# Arriving in Dubai: the Metro from DXB, Airport Taxis and the Nol Card

> How to get from Dubai International (DXB) into the city: the Red Line Metro from Terminals 1 and 3 and its hours, airport taxis from AED 25, buses that need a Nol card, and which Nol card to buy.

- Checked against the official source: 2026-11-04
- Official source: [Dubai Airports, metro to and from DXB](https://www.dubaiairports.ae/transport/metro)
- Web page: https://travelsmarterasia.com/guides/dubai-airport-to-city/
- Publisher: Travel Smarter Asia (https://travelsmarterasia.com/about/)
- Some links below are affiliate links (the /go/ addresses). If you buy through one we may earn a commission; it never changes what the guide recommends.

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Dubai International Airport (DXB) has three terminals, and the Metro serves two of them. Check [UAE entry rules](https://travelsmarterasia.com/guides/uae-entry/) and [what UAE customs allows](https://travelsmarterasia.com/guides/uae-customs/) before you fly.

![Infographic, step 1 of 4. Landing at DXB? Metro, taxi or bus into Dubai. Red Line Metro from Terminals 1 and 3. Airport taxi: starting fare AED 25, plus distance. Airport bus from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Nol card only. Buy a Nol card or Red Ticket at the station.](https://travelsmarterasia.com/images/dubai-airport-to-city-infographic-1.png "Step 1 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.")

## The Red Line Metro

Dubai Airports says the Red Line serves "DXB Terminals 1 and 3". Its hours:

| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5AM to midnight |
| Friday | 5AM to 1AM (next day) |
| Saturday | 5AM to midnight |
| Sunday | 8AM to midnight |

The airport adds that hours "may extend during public holidays".

![Infographic, step 2 of 4. Metro hours on the Red Line from the airport: Monday to Thursday 5AM to midnight; Friday 5AM to 1AM; Saturday 5AM to midnight; Sunday 8AM to midnight. Hours may extend during public holidays.](https://travelsmarterasia.com/images/dubai-airport-to-city-infographic-2.png "Step 2 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.")

## Metro fares by zone

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) divides Dubai into zones and charges by how many you cross. Its fares, in dirhams:

| Trip | Silver Nol | Gold Nol | Red Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 2 adjacent zones | 5 | 10 | 6 |
| More than 2 zones | 7.5 | 15 | 8.5 |

A Gold card gives access to the Metro's Gold Class carriages, at the higher fare.

![Infographic, step 3 of 4. Metro fares, charged by zones crossed, in AED. 1 zone: Silver 3, Gold 6, Red Ticket 4. 2 zones: 5, 10, 6. 3 or more zones: 7.5, 15, 8.5. Gold cards are for the Gold Class carriages.](https://travelsmarterasia.com/images/dubai-airport-to-city-infographic-3.png "Step 3 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.")

## Airport taxis

Dubai Airports says of its taxis: "The starting fare is AED 25, with additional charges based on distance." That is the airport rate. RTA's general minimum fare for a taxi picked up on the street is AED 12.

## Airport buses

Dubai Airports says bus stands are "at Arrivals in Terminals 1, 2, and 3", and that "cash payments are not accepted". You need a Nol card to ride. The airport sends you to RTA for routes and timetables.

Dubai is often a stopover on the way to or from Asia. [Saily keeps one eSIM profile](https://travelsmarterasia.com/go/saily) for the whole trip and takes a plan per country, so check that the UAE is on its list and add it instead of buying a SIM for a day or two. [Set Saily up before you fly](https://travelsmarterasia.com/go/saily) and you can check RTA's bus times on landing.

## Which Nol card

RTA sells four types:

- **Red Ticket:** a paper ticket for AED 2 from any ticket machine, loadable with up to 10 single trips.
- **Silver card:** AED 25, including AED 19 of credit.
- **Gold card:** AED 25, including AED 19 of credit, for Gold Class.
- **Blue (Personal) card:** AED 70, including AED 20 of credit, issued in your name.

RTA's pages we read do not say whether the Metro gates take contactless bank cards, so buy a Nol card or Red Ticket at the station.

## What we could not confirm

On 4 November 2026 we could not open Dubai Police or the UAE government's emergency pages, so this guide does not list emergency numbers. Ask your hotel to note them for you on arrival.

![Infographic, step 4 of 4. Which Nol card? Buses take no cash. Red Ticket: AED 2, paper, up to 10 single trips. Silver: AED 25, including AED 19 of credit. Gold: AED 25, including AED 19, for Gold Class. Blue: AED 70, personal card, including AED 20. No official word on contactless bank cards at the gates.](https://travelsmarterasia.com/images/dubai-airport-to-city-infographic-4.png "Step 4 of 4. Illustration by Travel Smarter Asia.")