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Dubai's public transport: a comprehensive guide
Local transport across the city is streamlined and affordable, allowing residents and visitors to explore every locality with ease.
Uncover the city via a network of transport options
Getting around Dubai is as simple as hailing one of the many taxis, walking to the nearest bus, tram or metro station, or even using one of the city’s famed water taxis. In combination, these services offer efficient, cost-effective and dependable travel, with easy access and dedicated areas for people of determination and designated seats for women and the elderly.Public transportation in Dubai is managed by the Roads and Transport Authority, which oversees the city’s rapidly expanding transit ecosystem. Customer satisfaction is a key goal for the RTA, prioritising comfort and convenience for commuters. The RTA website is also a comprehensive source of information and services, including Dubai public transport fares, metro and bus timetables, topping up travel passes (called Nol cards) and paying any fines.
Dubai Metro
A central component of the Dubai transport system is the city’s metro rail – known as Dubai Metro, it is the world’s longest driverless metro, spanning nearly 75 km.
Riding the metro is as easy as getting to the closest station and purchasing a Nol card – a rechargeable travel pass that provides cheaper fares than buying a new ticket for every journey. The metro, with multiple stops, offers convenient access to the city's top attractions. People of determination will find convenient lift access available on all station levels, and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on all trains.
Dubai Metro currently operates on two lines – the Red and Green lines – across 49 stations, nine of them underground.
Know before you go: getting ready for a ride
Dubai Tram
The Dubai transit system includes trams, which link Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail, running along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road. There are a total of 11 tram stations passing through various landmarks. Payments are made using a rechargeable Nol card, available at every station.
Tram timings
Monday to Saturday: 6am to 1am (next day) | Sunday: 9am to 1am
Palm Monorail
The monorail offers an immersive experience of Palm Jumeirah, passing through the island’s best attractions – including Al Ittihad Park, Nakheel Mall, Palm West Beach and more. Tickets start at AED5 for one-way trips and AED10 for round trips.
Note: fares are subject to change – please check the official website for the latest price information.
Monorail timings
Gateway: Monday - Sunday, 9am to 9:45pm | Atlantis: Monday - Sunday, 9:15am to 10pm
RTA buses
Public transport buses within Dubai form an extensive network spanning 119 internal lines, with 35 linking to metro stations. Buses also operate from Dubai to the other six emirates: Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. There are feeder bus stations at five major hubs: Mall of Emirates | Al Rashidiya | Ibn Battuta | Abu Hail | Jebel Ali
Dubai bus stations and buses are air-conditioned, and all vehicles offer facilities for people of determination, and dedicated seats for women and the elderly. Dubai bus fares are determined based on the number of stops, and payment is via rechargeable Nol cards – the same as for all other public transport in the city.
RTA apps like S’hail allow commuters to locate the nearest bus stops and plan the most convenient route. After entering the starting point and final destination, the app provides starting options and fares, and allows commuters to plan their full journey.
Nol cards
What is it?
The Nol card is a versatile, rechargeable card designed for maximum convenience and ease of travel across the city. It’s a unified Dubai public transport pass, available for anyone to buy at:
• Dubai Metro and bus stations
• Supermarkets such as Spinneys, Carrefour and Waitrose
Where can I use it?
This card can be used to pay on all of Dubai’s public transport systems, including the metro, buses, trams, taxis and water taxis. It can also be used to pay for public parking when parking a self-owned or rented car.
Where can I top up?
Nol cards can be topped up using:
• The RTA website
• Nol card vending machines at metro platforms
• Ticket booths in each metro stop
• The Nol pay app
• The RTA website
• Nol card vending machines at metro platforms
• Ticket booths in each metro stop
• The Nol pay app
How much does it cost?
Prices for the metro, tram and buses are as follows:
• Standard adult ticket (red):1 zone or <3km 2 zones: AED4 | 2 zones: AED6 | 3+ zones: AE8.50
• Pre-paid standard adult ticket (silver Nol): 1 zone or <3km 2 zones: AED3 | 2 zones: AED5 | 3+ zones: AE7.50
• Concessionary (blue Nol): 1 zone or <3km 2 zones: AED1.50 | 2 zones: AED2.50 | 3+ zones: AE3.75
• Gold class (red ticket): 1 zone or <3km 2 zones: AED8 | 2 zones: AED12 | 3+ zones: AE17
• Gold class pre-paid: 1 zone or <3km 2 zones: AED6 | 2 zones: AED10 | 3+ zones: AE15
Note: fares are subject to change – please check the official website for the latest price information.
Dubai abras and water taxis
Dubai’s iconic abra boats are a traditional means of transport, found in the Bur Dubai and Deira neighbourhoods. These wooden boats offer an affordable, captivating and nostalgic journey along historic waterways. Boats depart and arrive every few minutes, and tickets cost as low as AED1.
A modern twist on this timeless experience are Dubai’s water taxis, which provide swift access to more than 40 stops with beautiful waterfront views along the way. Based on the route and destination, these rides can cost anywhere from AED55 to AED205.
Note: fares are subject to change – please check the official website for the latest price information.
Dubai taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis are one of the most popular travel options in Dubai. Specialised cabs cater to specific needs, with female drivers for women who prefer such a service and accessible vehicles for people of determination. Commuters can hail a taxi from the street, or using the following methods:
- Book a cab using the S’hail app
- Use private ride-hailing services like Uber, Hala taxi or Careem and their respective apps
- Book a Dubai cab by calling 800 88088
Cash, debit and credit cards are acceptable payment methods, as well as Nol cards for RTA taxis. Some banks/payment services offer discounts on ride services, like:
- Uber with MasterCard
- Careem with HSBC
- Hala taxi with ADCB
Plan your journey
Timetables for Dubai’s metro and buses can be found on the RTA website and apps. Hailing taxis and rides is effortless through designated apps like S’hail, and the RTA’s official website contains a handy guide on planning trips using various metrics, including destination, starting point, and preferences.
Commuters can also use Google Maps and similar apps such as Waze to check out and plan faster routes and arrange a smooth commute.
Environmental impact
Dubai’s commitment to protecting the environment is visible in its numerous conservation and sustainability initiatives, including the RTA’s vision of transitioning to zero-emission public buses and taxis by 2050. The city’s extensive public transportation network is a part of a larger plan focused on environmental stewardship by promoting lower emissions and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
