Every Dubai Metro train has a Women & Children cabin — a pink-marked section reserved for women and young children. Men who enter it face an AED 100 fine, and it remains the single most common metro fine issued in Dubai.
This 2026 guide explains where the cabin is, who can use it, the fine, and how it differs from Gold Class.
Where Is the Women & Children Cabin?
The cabin sits at the end of the train, opposite the Gold Class cabin — Gold at one end, Women & Children at the other, Standard class in between. (RTA moved it there in 2019 for better separation.) You can’t miss it:
- Bright pink signage on the carriage doors and windows
- Pink floor markers on the platform showing where to board
- A prominent pink platform board reading “Women and Children Cabin”
- Onboard decals: “This area is dedicated for women & children only”
Who Can Use It?
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Women of all ages | Men (AED 100 fine) |
| Children with their mothers/families | Unaccompanied older boys/men |
The cabin was made permanent in 2015 after commuter demand (before that it was rush-hour only), and RTA has since expanded capacity. Mixed-gender families ride together in the Standard middle carriages.
The AED 100 Fine
- Amount: AED 100, issued on the spot by RTA inspectors.
- How common: historically the most-issued metro fine — at one point nearly 100 a day.
- No excuses: “I didn’t see the signs” doesn’t work — the pink markings are deliberately unmissable.
- Appeals: contest through RTA customer service like any other fine.
Women & Children vs. Gold Class vs. Standard
| Cabin | Position | Who rides | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Class | Front end | Gold Nol card / Gold ticket holders only | ~Double (AED 6/10/15) |
| Standard | Middle | Everyone | AED 3/5/7.50 |
| Women & Children | Rear end | Women + children only | Standard fare |
Note the symmetry: Gold Class at the front (gold stickers), Women & Children at the rear (pink stickers) — wrong cabin in either direction costs AED 100.
History: From Rush-Hour Only to Permanent
The Women & Children cabin hasn’t always been as prominent as it is today:
- Before 2015: one carriage per train was reserved for women and children during rush hours only.
- 2015: made permanent after commuter demand — reserved around the clock.
- 2019: relocated to the rear end of the train, opposite Gold Class, for better separation and privacy; capacity doubled to ~30 seats plus standing room.
- 2025: RTA’s signage overhaul made the pink platform boards even more prominent.
The fine for men entering — AED 100 — has been constant throughout, and it remains the most-issued metro penalty.
What Happens If You’re Fined
An inspector will stop you, record the offence against your ID or Nol card, and issue a fine notice on the spot. You can pay via the RTA website/app or S’hail app, and contest it through RTA customer service. Unpaid fines can block Nol card services — so don’t ignore one.
Tips
- Women travelling solo at night: the cabin plus CCTV and station staff make the metro one of the safest late-night options in the city.
- With a pram: use the lifts and wide gates; the cabin has space, but Standard middle carriages near the doors work too.
- Tourist couples/families: ride Standard together — only split up if the woman prefers the dedicated cabin.
- Men: if the platform is packed and you’re unsure which end is which, look for the pink floor markers before the train arrives.
Related: full metro rules & fines · luggage rules · tourist guide.
Last updated: October 2026.
Gold Class Rules for Families
The other end of the train has its own rules — and families get caught out:
- Everyone in Gold Class needs a Gold fare — a Gold Nol card or Gold Red ticket. A woman can’t bring a child on a Silver ticket into the Gold cabin; the child’s fare must be Gold too.
- Gold Class is open to all Gold fare holders regardless of gender — women ride Gold Class freely.
- Silver ticket in Gold Class = AED 100 fine — the same tier as the wrong-cabin fine.
- Families with mixed fares: ride the Standard middle carriages together — no fare upgrade needed, and couples stay together.
Finding the Cabin: A First-Timer’s Walkthrough
New to the metro? Here’s how to find the right end of the train:
- On the platform, look down — pink floor markers show exactly where the Women & Children cabin doors will stop.
- Find the pink board — a prominent pink platform sign reading “Women and Children Cabin”.
- Check the train — bright pink stickers on the carriage doors and windows; the onboard decal reads “This area is dedicated for women & children only”.
- Gold Class is the mirror image — gold stickers at the front end. If you see gold, you’re at the wrong end for the pink cabin.
- At interchanges, re-check — platform layouts differ between stations; the markers at Union won’t match the markers at BurJuman exactly.
Cabin Etiquette: Beyond the Fine
- Priority seats still apply — give them up for elderly, pregnant, or passengers with disabilities, even inside the dedicated cabin.
- Prams: welcome, but fold them where possible at peak times; the lifts and wide gates are your route in.
- Luggage: keep bags at your feet or in the luggage areas — the no-blocking rule applies here too.
- No eating or drinking — the AED 100 rule applies to every cabin, including Women & Children.
- Men who entered by accident: a packed platform pushes people toward the wrong end. If it happens, move to a middle carriage at the next station calmly — inspectors exercise discretion, but the AED 100 fine is the default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can men sit in the women’s cabin on Dubai Metro?
No — men in the Women & Children cabin face an AED 100 fine, enforced around the clock by RTA inspectors.
Where is the ladies cabin on Dubai Metro?
At the rear end of the train, opposite the Gold Class cabin. Look for bright pink door stickers, pink platform floor markers, and the “Women and Children Cabin” board.
Can children use the women’s cabin?
Yes — the cabin is for women and children. Young children travelling with their mothers/families are welcome.
What is the fine for a man in the ladies cabin?
AED 100, issued on the spot. It has historically been the most commonly issued Dubai Metro fine.
Is the women’s cabin only at rush hour?
No — it is reserved 24/7. It became permanent in 2015; before that it was rush-hour only.
Can couples sit together on Dubai Metro?
Yes — in the Standard middle carriages. The Women & Children cabin is women-only, so mixed couples ride Standard together.
Is Gold Class the same as the women’s cabin?
No. Gold Class (front, gold stickers, premium fare) and Women & Children (rear, pink stickers, standard fare) are opposite ends of the train. Wrong cabin either way = AED 100 fine.
Is Dubai Metro safe for women at night?
Yes — the dedicated cabin, CCTV across trains and stations, and staff at every station make it one of the safest late-night transport options in Dubai. Last trains run at midnight (1 AM Friday).
Can women use Gold Class on Dubai Metro?
Yes — Gold Class is open to all Gold fare holders regardless of gender. It costs about double Standard fare (AED 6/10/15 vs 3/5/7.50).
Can a child ride Gold Class with a parent?
Only with a Gold fare — every rider in the Gold cabin needs a Gold Nol card or Gold ticket. Families with mixed fares should ride Standard together.
What if the women’s cabin is full?
Ride the Standard middle carriages — same fare, everyone welcome. Or wait for the next train and board at the pink platform markers.
Can I eat in the women’s cabin?
No — the no eating/drinking rule (AED 100 fine) applies to every cabin, including Women & Children.
Keep exploring: Dubai Metro Stations Guide · Rules & Fines · Fares · Tourist Guide