Al Rigga is the second-busiest station on the entire Dubai Metro — 13.8 million riders in 2025 — and the beating heart of Deira’s hotel and commercial district. If you’re staying in one of Deira’s mid-range hotels, there’s a good chance this is your station: it’s surrounded by banks, money exchanges, restaurants and dozens of hotels within a few minutes’ walk.
This guide covers both exits, nearby hotels and attractions, bus connections, first/last train times and fares.
Station Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Station code | R17 |
| Line | Red Line |
| Fare zone | 5 |
| Type | Underground |
| Opened | 9 September 2009 |
| Neighbouring stations | City Centre Deira ← → Union |
| Interchange | No — one stop to Union |
| Location | Al Rigga Road, Al Muraqqabat, Deira |
| 2025 ridership | 13.8 million (2nd busiest) |
Exits: Street Side or Mall Side
| Exit | Leads to | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Exit 1 | Al Rigga Street | Restaurants, cafés, pharmacies, Hyatt Place & Avenue Hotel, street life |
| Exit 2 | Al Ghurair Centre | Direct route into the mall — shopping, dining, cinemas |
Both exits have lifts, escalators and clear signage. Exit 2 is the shortcut if you’re mall-bound; Exit 1 puts you on Deira’s liveliest commercial street.
Platforms & Directions
- Platform 1 (northbound): toward Centrepoint — next station City Centre Deira; the airport is 3 stops away
- Platform 2 (southbound): toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy — next station Union (one stop to the Green Line interchange)
Hotels Near Al Rigga Station
This is Deira’s densest hotel cluster — all within walking distance:
- Ibis Al Rigga — budget-friendly, very close
- Hyatt Place Deira — mid-range, near Exit 1
- Avenue Hotel — near Exit 1
- Versailles by Raviz and Landmark Hotel — more options nearby
What’s Nearby
| Place | Walk time |
|---|---|
| Al Ghurair Centre | 3–5 min (Exit 2) |
| Deira Clocktower | 7–10 min |
| Banks & money exchanges | Immediate — the street is lined with them |
| Dubai Creek | One stop to Union, then a short walk |
Bus Connections
- 77: Baniyas Square MS ↔ Airport Terminal 3 / Al Garhoud
- C9: Satwa Station ↔ Al Qiyadah MS
Timings & First/Last Trains
RTA-published timings for this station:
| Day | Toward Centrepoint | Toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Mon – Thu & Sat | First ~5:02 AM · Last ~11:49 PM | First ~5:10 AM · Last ~11:50 PM |
| Friday | First ~5:02 AM · Last ~12:53 AM | First ~5:10 AM · Last ~12:50 AM |
| Sunday | First ~8:16 AM · Last ~11:52 PM | First ~8:20 AM · Last ~11:55 PM |
Peak frequency every 3–4 minutes. Confirm live departures in the RTA app. (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 (3 stops) stays in Zone 5 — AED 3. (Check balance · recharge · card types · tourist guide.)
Practical Tips
- Money exchange: Al Rigga Street has some of the city’s best exchange rates — worth a stop if you’re changing currency.
- Peak crowds: as the 2nd busiest station, expect packed platforms 7–9 AM and 5–7:30 PM.
- Green Line access: one stop south to Union for the Green Line — faster than any bus.
- Facilities: free Wi-Fi, prayer rooms, accessible washrooms, baby-changing rooms, Zoom store, ATMs and vending machines.
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 | ~10–12 min (3 stops) |
| Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa | Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | 25–35 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 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, Al Rigga 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
Al Rigga opened on 9 September 2009 with the Red Line’s first phase. It was the busiest station on the network in 2016 (2.06 million riders that year), and in 2025 it still ranked near the top with 13.8 million riders — a testament to Deira’s enduring density. The station has never been renamed, and its commuter-heavy character has barely changed: residential towers above, airport workers and shoppers below.
A Perfect Half-Day From Al Rigga
Morning: explore Al Rigga Street itself — the cafés, barbershops and small restaurants give you Deira at its most local. Midday: lunch at a Karachi Darbar or one of the street’s long-standing eateries. Afternoon: 3 stops north to the airport (if flying), or south to Union → Green Line to the Gold Souq. Evening: back on Al Rigga Street for dinner — this is one of the best streets in Dubai for budget food.
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
Al Rigga Street is one of Dubai’s great budget-food streets: Karachi Darbar and dozens of cafeterias, grills and juice stands line the road, most open late. Hotels in the area are predominantly mid-range Deira properties catering to business travellers and transit passengers — good value, minutes from the airport by metro, and surrounded by everyday local life rather than tourist gloss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which line is Al Rigga station on?
The Red Line (station code R17), between City Centre Deira and Union.
Which exit is for Al Ghurair Centre?
Exit 2 — the direct route into Al Ghurair Centre mall. Exit 1 leads to Al Rigga Street’s restaurants and hotels.
Is Al Rigga a busy station?
Very — 13.8 million riders in 2025 made it the 2nd busiest station in the network, after BurJuman.
How do I get to the airport from Al Rigga?
Take the Red Line northbound 3 stops to Airport Terminal 3 (or Terminal 1) — all within Zone 5, AED 3 on a Silver Nol card.
Are there hotels near Al Rigga metro station?
Yes — Ibis Al Rigga, Hyatt Place Deira, Avenue Hotel, Versailles by Raviz and Landmark Hotel are all within walking distance.
How do I get to the Green Line from Al Rigga?
Ride one stop southbound to Union and transfer inside the paid area — no tap-out needed.
What are the first and last train times at Al Rigga?
Mon–Thu & Sat: first trains ~5:02–5:10 AM, last trains ~11:49–11:50 PM (direction-dependent); Friday runs about an hour later; Sunday starts ~8:16–8:20 AM. Confirm live times in the RTA app.
What fare zone is Al Rigga in?
Zone 5. Trips to the airport, Union and BurJuman stay in-zone or cross one boundary.
Are there buses from Al Rigga station?
Yes — routes 77 (Baniyas Square ↔ Airport T3) and C9 (Satwa ↔ Al Qiyadah) serve the station area.
How far is the Deira Clocktower from Al Rigga station?
About a 7–10 minute walk — an easy stroll from either exit.
Is Al Rigga station accessible?
Yes — the elevated station has lifts, escalators, tactile paving and wide gates throughout.
Why is Al Rigga so busy?
It sits in one of Deira’s densest residential zones, minutes from the airport, with thousands of commuters living within walking distance — 13.8 million riders used it in 2025.
Is the Al Rigga area safe at night?
Al Rigga is a busy, well-lit residential and commercial street that stays lively late — the usual big-city awareness applies, but it’s one of Deira’s most walked streets after dark.
Where do buses stop at Al Rigga station?
Bus stops ring the station on Al Rigga Road and the surrounding streets — including the C18 to Dubai Festival City and 11A/64A toward the airport cargo village. Check the S’hail app for your stop.
Keep exploring the Dubai Metro cluster: All Dubai Metro Stations · Union Interchange · Deira City Centre Station · Airport Terminal 3 Station · Busiest Metro Stations · Metro Timings · Nol Card Balance Check