Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station (DAFZA)

Dubai Airport Free Zone — usually shortened to DAFZA — is the Green Line station for one of Dubai’s most important business districts. It sits right on the airport’s northern perimeter, serving the free zone’s offices, logistics firms and the hotel strip along Al Nahda Street. It is a commuter workhorse, not a tourist stop — but if your flight lands at Terminal 2 or you are visiting DAFZA, this guide has you covered.

Station Quick Facts

Exits: East or West on Al Nahda Street

The elevated station’s exits come down on both sides of Al Nahda Street:

Street-level entrances are around 32A Street and 48th Street. Commuters heading to DAFZA offices generally want the west-side exits.

Platforms & Directions

• Platform 1 (eastbound): toward e& — next station Al Qusais
• Platform 2 (westbound): toward Creek — next station Al Nahda

For the Red Line (airport Terminals 1 & 3, Downtown, Marina), ride westbound to Union (7 stops) and transfer inside the paid area.

What’s Nearby

Bus Connections

• F08: toward DXB airport terminals
• Routes 13, 31, 64, 17, 43, F81 serve the surrounding Al Twar / Al Qusais stops
• Nearby stops: Twar / Al Twar, Union Cooperative Society, Sheikh Rashid Colony

Timings & First/Last Trains

Peak frequency every 3–5 minutes; off-peak every 5–8 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). A trip to Bur Dubai (Zone 6) costs AED 5. You need a Nol card to ride. (Check balance · recharge · card types.)

Practical Tips

• Peak crush: avoid 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM if you can — this station handles heavy office-worker traffic in both directions.
• DAFZA visits: many free-zone buildings need gate passes; confirm your host’s building number before you travel — the zone is big.
• Terminal 2 transfers: leave 45+ minutes between metro arrival and check-in; the bus/taxi leg is short but Terminal 2 check-in queues can be long.
• Food: dining near the station is limited to hotel restaurants and mall food courts — the area is overwhelmingly commercial.

Watch: Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station

Last updated: October 2026. Timings follow RTA’s published schedule; verify live departures in the RTA app.

Key Journeys From This Station

*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, Dubai Airport Free Zone 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 2011 with the Green Line’s first stretch, purpose-built to serve the Dubai Airport Free Zone — one of Dubai’s oldest free zones, established next to the airport for aviation, logistics and trading firms. The elevated station on Al Nahda Street was designed as a commuter workhorse: office workers in, office workers out, twice a day. It has kept that character ever since, with peak-hour crowds far heavier than weekend traffic.

A Perfect Half-Day From This Station

This is a business station, not a tourist one — but here’s a practical itinerary: Morning: handle your DAFZA meetings (confirm building numbers in advance — the zone is large). Midday: lunch at Reef Mall nearby. Afternoon: ride the Green Line to Gold Souq (20–25 min) for the souqs, or to Union and transfer to the Red Line for Downtown. Tip: if you’re flying out of Terminal 2 afterward, the F08 bus or a 10-minute taxi from the station gets you there.

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

Several airport hotels cluster around the free zone: Rove City Centre (trendy, mid-range), Ibis Styles Dubai Airport Hotel and Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport (reliable budget picks), and Premier Inn Dubai International Airport. For food, Reef Mall nearby has the usual food-court options, and Al Nahda Street has cafeterias and restaurants catering to the office crowd.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep exploring the Dubai Metro cluster: All Dubai Metro Stations · Airport Terminal 3 Station · Airport Terminal 1 Station · Metro to Airport Guide · Metro Timings · Nol Card Balance Check