Public Transportation in Dubai

Dubai welcomes thousands of tourists and new residents annually, all eager to visit its prominent and unique tourist landmarks, from the Dubai Frame to public parks, massive shopping centers, beaches, hotels, entertainment venues, and the popular markets scattered throughout the emirate. However, in order to visit these places, explore them, or commute around the emirate without the need to own or rent a car, we will inform you in this article about public transportation in Dubai, which connects various parts of the emirate, its prices, and the general rules and etiquette when using it.

Public Transportation in Dubai

Dubai Metro

The Dubai Metro is one of the most common public transportation options in Dubai, due to the significant development and progress in the technological systems designed for it. It features the latest internationally advanced rail systems and operates driverless. Currently, there are two operating metro lines - the Red Line and the Green Line - with 49 stations combined.

The Dubai Metro transports passengers between many residential and commercial areas alongside a variety of tourist attractions. There are also Dubai Metro stations in Terminals 1 and 3 at Dubai International Airport, facilitating tourists, visitors, and travelers to navigate within the city upon their arrival.

The Dubai Metro has been expanded to include new areas reaching the site of Expo 2020. The Dubai Metro 2020 line connects the Jebel Ali Metro Station to the Expo 2020 site through five new stations located in areas such as the Gardens Mall, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Dubai Investment Park, and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Passengers need to obtain a Nol Card before using the Dubai Metro, which comes in various types:

• Gold Card (AED 25 with AED 19 balance): Exclusive ride in Gold Class
• Silver Card (AED 25 with AED 19 balance): Ride in regular metro cabins
• Blue/Personal Card (Regular AED 70 with AED 20 credit, Gold AED 80 with AED 20 balance): Used by students, seniors, and those who have purchased a monthly or annual metro ticket, the card comes with a personal photo and name
• Red Card (AED 2): Dubai Metro tickets for individual trips, rechargeable ticket that can be loaded with up to 10 trips
• Personal Card (AED 30): When purchasing a personal card, an additional AED 30 can be paid to get a card with unique designs.

Public Bus Transport

The public bus network, with more than 1500 buses, is one of the most affordable public transportation options in Dubai. Public buses operated by the Roads and Transport Authority cover 82% of the city's residential areas with 119 stations, including those connecting to the Dubai Metro.

It is worth mentioning that public transport buses are air-conditioned, sanitized, and include special compartments for women and families, with a Nol Card used for travel on the bus.

Water Buses

Dubai Tram

The Dubai Tram is one of the newest local transportation methods in Dubai, designed with the latest technological methods, serving prominent areas in Dubai such as Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residences, and Al Sufouh.

The Dubai Tram is also connected to the Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail, helping to reduce traffic congestion and allowing passengers to easily reach entertainment destinations in Jumeirah Beach Residences, Dubai Marina, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City. There are 11 Dubai Tram stations, two of which are connected to the Dubai Metro: Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Dubai Marina. Payment when using the Dubai Tram is made with a Nol Card.

Dubai Water Bus or Water Taxi

Another means of public transportation in Dubai that everyone can use is the water buses such as the Dubai Ferry and Dubai Water Taxi. Payment is made by Nol Card, cash, or credit card.

Taxis

Taxis are one of the public transportation methods in Dubai that passengers can find almost anywhere in the city. Taxis in Dubai are the fastest and most convenient way to travel around the city, although they are more expensive than other public transportation methods.

There are not only airport taxis in Dubai, but also taxis dedicated to women and families only, which come with a female driver. When using taxis, payment can be made using a Nol Card, cash, or credit card.

Rules and Etiquette When Using Public Transportation in Dubai

There are a set of rules and general etiquette that passengers must adhere to when using public transportation in Dubai.

• No smoking while using public transportation in Dubai. Fine: AED 200
• No disturbance or distraction while commuting on public transportation. Fine: AED 100
• No use of expired, invalid, or fake cards when boarding or leaving public transportation. Fine: AED 200 (expired or invalid card), AED 500 (fake card)
• No feet on the seats when using public transportation in Dubai. Fine: AED 100
• No bringing of animals on public transportation, except guide dogs for the blind. Fine: AED 100
• No eating or drinking in areas where it is not allowed. Fine: AED 100
• No carrying of any bulky luggage on public transportation. Only one large bag and one small bag are allowed on the Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro

Public Transportation Prices in Dubai

The Emirate of Dubai is divided into seven zones, each zone containing metro stations, trams, buses, and maritime stations. Fare for using public transportation in Dubai will be imposed based on the number of zones passengers cross in a single trip.

Passengers can also transfer between different modes of transportation (Dubai Metro to Dubai Tram or public bus to Dubai Metro) within 30 minutes of each other to be considered a single journey.

Public transportation tickets in Dubai can be paid for with a Nol Card, a contactless smart card used to register entry and exit every time it is used for public transportation. Different types of Nol cards are available in Dubai as mentioned earlier. Prices vary depending on the length of the journey and the number of stations the passenger passes through.

• Journey Length:
  • Single Station:
    • Silver Card: AED 3
    • Golden Card: 6 AED
    • Personal Card: 3 AED
    • Red Card: 4 AED
  • Two Stations:
    • Silver Card: 5 AED
    • Golden Card: 10 AED
    • Personal Card: 5 AED
    • Red Card: 6 AED
  • More Than Two Stations:
    • Silver Card: 7.5 AED
    • Golden Card: 15 AED
    • Personal Card: 7.5 AED
    • Red Card: 8.5 AED

Please note that the above mentioned public transport fares in Dubai apply to Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, and Public Buses, while taxi fares vary based on the length of the journey.

Dubai Ferry fares also vary, with one-way trips starting from 25 AED for Silver class and 35 AED for Gold class. Additionally, the ferry fare from Dubai to Sharjah is 15 AED for Silver class and 25 AED for Gold class for a one-way trip.

Thus, we have provided a clear and detailed overview of public transportation in Dubai, including its types, fares, and stations. Stay updated on all that's new in the real estate market in the United Arab Emirates on Sky Love's blog in Arabic.