Dubai Metro Map

Travel by Dubai Metro

Dubai Metro is one of the newest metro systems in the world is already proving to be one of the lifelines of a truly sprawling commercial city not to mention the glitz and glamour attached to it thus making it a must-see for all tourists. More than anything else, the Dubai Metro is proof of the fact that in spite of the financial crisis it is possible for a metropolis like Dubai to come up with amazing wonders which make dreams come true. In fact when the Dubai Metro was mapped out, no one believed it would be ever completed. And now, with future infrastructure mapped out to extend the lines, the Dubai Metro has become a staple transport offering across the city.

As the Dubai Metro presently covers 30 stations and is slated to be extended even further it is one of the best ways to travel within the city not only for its residents but for tourists as well. The journey commences with buying of a ticket and there are a number of travel cards depending on how much you will travel. Acquiring a ticket at Dubai Metro is not only fast and easy but convenient as well since the card can be used at every metro station or linked feeder or water buses and can also be topped up at all metro stations and bus stops any where in Dubai.

The Dubai Metro sits above the city and offers great views of Sheikh Zayed Road for example. You chuckle to yourself when you realise you have don';t have to go through the traffic! All the stations are pretty individual and the transport is super efficient - and also driverless - an impeccable transport system. In years gone by you would have thought this was a city in the Far East. But Dubai has gone one step further than Singapore. The Dubai Metro is amazing and is one of the things you must experience to get a new feel for this evolving city.

The Dubai Metro commenced operation with its red line and gradually the green and blue lines came in to force with the purple and yellow still being in planning stages. While the red and green lines run underground and on elevated railway tracks, all the trains as well as the stations are air conditioned and fitted with platform edge doors. Governed by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, after the final completion of the project the Dubai Metro will have lines running as long as 70 kilometres and will touch as many as 47 stations with 9 of them being underground.

Every train included in the Dubai Metro is a five-car train built by Japanese manufacturer Kinki Sharyo and at present there are as many as 87 such driverless and fully automated trains each boasting a capacity of 643 passengers both seated and standing. All trains offer three classes of accommodation namely Gold class, Women and children class and Silver Class which is economy. Support staff in form of trained wardens is present to help in case of emergency situations.

Dubai Metro from Adrian Hickey on Vimeo.

• A ticket of Dubai Metro is flexible enough to be used in bus and taxi feeder points as well.
• The four themes on which the interior of the stations are based are fire, air, earth and water and this is the deciding factor for the colour of the station.
• There is a minimum charge to get to a metro station by taxi which is 10 dhs. This is the minimum charge of the taxi, so bear that in mind to your overall cost. That said, taking the metro is cheap and efficient. Bear that in mind when choosing your hotel
• If you are going to take more than one journey, but a nol card on which you can add cash. Ask the staff which one is best for you and your family.

When –The Dubai Metro is open from 6am to 11pm (midnight on Thursday and Friday)

How long – The trains travel at the speed of 90 kilometres per hour and while a red line train takes 2 hours and 23 minutes for completion of a round trip, a green line takes 1 hour 23 minutes for the same. The Dubai Metro is quick!

Location –Across 40 metro stations which are currently operating the train can be taken at any one.  See the map above.

Cost –The cost of travelling in the Dubai Metro depends on class being travelled, distance etc, but even a maximum single journey is 6 Dhs.

More info –Detailed information pertaining to Dubai Metro can be acquired at www.rta.ae.