The Dubai Metro Red Line is the backbone of the city — 35 stations stretching 67.1 km from Centrepoint (Rashidiya) in the north to Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy (Jebel Ali) in the south. Fully driverless and RTA-operated, it links DXB airport, Deira, Downtown Dubai, DIFC, the Marina, and Expo City on a single line.
This 2026 guide lists every Red Line station with codes, explains the Route 2020 branch, timings, fares, and how to ride it like a local.
Red Line: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stations | 35 |
| Length | 67.1 km (including Route 2020 branch) |
| Termini | Centrepoint (R11) ↔ Expo 2020 (R76) / Life Pharmacy (R42) |
| Opened | 9 September 2009 (Route 2020 branch: 2021) |
| Operator | RTA (operated by Keolis-MHI) |
| Trains | Driverless; Kinki Sharyo + Alstom Metropolis sets |
| Frequency | 2–4 min peak, ~7 min off-peak |
| Interchanges | Union (R18/G20), BurJuman (R19/G26) — to Green Line |
All 35 Red Line Stations (North to South)
| Code | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| R11 | Centrepoint | Terminus; Park & Ride (2,700); ex-Al Rashidiya; future Blue Line interchange |
| R12 | Emirates | Al Garhoud area |
| R13 | Airport Terminal 3 | DXB T3 direct |
| R14 | Airport Terminal 1 | DXB T1 direct |
| R15 | Al Garhoud | ex-GGICO |
| R16 | City Centre Deira | Deira City Centre mall |
| R17 | Al Rigga | 2nd busiest station (13.8M riders, 2025) |
| R18 | Union | Interchange with Green Line |
| R19 | BurJuman | Interchange with Green Line; busiest station (17.8M) |
| R20 | ADCB | Al Karama; ex-Al Karama |
| R21 | Max | Zabeel Park; ex-Al Jafiliya |
| R22 | World Trade Centre | DWTC exhibitions |
| R23 | Emirates Towers | Museum of the Future nearby |
| R24 | Financial Centre | DIFC |
| R25 | Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Downtown Dubai |
| R26 | Business Bay | Dubai Water Canal; future Gold Line interchange |
| R29 | Garmin | ex-Onpassive/Al Safa/Noor Bank (renamed Sept 2026) |
| R31 | Equiti | ex-Umm Al Sheif |
| R32 | Mall of the Emirates | Ski Dubai |
| R33 | InsuranceMarket | ex-Mashreq/Sharaf DG (renamed Sept 2024) |
| R34 | Dubai Internet City | Media City/Internet City offices |
| R35 | Al Fardan Exchange | ex-Al Khail/Nakheel (renamed Apr 2025) |
| R36 | Sobha Realty | Dubai Marina; Dubai Tram transfer; ex-Dubai Marina |
| R37 | DMCC | JLT; Dubai Tram transfer; ex-JLT |
| R38 | National Paints | ex-Jebel Ali (renamed July 2025); branch split |
| R39 | Ibn Battuta | Ibn Battuta Mall |
| R40 | Energy | ex-DUBAL |
| R41 | Danube | ex-Jebel Ali Industrial |
| R42 | Life Pharmacy | Terminus; Park & Ride (3,000); ex-UAE Exchange (renamed May 2025) |
| R70 | The Gardens | Route 2020 branch |
| R71 | Discovery Gardens | Route 2020 branch |
| R72 | Al Furjan | Route 2020 branch |
| R73 | Jumeirah Golf Estates | Route 2020 branch; Park & Ride (400) |
| R74 | Dubai Investment Park | Route 2020 branch |
| R76 | Expo 2020 | Route 2020 terminus; Expo City Dubai |
The Route 2020 Branch: Which Train Goes Where?
South of National Paints (R38) the Red Line splits. Check the destination board before boarding:
| Destination shown | Route | Via |
|---|---|---|
| Expo 2020 | Route 2020 branch | The Gardens → Discovery Gardens → Al Furjan → Jumeirah Golf Estates → Dubai Investment Park |
| Life Pharmacy | Main line south | Ibn Battuta → Energy → Danube |
Most daytime trains from Centrepoint run to Expo 2020; Life Pharmacy-bound trains also run regularly. If you board the wrong branch, change at National Paints (R38) — the last common station.
Timings & Frequency
| Day | Hours | Peak frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM | 2–4 min |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM | 2–4 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM | 3–5 min |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM | 4–7 min |
End-to-end Centrepoint → Expo 2020 takes roughly 75 minutes. Full details: first & last train guide and Ramadan timings.
Fares on the Red Line
Nol Silver: AED 3 (1 zone) / AED 5 (2 zones) / AED 7.50 (3+ zones). The Red Line crosses Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6 — a full-length ride costs AED 7.50. Gold Class roughly doubles the fare; single-trip Red tickets cost AED 4/6/8.50. Always tap in and out. Full breakdown: Dubai Metro fares guide.
Cabins: Gold Class & Women/Children
Every Red Line train has three cabin types: Gold Class (front car, premium fare, comfier seats, panoramic views), the Women & Children cabin (pink-marked; AED 100 fine for men), and Standard/Silver cars. Details: women & children cabin rules.
Key Tourist Stops on the Red Line
| Station | Why go |
|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (R25) | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain |
| Mall of the Emirates (R32) | Ski Dubai, luxury shopping |
| Sobha Realty (R36) | Dubai Marina; tram to JBR & Palm Jumeirah |
| Ibn Battuta (R39) | Themed Ibn Battuta Mall |
| Expo 2020 (R76) | Expo City Dubai |
| Airport Terminal 3 (R13) | DXB Emirates terminal |
More: Dubai Metro tourist guide.
Tips for Riding the Red Line
- Check the destination board south of National Paints — Expo 2020 vs Life Pharmacy.
- Use station codes (R25, R36) — names change, codes don’t.
- Interchange at Union or BurJuman for the Green Line — both are same-fare transfers.
- Gold Class at sunset: the elevated stretch from Business Bay to the Marina faces west — spectacular.
- Avoid 8–9:30 AM northbound into the business districts if you can.
- Minimum balance: keep AED 7.50 on your Nol card or the gates won’t open.
Watch: Red Line & Green Line Cab Ride in 4K
Last updated: October 2026. Station names per RTA as of September 2026 (Garmin rename phasing in through November 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stations are on the Dubai Metro Red Line?
35 stations over 67.1 km, from Centrepoint (R11) to Expo 2020 (R76) and Life Pharmacy (R42). It is the world’s longest driverless metro line.
Where does the Red Line start and end?
It starts at Centrepoint (R11) in Rashidiya and splits south of National Paints (R38): one branch ends at Expo 2020 (R76), the other at Life Pharmacy (R42) in Jebel Ali.
How do I change from the Red Line to the Green Line?
At Union (R18/G20) or BurJuman (R19/G26). Follow the green signage; no extra interchange fare — you only pay for the zones you cross.
What time does the Red Line open and close?
5:00 AM–12:00 AM Monday–Thursday and Saturday, 5:00 AM–1:00 AM Friday, 8:00 AM–12:00 AM Sunday. Peak frequency is 2–4 minutes.
How much does the Red Line cost?
With Nol Silver: AED 3 (1 zone), AED 5 (2 zones), AED 7.50 (3+ zones). A full-length ride costs AED 7.50. Gold Class is roughly double.
Which Red Line stations go to Dubai Airport?
Airport Terminal 3 (R13) and Airport Terminal 1 (R14) serve DXB directly. Terminal 2 has no metro — take a bus from a Green Line station instead.
How do I get to Palm Jumeirah on the Red Line?
Alight at Sobha Realty (R36) or DMCC (R37), transfer to the Dubai Tram via the footbridge, ride to Palm Jumeirah station, then take the Palm Monorail.
What is the Route 2020 branch?
The 2021 extension from National Paints (R38) serving The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park, and Expo 2020 (codes R70–R76). Check destination boards: Expo 2020 vs Life Pharmacy.
Is the Dubai Metro Red Line driverless?
Yes — fully automated with no driver. The front Gold Class carriage offers panoramic forward views through the driver’s window.
Which is the busiest Red Line station?
BurJuman — 17.8 million riders in 2025, making it the busiest station in the entire network. Al Rigga (13.8M) and Union (13.6M) follow.
Can I take luggage on the Red Line?
Yes — one large plus one small suitcase per passenger is allowed. Airport stations (R13/R14) have lifts and wide gates. Full rules: metro luggage rules.
Why do Red Line station names keep changing?
RTA sells naming rights — recent changes include Onpassive→Garmin (2026), Jebel Ali→National Paints (2025), Mashreq→InsuranceMarket (2024), and UAE Exchange→Life Pharmacy (2025). Station codes never change.
Keep exploring the Dubai Metro: Dubai Metro Stations Guide · Green Line Guide · Blue Line (2029) · Metro Fares · Metro Map · Busiest Stations
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