RTA Dubai Metro Schedule
Dubai Metro Timings – First & Last Train Schedule
Complete Dubai Metro timings for weekdays, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — including first metro, last metro, peak-hour frequency, and Gold Class operating hours.
Dubai Metro Operating Hours – Overview
The Dubai Metro timings follow a weekly schedule set by the RTA, with different operating hours depending on the day. The metro runs earlier and closes later on weekends to accommodate leisure and social travel patterns across the city. Knowing the metro timing for each day of the week helps you plan your commute, avoid missing the last metro in Dubai, and choose whether a NOL monthly pass is the right choice for your routine.
Both the Red Line and Green Line follow the same daily schedule — there is no difference in metro train timings between the two lines. The first train departs from both terminus stations simultaneously, and trains run until the last scheduled departure from all stations. The schedule is consistent across all 53 stations on the network.
On public holidays, the RTA typically extends metro hours to match Friday or Saturday timings, but this can vary depending on the specific holiday. Always verify on rta.ae or the S'hail app on public holiday dates to confirm the metro schedule for that day.
Dubai Metro Timings Schedule
Full weekly metro schedule — first metro, last metro & train frequency
| Day | First Metro | Last Metro | Train Frequency | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Every 3–7 min (peak) Every 7–10 min (off-peak) |
~19 hrs |
| Friday | 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM | Every 3–7 min | ~20 hrs |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM | Every 5–8 min | ~20 hrs |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Every 7–10 min | ~16 hrs |
| Public Holidays | 8:00 AM | 1:00 AM | Varies | ~17 hrs |
| ⚠️ Timings may vary on public holidays and special events. Always confirm on rta.ae or the S'hail app. | ||||
Metro Timings by Day
Quick-view today metro timings by day of the week
📅 Monday – Thursday
🌙 Friday
🎉 Saturday
🌅 Sunday
Peak & Off-Peak Metro Hours
Train frequency changes throughout the day based on passenger demand
🚇 Peak Hours (High Frequency)
- Morning peak: 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Evening peak: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Trains every 3–5 minutes on Red Line
- Green Line runs every 5–7 minutes
- Both lines run simultaneously; no waiting beyond 7 min at any peak station
🕐 Off-Peak Hours (Standard Frequency)
- Mid-morning: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Afternoon: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Late evening: 9:00 PM – closing
- Trains every 7–10 minutes
- Less crowded; easier to board at busy stations like Union and BurJuman
Understanding peak vs off-peak hours matters for planning your commute. During morning and evening rush hours, platforms at major stations — particularly Union, BurJuman, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, and Mall of the Emirates — become heavily congested. Traveling 30–40 minutes outside the peak window makes boarding noticeably faster and less crowded.
The metro train timings Dubai frequency is directly controlled by demand signals from the automated systems across the network. During low-demand periods (late morning or early afternoon), trains run on the standard 7–10 minute cycle. If you regularly commute during peak times, a NOL monthly pass is the most cost-effective way to handle high-frequency travel.
First & Last Metro in Dubai – What You Need to Know
The metro starting time on most days is 5:00 AM. The first trains depart simultaneously from the terminus stations at each end of both lines — Rashidiya and UAE Exchange on the Red Line, and Creek and Etisalat on the Green Line. Early morning commuters, including shift workers, airport travellers, and those catching early flights, rely on this metro opening time.
The last metro in Dubai leaves the terminus stations at 12:00 AM (midnight) on Monday through Thursday, and at 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. Missing the last metro is a common mistake for people staying out late in the Marina or Downtown areas. The last train departs from termini at these times — if you are mid-route, your station's last service will be earlier than this, so always factor in the journey time from your destination back to your nearest station.
A practical rule: if the last metro from UAE Exchange is at 1:00 AM on Friday, and your journey from Marina takes 15 minutes, the last train through your station will be at around 12:40–12:45 AM. Plan for this buffer to avoid being stranded and needing a taxi.
Gold Class Metro Timings
Gold Class carriages follow the same overall schedule but have separate boarding rules
🥇 Gold Class – Same Schedule, Premium Experience
Gold Class carriages operate on the same metro timetable as Silver Class — the departure times, first metro, and last metro are identical. The difference is the cabin itself: Gold Class offers wider seats, less crowding, and a quieter environment. You need a Gold NOL card to board Gold Class; using a Silver card in the Gold cabin results in a fine from RTA inspectors.
Gold Class carriages are at the front and rear of each train and are marked clearly at platform level. During peak hours, the boarding area may still have a short queue, but the carriage itself is far less packed than Silver Class. The Gold Class premium is worth it for daily commuters on long Red Line journeys.
Check Your NOL Card Before You Travel
Knowing the metro timing is only half the equation — your NOL card also needs to have a valid balance. If your card runs out of credit while you are mid-journey, metro exit gates will not open, and you will need to top up at a TVM inside the station. The minimum balance required to board is AED 7.5 (enough to cover the highest single-trip fare).
The quickest way to check your NOL card balance before a journey is through the NOL Pay app or by placing the card on any metro station reader. If your balance is low, you can recharge your NOL card online via nol.ae, at any TVM, or through the NOL Pay app — the recharge reflects instantly.
For commuters who use the metro every day, a NOL monthly pass removes the need to check balances at all. The pass provides unlimited rides within your chosen zone and is loaded directly onto your registered NOL card.
More Metro Timing & Transport Guides
Frequently Asked Questions – Dubai Metro Timings
What time does the Dubai Metro open?
The metro opening time is 5:00 AM on Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, the metro starts later at 8:00 AM. The first trains depart from the terminus stations at both ends of the Red Line (Rashidiya and UAE Exchange) and Green Line (Creek and Etisalat) simultaneously. This is confirmed on rta.ae.
What time is the last metro in Dubai?
The last metro in Dubai departs from terminus stations at 12:00 AM (midnight) on Monday through Thursday, and at 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the last metro is also at 12:00 AM. On public holidays, the metro usually runs until 1:00 AM, but always verify on rta.ae for the specific holiday. See the first and last metro timings guide for full details.
What are the Dubai Metro timings on Sunday?
Sunday has different metro timings from the rest of the week. The metro starts at 8:00 AM on Sundays — three hours later than other days — and closes at 12:00 AM (midnight). Train frequency is also lower on Sundays, running every 7–10 minutes throughout the day. See the full Dubai Metro Sunday timings guide for the complete breakdown.
What is the metro schedule on Friday?
On Friday, the metro opens at its usual 5:00 AM and runs until 1:00 AM — an hour later than the Mon–Thu closing time. Friday train frequency matches weekday peak standards. This extended schedule accommodates the high volume of evening and late-night travellers heading to Marina, Downtown, and entertainment areas.
How often do Dubai Metro trains run?
During peak hours (7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–8:00 PM), trains on the Red Line run every 3–5 minutes and on the Green Line every 5–7 minutes. During off-peak periods, the metro schedule moves to a 7–10 minute cycle on both lines. The S'hail app shows real-time next-train information at each station.
Do both Red Line and Green Line follow the same timings?
Yes — both the Red Line and Green Line follow the same daily opening and closing times. The difference is in frequency: the Red Line runs more frequently during peak hours due to higher passenger demand across its 35 stations. Both lines start and close at the same times each day. For a route overview, see the Dubai Metro map.
Does the metro run on public holidays?
Yes, the Dubai Metro operates on public holidays. The RTA typically extends hours to match the Friday/Saturday schedule (5:00 AM – 1:00 AM) on major public holidays. However, times can change for special events or national celebrations. Always check rta.ae or the S'hail app on the day for confirmed public holiday metro timing.
What app shows Dubai Metro timings in real time?
The S'hail app (by RTA) is the official app for real-time metro timing information, including next-train countdowns, live service status, and journey planning across metro, bus, and tram. Google Maps also supports Dubai Metro navigation with departure times. Both are free and available for Android and iOS.
