Dubai Metro Timings
The Dubai Metro runs every single day of the year, including weekends and public holidays, with only minor changes to its hours on Fridays and Sundays. This guide covers the full operating hours for the Red and Green lines, the first and last train times, how often trains run through the day, how long typical journeys take, and the best times to travel to avoid the crowds.
Operating Hours by Day
Both the Red and Green lines keep the same daily schedule. The only differences across the week are a later finish on Friday night and a later start on Sunday morning, so it is easy to remember.
First and Last Train Times
The exact first and last departures vary by a few minutes depending on which station you start from and which direction you are heading, because terminus stations send their first and last trains slightly earlier or later. As a rule, aim to be on the platform 10–15 minutes before the published last train, especially for longer cross-city trips where you may need to change lines.
| Day | First train | Last train | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 05:00 | 00:00 | 2–4 min peak · 5–7 off-peak |
| Friday | 05:00 | 01:00 | 2–4 min peak · 5–7 off-peak |
| Saturday | 05:00 | 00:00 | 5–7 min |
| Sunday | 08:00 | 00:00 | 5–7 min |
How Often Do Trains Run?
You rarely wait long for a Dubai Metro train. Frequencies tighten during the busy commuter periods and relax a little when the network is quieter, but even off-peak you will usually see a train within a few minutes.
Peak hours (every 2–4 minutes)
During the morning rush of roughly 7:00–9:00 AM and the evening rush of 5:00–8:00 PM, trains arrive every 2 to 4 minutes. These are the busiest periods, so platforms and carriages fill up — allow a little extra time and let passengers off before boarding.
Off-peak hours (every 5–7 minutes)
Outside the rush, trains run every 5 to 7 minutes throughout the day and into the evening. This is the most comfortable time to travel, with plenty of room and shorter platform queues.
Crowd levels
Expect the heaviest crowds on weekday mornings and evenings, and around major events or shopping weekends. The Women & Children cabin and the Gold cabin both offer a calmer ride when the standard carriages are full.
Timings on the Red Line and Green Line
Both lines share the same opening and closing times, so you do not need to remember separate schedules. The difference is length: the Red Line is around 52 km and takes roughly 70 minutes end to end, while the shorter Green Line covers about 23 km in around 40 minutes. On the western end of the Red Line the route branches towards Expo, so if you are heading that way, check the destination shown on the front of the train and on the platform display before boarding.
Journey Times: How Long Does It Take?
Approximate travel times for some of the most common trips, measured platform to platform and not counting any waiting or interchange time:
| Journey | Line | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Terminal 3 → Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Red | ~30 min |
| Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall → Mall of the Emirates | Red | ~15 min |
| Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall → Sobha Realty (Marina) | Red | ~25 min |
| Union → Expo 2020 | Red | ~55 min |
| Etisalat by e& → Creek | Green | ~40 min |
| Gold Souq → BurJuman | Green | ~10 min |
Peak Hours and the Best Time to Travel
If your schedule is flexible, travelling outside the rush makes for a much more relaxed trip. Here is how the day breaks down and when to aim for:
Mid-morning (best)
Between about 9:30 AM and noon the network is calm, seats are easy to find and trains still run frequently — the sweet spot for sightseeing.
Morning peak (avoid)
7:00–9:00 AM is packed with commuters heading into the business districts. If you must travel, board toward the ends of the platform where carriages are less full.
Early afternoon
From roughly 1:00 to 4:00 PM the metro is quiet again, a good window for trips to the malls or the souks.
Evening peak (avoid)
5:00–8:00 PM is the busiest stretch as the city heads home. Allow extra time and expect to stand on popular sections.
Friday, Weekend and Late-Night Travel
The UAE weekend falls on Saturday and Sunday, with Friday a partial weekend day. The metro adjusts only slightly: it stays open an extra hour on Friday night (until about 01:00) to cover evening outings, and opens later on Sunday morning at 08:00. Saturdays run the normal 05:00–00:00. For a late night out, always check the last-train time for your specific route and have a backup plan such as a taxi if you might miss it.
Ramadan and Public Holidays
During the holy month of Ramadan the RTA usually extends metro hours, particularly in the evening to serve people travelling after iftar, and daytime trains can be quieter. On public holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and UAE National Day, hours are often extended and services are added around major celebrations and fireworks displays.
Checking Live Times and Service Updates
For real-time information, the official RTA Dubai app shows live train tracking, the next departures and any service alerts, while the S'hail app plans full door-to-door journeys across the metro, tram, bus and water transport. Inside every station, platform displays count down the time to the next train, and announcements cover any disruptions.
Tips for Timing Your Trip
Avoid the peaks
Travel mid-morning or early afternoon for the most space and the shortest queues at the gates.
Arrive a little early
Be on the platform a few minutes ahead, especially for the last train or if you need to change lines.
Use the app
Check the RTA Dubai or S'hail app for live times and to confirm the last departure for your route.
Mind the Red Line branch
Heading to Expo? Make sure your train shows the Expo destination, as not every westbound train serves the branch.
Beat the crowds
If the standard cabins are packed at rush hour, the Gold cabin gives you a calmer ride for double the fare.