Dubai Internet City is the metro station for the Middle East’s biggest tech hub — the free zone home to the regional headquarters of Microsoft, IBM, HP and hundreds of other technology companies. Sitting on Sheikh Zayed Road between the DIC campus and Barsha Heights (TECOM), it is one of the busiest commuter stations outside Downtown.
This guide covers exits, the tech district around it, bus connections, timings and fares — for office workers and visitors alike.
Station Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Station code | R34 |
| Line | Red Line |
| Type | Elevated |
| Opened | 9 September 2009 |
| Neighbouring stations | mashreq ← → Al Khail |
| Interchange | No — nearest: BurJuman/Union (Red Line north) |
| Location | Sheikh Zayed Road, between Barsha Heights (TECOM) and Dubai Internet City |
Exits: DIC Side or Barsha Heights Side
Exits come down on both sides of Sheikh Zayed Road:
| Exit side | Leads to |
|---|---|
| Seaside (DIC side) | Dubai Internet City free zone — office buildings, Microsoft/IBM/HP HQs, in5 innovation centre |
| Landside (Barsha Heights) | Barsha Heights (TECOM) — hotels, apartments, restaurants; Mercure Hotel & Apartments |
The DIC campus itself is a short walk from the seaside exit; most office buildings are signposted from the concourse.
Platforms & Directions
- Platform 1 (northbound): toward Centrepoint — for Mall of the Emirates (2 stops), Downtown, Deira, the airport
- Platform 2 (southbound): toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy — for Dubai Marina, JLT, Ibn Battuta
What’s Nearby
| Place | Distance | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Internet City free zone | 1 min walk | Tech business district; Microsoft, IBM, HP regional HQs |
| Dubai Knowledge Park | ~10 min walk | Education & training hub (ex-Knowledge Village) |
| Dubai Media City | ~5 min drive | Media free zone; events venues |
| Mall of the Emirates | 2 metro stops | Shopping, Ski Dubai, VOX Cinemas |
| Dubai Marina | 4 metro stops | Marina Walk, JBR, tram connection |
| Al Sufouh Beach | ~8 min drive | Public beach |
| Palm Jumeirah | ~10 min drive | Atlantis, beach clubs |
Hotels near the station: Holiday Inn Express, Radisson Blu, Grand Plaza Mövenpick, Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Apartments, Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments.
Bus & Last-Mile Connections
- F31: Dubai Internet City MS → The Meadows East
- F34: Dubai Internet City MS → Dubai Production City
- Routes 84, 88, F59, F35, X28 serve the surrounding stops
- E-scooters operate in the TECOM zone for last-mile trips
- Taxis and Uber/Careem pick up at both exits
Timings & First/Last Trains
RTA-published timings for this station (direction-dependent):
| Day | Toward Centrepoint | Toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Mon – Thu & Sat | First ~5:16 AM · Last ~11:12 PM | First ~5:07 AM · Last ~11:16 PM |
| Friday | First ~5:16 AM · Last ~12:16 AM | First ~5:07 AM · Last ~12:12 AM |
| Sunday | First ~8:03 AM · Last ~11:15 PM | First ~8:07 AM · Last ~11:11 PM |
Peak frequency every 2–4 minutes. Always confirm live departures in the RTA app — station times shift slightly with timetable updates. (Full detail in our Dubai Metro timings guide.)
Fares & Nol Card
Silver Nol fares: AED 3 (1 zone), AED 5 (2 zones), AED 7.50 (3+ zones). Daily DIC commuters should compare a 30-day pass against pay-as-you-go. (Check balance · recharge · monthly passes · card types.)
Practical Tips
- Rush-hour reality: 7:30–9:00 AM northbound and 5:00–7:00 PM southbound are crush-loaded — travel just outside these windows for a seat.
- Meeting in DIC? Ask for the building number and gate — the free zone spans multiple blocks and the walk from the station can be 5–10 minutes in summer heat.
- Barsha Heights side has the cheaper hotels and most of the area’s restaurants — good base for business trips.
- Weekend access: the DIC campus is quiet on weekends, but the metro still runs — useful for reaching the Marina or malls.
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 | 35–45 min |
| Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa | Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | 15–20 min |
| Dubai Marina | Red Line to DMCC → Dubai Tram | 15–20 min |
| Gold Souq (Deira) | Red Line to Union → Green Line to Gold Souq | 45–55 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, Dubai Internet City 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, serving a tech free zone that was already a decade old. In some older listings it appeared under the placeholder name “Station 2” — a quirk from the line’s planning days. The station’s fortunes track the tech boom: what began as a quiet office stop is now one of the busiest commuter stations outside Downtown, with the surrounding Barsha Heights (TECOM) growing into a dense residential and hotel district around it.
A Perfect Half-Day From This Station
Morning: meetings in the DIC campus (seaside exit). Midday: lunch in Barsha Heights (landside exit) — the area has some of the city’s best-value restaurants. Afternoon: two stops north to Mall of the Emirates for shopping or Ski Dubai; or four stops south to Dubai Marina for a Marina Walk sunset. Evening: the metro home — off-peak trains are calm and quick on this stretch.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which metro station is for Dubai Internet City?
Dubai Internet City station (R34) on the Red Line — the DIC free zone is a 1-minute walk from the seaside exit.
How do I get to Dubai Media City by metro?
Alight at Dubai Internet City (R34) — Dubai Media City is about a 5-minute drive/taxi ride away. There is no dedicated Media City metro station.
Was Dubai Internet City station called something else before?
In some older listings it appeared as “Station 2”. RTA’s current official name is Dubai Internet City (R34).
How far is Mall of the Emirates from Dubai Internet City station?
2 metro stops northbound (via mashreq). Dubai Marina is 4 stops southbound.
Which exit for Barsha Heights (TECOM)?
The landside exits (away from the sea) lead to Barsha Heights — hotels, apartments and restaurants. The seaside exits lead into the DIC office campus.
Are there buses from Dubai Internet City metro station?
Yes — F31 (The Meadows East), F34 (Dubai Production City), plus routes 84, 88, F59, F35 and X28. E-scooters also operate in the TECOM zone.
What are the first and last train times at Dubai Internet City?
Mon–Thu & Sat: first trains ~5:07–5:16 AM, last trains ~11:12–11:16 PM (direction-dependent); Friday runs about an hour later; Sunday starts ~8:03–8:07 AM. Confirm live times in the RTA app.
Is there a hotel near Dubai Internet City metro station?
Yes — Holiday Inn Express, Radisson Blu, Grand Plaza Mövenpick, Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights and Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments are all nearby.
Can I walk to Dubai Knowledge Park from the station?
Yes — Dubai Knowledge Park is about a 10-minute walk from the station.
Which stations are next to Dubai Internet City?
mashreq (R33) to the north (toward Centrepoint) and Al Khail (R35) to the south (toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy).
Is Dubai Internet City station accessible?
Yes — the elevated station has lifts, escalators, tactile paving and wide gates throughout.
Can I get to Palm Jumeirah from Dubai Internet City station?
Take the Red Line 2 stops south to DMCC or Sobha Realty, transfer to the Dubai Tram, and ride to Palm Jumeirah tram stop for the monorail.
Keep exploring the Dubai Metro cluster: All Dubai Metro Stations · Mall of the Emirates Station · DMCC Station · Metro Timings · Monthly Passes & Fares · Nol Card Balance Check
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