Dubai Metro Red Line: Complete Route, Stations, Map, Timings, Fares & Travel Guide 2026
The Dubai Metro Red Line is the backbone of public transportation in Dubai and the busiest rapid transit corridor in the UAE. Fully automated and driverless, it stretches across the city from Centrepoint in the east to Expo City Dubai in the west, running largely parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) and connecting airports, business districts, residential communities, and world-famous attractions.
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest single driverless metro line, the Red Line is not just a transit option—it is a strategic mobility system that defines how Dubai moves.
Overview of the Dubai Metro Red Line
- Line color: Red
- Status: Fully operational
- Length: ~52.1 km
- Stations: 35 total (31 mainline + 4 branch stations)
- Top speed: Up to 110 km/h
- Travel time (end to end): ~1 hour 14 minutes
- Daily ridership: 250,000+ passengers
- Operator: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai
The Red Line serves both Dubai International Airport (DXB) terminals and Expo City Dubai, making it essential for tourists, commuters, and business travelers alike.
Red Line Route: From Centrepoint to Expo City Dubai
The Red Line runs east–west across Dubai with a Y-shaped configuration at Jabal Ali, enabling two direct services without mandatory interchanges.
Current Direct Routes (Post-April 2024)
- Centrepoint → Expo City Dubai
- Centrepoint → Life Pharmacy
- Centrepoint → Al Fardan Exchange (peak-hour operational routing)
This routing design significantly reduces congestion and eliminates forced transfers at Jabal Ali.
Red Line Metro Stations List 2026 Guide
| Name and Code | Location | Layout |
|---|---|---|
| R11 – Centrepoint | Al Rashidiya | Elevated |
| R12 – Emirates | Garhoud (junction of Airport Road and Marrakech Street) | Elevated |
| R13 – Airport Terminal 3 | DXB Airport Terminal 3 | Elevated |
| R14 – Airport Terminal 1 | DXB Airport Terminal 1 | Elevated |
| R15 – Al Garhoud | Garhoud | Elevated |
| R16 – City Centre Deira | Port Saeed | Underground |
| R17 – Al Rigga | Al Rigga | Underground |
| R18 – Union | Al Rigga (near Dubai Creek) | Underground |
| R19 – Burjuman | Intersection of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street and Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road | Underground |
| R20 – ADCB | Al Karama | Elevated |
| R21 – max | Sheikh Zayed Road between the Dubai World Trade Centre and Al Satwa | Elevated |
| R22 – World Trade Centre | Sheikh Zayed Road between the Dubai World Trade Centre and Al Satwa | Elevated |
| R23 – Emirates Towers | Sheikh Zayed Road nearby Museum of the Future | Elevated |
| R24 – Financial Centre | Between DIFC and Al Satwa | Elevated |
| R25 – Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Downtown Dubai | Elevated |
| R26 – Business Bay | South of Downtown Dubai (near Safa Park) | Elevated |
| R29 – ONPASSIVE | Sheikh Zayed Road between Al Safa and Al Quoz | Elevated |
| R31 – Equiti | Sheikh Zayed Road near the major junction with Umm Suqeim Street | Elevated |
| R32 – Mall of the Emirates | Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Sufouh and Al Barsha | Elevated |
| R33 – InsuranceMarket | Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Barsha and Al Sufouh | Elevated |
| R34 – Dubai Internet City | Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai Internet City and Barsha Heights (TECOM) | Elevated |
| R35 – Al Fardan Exchange | Sheikh Zayed Road between Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Media City | Elevated |
| R36 – Sobha Realty | Sheikh Zayed Road between Jumeirah Lake Towers and Dubai Marina | Elevated |
| R37 – DMCC | South end of JLT and Dubai Marina | Elevated |
| R38 – Jabal Ali | Jebel Ali Free Zone | Elevated |
| R39 – Ibn Battuta | Sheikh Zayed Road between D591 and D59 | Elevated |
| R40 – Energy | Sheikh Zayed Road near junction with road D57 | Elevated |
| R41 – Danube | Sheikh Zayed Road between E77 and D57 road junctions | Elevated |
| R42 – Life Pharmacy | Sheikh Zayed Road by Downtown Street | At Grade |
| R70 – The Gardens | Gardens Boulevard | Elevated |
| R71 – Discovery Gardens | West of Discovery Gardens | Elevated |
| R72 – Al Furjan | Between Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan | Elevated |
| R73 – Jumeirah Golf Estates | Nearby D57 and E311 junctions | Underground |
| R74 – Dubai Investment Park | By Green Community in DIP | Underground |
| R76 – EXPO 2020 | By Green Community in DIP | Elevated |
Major Areas and Landmarks Served
The Red Line provides direct or near-direct access to Dubai’s most important destinations:
- Dubai International Airport (Terminal 1 & Terminal 3)
- Deira & Old Dubai (City Centre Deira, Al Rigga)
- Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall)
- DIFC & World Trade Centre
- Mall of the Emirates
- Dubai Marina & JLT
- Ibn Battuta Mall
- Expo City Dubai
Few metro systems globally connect airports, financial districts, shopping hubs, and exhibition cities on a single line with this level of efficiency.
Interchange & Connectivity Points
Red Line ↔ Green Line
- Union Station (R18 / G20)
- BurJuman Station (R19 / G26)
These interchanges connect Deira, Karama, and older residential districts to the wider metro network.
Red Line ↔ Dubai Tram
- Sobha Realty Station (R36)
- DMCC Station (R37)
These links enable seamless access to Dubai Marina, JBR, and Bluewaters Island.
Route 2020 Extension Explained
The Route 2020 project was developed to support Expo 2020 Dubai and remains a long-term strategic corridor.
- Length: 15 km
- Stations: 7 (5 elevated, 2 underground)
- Opened fully: June 2021
- Future-ready: Designed for extension toward Al Maktoum International Airport
Platforms on this branch are wider to accommodate large-scale event traffic and future population growth in Dubai South.
Dubai Metro Red Line Timings
Operating Hours (Typical)
- Monday to Thursday & Saturday: 05:00 am – 12:00 am
- Friday: 05:00 am – 01:00 am
- Sunday: 08:00 am – 12:00 am
Peak Hours
- Morning: 07:00 am – 09:00 am
- Evening: 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm
During peak times, trains operate as frequently as every 2 minutes and 38 seconds.
Fares, Nol Cards & Ticketing
The Red Line uses Dubai’s zone-based fare system.
Nol Card Options
- Red Ticket: Occasional users and tourists
- Silver Nol Card: Best value for regular travel
- Gold Nol Card: Access to Gold Class cabins
- Personal (Blue) Nol Card: Registered, long-term users
Fare Range
- Starts from: AED 3
- Depends on: Number of zones crossed
Cash payments are not accepted; all journeys require a Nol card or ticket.
Speed, Capacity & Operational Efficiency
- Maximum speed: 110 km/h
- Station dwell time: 20–30 seconds
- Passenger capacity: ~16,000 per hour per direction
- Feeder buses: 170+ RTA routes integrated with stations
This efficiency makes the Red Line significantly cheaper and faster than taxis for long-distance travel across Dubai.
Station Naming Rights & Commercial Integration
Dubai pioneered station naming rights as a revenue model, generating over AED 2 billion for transport infrastructure.
Examples include:
- Mashreq
- ADCB
- Danube
- ONPASSIVE
- Equiti
- Al Fardan Exchange
This model funds upgrades while keeping fares affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Red Line in Dubai Metro?
The Red Line is Dubai Metro’s main east–west corridor, connecting DXB Airport, Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Expo City Dubai.
How many stations are on the Red Line?
There are 35 stations, including 5 major interchange stations.
Which Red Line station serves Dubai Mall?
Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall Station (R25) connects directly via an air-conditioned walkway.
Is the Dubai Metro Red Line cheaper than taxis?
Yes. Zone-based metro fares are substantially cheaper than taxis, especially for long routes.
Does the Red Line connect to Dubai Tram?
Yes, at the Sobha Realty and DMCC stations.
Why the Dubai Metro Red Line Matters
The Dubai Metro Red Line is more than infrastructure—it is a mobility ecosystem that supports tourism, business productivity, sustainability, and urban growth. Its integration with airports, trams, buses, and major destinations makes it one of the most advanced urban rail systems globally.
For anyone living in or visiting Dubai, understanding the Red Line is essential to navigating the city efficiently, affordably, and intelligently.
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