Dubai Metro Timings: First & Last Train Schedules
Verified operational hours, station opening times, and train frequencies across the Dubai Metro Red Line and Green Line networks.
Dubai Metro Weekly Operating Hours
Station gates open approximately 15 minutes before the first scheduled train departure and close immediately after the final service departs.
| Day of Week | First Train | Last Train (Closing) | Applicable Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 05:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Red & Green Lines |
| Friday (Extended Weekend Night) | 05:00 AM | 01:00 AM (Next Day) | Red & Green Lines |
| Saturday | 05:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Red & Green Lines |
| Sunday (Late Morning Start) | 08:00 AM | 12:00 AM (Midnight) | Red & Green Lines |
First & Last Train Times by Terminus Station
The exact departure of the initial and final trains depends on whether you are boarding near a line terminal or an intermediate interchange station:
Red Line Terminal Departures
- Centrepoint Station (R11): First westbound train departs at 05:00 AM (Mon-Sat) / 08:00 AM (Sun). Last train to Expo 2020 departs at 11:20 PM; last train terminating at Jabal Ali departs at 11:50 PM.
- Expo 2020 Station (R76): First eastbound train departs at 05:05 AM (Mon-Sat) / 08:05 AM (Sun). Last train departs at 11:30 PM (Mon-Thu, Sat, Sun) / 12:30 AM (Fri night).
- UAE Exchange Station (R38): First northbound train departs at 05:10 AM (Mon-Sat) / 08:10 AM (Sun). Last train leaves at 11:35 PM / 12:35 AM (Fri).
Green Line Terminal Departures
- Etisalat by e& Station (G11): First southbound train departs at 05:00 AM (Mon-Sat) / 08:00 AM (Sun). Last train to Creek departs at 11:30 PM (Mon-Thu, Sat, Sun) / 12:30 AM (Fri).
- Creek Station (G30): First northbound train departs at 05:05 AM (Mon-Sat) / 08:05 AM (Sun). Last train to Etisalat departs at 11:40 PM / 12:40 AM (Fri).
- Union (Interchange): Final connections between Red and Green lines are held until approximately 11:55 PM (00:55 AM Fri).
The Red Line Branching at Jabal Ali Station
Riders travelling towards southern Dubai should note that the Red Line operates on a **two-branch route** after passing through central Dubai:
Trains departing from Centrepoint alternate in sequence:
- Branch 1 (Route 2020): Runs direct from Centrepoint all the way through DMCC to Expo 2020.
- Branch 2 (Jebel Ali Industrial): Runs direct from Centrepoint terminating at UAE Exchange, or requires a brief cross-platform transfer at Jabal Ali Station (R38) depending on off-peak dispatch times.
Tip: Always check the digital LED destination board on the side of the incoming train carriage before boarding to verify if it is marked for "Expo 2020" or "UAE Exchange".
Train Frequencies & Peak Hour Windows
Peak commuter traffic heading towards DIFC, Downtown, and Deira.
Intensive departures from business clusters toward residential hubs.
Steady regular intervals with synchronized interchange stops.
Sunday Morning Commuter Warning
Unlike the standard 05:00 AM weekday starts, Dubai Metro stations remain locked until 08:00 AM on Sundays. If you have an early morning flight out of Dubai International Airport (DXB) or an early shift before 08:00 AM on Sunday, the metro is unavailable.
Public Holiday & Seasonal Timetable Extensions
RTA frequently issues dedicated service directives for national and religious holidays:
- New Year's Eve (Dec 31 – Jan 1): Operations run continuously for 40 consecutive hours from 08:00 AM on Dec 31 through 00:00 midnight on Jan 1 without interruption to disperse Downtown Dubai fireworks crowds.
- Eid Al Fitr & Eid Al Adha: Metro operations typically extend until 01:00 AM or 02:00 AM across all holiday days.
- Ramadan Timetable: Operating hours generally maintain the standard 05:00 AM to midnight schedule, with bus fleets adjusted around Iftar times. See our dedicated guide below.
Frequently Asked Questions: Metro Timings
What time does the Dubai Metro start running in the morning?
From Monday through Saturday, both Red and Green lines begin service at 05:00 AM. On Sundays, metro operations commence three hours later at 08:00 AM.
What time does the Dubai Metro close at night?
On Monday through Thursday and Saturday, trains stop at 12:00 AM (midnight). On Friday nights, service is extended by one hour until 01:00 AM (Saturday early morning). On Sundays, operations close at 12:00 AM.
How often do Dubai Metro trains arrive during rush hour?
During peak commuter periods (06:30 AM to 09:00 AM and 04:30 PM to 08:00 PM), Red Line trains arrive every 2.5 to 3.5 minutes. Off-peak headways average between 5 and 7 minutes.
Does the Dubai Metro run 24 hours on New Year's Eve or holidays?
Yes. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) routinely announces continuous 24-hour or 40-hour non-stop service for major public events like New Year's Eve and select Eid holidays.
Every fare, schedule, and rule in this guide is referenced against direct primary source documents published by Dubai transit authorities:
- RTA Metro Stations & Train Timings Official Portal— Official real-time operational timetable directly managed by Dubai Rail Agency.
- RTA News & Media Announcements— Official press bulletins on holiday service extensions and major timetable revisions.