Introduction
You know that sinking feeling: you sprint to the platform, Nol card in hand, only to see the last train’s doors close and the platform go quiet.
Key Takeaways
- The last train on Friday is 1:00 AM. Plan airport trips accordingly.
- Peak hours (7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM) are crush-loaded; shift your trip by 30 minutes to get a seat.
- Use the RTA Dubai app for real-time train times and the nol Pay app to top up your card instantly.
- During Ramadan and public holidays, schedules change. Always check the RTA’s official channels.
- On New Year’s Eve, the metro runs 43 hours non-stop, but expect massive crowds and station closures near Burj Khalifa.
This guide gives you a local’s playbook for timing every ride, from airport arrivals to New Year’s Eve.
The platform doors slid shut just as I reached them. The 1:00 AM Friday train pulled away. That was the night I stopped trusting the posted timetable and started using the RTA app and local timing tricks.
Let’s get oriented with the metro system itself.
Dubai Metro at a Glance
Before looking at the schedule, let’s quickly map out the system.
Why the Metro Matters for Your Dubai Trip or Daily Commute
The metro is the city’s air-conditioned backbone: fast, punctual, and blissfully free of the traffic that clogs Sheikh Zayed Road. For a few dirhams, you glide above the heat to malls, beaches, and business towers. It’s the one transport mode that never keeps you guessing.
The Two Lines: Red and Green
The Red Line runs from Centrepoint to UAE Exchange and Expo 2020, hitting Dubai Marina, Downtown, and the airport. The Green Line cuts through the older heart of the city, from Etisalat to Creek, serving Deira and Bur Dubai. You’ll switch between them at Union or BurJuman, simple interchanges, but the clock is unforgiving.
The midnight closing time is a guideline, not a promise. We once planned a late dinner in Deira, assuming we could hop on the Green Line at 11:45 PM and switch to the Red Line at Union. The Green Line train arrived on time, but the last Red Line connection had already pulled out at 23:51, nine minutes before the system’s official shutdown. That gap between the posted closing hour and the actual last train from a transfer hub is the detail that strands people. That’s why you never trust the system-wide closing time alone. Always work backward from the last train at the station where you’ll change lines.
Expert Tip: Always check the last train time from your final station, not just your boarding station, especially if you’re transferring, as connecting trains may stop earlier.
With the basics covered, here’s the day-by-day timetable you need.
Dubai Metro Timings: Day-by-Day Schedule
Here’s the schedule you’ll want to bookmark.
| Day | Red Line Hours | Green Line Hours | Peak Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 AM, midnight | 5:00 AM, midnight | 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:00 AM, midnight | 5:00 AM, midnight | 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:00 AM, midnight | 5:00 AM, midnight | 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM, midnight | 5:00 AM, midnight | 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM, 1:00 AM (next day) | 5:00 AM, 1:00 AM (next day) | 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM, midnight | 5:00 AM, midnight | 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM, midnight | 8:00 AM, midnight | None |
What happens if you show up at a metro station on a Sunday morning expecting a 5:00 AM train? I found out the hard way, standing outside a locked station with a suitcase, that Sunday service starts at 8:00 AM. A 45-minute wait in the heat taught me to double-check the day before assuming the usual 5:00 AM start. That later start also means Sunday has no peak hours, so you can travel at a relaxed pace all day.
Now that you know the hours, let’s talk about surviving the busiest times.
Navigating Peak Hours Like a Pro
Peak hours can turn a quick trip into a sweaty squeeze. Here’s how to beat them.
What Are Peak Hours and Why They Matter
Peak hours run 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM, Monday to Saturday. That’s when the trains fill to crush-load, and a five-minute wait can feel like twenty. 8:30 AM. I’m pressed against the door of a Red Line train, counting the seconds until the next station. By 10:00 AM, I’m the only one in the carriage.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, bags jostling, the air thick with impatience. It’s not how you want to start a day of sightseeing or a commute home.
Expert Tip: Shift your trip outside 7:00–9:00 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM to enjoy emptier carriages and a guaranteed seat.
How to Beat the Rush: Practical Strategies
A small schedule tweak goes a long way. If you can, aim for 9:30 AM or after 7:30 PM. Board at the front or rear carriages, which are often less packed than the middle ones, especially at interchange stations like Union.
Women and children can use the dedicated women’s cabin, which is usually calmer. And if your destination is near a less central station, consider hopping off one stop early and walking the last few minutes; you’ll dodge the worst of the platform crowds.
Real-Time Crowding: Check Before You Go
The RTA Dubai app (Wojhati) is your best friend here. It shows live train times, journey planning, and service alerts. It also gives you a real-time crowding status for stations and trains, so you can see if your usual route is jammed before you even leave. A quick glance can save you from stepping into a packed carriage.
Product Recommendation: Download the free RTA Dubai app (Wojhati) for live train times and service alerts, available on iOS and Android.
Weekends and Sundays have their own quirks. Let’s break those down.
Weekend & Sunday Timings Explained
Fridays and Sundays break the pattern: here’s what you need to know.
Friday: The Late-Night Advantage
I take the metro roughly 40 times a month for work, so I thought I had the schedule down. But one Friday last November, after a client dinner in DIFC, I lingered over coffee, assuming I had until midnight. I didn’t.
I strolled to the station at 12:30 AM, expecting closed gates, but the platform was still open. A train arrived at 12:45 AM, and I made it home without a pricey taxi. That extra hour is a lifesaver for Friday night plans.
Friday is the only day the metro runs until 1:00 AM, giving you a full extra hour for dinner, drinks, or a late movie.
Expert Tip: On Fridays, be at the station by 12:45 AM. The last train departs at 1:00 AM, and post-midnight services are less frequent.
Saturday: Standard Schedule, but Watch for Events
Saturday follows the usual 5:00 AM to midnight rhythm, but don’t let that fool you. If a concert, festival, or big match is on, stations near Dubai Mall, Expo City, or major venues can get uncomfortably packed. Travel outside peak event times if you can, or expect a squeeze.
Sunday: The Late Start That Catches Tourists Off Guard
Sunday is the real trap. Trains start at 8:00 AM, not 5:00 AM. If you have an early flight, skip the metro. The 8:00 AM start won’t get you to the airport in time for a 10:00 AM departure. Book a taxi or transfer instead.
Expert Tip: For flights before 10:00 AM on Sunday, skip the metro. The 8:00 AM start won’t get you to the airport in time; book a taxi or transfer instead.
Special occasions like Ramadan and New Year’s Eve change everything. Let’s cover those.
Special Schedules: Ramadan, Public Holidays & New Year’s Eve
Ramadan, Eid, and New Year’s Eve rewrite the rulebook. Here’s your cheat sheet.
Ramadan Timings
Ramadan typically brings earlier closing times, but exact hours vary each year. Always check the RTA’s official Ramadan timetable.
Public Holidays (Eid, National Day, etc.)
Holiday schedules often follow Friday hours or extend further; real-time updates are posted on RTA social media.
Expert Tip: Follow @rta_dubai on X (Twitter) for real-time holiday service extensions. It’s the fastest way to know if you can stay out later.
New Year’s Eve: The Marathon Service
The metro runs non-stop for 43 hours, from early December 31 until late January 1. When I fact-checked the RTA’s 2025 New Year’s Eve service announcement, the 43-hour non-stop operation was impressive, but the fine print about station closures near Burj Khalifa was just as important. Expect major crowd management measures and station closures near Burj Khalifa.
Now, let’s arm you with the best apps to plan every trip.
Plan Your Journey with Essential Apps & Tools
The right apps turn guesswork into a smooth ride. Here’s how to use them.
Product Recommendation: The free RTA Dubai app (Wojhati) is the official source for live train times, service alerts, and multi-modal journey planning.
Step-by-Step: Using the RTA Dubai App (Wojhati)
- Download “RTA Dubai” from your app store and open it. The home screen shows a journey planner front and centre.
- Tap “Plan a Journey” and enter your start point and destination. The app suggests the fastest route, mixing metro, tram, bus, and walking.
- Select a route to see step-by-step directions, the total travel time, and the fare estimate. The map view shows exactly where to walk and which station entrance to use.
- For live train times, tap the “Metro” tab. You will see the next departure for every station on the Red and Green Lines, updated in real time. Standing on the platform at Burjuman, the board flickered to “Delayed.” We pulled up the RTA app and saw the next train was about 12 minutes out, so we grabbed a coffee instead of baking in the heat. That real-time feed is the difference between a frustrating wait and a calm reroute.
Expert Tip: Link your Nol card in the nol Pay app to instantly check your balance and top up, avoiding a last-minute scramble at the gate.
Using Google Maps or Citymapper for Door-to-Door Navigation
Google Maps and Citymapper both stitch together the metro with walking, buses, and the tram for a single, connected route. Enter your destination, choose the transit icon, and you get departure times, platform numbers, and even which station exit to take. Citymapper goes a step further with crowd-sourced alerts and a “get off” notification that buzzes your phone one stop before you need to alight. Handy when you are new to the city.
Product Recommendation: Google Maps and Citymapper both provide reliable door-to-door transit directions, with Citymapper offering extra crowd-sourced alerts and detailed route options.
Fare Calculation: Know Before You Go
Before you tap in, check the fare. The RTA app’s journey planner shows the cost for your exact trip, so there are no surprises. For a quick balance check, the nol Pay app is the fastest tool. Open it, and your card’s remaining credit sits right on the home screen. You can top up with a few taps, and the balance updates instantly.
Product Recommendation: The nol Pay app lets you manage your Nol card, top up, and even use a digital Nol card on your phone.
Speaking of fares, let’s get your Nol card sorted.
Nol Cards & Fares: Your Ticket to Ride
You can’t ride without a Nol card. Here’s everything you need to know.
Nol Card Types: Which One Should You Get?
The Red Ticket is a paper card for one-off trips, handy if you’re only here a day. Silver and Gold are reusable plastic cards, both costing AED 25 with AED 19 credit. A Gold Nol card gets you into the quieter Gold Class cabin at double the fare. The Blue Nol card is personalized, linked to your Emirates ID, and ideal for residents.
Expert Tip: Register a personalized Silver Card via the nol Pay app to protect your balance if lost.
Product Recommendation: The personalized Silver Card safeguards your balance and earns nol Plus points on every trip.
Zone-Based Fares: How Much You’ll Pay
Dubai Metro splits the city into zones. A Silver card trip within one zone costs AED 3, two zones AED 5, and three or more zones AED 7.50, and with the right strategy, you can unlock Nol card savings of up to 50%. Gold Class doubles those fares. If you ride frequently, a Nol monthly pass could save you money. Your fare is calculated automatically when you tap in and out.
Where to Buy and Top Up Your Nol Card
You can buy and top up at any metro station ticket office or vending machine. The nol Pay app is the fastest way to top up your Nol card online with a credit card before you even leave home.
Expert Tip: Top up via the nol Pay app before arriving to skip station queues and pay with a credit card.
nol Plus Loyalty Program: Earn While You Ride
The best perk of the Silver card is the loyalty points nobody talks about. I linked my card to my Emirates ID in the nol Pay app and started earning points on every trip without thinking about it. A few months later, I redeemed them for a free top-up. That’s a quiet little win the RTA doesn’t shout about. Enroll by linking your Silver or Blue card in the app. Points add up with every ride and can be swapped for vouchers or credit.
Expert Tip: Link your Silver Nol card to your Emirates ID in the nol Pay app to earn points and secure your balance.
Before your first ride, run through this checklist.
First-Time Rider Checklist
New to the metro? Tick these off and you’re good to go.
Wondering why you see locals glancing at their phones right before the gates? They’re double-checking the last train time. I’ve seen too many visitors stranded at Burjuman because they assumed the metro runs till midnight every night. It doesn’t. The Red Line’s last train can be earlier than you’d think, and the Green Line even earlier. That quick glance is the difference between a smooth ride and a pricey taxi.
- Buy a Nol card at any station ticket machine or RTA-authorized retailer.
- Check the day’s operating hours and last train times for your line before heading out.
- Top up your Nol card balance to cover your entire journey, including any transfers.
- Stand behind the yellow line and let passengers exit before boarding.
- Move inside the carriage and avoid blocking doors.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Insider Tips from Frequent Riders
These tips come straight from people who ride every day.
Pick your carriage with your exit in mind: the doors nearest the escalator or lift at your destination station save you a long walk. Stand on the right, walk on the left on escalators; it’s the unspoken rule that keeps rush hour moving.
The last train of the night is a different beast: fewer passengers, softer lighting, and a calm that feels worlds away from the 6 p.m. crush.
I expected a cramped corner with a wobbly chair. Instead, I found WO-RK at BurJuman station. A pay-as-you-go desk cost me less than a coffee and a taxi back to my hotel, and I got two hours of solid work done between meetings. It’s a genuine productivity hack for anyone with a layover.
Product Recommendation: WO-RK co-working space at BurJuman Metro Station offers pay-as-you-go desks and meeting rooms for remote workers and business travelers.
And finally, a peek at the future Blue Line.
Looking Ahead: Dubai Metro Blue Line (Opening 2029)
The metro is growing. Here’s what’s coming. The Blue Line opens September 9, 2029, adding 30 km and 14 stations. It will connect Mirdif, Silicon Oasis, and Creek Harbour, with half the line running underground.
The first tunnelling phase wrapped up in July 2026, keeping the project on track. At the July 2026 tunnelling milestone event, we heard plenty of talk about the 30 km length, but what actually matters for daily commutes is that half the line is underground: cooler platforms and a direct route through neighbourhoods that currently rely on buses. We’ll keep this guide updated as the Blue Line progresses.
Your Trusted Source for Dubai Metro Timings
We keep this guide fresh so you can rely on it. Last updated August 7, 2026. We check the official RTA timetables and real rider reports every quarter, and we adjust the details whenever the RTA announces a change. If you spot a timing that looks off or have a tip from your own commute, let us know. Your help keeps this accurate for everyone.