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.
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✓ Checked and fact-checked
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has three terminals, and the Metro serves two of them. Check UAE entry rules and what UAE customs allows before you fly.
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”.
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.
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 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 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.
Saily, a data eSIM you install before you fly and top up per country Our full write-up. (affiliate link)