Deira City Centre is the Red Line station for one of Dubai’s oldest major malls — and one of the most practical stations in Deira for airport runs, since DXB Terminal 1 is just two stops away. Sitting on Al Ittihad Street in Port Saeed, it pairs a direct mall entrance with a busy bus and taxi interchange.
This guide covers the exits, the mall connection, bus routes, timings and fares.
Station Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Station code | R16 |
| Line | Red Line |
| Fare zone | 5 |
| Type | Elevated |
| Opened | 9 September 2009 |
| Neighbouring stations | Al Garhoud ← → Al Rigga |
| Interchange | No — nearest: Union (2 stops) |
| Location | Al Ittihad Street, Port Saeed, Deira |
Exits: Mall Side vs Transport Side
| Exit | Leads to |
|---|---|
| Exit 1 | City Centre Deira mall — direct access on the east side of the station |
| Exit 4 | Public transport hub — RTA bus stops, taxi bay, ride-hailing pickups |
| Other exits | Street level toward Port Saeed offices, hotels and commercial buildings |
Platforms & Directions
- Platform 1 (northbound): toward Centrepoint — next station Al Garhoud, then Airport Terminal 1 (2 stops)
- Platform 2 (southbound): toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy — next station Al Rigga, then Union (2 stops)
What’s Nearby
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| City Centre Deira mall | Direct mall access; 370+ stores, ~22 million visitors a year |
| Deira Clocktower | ~8 min walk — Dubai’s iconic 1960s roundabout monument |
| Novotel Deira Creekside | Nearby hotel (~3–4 min walk) |
| Pullman / J5 Rimal | More hotel options within walking distance |
| Dubai Creek | Short taxi ride — abras and dhow cruises |
Bus Connections
The Exit 4 transport hub serves multiple RTA routes:
- 27: Gold Souq Bus Station ↔ The Dubai Mall
- 53: International City ↔ Gold Souq
- 88: Deira City Center Bus Station ↔ Dubai Internet City MS
- X28, C15, 22, 23, 33, E307 — Al Nahda, Al Qusais, Satwa, Karama corridors
Timings & First/Last Trains
| Day | Operating hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Peak frequency every 2–4 minutes. (Full detail in our Dubai Metro timings guide.)
Fares & Nol Card
The station is in Zone 5. Silver Nol fares: AED 3 (1 zone), AED 5 (2 zones), AED 7.50 (3+ zones). The airport hop (R16 → R14) stays in Zone 5 — AED 3. (Check balance · recharge · where to buy · tourist guide.)
Practical Tips
- Early flight? The 2-stop ride to Terminal 1 makes this station ideal for Deira hotel stays — but on Sundays (8:00 AM start) take a taxi for morning flights.
- Exit 4 for everything ground-level: buses, taxis and ride-hailing all cluster here — don’t wander the mall exits looking for a cab.
- Mall opening hours: City Centre Deira opens around 10:00 AM — the station is useful from 5:00 AM, but the shops aren’t.
- April 2024 floods: the station was temporarily closed during the record floods — a reminder to check RTA alerts during extreme weather.
Last updated: October 2026. Timings follow RTA’s published schedule; verify live departures in the RTA app.
Key Journeys From This Station
| Destination | Route | Approx. time* |
|---|---|---|
| DXB Airport (T3) | Red Line direct to Airport Terminal 3 | ~8 min (2 stops) |
| Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa | Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | 25–30 min |
| Dubai Marina | Red Line to DMCC → Dubai Tram | 50–60 min |
| Gold Souq (Deira) | Red Line to Union → Green Line to Gold Souq | 15–20 min |
*Approximate, including average waiting time; actual times vary by time of day. Fares: AED 3 (1 zone) / AED 5 (2 zones) / AED 7.50 (3+ zones) on a Silver Nol card.
Station Facilities & Accessibility
Like all Dubai Metro stations, Deira City Centre offers step-free access and the standard RTA facility set:
- Ticketing: ticket office, vending machines and Nol card top-up kiosks
- Step-free: lifts and escalators to all levels; tactile paving for visually impaired passengers
- Onboard info: audio announcements in Arabic and English; real-time digital displays
- Comfort: fully air-conditioned concourse and platforms with platform screen doors
- Services: prayer rooms, washrooms, retail kiosks, ATMs and free Wi-Fi
- Safety: 24/7 CCTV, emergency call points and staffed information desks
Station History
The station opened on 9 September 2009 with the Red Line’s first phase, as part of the airport-corridor stretch (Centrepoint → Union). It served Deira’s hotel district through the 2010s, then made headlines on 17 April 2024 when record rainfall flooded parts of the network and the station closed temporarily along with several others. It reopened after repairs — a reminder that even desert cities plan for extreme weather.
A Perfect Half-Day From This Station
Morning: breakfast near your hotel, then two stops north to the airport — or south to Union and the Gold Souq via the Green Line. Afternoon: City Centre Deira mall for shopping and the cinema. Evening: Red Line to Dubai Mall (25–30 min) for the fountains, or a taxi to Dubai Festival City for the waterfront and IMAGINE light show. Why it works: you’re 8 minutes from the airport and 3 stops from both lines’ interchange.
Good to Know: Riding From This Station
- Tap in and out — every journey needs both taps, or you’ll be charged the maximum fare.
- No eating or drinking on trains and in stations — this rule is strictly enforced.
- Let passengers alight first before boarding; stand clear of the doors.
- Women & children cabin: the pink-marked cabin is reserved — men entering can be fined AED 100.
- Gold Class: the premium cabin (roughly double the fare) is at the front in the direction of travel.
- Luggage: one large suitcase + one small bag per passenger; use the lifts.
- Friday nights run late (until 1:00 AM); Sunday mornings start late (8:00 AM).
Where to Stay & Eat Nearby
The station sits in Deira’s hotel district: the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre and Novotel are all within a 5–12 minute walk or short taxi ride. City Centre Deira mall has a full food court and restaurants, and the surrounding streets offer some of Dubai’s cheapest and most authentic eating — from South Asian cafeterias to Arabic grills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which metro station is for City Centre Deira mall?
Deira City Centre station (R16) on the Red Line — Exit 1 connects directly into the mall.
How many stops is Deira City Centre from the airport?
Two stops northbound to Airport Terminal 1 (R14) — one of the fastest airport links on the network, all within Zone 5 (AED 3).
Which stations are next to Deira City Centre?
Al Garhoud (R15) toward Centrepoint and Al Rigga (R17) toward Union and Downtown.
What fare zone is Deira City Centre station in?
Zone 5. The airport hop to Terminal 1 stays in-zone at AED 3 on a Silver Nol card.
Are there buses from Deira City Centre station?
Yes — the Exit 4 transport hub serves routes 27, 53, 88, X28, C15, 22, 23, 33 and E307, plus a dedicated taxi bay.
How far is the Deira Clocktower from the station?
About an 8-minute walk — the 1960s clocktower roundabout is one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks.
Can I get to the Green Line from Deira City Centre?
Yes — ride 2 stops southbound to Union and transfer to the Green Line inside the paid area.
What are the station timings?
Monday–Thursday and Saturday: 5:00 AM–12:00 AM; Friday: 5:00 AM–1:00 AM; Sunday: 8:00 AM–12:00 AM.
Is there a hotel near Deira City Centre station?
Yes — Novotel Deira Creekside (~3–4 min walk), Pullman and J5 Rimal Hotel Apartments are all nearby.
Does the station have a taxi rank?
Yes — a 24/7 RTA taxi bay sits at the Exit 4 transport hub, with Uber/Careem pickup points nearby.
Is Deira City Centre station step-free?
Yes — the elevated station has lifts, escalators, tactile paving and wide gates throughout.
Can I walk to my hotel from Deira City Centre station?
Many Deira hotels — including the Sheraton, Pullman and Novotel — are within a 5–12 minute walk or a short taxi ride. Check your hotel’s location first; Deira blocks are walkable but busy.
Is Deira City Centre station near Dubai Creek?
It’s about 10–15 minutes by taxi to the Creek — the station is inland, on the airport side of Deira. For Creek-side sights, ride to Union and transfer to the Green Line.
Which exit is best for the hotels near Deira City Centre station?
Most Deira hotels (Sheraton, Pullman, Novotel) sit on the mall side of the station — follow signs for City Centre Deira, then take a short taxi or walk depending on your hotel.
Keep exploring the Dubai Metro cluster: All Dubai Metro Stations · Al Rigga Station · Airport Terminal 1 Station · Metro to Airport Guide · Metro Timings · Nol Card for Tourists