Union
Central interchange with the Green Line in the heart of Deira, one of the busiest stations on the network.
Green Line
Operating since 2009
Dubai Metro Network
Dubai Metro Red Line
The backbone of Dubai's rail network: 35 stations along Sheikh Zayed Road linking the airport with Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali, and Expo City, all visible on the Dubai Map.
Opening year
2009
The UAE's first metro line, opened 9 September 2009.
Stations
35
29 on the main line and 6 on the Route 2020 branch.
Line length
~67 km
About 52 km main line plus the 15 km Route 2020 branch.
Top speed
110 km/h
Fully automated, driverless operation.
History
History of the Dubai Metro Red Line
Conceived in the early 2000s as part of Dubai's long term urban mobility vision, the Red Line became the UAE's first large scale rail project and one of the world's earliest fully automated, driverless metro systems.
2006
Construction begins
Work starts on the UAE's first large scale rail transit project, designed to reduce road congestion and support rapid economic and population growth.
9 September 2009
Official opening
The Red Line opens with its first ten stations along Sheikh Zayed Road, introducing driverless metro travel to the region.
28 April 2010
Red Line construction declared complete
Construction of all 29 original stations is declared complete, with the remaining stations opening in stages through 2010 and early 2011 to connect the airport with the city's business and residential corridors.
2011
Green Line interchanges established
The launch of the Green Line creates interchange stations at Union and BurJuman, confirming the Red Line as the backbone of the network.
1 January 2021
Route 2020 extension enters service
The 15 km Route 2020 branch from National Paints enters passenger service, serving several residential and investment focused communities on the way to Expo City Dubai.
2029
Blue Line integration
The Dubai Metro Blue Line, now under construction, will interchange with the Red Line at Centrepoint when it opens, targeted for 9 September 2029.
2032
Gold Line interchanges approved
The Dubai Metro Gold Line, approved in April 2026 as Dubai's first fully underground line, will add two further Red Line interchanges at Business Bay and Jumeirah Golf Estates when it opens, targeted for 9 September 2032.
Key Figures
Dubai Metro Red Line in Numbers
The essential figures behind Dubai's longest metro line, from route length and branches to frequency and future connections.
Branches
2 branches
Life Pharmacy and Expo City termini beyond the National Paints split.
Key interchanges
5+ stations
Union, BurJuman, National Paints, DMCC, and Sobha Realty.
End to end travel time
~65 to 75 minutes
Centrepoint to Life Pharmacy or Expo City, depending on branch.
Peak frequency
As low as 2.5 minutes
Between trains during peak hours.
Train type
Fully automated, driverless
Set a 2011 Guinness World Record as the world's longest driverless metro line.
Network ridership
About 1 million daily
Dubai Metro carried 294.7 million riders in 2025, up 7 percent on 2024.
Station Guide
All 35 Red Line Stations
The full line from Centrepoint to both western termini, in order of travel. Interchange stations are marked so you can see where the Red Line meets the rest of the network.
Airport & Central Dubai
Centrepoint to Business Bay, 16 stations.
- Centrepoint Terminus Future Blue Line
- Emirates
- Airport Terminal 3
- Airport Terminal 1
- Al Garhoud
- City Centre Deira
- Al Rigga
- Union Green Line
- BurJuman Green Line
- ADCB
- Max
- World Trade Centre
- Emirates Towers
- Financial Centre
- Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall
- Business Bay Future Gold Line
Sheikh Zayed Road & Jebel Ali
ONPASSIVE to Life Pharmacy, 13 stations.
- ONPASSIVE
- Equiti
- Mall of the Emirates
- InsuranceMarket
- Dubai Internet City
- Al Fardan Exchange
- Sobha Realty Dubai Tram
- DMCC Dubai Tram
- National Paints Branch Split
- Ibn Battuta
- Energy
- Danube
- Life Pharmacy Terminus
Route 2020 Branch
Branches from National Paints (formerly Jabal Ali) to Expo City, 6 stations.
- The Gardens
- Discovery Gardens
- Al Furjan
- Jumeirah Golf Estates Future Gold Line
- Dubai Investment Park
- Expo City Terminus
Dubai Map
The Red Line on the Dubai Map
The Dubai Metro Red Line is fully visualized on the Dubai Map, showing its complete route, all 35 stations, interchange points, and both branches to Life Pharmacy and Expo City. The map also includes the Green Line, the under-construction Blue Line, the Dubai Tram, the Palm Monorail, and the approved Gold Line in one unified view.
Follow the route to see exactly where the Red Line intersects the upcoming Blue Line at Centrepoint, where the approved Gold Line will add interchanges at Business Bay and Jumeirah Golf Estates from 2032, and which residential and commercial communities sit within reach of each station before you shortlist an area.
Connections
Key Interchange Stations
Where the Red Line meets the rest of Dubai's rail network. Each interchange puts the surrounding district on two corridors at once.
BurJuman
Second Green Line interchange, linking the Red Line corridor with Bur Dubai and the historic Creek districts.
Green LineNational Paints
The branch point where the Route 2020 extension splits from the main line toward Expo City Dubai.
Route 2020 branchDMCC
Direct link to the Dubai Tram, connecting the Red Line with JBR and the Dubai Marina waterfront.
Dubai TramSobha Realty
Second tram interchange serving Dubai Marina, giving residents street level access across the Marina and Al Sufouh.
Dubai TramCentrepoint
The eastern terminus, where the Blue Line, now under construction, will interchange with the Red Line from 2029.
Future Blue LineBusiness Bay
Planned Gold Line interchange from 2032, putting the district on the Red Line and Dubai's first fully underground line.
Future Gold LineJumeirah Golf Estates
Planned Gold Line terminus on the Route 2020 branch, with a future link to the national Etihad Rail network.
Future Gold LineWhy It Matters
The Red Line and Dubai Property
The Red Line runs through Dubai's most established investment corridors. Three things worth checking on the map before you shortlist a community.
Prime corridor coverage
The line serves Downtown, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina directly, so communities near its stations sit in the districts with the deepest tenant demand.
Interchange advantage
Districts around Union, BurJuman, DMCC, and Centrepoint sit on two corridors at once, giving residents faster access across the city in every direction.
Expo City corridor
The Route 2020 branch serves residential and investment focused communities that continue to mature as the Expo City district develops.
Explore the Network
Other Lines on the Network
The Red Line is one part of a growing rail network. Explore every line across the system, from the metro lines to the tram and monorail, all visible on the Dubai Map.
Green Line
Serves historic Dubai and the city's densest districts, meeting the Red Line at Union and BurJuman.
Explore the Dubai Metro Green LineBlue Line
Under construction since 2025 and targeted to open in 2029, interchanging with the Red Line at Centrepoint.
Explore the Dubai Metro Blue LineGold Line
Approved in April 2026 and targeted for 2032, Dubai's first fully underground line, meeting the Red Line at Business Bay and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Explore the Dubai Metro Gold LineDubai Tram
Street level system serving Dubai Marina, JBR, and Al Sufouh, linked to the Red Line at DMCC and Sobha Realty.
Explore the Dubai TramPalm Monorail
Runs the length of Palm Jumeirah from the Gateway to Atlantis, linked to the Dubai Tram near the trunk of the island.
Explore the Palm Jumeirah MonorailRed Line
The backbone of the network and the line covered on this page, running east to west along Sheikh Zayed Road.
See the Red Line on the Dubai MapFAQ
Dubai Metro Red Line Frequently Asked Questions
The Dubai Metro Red Line is the main east west metro corridor in Dubai, connecting Dubai International Airport with major business districts, residential areas, Jebel Ali, and Expo City Dubai through a fully automated, driverless rail system.
The Red Line is approximately 67 kilometers in total, combining the roughly 52 km main line with the 15 km Route 2020 branch, making it the longest metro line in Dubai and one of the longest driverless metro lines in the world.
The Dubai Metro Red Line has 35 stations, including interchange stations with the Green Line, Dubai Tram, Route 2020, and future connections to the Blue Line and Gold Line.
The Red Line connects key areas such as Dubai International Airport, Deira, Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali, and Expo City Dubai.
Route 2020 is an extension of the Red Line that branches from National Paints station (formerly Jabal Ali) and connects directly to Expo City Dubai. It opened in 2021 and serves several residential and investment focused communities along the corridor.
The Dubai Metro Blue Line, under construction since 2025 with opening targeted for 2029, will connect with the Red Line at Centrepoint station. This interchange and the full connection can be viewed on the Dubai Map on this page.
Yes. All Dubai Metro Red Line stations, branches, interchanges, and connections are fully visible on the Dubai Map, alongside other metro lines, tram routes, and the Palm Monorail.
Yes. The Red Line operates as a fully automated, driverless metro system, with onboard staff present for passenger assistance and safety.
End to end travel time on the Red Line typically ranges between 65 and 75 minutes, depending on the destination branch and service pattern.
The Red Line supports Dubai's long term urban growth by improving mobility, reducing road congestion, and enabling transit oriented development across major business and residential corridors.
Yes. The Gold Line, approved in April 2026 and targeted to open in 2032, is planned to add two new Red Line interchanges at Business Bay and Jumeirah Golf Estates, and to link the Dubai Metro with the national Etihad Rail network. It is planned as Dubai's first fully underground metro line.
Questions about communities along the Red Line?
Tohid Fetrat
Dubai Real Estate Advisor
The Opus by Omniyat, Business Bay