From Dubai International (DXB) you can reach the city by Dubai Metro Red Line from Terminals 1 and 3, by taxi from ranks at every terminal, by ride-hailing app, by RTA bus, or by hire car. Terminal 2 has no Metro station according to Dubai Airports, so arrivals there use taxis, ride-hailing or buses. From Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) there is no direct Metro; Dubai Airports points travellers to taxis or to RTA buses that connect with Metro stations.

Key facts

  • Metro: Red Line stations “Airport Terminal 1” and “Airport Terminal 3”. No Metro at Terminal 2 or at DWC.
  • Metro station hours (all lines): Monday–Thursday and Saturday 05:00–midnight; Friday 05:00–01:00 (next day); Sunday 08:00–midnight. Hours may be extended on public holidays.
  • Taxi: Dubai Taxi Company (DTC) taxis at ranks in each terminal, 24/7. Dubai Airports states a starting fare of AED 25 from the airport, plus distance-based charges (checked 2 October 2026).
  • Ride-hailing at DXB: Uber, Careem and Bolt; follow the signs to the pick-up point.
  • Bus: stands at Arrivals in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. A nol card is required; cash is not accepted.
  • DWC buses: route F55 to the EXPO 2020 Metro station and route N55 to Ibn Battuta bus and Metro stations, each every 30 minutes.

Which terminal will I arrive at?

Your terminal decides your options, so check it before you fly. Dubai Airports’ airline directory lists Emirates at Terminal 3, and British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at Terminal 1. flydubai is listed at Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and DWC, so check which one your booking shows. The same directory lists Wizz Air at Terminal 2 and DWC, Transavia at Terminal 2, and Norwegian and TUI fly Netherlands at DWC. Airlines can change terminals, so your booking or the airline is the final word. See our guides to DXB Terminal 1, DXB Terminal 2 and DXB Terminal 3.

Dubai Metro from DXB

The Red Line has two airport stations, named “Airport Terminal 3” and “Airport Terminal 1” on the RTA network. From the airport, the Red Line serves stations including City Centre Deira, Union, BurJuman, World Trade Center, Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta. It then splits into two branches, one ending at Life Pharmacy and the other at EXPO 2020. Change at Union or BurJuman for the Green Line.

Tickets and fares

Red Line tickets and nol cards (Silver and Gold) are sold at ticket offices and vending machines in Terminals 1 and 3. RTA’s fares depend on how many of Dubai’s seven fare zones you travel through:

Ticket One zone Two adjacent zones More than two zones
nol Silver card AED 3 AED 5 AED 7.50
nol Gold card (Gold Class cabin) AED 6 AED 10 AED 15
nol Red ticket (regular) AED 4 AED 6 AED 8.50

A Silver or Gold card costs AED 25, which includes AED 19 of credit. The paper Red ticket costs AED 2 and works on one mode of transport only. You need at least AED 7.50 on a card to check in. Children aged five and under travel free.

Luggage on the Metro

Dubai Airports says you can travel with up to two pieces of luggage, including hand luggage. RTA’s rules set the sizes: one large case no bigger than 81 × 58 × 30 cm and one small case no bigger than 55 × 38 × 20 cm, stowed in the luggage area. If you have more than that, a taxi is the practical choice.

Rules to know

Some cabins are reserved for women and children, and the Gold Class cabin is for Gold card holders only. RTA lists fines for carrying alcoholic drinks (AED 500) and for fare violations (AED 200).

Terminal 2: no Metro station

Dubai Airports lists Metro access at Terminals 1 and 3 only. From Terminal 2, use the taxi rank, a ride-hailing pick-up point or the RTA bus stands at Arrivals.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Dubai Taxi Company runs the airport taxi service around the clock from designated ranks in each terminal. Dubai Airports gives a starting fare of AED 25 with distance-based charges on top; it does not publish a per-kilometre rate, and refers travellers to Dubai Taxi for fare details. Uber, Careem and Bolt also operate at DXB: book in the app and follow the signs to the pick-up area.

Buses from DXB

RTA buses leave from dedicated stands at Arrivals in all three terminals. You must pay with a nol card, which you can buy and top up at the airport terminals and at Metro stations. Dubai Airports does not list route numbers; check routes and timetables with RTA before you travel.

Car hire and parking at DXB

Car hire desks operate in all three terminals. Dubai Airports lists these companies:

Terminal Car hire companies listed
Terminal 1 Yelo, Europcar, Sixt, Dollar, AVIS, National, Thrifty, Autostrad, Hertz, Budget
Terminal 2 Yelo, Dollar, AVIS, Thrifty, Autostrad
Terminal 3 Europcar, Sixt, Dollar, AVIS, National, Thrifty, Autostrad, Hertz

Licence requirements for visitors depend on your nationality and change over time, so confirm them with your hire company and RTA before you travel.

If someone is collecting you, Dubai Airports publishes these daily parking rates (checked 2 October 2026):

Car park Walk to terminal 1 day Each extra day
T1 Car Park A (Premium) 2–3 min AED 125 AED 100
T1 Car Park B (Economy) 7–9 min AED 85 AED 75
T2 Car Park A (Premium) 3–5 min AED 125 AED 100
T2 Car Park B (Economy) 10–12 min AED 70 AED 50
T3 (all levels) 2–3 min AED 125 AED 100

Short stays are charged separately. At Terminals 1 and 3 the premium car parks start at AED 5 for five minutes.

Getting into the city from DWC

Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International has no Metro station of its own. Your options are:

  • Bus to the Metro: route F55 runs to the EXPO 2020 Metro station and route N55 to Ibn Battuta bus and Metro stations, each every 30 minutes. Pay with a nol card; cash is not accepted.
  • Taxi: Dubai Taxi Company is the only taxi provider at DWC. Taxis run 24/7 from the official ranks, with a starting fare of AED 25. You can also book through the Bolt app. Pink-roof taxis with female drivers serve women and families.
  • Car hire: counters in the arrivals area, with AVIS, Hertz, Europcar, National, Dollar and Thrifty listed.

Before you land

  • Check your terminal on your booking, especially with flydubai, which uses three.
  • If you plan to take the Metro or a bus, buy a nol card at the airport and keep at least AED 7.50 on it.
  • For data on arrival, see our guide to UAE SIM cards and eSIMs.
  • Find more about the airport in our Dubai International (DXB) guide.

FAQ

Is there a Metro at DXB Terminal 2?

No. Dubai Airports lists Red Line access at Terminals 1 and 3 only. From Terminal 2, use a taxi, a ride-hailing app or an RTA bus.

What time does the Metro start and finish at the airport?

RTA’s station hours are 05:00 to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 05:00 to 01:00 on Friday night, and 08:00 to midnight on Sunday. Hours may change on public holidays.

How much is a taxi from Dubai airport?

Dubai Airports states a starting fare of AED 25 plus distance-based charges. The total depends on how far you travel.

Can I pay for the bus in cash?

No. Dubai Airports says buses need a nol card and do not accept cash.

Can I take my suitcases on the Metro?

Yes, within limits: two pieces in total, one large (up to 81 × 58 × 30 cm) and one small (up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm), stowed in the luggage area.

How do I get from DWC to the Metro?

Take RTA bus F55 to the EXPO 2020 station or N55 to Ibn Battuta. Both run every 30 minutes and need a nol card.

Can I use Uber or Careem at Dubai airport?

Dubai Airports lists Uber, Careem and Bolt at DXB. At DWC, it lists Bolt for booking Dubai Taxi rides.

Verified from official sources — last checked 2 October 2026. Details can change; confirm with the operator before you travel.