Dubai's public transport is run by RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) and combines a fully automated, driverless Metro (Red Line + Green Line + Route 2020 extension), a tram, buses, water buses and the historic abra boats across Dubai Creek. The Nol Card is the universal payment method — works on every mode of public transport. Critical tip: Dubai's Metro has strict rules — fines for eating, drinking, sleeping, men entering the women's carriage or travelling without a Nol Card range from AED 100 to AED 300.
1. ALWAYS TAP OUT ON THE METRO! Fares are zone-based — if you don't tap out, the maximum fare is charged automatically. To get a refund, you must visit a customer service centre.
2. Buy a Silver Nol Card on arrival. AED 25,00 (AED 19,00 stored value + AED 6,00 non-refundable card fee) at any Metro station. The cheaper Red Ticket (paper) is single-trip-only and a hassle for multi-day visits.
3. RTA fines are real and enforced. Eating, drinking or chewing gum on the Metro/tram = AED 100 fine. Sleeping = AED 300. Sitting on the floor = AED 100. Men in the Women's carriage = AED 100. Inspectors regularly check.
4. Friday Metro now starts at 05:00. The pre-2022 Friday-morning prayer pause was scrapped when the UAE moved its weekend to Saturday-Sunday — Friday is now a regular service day. Around Jumu'ah (12:30-13:30) frequencies may dip slightly, but trains still run.
5. The "Gold Class" carriage at the front of every train requires a Gold Nol Card OR AED 6,00-15,00 surcharge per ride. Worth it during 07:30-09:30 and 17:30-19:30 rush hours when standard carriages are extremely crowded.
| Ticket Type | Price (2026) | Validity | When to choose? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Nol Card | AED 25,00 (AED 6,00 fee + AED 19,00 value) |
Stored value, 5-year expiry | BEST CHOICE! Standard fare, all transport modes |
| Nol Pay (digital) | Free app, top up AED 10+ | Stored value | If you'd rather not carry a card — same fare as Silver |
| Day Pass (loaded on Silver) | AED 20,00 / day | Unlimited rides Metro/tram/bus, 1 day | 4+ rides in one day |
| Gold Nol Card | AED 25,00 (same as Silver) | Stored value — unlocks Gold Class | Rush-hour comfort + business travellers |
| Single Metro ride (Silver Nol) | AED 3,00-7,50 (zone-based) | Single trip | Standard fare |
| Single Metro ride (Gold Class) | AED 6,00-15,00 | Single trip | First-class carriage at front |
| Red Ticket (paper) | AED 2,00 fee + zone fare | Up to 10 rides, 90 days | AVOID — only useful for 1 single ride |
| Abra (water taxi) Dubai Creek | AED 1,00 cash per ride | Single crossing | Old Dubai (Bur Dubai ↔ Deira) — cash only |
The Metro Red Line passes directly through DXB with two stations: Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3. Both stations are inside the terminal and connect via walking. Metro is by far the cheapest and often fastest option for downtown destinations.
| Option | Time to Downtown | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Red Line | 25-45 min | AED 3,00-7,50 | Every 5-7 min |
| Taxi (RTA cream-coloured) | 25-40 min | AED 60-90 | Always available |
| Careem / Uber | 25-40 min | AED 50-110 (surge during peak) | 5-10 min wait |
| Airport bus C1/F55A | 40-70 min | AED 3,00-5,00 (Silver Nol) | Every 30 min |
Dubai's second airport in Jebel Ali. Mostly low-cost carriers and cargo. NO direct Metro connection in 2026. Reachable by:
| Age | Price | Card needed? |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 years | FREE | No ticket needed (1 child per fare-paying adult) |
| 5-10 years | 50% adult fare | Blue Nol with proof of age (passport) |
| 11+ years | Full adult fare | Standard Silver Nol Card |
| Senior 60+ (UAE residents) | FREE | Senior Nol — UAE residents only |
The Blue Nol requires personalised registration and a passport copy — only worth it for stays of 2+ weeks. Most tourist families just use Silver Nol for everyone aged 5+ and accept the full fare. Total cost is small (AED 6,00 per child per day at most).
Dubai's RTA network is one of the most accessible in the world. All Metro stations have lifts and level boarding, the tram is fully step-free, modern buses are low-floor with ramps, and dedicated "Special Needs" Nol Cards offer free travel for People of Determination (PoD).
Metro Red Line from Airport Terminal 3 to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall — fully step-free, level boarding throughout
Metro Red Line to DMCC, then transfer to Tram for Marina/JBR — both fully accessible
Metro Green Line between Union and Bur Juman — the abra (water taxi) is NOT accessible (low boarding, no ramps)
Metro Red Line to Nakheel/Damac, then taxi or RTA accessible bus 88 — Palm Monorail also fully accessible
Metro hours vary by day. Last departures from central stations are between 23:30 and 00:30 most nights (later on Friday). After Metro closes, the night bus network and 24/7 taxis cover the city. Note: there is no nightlife district in Dubai with the same density as European cities — most venues are inside hotels.
| Day | Metro hours | Tram hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-Thu / Sat | 05:00 - 00:00 | 06:30 - 01:00 |
| Friday | 05:00 - 01:00 | 09:00 - 01:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 00:00 | 06:30 - 00:00 |
| Public holidays | Often extended to 02:00 | Often extended to 02:00 |
Four night bus routes operate hourly between approximately 23:30 and 06:00. They cover the main arterial roads — useful for getting back to a hotel from a late dinner.
| Line | Route | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| N1 | Gold Souk → Al Karama → DXB Terminal 3 | AED 3,00-5,00 |
| N2 | Gold Souk → Bur Dubai → Burj Khalifa → Mall of the Emirates | AED 3,00-5,00 |
| N3 | Al Ghubaiba → Jumeirah → Marina → Ibn Battuta Mall | AED 3,00-7,50 |
| N4 | Gold Souk → Al Quoz → Mall of the Emirates → Marina | AED 3,00-7,50 |
The traditional wooden abra ferry across Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira is one of the cheapest and most atmospheric rides in the city — and a tourist must-do.
Dubai taxis are cream-coloured (RTA) with a coloured roof identifying the operator. All are metered, generally affordable and plentiful.
Cycling in central Dubai is heat-limited but fine in winter (Nov-Mar). Careem Bike has 60+ stations along the Marina, JBR, Downtown and Business Bay corridors.
In Dubai you can use the app umob. With this you book and pay easily for all shared transport (bikes, scooters, cars) from different providers in one handy app. Convenient, because you no longer need separate accounts.
Dubai has excellent 5G coverage from the two UAE carriers (Etisalat and du). Free WiFi is available in all Metro stations, malls, hotels and most cafés. Important: the UAE blocks most VoIP services (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Zoom voice/video) on local networks. An eSIM lets you bypass this with a roaming-style plan.
Best choice for most travellers. Instant activation, excellent coverage in Dubai. Crucially: roaming eSIMs typically allow VoIP (WhatsApp/FaceTime calls) that local UAE SIMs block.
Perfect safety net. Free basic data for essential apps like WhatsApp or Maps — no credit card needed.
Best for power users and content creators. Unlimited data, no throttling, ideal for navigating and streaming.
Dubai has fewer high-street luggage lockers than European cities, but DXB Airport offers extensive storage and major hotels typically hold bags free of charge for guests. For tourists between check-out and a late flight, dedicated storage services are widely available near the Metro.
Store your bags in 20+ vetted shops, hotels and serviced locations. Best coverage around Downtown, Marina, JBR and the Mall of the Emirates Metro station.
Premium storage network with vetted hotels and businesses. Fully insured and bookable in advance.
Dubai Airports offers staffed luggage storage at all three terminals, operating 24/7. Look for "Luggage Storage" signs in arrivals or departures.