 5:00 AM – 12:03 AM Friday: 5:00 AM – 1:03 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:05 AM

UAE Exchange

Mon to Thurs and Sat: 5:00 AM until 12:12 AM Friday: 5:00 AM – 1:12 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:14 AM

Center point

Monday to Thursday: 5:00 AM – 12:08 AM Friday: 5:00 AM – 1:08 AM Saturday: 5:00 AM – 1:06 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:07 AM

Expo 2020

Mon to Thurs and Sat: 5:00 AM until 1:08 AM Friday: 5:00 AM – 1:08 AM Saturday: 5:00 AM – 12:09AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:09 AM

The Green route length is 15 kms and runs parallel with the Dubai Creek. The track begins from Etisalat by E& to the terminus at the Creek. Here are other details regarding the Green Line route:

In all, it has 20 stations along its route.

The Green Line is about 22.5 kms.

The operating time for this path varies according to the day. A summarized program of the Dubai Metro's Green Line as per RTA Metro Opening Times is provided below:

Creek Dubai

Monday to Thursday: 5:00 AM – 12:03 AM Friday: 5:00 AM – 1:03 AM Saturday: 5:00 AM – 1:03 AM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:02 AM

Etisalat by E&

Monday to Thursday: 5:03 AM – 12:04 AM Friday: 5:03 AM – 1:04 AM Saturday: 5:03 AM – 12:03 AM Sunday: 8:03 AM – 12:02 AM

During festivals, special occasions, and public holidays, the service hours of Dubai Metro extend to accommodate the increased number of commuters. The main occasions when there are exclusive timings include:

New Year's Eve : This is one of the special events in Dubai following the massive number of tourists across the world. The operating hours are thus extended to accommodate the tourists who attend the events and firework displays.

Eid Holidays : Extra hours of services are put in to be able to accommodate the masses traveling to popular destinations and making visits to malls.

Dubai Shopping Festival : Similarly, the timings change to coordinate with the extended hours of shopping malls during the holiday season.

The holy month of Ramadan is of much significance to the Muslims around the world. Therefore, keeping in view the people who keep fasts and offer Taraweeh (late-night prayers) in this holy month, the time of Dubai Metro adjusts accordingly.

It usually operates a bit later into the year and then runs after midnight. The exact timing each year is subject to variation according to the Islamic calendar.

First and last train timings must be known to persons who have to catch early flights or have to get back home in the wee hours.

Red Line

First train : Operating time begins at 5:00 AM from Monday to Saturday, while on Sunday, the Metro time begins at 8:00 AM.

The last metro leaves at midnight, that is 12:00 AM, from Monday to Thursday and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, Dubai Metro timings are extended till 1:00 AM.

Green Line

The first train runs from Monday to Saturday at 5:30 AM, while on Sunday, it is at 8:00 AM.

The last train leaves at 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, however, it gets extended to 1:00 in the morning.

Tips for Commuting on the Dubai Metro

To have seamless journeys by Metro Dubai, you need to know peak hours because that is the time when trams and stations get most crowded.

The rush hours are mainly between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM in the morning, and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the evening.

It uses the Nol Card system. Basically, it is a smart card for all public transportation facilities within Dubai. The different types of NoI Cards are as follows:

Red Card: It is just ideal for tourists and seasonal voyagers, too.

Silver Card: Suitable for frequent travellers.

Gold Card: Access to VIP Gold Class cabins ensures a smooth and exquisite travel experience.

Blue Card: These cards are personalized, catered for frequent commuters. They provide balance protection once the card is lost.

Below are some basic etiquette rules that are supposed to guarantee a smooth travel experience for all commuters:

Stand Correctly on the Escalator: While using the escalators in the station, stand to your right. This will leave enough room on the left for other people to pass by.

Priority Seating: These seats are for the elderly, expecting mothers, and disabled people. Respect that! In addition to the Metro, no eating or drinking shall be allowed on the station.

No Noise: Keep the noise level low so as not to disturb other passengers.

4. Navigating the Metro with Ease

If a person travels through the Dubai Metro often, then the Dubai Metro App should be installed on your phone by default. It provides, apart from real-time information about the arrival and departure of a train, information about its timing, location of stations involved, and the estimated fare, too.

It also provides a route planning service, which can help in seeking the fastest way of reaching any place.

Metro Map Signs

Directions are clear, maps, and instructions in Dubai Metro stations are clear and easy to follow. Because the lines are color-coded, the Metro map is quite simple to decipher. Interchange stations can also be located on the map.

You can get your free map from any station, or you can just make it easy and download an e-version from the Dubai Metro website.

Inter-change Stations

Interchange stations, which will make the switching between the Red and Green lines quite easy, are:

Union Station: Deira hosts it, and it is one of the busiest and most popular stations because it does connect the Red and Green line routes.

BurJuman: The Burjuman Station is an interchange station situated at the middle of the Burjuman Mall.

Conclusion

Do not let your plan go in vain, apply Emirates Visa from UK and come to Dubai inorder to experience the Dubai Metro. We wish that through this guide you now have the basic idea of the timings and routes and also the places of metro service including the time. With the correct and updated information on this, you will not be misinformed and make the best out of your Dubai Trip while also adding Dubai Metro to your checklist!