Last updated: 24 October 2026
Dubai Metro timings are 5am to midnight from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday, 5am to 1am on Friday night, and 8am to midnight on Sunday. The same hours apply to the Red Line and the Green Line.
These are the standard hours on the RTA timetable. RTA changes them for Ramadan, Eid, New Year and big events, and it announces each change a few days before. This guide covers the weekly timetable, the Red Line routes to Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy, Dubai Tram hours, fares, the rules and fines on board, and where the Blue Line stands.
Dubai Metro timings by day
The metro opens at 5am six days a week and at 8am on Sunday. Friday is the only night it runs past midnight, and the Dubai Metro timings are the same at every station on both lines.
| Day | Red Line and Green Line | Dubai Tram |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5am to midnight | 6am to 1am (next day) |
| Friday | 5am to 1am (next day) | 6am to 1am (next day) |
| Saturday | 5am to midnight | 6am to 1am (next day) |
| Sunday | 8am to midnight | 9am to 1am (next day) |
RTA lists these as station opening hours for all metro lines. “1am (next day)” on Friday means the service carries on past midnight into the early hours of Saturday. On every other night the stations close at midnight.
The late Sunday start catches out a lot of new arrivals. Many expats in the UAE work on Sunday, and anyone who needs to be at the office before 8:30am should plan a bus or taxi for the first leg, or allow for the 8am opening.
Red Line and Green Line: where each line runs
The Red Line runs between Centrepoint and the Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy stations, and the Green Line runs between e& and Creek. Both lines keep the same opening hours.
| Line | End stations | Interchanges |
|---|---|---|
| Red Line | Centrepoint (R11) to Expo 2020 (R76) or Life Pharmacy (R42) | Union, BurJuman (Green Line); Sobha Realty, DMCC (Tram) |
| Green Line | e& (G11) to Creek (G30) | Union, BurJuman (Red Line) |
Some station names have changed in recent years through naming rights deals, so older maps and blogs can be confusing. Centrepoint was Rashidiya, e& was Etisalat, Life Pharmacy was UAE Exchange, Al Fardan Exchange was Al Khail, National Paints was Jebel Ali, and Sobha Realty was Dubai Marina. Station screens and announcements use the new names.
Interchange stations
- Union (R18/G20) and BurJuman (R19/G26): change between the Red Line and the Green Line.
- Sobha Realty (R36) and DMCC (R37): change between the metro and Dubai Tram.
Route 2020: trains to Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy
The Red Line has no separate timetable for the Expo branch. Trains to Expo 2020 run within the same Dubai Metro timings shown above.
RTA runs the Red Line as three direct routes from Centrepoint:
- Centrepoint to Life Pharmacy.
- Centrepoint to Expo 2020, which follows the Route 2020 branch.
- Centrepoint to Al Fardan Exchange, during morning and evening peak hours only.
Because trains from Centrepoint end at different stations, check the destination on the platform screen before you board. If you are heading to Expo City Dubai, board a train marked Expo 2020. A Life Pharmacy train will not take you there.
The short Al Fardan Exchange route was added in September 2025 to ease crowding on the busiest stretch of the Red Line at rush hour. If your stop is beyond Al Fardan Exchange, wait for a train to Expo 2020 or Life Pharmacy instead.
How often do trains run?
RTA does not publish train frequency on its timetable page, so there is no official minute-by-minute figure to quote here. At the morning and evening peaks, the third Red Line route adds extra trains between Centrepoint and Al Fardan Exchange, the busiest stretch.
To plan a trip from your station, use RTA’s S’hail journey planner app. RTA also points passengers to S’hail for any changes to bus timings.
First and last train: what to know
The hours in the table are station opening hours, not the departure time of the last train from every station. Where your station sits on the line decides when the last train passes.
- On a late night, check the last train for your exact journey in S’hail before you leave home.
- If your trip needs a change at Union or BurJuman, allow extra time, because you need the connecting line to be running too.
- On Sunday morning the metro does not run before 8am, so a bus or a taxi is the alternative for an early start.
- Friday night is the best night for a late return, with service until 1am.
When Dubai Metro timings change: Ramadan, Eid, New Year and events
RTA announces changes to Dubai Metro timings before each public holiday and major event, usually a few days in advance. The new hours appear in an RTA press release and in a banner on the RTA homepage, and the main UAE newspapers report them the same day.
The 2026 announcements show the pattern:
- New Year: for New Year 2026, the metro ran without a break from 5am on 31 December 2025 until 11:59pm on 1 January 2026.
- Eid Al Adha: during the Eid Al Adha holiday in May 2026, the Red and Green Lines ran from 5am to 1am the following day, Monday to Saturday, and from 8am to 1am on Sunday.
- Ramadan: the metro hours listed for Ramadan 2026 were the same as the standard weekly table, while parking, offices and other services changed.
Do not assume the 2026 pattern of Dubai Metro timings will repeat. RTA sets the hours for each occasion separately, and they can differ from year to year. Before Ramadan, Eid, New Year’s Eve or a big event such as a marathon or a concert, look for the new RTA announcement rather than relying on last year’s times.
On holidays, bus timetables often change too. RTA’s holiday releases point passengers to the S’hail app for bus changes, and some intercity routes are suspended for a few days.
Dubai Tram hours
Dubai Tram runs from 6am to 1am the next day, Monday to Saturday, and from 9am to 1am on Sunday. Compared with Dubai Metro timings, the tram opens an hour later and closes an hour later on most nights.
The tram connects with the Red Line at Sobha Realty and DMCC stations. The same nol card works on both, and a change between them within 30 minutes counts as one journey for the fare.
Dubai Metro fares at a glance
Dubai Metro fares depend on how many of Dubai’s 7 fare zones you cross, and the fare is taken from your nol card when you tap out. A silver card costs AED 3 for a trip within one zone.
| Zones travelled | Silver or personal (blue) card | Gold card | Red ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 | AED 6 | AED 4 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 | AED 10 | AED 6 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15 | AED 8.50 |
- Children aged 5 and under travel free.
- The personal blue card gives 50% off for students, senior Emiratis and some other eligible groups, and free travel for people of determination.
- You can switch between metro, bus and tram within 30 minutes and pay one fare based on the total zones. A journey can last up to 180 minutes with up to 3 transfers.
- The gold surcharge applies on the metro and tram only.
You need at least AED 7.50 on a silver or gold card to pass the gates. Our nol card balance check guide shows how to see your balance and top up before you reach the station.
Rules and fines on the Dubai Metro
The Dubai Metro has gold class cabins for gold card holders, cabins only for women and children, and general cabins for everyone else. Sitting in a cabin meant for another group can cost you a AED 100 fine.
These are the fines most passengers should know, from RTA’s published list:
| Offence | Fine |
|---|---|
| Eating or drinking where it is not allowed | AED 100 |
| Sitting in areas for specific categories (gold class, women and children) | AED 100 |
| Putting feet on seats | AED 100 |
| Causing a disturbance to other passengers | AED 100 |
| Travelling without paying the fare, or using an expired, invalid or someone else’s card | AED 200 |
| Smoking, spitting or littering | AED 200 |
| Sleeping where it is not allowed | AED 300 |
| Carrying alcoholic drinks | AED 500 |
| Using a counterfeit card | AED 500 |
| Carrying weapons, sharp tools or flammable materials | AED 1,000 |
| Damaging seats or equipment, or using emergency devices without need | AED 2,000 |
In practice, the eating and drinking rule is the easiest one to forget on a long ride. Finish your drink or snack before you pass the gates, and follow the signs in stations: ignoring RTA instructions posted on signboards carries a separate AED 200 fine.
Luggage and children
- Each passenger may carry 2 suitcases: one large, up to 81 x 58 x 30 cm, and one small, up to 55 x 38 x 20 cm. Keep them in the luggage area of the cabin.
- Children under 8 cannot travel without an adult. Children aged 8 to 11 need a permit issued by their parents, and from 12 they can travel alone.
- Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs.
Every train has spaces for wheelchair users, and lifts reach all station levels. There is Wi-Fi across the network.
Blue Line: is it open yet?
No, the Dubai Metro Blue Line is not open yet and does not affect current timings. RTA says the 30 km line with 14 stations is scheduled for completion in 2029, and the Dubai Media Office has given 9 September 2029 as the target opening date.
The Blue Line will link the Green Line at Creek and the Red Line at Centrepoint, with a third interchange at International City 1. It will serve Mirdif, Al Warqa, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Academic City, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Festival City. In November 2025 RTA said the works were 10% complete with a target of 30% by the end of 2026, and in July 2026 it reported the first phase of tunnelling complete.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving before 8am on Sunday. The stations stay closed until 8am.
- Using last year’s holiday times. RTA sets new hours each Ramadan, Eid and New Year.
- Boarding the wrong Red Line train. Check whether it is going to Expo 2020, Life Pharmacy or Al Fardan Exchange.
- Looking for old station names. Rashidiya, Etisalat and UAE Exchange now have new names.
- Tapping in with less than AED 7.50. The gate will not open, and topping up at the station machine costs at least AED 20.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Dubai Metro open on Sunday?
The Dubai Metro opens at 8am on Sunday and runs until midnight on both the Red Line and the Green Line. On every other day it opens at 5am. Dubai Tram also starts later on Sunday, at 9am. If you need to travel earlier on a Sunday morning, check bus options in the S’hail app or take a taxi.
Is the Dubai Metro open 24 hours?
No, the Dubai Metro is not open 24 hours on normal days. It runs from 5am to midnight on most days and until 1am on Friday night. RTA sometimes extends service for special occasions; for New Year 2026, for example, the metro ran without a break from 5am on 31 December until 11:59pm on 1 January.
What time is the last metro in Dubai on Friday?
The last Dubai Metro service on Friday runs until 1am on Saturday, which makes Friday the latest night of the week. From Saturday to Thursday the stations close at midnight. The exact last train from your station depends on where it sits on the line, so check S’hail before a late trip home.
Do Dubai Metro timings change during Ramadan?
Dubai Metro timings can change during Ramadan, and RTA announces the hours before the month starts. For Ramadan 2026 the metro hours listed were the same as the normal weekly timetable, but that may not happen every year. Look for the new RTA announcement before relying on the usual hours.
Does the Red Line go to Expo 2020 directly?
Yes, the Red Line runs direct trains from Centrepoint to Expo 2020 station, alongside trains to Life Pharmacy and peak-hour trains to Al Fardan Exchange. Check the destination on the platform screen before you board, because a Life Pharmacy train does not go to Expo 2020. Expo trains keep the normal Red Line hours.
Can you eat or drink on the Dubai Metro?
No, eating or drinking where it is not allowed on the Dubai Metro carries a AED 100 fine, according to RTA’s published list of public transport fines. RTA also fines passengers AED 200 for ignoring instructions posted on signboards. To stay on the safe side, finish any drink or snack before you tap your nol card at the gate.
Key takeaways
- Dubai Metro timings: 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 5am to 1am on Friday, 8am to midnight on Sunday.
- Dubai Tram runs 6am to 1am Monday to Saturday and 9am to 1am on Sunday.
- Red Line trains end at Expo 2020, Life Pharmacy or, at peak hours, Al Fardan Exchange.
- RTA announces new hours before every Ramadan, Eid, New Year and big event.
- Eating or drinking on board costs AED 100; sitting in the wrong cabin costs AED 100.
- The Blue Line is targeted to open on 9 September 2029.
Sources
- Timetables: Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and buses, Roads and Transport Authority
- About Dubai Metro: cabins, rules and fines, Blue Line, Roads and Transport Authority
- nol fares, Roads and Transport Authority
- Announcing service hours during Eid Al Adha holiday 2026, Roads and Transport Authority (22 May 2026)
- RTA announces service timings for 2026 New Year holiday, Dubai Media Office (29 December 2025)
- Dubai Metro Blue Line achieves 10% progress, Dubai Media Office (9 November 2025)
