Dubai Metro
Two driverless lines run from early morning until around midnight (later at weekends):
- Red Line: along Sheikh Zayed Road from the airport (Terminals 1 and 3) through Deira, Bur Dubai (BurJuman), Downtown (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall), Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina and JLT, out to Jebel Ali and Expo City Dubai.
- Green Line: through Old Dubai on both sides of the creek, including the souks area (Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba) and Dubai Healthcare City.
A third, the Blue Line, is under construction and scheduled to open in 2029, connecting Dubai Creek Harbour, International City and Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Each train has a Gold Class carriage (higher fare) and a section reserved for women and children. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the metro.
The Nol card
You pay for the metro, tram and buses with a Nol card, bought from ticket machines and offices at stations and topped up as you go. A rechargeable card is the easiest option for visitors. Fares depend on how many zones you cross.
Dubai Tram and Palm Monorail
The tram runs around Dubai Marina, JBR and Al Sufouh, connecting with the metro at DMCC and Sobha Realty stations and with the Palm Monorail, which runs along Palm Jumeirah to Atlantis.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis are metered, plentiful and reasonably priced; you can hail one, use a hotel rank, or book through apps such as Careem and Uber, which also offer licensed limousines. Expect surcharges for airport pick-ups and at peak times.
On the water
- Abras: traditional wooden boats crossing Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira, for a fare of a few dirhams. A must-do.
- Water bus and ferry: scenic routes along the creek and the coast, including between Dubai Marina and Old Dubai.
Driving
Renting a car makes sense for the beaches, the Palm and day trips to Hatta. Roads are excellent but busy at rush hour, and road tolls (Salik) are charged automatically through the rental company.
Tips
- Use the RTA's official journey planner app to plan metro and bus trips.
- Walking between nearby places is often slower than it looks in summer: heat, wide roads and few crossings.
- Rush hours are roughly 7-9am and 5-8pm on weekdays.
See Dubai attractions by area for the nearest metro station to each sight.