Dubai Metro Timings 2026: Opening and Closing Times for Every Day
Quick Answer: Dubai Metro Timings Today
| Day | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Tuesday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Wednesday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Friday | 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM (early Saturday) |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
If you’re checking the Dubai Metro timing today, find today’s day in the table. These are the official Dubai Metro hours published on the RTA public transport timetable. The same hours apply to both the Red Line and the Green Line.
Two things to remember:
- Friday is the late night. The metro runs until 1:00 AM, one hour later than other days.
- Sunday is the late start. The first trains run from 8:00 AM, three hours later than other days.
Dubai Metro Timings by Day
Monday to Thursday
The metro opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 12:00 AM (midnight). This is the standard working-week schedule, with the busiest rush hours in the morning and early evening.
Thursday Metro Timing
Thursday metro timing is 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Many people expect a later closing on Thursday night, because Thursday used to be the start of the UAE weekend. Since the UAE moved to a Saturday and Sunday weekend in 2022, the late night has been Friday, not Thursday.
Metro Timings Friday
Metro timings on Friday are 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM (early Saturday morning). It’s the only day the metro runs past midnight, so Friday is the best night for late dinners, concerts and events.
What Time Does the Metro Close on Saturday?
The metro closes at 12:00 AM (midnight) on Saturday. It opens at 5:00 AM. The 1:00 AM closing is for Friday night, so if you’re out late on Saturday, plan to catch your train before midnight.
Dubai Metro Timing on Sunday
Dubai Metro timing on Sunday is 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Sunday has the latest start of the week, so early-morning Sunday travellers (for example, to the airport) should plan a taxi or bus instead.
What Time Does the Metro Open?
The Dubai Metro opens at 5:00 AM from Monday to Saturday, and at 8:00 AM on Sunday. The first trains start from the ends of each line, so stations in the middle of a line may see their first train a little after the official opening time.
Metro Closing Time in Dubai
The metro close timing is the same on both lines. The metro closing time is 12:00 AM (midnight) on every day except Friday, when it closes at 1:00 AM.
The closing time is when the last trains leave, not when every station closes. Trains that are already running continue to the end of the line. The exact time of the last train at your station depends on:
- Which line you’re on (Red or Green)
- Which direction you’re travelling
- How far your station is from the end of the line
Tip: check the last train time for your station in the RTA Dubai or S’hail app before you head out, and aim to be on the platform at least 15 to 20 minutes before closing.
Last Metro From Dubai Mall
The metro stop for Dubai Mall is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line. Dubai Mall connects to the station through an air-conditioned walkway, which takes about 10 minutes to walk.
When is the last metro from Dubai Mall?
- Saturday to Thursday: the last trains pass around midnight. Leave the mall by about 11:15 PM to be safe.
- Friday: the last trains pass around 1:00 AM. Leave the mall by about 12:15 AM.
- After the evening fountain shows: crowds build on the walkway, so allow extra time.
The mall itself often stays open later than the metro, especially at weekends and during Dubai Shopping Festival. If you miss the last train, taxis wait at the mall’s taxi ranks, and ride-hailing apps work in the area.
Dubai Metro Time Schedule: How Often Do Trains Run?
Dubai Metro doesn’t have a fixed printed timetable for each station, because trains run at short, regular intervals. RTA doesn’t publish an exact frequency, but these are the intervals commonly reported for Dubai Metro:
| Time of day | Train frequency |
|---|---|
| Peak hours (morning and evening rush) | About every 2 to 3 minutes |
| Off-peak hours | About every 5 to 7 minutes |
The trains are fully driverless, and every station has platform screen doors and air-conditioning. Frequency can change during events, holidays and maintenance, so use the RTA app for live times.
Dubai Metro Lines and Stations
Dubai Metro has 2 lines and 55 stations covering about 89.6 km. It opened on 9 September 2009 and was the first metro system in the Gulf region.
| Line | Route | Stations | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line | Centrepoint to Life Pharmacy, with a branch to Expo 2020 | 35 | About 67 km |
| Green Line | e& to Creek | 20 | About 22.5 km |
Interchange stations: you can change between the Red and Green Lines at BurJuman and Union.
Busiest stations in 2025: according to Khaleej Times, BurJuman was the busiest station with 17.8 million riders, followed by Al Rigga (13.8 million) and Union (13.6 million).
Metro Station Timing Dubai
Each metro station follows the same opening and closing hours as the line. Station customer service counters and ticket machines are available during operating hours. Some stations are next to major landmarks, for example:
| Station | Nearby |
|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa |
| Emirates Towers | Museum of the Future, Latifa Tower |
| Mall of the Emirates | Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai |
| Mashreq | Al Zahra Hospital Dubai |
| Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 | Dubai International Airport |
| Expo 2020 | Expo City Dubai |
Dubai Metro Bus Timings, Tram and Other Transport
If the metro is closed or doesn’t reach your destination, RTA runs other services with different hours:
| Service | Hours |
|---|---|
| Dubai Metro | 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Friday to 1:00 AM; Sunday from 8:00 AM) |
| Dubai Tram | 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM, Monday to Saturday; 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Sunday |
| Dubai Bus | Mostly 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM |
| Bus route C01 | Runs 24 hours |
| Abras and water taxis | Vary by route |
Dubai metro bus timings: metro feeder buses run from many stations to nearby areas, broadly following metro hours. Check exact times for your route in the S’hail app or on the RTA website.
The Dubai Tram closes later than the metro. It runs until 1:00 AM every night, which helps in Dubai Marina and JBR.
Metro Timings on Holidays, Ramadan and Special Events
RTA often changes metro hours for special occasions:
- Public holidays: hours are sometimes extended, especially around Eid and National Day
- Ramadan: the timetable changes, often with a later closing time
- New Year’s Eve and major events: the metro may run for extended hours
RTA announces special timings a few days before each occasion. Check our UAE public holidays guide for upcoming holiday dates, then look for the RTA announcement.
Dubai Metro Fares and Nol Card
You need a Nol card or ticket to travel. Fares depend on how many zones you cross:
| Journey | Silver card | Gold Class |
|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 | AED 6 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 | AED 10 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15 |
You must have at least AED 7.50 on a Silver card to enter. Top up before you travel, especially late at night when ticket office queues can build. Our Nol card balance check guide shows how to check your balance online and on your phone.
Dubai Metro in Numbers
| Opened | 9 September 2009 |
| Lines | 2 (Red and Green) |
| Stations | 55 |
| Length | About 89.6 km |
| Riders in 2025 | 294.7 million, up 7%, according to Khaleej Times |
| Share of Dubai public transport riders | About 37% |
| Busiest station (2025) | BurJuman, 17.8 million riders |
| Next line | Blue Line, 30 km and 14 stations, opening 9 September 2029, according to the Dubai Media Office |
The Blue Line will link the Red and Green Lines. According to the Dubai Media Office, it will include the Emaar station, set to be the world’s highest metro station at 74 metres, and it had reached 10% completion by November 2025.
Tips for Using the Dubai Metro
Whatever your metro time in Dubai, these tips make the journey easier:
- Check your balance before travelling, as gates reject cards under AED 7.50
- Gold Class is the first cabin of each train and costs double the standard fare
- Use the women and children section if you prefer; it’s clearly marked on the platform and in the train
- Don’t eat or drink on trains or in paid areas, as fines apply
- Avoid the morning and evening rush hours if you’re carrying luggage, as trains between the busiest stations fill up quickly
- Plan Sunday mornings differently, as the metro starts at 8 AM
