Dubai Metro Timings: First & Last Train (2026)

Dubai Metro timings follow the same weekly pattern on both the Red and Green Lines — but the two details that catch people out are Friday’s 1:00 AM finish and Sunday’s 8:00 AM start. Miss those and you are standing outside a closed station.

This guide gives you the full weekly schedule, first and last train times, peak frequency, Ramadan and holiday changes — and what to do when you miss the last train.

Dubai Metro Timings: The Weekly Schedule

Both lines — Red and Green — follow this schedule. The times above are system hours: when stations open and when the network shuts down. Your station’s actual first and last trains differ slightly, explained below.

First Train Times: What “5:00 AM” Actually Means

The first trains depart the termini (Centrepoint, Expo 2020, Life Pharmacy, e&, Creek) at around 5:00 AM on most days. Stations further down the line see their first train a few minutes later — for example, at Dubai Internet City (R34) the first northbound train is around 5:16 AM and the first southbound around 5:07 AM.

• Monday–Saturday: first departures from termini ~5:00 AM
• Sunday: first departures from termini ~8:00 AM (mid-line stations a few minutes later)
• Friday: normal 5:00 AM start — only the closing time is extended

Last Train Times: The Detail That Matters

This is where most people get caught. The last train leaves each terminus before the stated closing time, and it takes over an hour to cross the full Red Line. So a station in the middle of the line sees its last train well before midnight.

Example station timings (direction-dependent, from RTA’s published timetable):

*Terminus departures; confirm live times in the RTA app as timetables are updated periodically.

Train Frequency: How Long You’ll Wait

Friday and Sunday services run slightly less frequently than weekday peaks. During major events (New Year’s Eve, National Day), RTA often adds trains and extends hours — watch for announcements.

Friday: The Late-Night Exception

Friday is the only day the metro runs until 1:00 AM — an extra hour for weekend nightlife, late shopping and restaurant traffic. First trains still start at 5:00 AM. If you’re out late on a Friday, the metro is a genuine alternative to a taxi for most of the night.

Sunday: The Late Start

Sunday service begins at 8:00 AM — three hours later than other days. This catches out early travellers regularly: if you have a flight before ~10:00 AM on a Sunday, do not rely on the metro to reach DXB. Take a taxi or Careem instead.

Ramadan & Public Holiday Timings

During Ramadan and public holidays (Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, UAE National Day, New Year’s Eve), RTA typically adjusts and often extends metro hours. New Year’s Eve in particular sees extended late-night service around Downtown and the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station — though crowd-control closures can also shut stations temporarily. Always check RTA’s announcements in the week before a holiday. (See our Ramadan timings guide for the current year’s schedule.)

Dubai Tram Hours (for Connections)

The Dubai Tram — which connects to the metro at Sobha Realty (R36) and DMCC (R37) — runs slightly different hours: 6:00 AM–1:00 AM Monday–Saturday, and 9:00 AM–1:00 AM on Sunday. If you’re transferring metro → tram late at night or early Sunday, check the tram is running first.

Missed the Last Train? Your Options

1. RTA taxi / Careem / Uber — plentiful at major stations; airport trips carry a surcharge.
2. Night buses — limited RTA night bus routes cover key corridors; check the S’hail app.
3. Wait for the first train — only practical if it’s nearly 5:00 AM; stations close overnight and you can’t wait inside.

Tips for Timing Your Trip

• Airport rule: for a flight, be at the airport station at least 2.5 hours before departure — and never cut it close to the last train.
• Live departures: the RTA app and S’hail app show real-time train times per station — more accurate than any printed timetable.
• Interchange buffer: allow 5–10 extra minutes when changing at Union — the walk between Red and Green platforms is long.
• Friday nights: trains run later but less frequently after ~10 PM — don’t assume a 3-minute wait.

Watch: Full Red Line Journey, Centrepoint to Expo 2020

Last updated: October 2026. Timings follow RTA’s published schedule; Ramadan, holidays and major events change hours — verify in the RTA app.

How Frequency Changes Through the Day

Headways aren’t flat — RTA tunes them to demand. Expect roughly:

The Route 2020 branch (Jabal Ali → Expo 2020) runs slightly less frequently than the main Red Line — another reason to check the destination board, not just the line colour.

5 Real-World Timing Scenarios

1. Early flight from DXB Terminal 3

First trains leave the termini around 5:00 AM (8:00 AM Sunday). For a 7:00 AM flight on a Sunday, the metro won’t get you there in time — take a taxi. On other days, a 5:30 AM train from most stations reaches the airport by ~6:00–6:15 AM.

2. Friday dinner in Dubai Marina

Friday is the late-night line: trains run until 1:00 AM. A 9:00 PM dinner in the Marina still leaves you 3+ hours — ride the Red Line to DMCC, tram to the Marina, and reverse after midnight.

3. Sunday brunch in JLT

Sunday’s 8:00 AM start catches people out. For a 10:00 AM brunch you’re fine; for anything before 9:30 AM near the station, take a taxi.

4. Ramadan evenings

RTA typically extends hours during Ramadan for late-night shopping and dining — check the Ramadan timings guide for the current year’s schedule.

5. New Year’s Eve

RTA runs extended or all-night service on NYE around Downtown and the Burj Khalifa. Some stations near the fireworks (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall) may have entry restrictions — check RTA announcements in December.

How to Check Live Timings

Published hours are the baseline — for the train that’s actually coming, use:

• RTA S’hail app: live departures, journey planning and Nol top-up in one place
• Station displays: real-time countdowns on every platform
• RTA website / hotline 800 9090: for holiday and event schedule changes
• Google Maps: transit directions with live metro times

Pro tip: before big events (concerts, NYE, major exhibitions), check RTA’s announcements — extra services and station restrictions are usually published a few days ahead.

What “Last Train” Means at Intermediate Stations

The published closing time (midnight, 1:00 AM Friday) is when the system closes — but the last train passes through intermediate stations earlier. As a rule of thumb, the final departures leave the termini (Centrepoint, Expo 2020, Life Pharmacy, etisalat by e&, Creek) around 30–60 minutes before closing, and reach mid-line stations 15–40 minutes later.

Practical rule: be on the platform 45 minutes before closing if you’re mid-line, and check the platform countdown displays — they show the actual last train, not the timetable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep exploring the Dubai Metro cluster: All Dubai Metro Stations · Dubai Metro Map · First & Last Train Guide · Ramadan Timings · Metro to Airport Guide · Nol Card Balance Check