Line🟢 Green Line
Station IDG23
ZoneZone 1
Fare (Silver)AED 3.00
Fare (Gold)AED 6.00
Operating Hours05:00–00:00
Accessibility♿ Full Access
Status
Al Ras Metro platform
Al Ras Metro Station, Dubai
Al Ras station entrance

About Al Ras Metro Station

Al Ras Metro Station (G23) is the Green Line stop for Old Deira's heritage district, sitting on Baniyas Road in Zone 1 at the edge of one of Dubai's most historically significant neighbourhoods. The station is the closest metro point to the Spice Souq, the Creek abra crossings and the Al Ahmadiya School Museum — Dubai's oldest school. For visitors exploring the heritage trail that links Deira's old streets to Bur Dubai across the Creek, Al Ras is the natural starting point.

Al Ras Metro Station opened in September 2011 with the Green Line. Unlike the modern commercial districts served by most of the Red Line, Al Ras drops passengers directly into the pre-oil Dubai that most visitors want to experience: narrow lanes, spice merchants, textile traders and the creek waterfront where wooden dhow boats still load and unload cargo. The station sees a mix of tourists, heritage district workers and Deira residents throughout the day.

The station sits on Baniyas Road with The George Hotel directly beside it. A 10-minute walk north leads to the Heritage House and Al Ahmadiya School Museum (both free entry). Another 5 minutes brings you to the Deira Old Souq Abra Station, where traditional wooden boats cross to Bur Dubai for AED 1 per person — one of the cheapest and most atmospheric transport links in the city. The dhow wharfage along the Creek is accessible along the same waterfront route.

From Al Ras Metro Station you can reach Gold Souq Metro Station (G22) in about 2 minutes heading toward Etisalat; Al Ghubaiba (G24, the major bus interchange for old Bur Dubai) is one stop in the opposite direction and about 3 minutes away. Union Metro Station (G20/R20) — the Green–Red Line interchange — is roughly 6 minutes north. BurJuman (G26/R26) is around 8 minutes south on the Green Line.

Al Ras Metro Station is used most heavily by heritage tourists, Deira souq traders, budget hotel guests staying near Baniyas Road and locals who live in the old neighbourhood. The Zone 1 Silver Nol Card fare of AED 3.00 covers this station to most Green Line stops and to Red Line stations within Zone 1. A practical tip: the walk from Al Ras through the old souq lanes to Al Ghubaiba takes about 20 minutes and covers the best of the Deira heritage trail — a worthwhile alternative to taking the metro for one stop.

Opened
September 2011
Platform Type
Elevated
Platform Doors
Yes
Gold Class
Yes (Car 1)
Women & Children Car
Yes (Car 3)

About Old Deira — Al Ras Metro Station Area

The Al Ras neighbourhood is the oldest continuously inhabited part of Dubai, centred on the creek waterfront where the city began as a fishing and pearl-diving settlement. Today the area still functions as a working district: the Spice Souq trades saffron, frankincense and dried limes in open sacks; textile traders line the lanes behind Baniyas Road; and dhow boats still moor along the Creek, loading cargo bound for Iran, East Africa and India. Al Ras Metro Station (G23) sits at the edge of this district, putting the entire heritage trail within walking distance.

The Al Ahmadiya School Museum and Heritage House, both free to enter, are around 10 minutes on foot and offer a well-curated glimpse into early 20th-century Emirati domestic and educational life. From the museum, the Deira Old Souq Abra Station is a further 5 minutes along the Creek waterfront — the AED 1 abra crossing to Al Ghubaiba on the Bur Dubai side takes about 5 minutes and lands you near the Textile Souq and Al Fahidi historical district.

Visitors planning the full heritage circuit can ride the Green Line to Al Ras, walk the old Deira souqs and Creek waterfront, cross by abra to Al Ghubaiba, explore Al Fahidi and the Textile Souq, then catch the metro back from Al Ghubaiba (G24) — covering the most historically rich parts of Dubai without a taxi. Early morning on weekdays is the quietest time; Fridays after Jumu'ah prayer can see the souq lanes at their liveliest.

Green Line — Nearby Stations

Adjacent stations on the line.

 Baniyas Square G21 Visit →
Gold Souq G22 Visit →
Al Ras G23 ← You are here
Al Ghudaiba G24 Visit →
Sharaf DG G25 Visit →

Nearby Places

Verified places within walking distance of Al Ras Metro Station.

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Al Bait Al Qadeem Restaurant

Al Ras · Traditional Emirati & seafood · Inside a heritage building beside Heritage House · Open daily 08:00–22:00

★ 4.5 ~12 min walk

Set inside a restored heritage building next to the Heritage House museum, Al Bait Al Qadeem is one of the few places in Dubai to eat traditional Emirati seafood in an authentic setting. Dishes run from AED 40–90 per person. Combine it with a museum visit — both occupy the same heritage lane, and the restaurant is a natural end point for the Al Ahmadiya heritage walk.

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The George Hotel by Saffron

Baniyas Rd, Al Ras · Creek-facing hotel · Guests note it is on the main road near Al Ras Metro

★ 3.9 ~5 min walk

Directly on Baniyas Road beside the station, The George Hotel is a budget option popular with visitors who want to walk to the Spice Souq and Creek rather than commute from a newer district. Rates are lower than comparable hotels in newer areas, and the metro access from the front door makes airport arrivals straightforward. Book early during Dubai Shopping Festival season.

⛵

Abra — Deira Old Souq Station

Baniyas Rd · Traditional creek ferry to Bur Dubai · AED 1 per person · Runs daily

★ 4.7 ~10 min walk

The AED 1 wooden abra from the Deira Old Souq station crosses the Creek to Al Ghubaiba on the Bur Dubai side in about 5 minutes, landing you at the Textile Souq and a short walk from Al Fahidi historical district. Boats run continuously from early morning until midnight. It is the cheapest way to cross the Creek and a more atmospheric option than the nearby water taxi at higher prices.

💊

Ras Al Khor Pharmacy

Baniyas Rd, near Abra · "The only pharmacy in Al Ras area" · Open daily 08:00–01:00

★ 4.6 ~8 min walk

Described by regular customers as the only pharmacy serving the Al Ras area, this Baniyas Road branch is open from 08:00 to 01:00 daily. For anyone staying in the heritage district hotels or working in the old souq lanes, it is the most practical option for prescriptions and basic medicines without needing to travel to a larger shopping area.

How to Use Al Ras Metro Metro Station

Here is a straightforward guide to entering, navigating, and exiting Al Ras Metro Station whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular commuter.

  1. Look for the Dubai Metro logo (red M on white background) on street signage. Al Ras Metro has multiple exits — check which exit is closest to your destination before entering. Exit maps are displayed at the top of the stairs and beside the gates.

  2. Tap your Silver or Gold Nol Card on the reader at the entrance gate. The gate will display your remaining balance. If your balance is below AED 3.00 the gate will not open — top up at the vending machines beside the gates before entering.

  3. Check the overhead direction signs on the platform. On the Red Line trains run towards Centrepoint (Rashidiya) in one direction and towards UAE Exchange / Expo City in the other. On the Green Line trains run towards Etisalat by e& or towards Creek. Confirm your direction on the station map before the train arrives.

  4. Stand behind the yellow safety line until the train stops and doors open. Let passengers exit first then board. Tap your Nol Card at the exit gates at your destination — forgetting to tap out results in the maximum fare being charged for that journey.

Nol Card tip: If you are visiting Dubai for more than 2 days a Silver Nol Card (AED 25 including AED 19 travel credit) saves money compared to buying individual paper tickets. It works on metro, bus, tram, and water bus across all of Dubai. Available at every metro station vending machine.

Getting There

🚇

By Metro

Green Line, Station G23. Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10:00–01:00 (Friday).

Green Line G23
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By Bus

Route 4 runs from Al Ras through Bur Dubai and along the Satwa corridor, connecting the heritage district to the southern part of the city with departures every 15–20 minutes. Route C10 is a Creek corridor circular serving old Deira, Baniyas Road and Al Ghubaiba — useful for short hops between heritage area bus stops without using the metro. Both routes accept Nol Card; the Zone 1 fare of AED 3.00 covers bus and metro on the same card.

4C10
🚕

By Taxi / Ride-Hail

RTA taxis are available near the station on Baniyas Road. Approximate fares from Al Ras Metro Station: Al Ghubaiba / Al Fahidi (AED 12–18, though the abra is AED 1 and faster for that crossing), Gold Souq / DCC (AED 15–22), BurJuman (AED 18–25), Downtown Dubai (AED 35–50), Terminal 1 Dubai Airport (AED 35–50), Terminal 3 (AED 40–55), Sharjah (AED 20–30). Uber and Careem are available throughout the area.

Walking Distances from Station

~5 min
The George Hotel & Bhatkal Restaurant
Baniyas Rd · On main road near station
~8 min
Ras Al Khor Pharmacy
Baniyas Rd · Only pharmacy in Al Ras area
~10 min
Deira Abra Station (Dubai Creek ferry)
AED 1 crossing to Bur Dubai · Runs daily
~12 min
Al Ahmadiya School Museum & Heritage House
Free entry · Dubai's oldest school
~12 min
Deira Spice Souq & textile markets
Historic souq lanes of old Deira

Nol Card Fares from Al Ras Metro — Zone 1

Al Ras Metro is in Zone 1 of the Dubai Metro fare system. Your fare depends on how many zones your journey crosses. The table below shows Silver and Gold Nol Card fares to the most common destinations from this station.

Destination Metro Station Silver Nol Card Gold Nol Card
Dubai International Airport T1Terminal 1 (R14)AED 8.00AED 11.00
BurJuman (interchange)BurJuman (R20)AED 3.00AED 6.00
Downtown Dubai / Burj KhalifaBurj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (R23)AED 3.00AED 6.00
Mall of the EmiratesMall of the Emirates (R25)AED 5.00AED 10.00
Jumeirah Lakes TowersDMCC (R27)AED 5.00AED 10.00
Union (interchange)Union (R19)AED 3.00AED 6.00
Expo City DubaiExpo 2020 (R35)AED 6.50AED 13.00

Fares shown are for Nol Card holders. Red Paper Tickets cost approximately 50% more per journey. Children under 5 travel free. A daily spending cap of AED 20 (Silver) and AED 40 (Gold) protects frequent travellers — once you hit the cap all further journeys that day are free. Airport stations carry an additional RTA airport surcharge of AED 5.00 per trip.

Best value: A Silver Nol Card costs AED 25 total (AED 6 card fee + AED 19 travel credit) and is available at every metro station vending machine. It works on all RTA transport including metro, bus, tram, and water bus. For stays of 5 or more days it saves significantly over paper tickets.

✦ Visitor Tips

Practical advice for using this station.

💳

Use a Nol Card

Top up your Nol Card at station vending machines (cash or card accepted). Zone 1 applies here — AED 3.00 (Silver) / AED 6.00 (Gold) per single journey. A daily fare cap protects frequent travellers.

🕐

Operating Hours

Metro runs 05:00–00:00 Monday–Thursday and Saturday–Sunday. On Fridays the service starts late: 10:00–01:00. Plan accordingly for early Friday mornings.

🕌

Old Dubai Heritage Area

Dress modestly when visiting the nearby souqs and heritage sites. Bargaining is customary in traditional markets. Friday afternoons are particularly lively near the creek waterfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

Al Ras Metro Station operates 05:00–00:00 Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday. On Fridays the station opens at 10:00 and closes at 01:00. Trains run every 3–7 minutes at peak times and every 7–10 minutes off-peak.
Al Ras Metro Station (G23) is on Baniyas Road in the Al Ras area of old Deira. GPS: 25.2621° N, 55.2939° E. From the station, a 10–12 minute walk leads to Al Ahmadiya School Museum (free, Dubai's oldest school), Heritage House, and the Deira Abra station where traditional wooden boats cross Dubai Creek to Bur Dubai for AED 1.
The Gold Souq is most directly reached from Gold Souq Metro Station (G22), which is one stop from Al Ras on the Green Line. However, from Al Ras you can also walk through the heritage lanes of old Deira — the Spice Souq and textile markets are about 12 minutes on foot, and the Gold Souq is another 5 minutes beyond that. The heritage walk route is the more scenic option.
From Al Ras Metro Station, walk approximately 10 minutes north along Baniyas Road to reach the Deira Old Souq Abra Station. Traditional wooden abra boats cross Dubai Creek to Bur Dubai for AED 1 per person (cash only). The crossing takes about 5 minutes and runs throughout the day and evening. It is one of the most iconic and affordable experiences in Dubai.
Yes. The George Hotel by Saffron on Baniyas Road is approximately 5 minutes' walk from Al Ras Metro Station — guests specifically mention the station in reviews. Hyba Palace Heritage Hotel is on 13A Street in Al Ras (~12 min walk) and is described in reviews as "right outside the metro station" — a boutique heritage property in a restored building.
Al Ras Metro has multiple exits. Check the exit map displayed at the top of the stairs inside the station, or use the RTA Dubai app which shows numbered exit locations on a map. The app will suggest the exit closest to your specific destination. If in doubt, station staff near the gates can advise on the quickest route out.
Yes, passengers are permitted to bring personal luggage including standard suitcases on the Dubai Metro. Each train has designated luggage areas near the doors. Large or oversized items are not allowed during peak hours (06:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00 on weekdays). Al Ras Metro has elevators and wide corridors making it suitable for passengers with luggage. Keep bags out of the aisles and do not place them on seats.
The RTA Nol Card daily cap is AED 20 for Silver Card holders and AED 40 for Gold Card holders. Once your spending reaches the cap in a single calendar day all further metro journeys that day are free. The cap resets at midnight. This makes the Nol Card excellent value for people making multiple trips in one day. The cap applies to metro, bus, tram, and water bus journeys combined. You can check your current day spend in the RTA Dubai app or at any ticket machine.
During peak hours (06:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00 on weekdays) trains at Al Ras Metro run every 3–4 minutes on the Red Line and every 5–7 minutes on the Green Line. During off-peak daytime hours trains run every 7–10 minutes. On Fridays before 13:00 the metro opens later and trains run less frequently. Real-time train arrival information is displayed on the platform screens and in the RTA Dubai app.
RTA bus routes 4, C10 stop directly at or within 200 metres of Al Ras Metro Metro Station. Bus routes connect this station to residential areas and destinations not directly served by the metro. Use the RTA S'hail app for real-time bus schedules and route planning from Al Ras Metro.