Dubai Airport Metro Guide
If your flight uses DXB Terminal 1 or Terminal 3, the Red Line is inside the airport complex and can take you towards Deira, Downtown, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina without changing trains. Terminal 2 is the exception: it has no passenger-terminal Metro station, so check the terminal on the booking before planning the route.
Last reviewed:
Which DXB terminals have Metro stations?
Terminal 3 uses Airport Terminal 3 station (R13), while Terminal 1 uses Airport Terminal 1 station (R14). Both are Red Line stations in Zone 5. Terminal 2 has no equivalent station; seeing “Airport Free Zone” on the Green Line does not mean you have reached a passenger terminal.
| DXB terminal | Metro access | Station |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Direct Red Line access | Airport Terminal 1 (R14) |
| Terminal 2 | No direct passenger-terminal Metro station | Use Dubai Airports guidance for an onward bus, taxi or terminal transfer |
| Terminal 3 | Direct Red Line access | Airport Terminal 3 (R13) |
Buying a nol card after landing
Ticket offices and vending machines are available at the Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 stations. A Silver card is the usual reusable option for Regular Class; choose Gold only if you intend to use the Gold Class cabin. A Red Ticket may suit a visitor making very few journeys.
Load enough for the full trip, then use the same card or ticket at the entry and exit gates. If you recharged online before travelling, check that the new amount has been activated and is visible as usable balance.
When the airport Metro runs
The published hours below describe the general Red Line operating window. They are not the exact first or last departure from each airport platform, and they should not be used to plan a tight connection around the final train.
Allow time for immigration, baggage reclaim and the walk to the station. Public holidays and major events can also bring temporary changes, so check current operating information close to the journey.
| Day | Operating window |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5:00 AM to midnight |
| Friday | 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM the next day |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM to midnight |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM to midnight |
Luggage on the Metro
Dubai Airports advises passengers to bring no more than two pieces of luggage, including hand luggage. In practice, the Metro works best when you can move the bags through fare gates and crowded platforms without blocking other passengers.
Keep luggage beside you and clear of doors and aisles. If the destination involves a long outdoor walk, several changes or bags that cannot be handled safely, a taxi may be the more realistic final choice.
Popular routes from DXB
Both airport stations sit on the shared Red Line, so many central destinations are a direct ride. For journeys farther south, read the destination display before boarding: Red Line trains do not all finish at the same terminal after the branch.
| Area or destination | Useful station | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Deira | City Centre Deira or Union | Both are on the Red Line after the airport stations. |
| World Trade Centre and DIFC area | World Trade Center or Financial Centre | Remain on the Red Line and verify the final walk. |
| Downtown Dubai | Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall | Remain on the Red Line; allow for the walk beyond the platform. |
| Mall of the Emirates | Mall of the Emirates | Direct Red Line journey from the airport section. |
| Dubai Marina area | Sobha Realty or DMCC | Choose according to the address and any Tram connection. |
Dubai World Central (DWC)
DWC does not have direct Metro access. The usual public-transport plan combines the Metro with an onward RTA bus or taxi from Ibn Battuta or EXPO 2020. Check the bus leg for the travel date and leave a separate margin for the airport check-in deadline.
Do not treat a Metro trip to Ibn Battuta or EXPO 2020 as arrival at DWC: an onward road journey is still required.
Airport Metro checklist
- Confirm DXB Terminal 1, 2 or 3 on the flight booking before choosing a station.
- Check the service window for the actual travel date, including holiday notices.
- Buy or top up one valid nol product per fare-paying passenger; RTA currently lists children aged 5 and below as free.
- Keep within the published luggage allowance and leave doors and aisles clear.
- Use the train destination display and route planner for the correct Red Line branch.
- For DWC, include the onward RTA bus or taxi leg in the plan.
Sources and verification notes for this page
Plan your Dubai Metro trip
Use the route planner to connect two current stations and calculate the standard fare zone.