Terminal 1 Metro Station

Line🔴 Red Line

Station IDR14

ZoneZone 1

Operating Hours05:00–00:00

Nol ZoneZone 1

Accessibility♿ Full Access

Status

Station Photos

About Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station

Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station (R14) serves Dubai International Airport's Terminal 1, the departure and arrival point for flydubai, Air Arabia, and dozens of international carriers other than Emirates. The station sits on the Dubai Metro Red Line in Zone 1 and provides a direct connection between the city's metro network and its main aviation hub. For passengers arriving or departing through Terminal 1, this metro station eliminates the need for a taxi or transfer bus for most journeys into central Dubai.

The station opened in September 2009 as part of the original Dubai Metro Red Line launch — the first metro system in the Gulf region. It was designed to handle airport passenger volumes, with wider gates, elevator access throughout, and an air-conditioned underground walkway connecting the station concourse directly to Terminal 1's arrivals and departures halls. Dubai International Airport now consistently ranks among the top three busiest airports in the world by international passenger traffic, making airport terminal 1 metro a critical part of the city's transit infrastructure serving tens of millions of passengers each year.

The station is in Al Garhoud, a mixed-use district on the eastern edge of central Dubai. Al Garhoud sits between the airport complex and the Dubai Creek, with Al Garhoud Road (also known as Airport Road) as the main artery through the area. The neighbourhood includes residential apartment buildings, airport hotels, and Century Mall shopping complex approximately 600 metres from the station entrance. Adjacent stations on the Red Line are Airport Terminal 3 (R13) one stop toward the city, and GGICO (R15) one stop toward Rashidiya.

From Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station, you can reach most of central Dubai without changing trains. BurJuman interchange station — where the Red and Green Lines cross — takes approximately 20 minutes. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station is around 25 minutes. Mall of the Emirates is approximately 35 minutes southwest, and DMCC in Jumeirah Lakes Towers around 42 minutes. For passengers heading further toward Expo City Dubai, the journey is approximately 55–60 minutes along the Red Line. The dxb t1 metro connection also effectively covers Terminal 2, which is physically adjacent to T1 and reachable via a covered walkway inside the airport without going outdoors.

This station serves a wide mix of travellers: departing passengers who use it to avoid airport traffic, arriving passengers heading into the city, airport ground staff, airline crew, and workers in the free zone facilities around Al Garhoud. The metro saves AED 40–70 compared to an airport taxi for most journeys to central Dubai. Using metro from terminal 1 dubai makes particular sense during morning rush hours (07:00–09:00) when road traffic between the airport and downtown can add 30–45 minutes to a taxi journey. The station runs from 05:00 daily — except Fridays when it opens at 10:00 — with trains every 3–4 minutes at peak times.

Opened

September 2009

Platform Type

Underground / Airport terminal

Platform Doors

Yes

Gold Class

Yes (Car 1)

Women & Children Car

Yes (Car 3)

About Al Garhoud — Airport Terminal 1 Metro Area

Al Garhoud is a well-established commercial and residential district in eastern Dubai, positioned between Dubai International Airport and the Dubai Creek. The area is primarily used by airport travellers, airline staff, and workers in the free zone offices and business parks surrounding the airport. Al Garhoud Road — also called Airport Road — is the main artery through the neighbourhood, connecting directly to Sheikh Zayed Road and the city's wider road network.

The area is best known for its airport hotels, including the Novotel Dubai Airport, the Millennium Airport Hotel, and the Crowne Plaza, all within walking distance of the terminal. Century Mall is the main retail and dining venue in Al Garhoud, with a cinema, food court, and standard retail outlets. Hamarain Centre, a smaller community mall, is accessible from GGICO station one stop east. The Al Garhoud Bridge to the south connects the area to Bur Dubai and the older commercial districts of the city. The neighbourhood is also home to several airline offices and aviation-related businesses.

Al Garhoud is not a typical tourist destination but sees high footfall from passengers using terminal 1 metro station as a gateway to the rest of Dubai. Practical tips: if you arrive on a Friday before 10:00 when the metro is closed, RTA taxis queue outside Terminal 1 around the clock. Passengers with long layovers can use the metro to explore Downtown Dubai in under 30 minutes from this station. Street-level exits from the station lead to Al Garhoud Road, where RTA buses 33 and 403 serve the surrounding neighbourhood and connect to areas not covered by the metro.

Red Line — Nearby Stations

Adjacent stations on the line.

Emirates R12 Visit →

Airport Terminal 3 R13 Visit →

Airport Terminal 1 R14 ← You are here

GGICO R15 Visit →

City Centre Deira R16 Visit →

Nearby Places

Verified places at or within walking distance of Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station.

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Dubai International Airport — T1

DXB T1 · Serves flydubai and other carriers · Open 24 hours

Terminal 1 handles flydubai, Air Arabia, and most international carriers other than Emirates (which uses T3). The metro station is directly connected via an air-conditioned underground walkway — no outdoor walking required. The walk from train platform to check-in hall takes approximately 4–6 minutes. Note that an RTA airport surcharge of AED 5.00 is added automatically to your Nol Card fare when boarding or alighting here.

Airport Terminal At Station

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Dubai Duty Free

T1 Arrivals & Departures · Perfumes, electronics, chocolates & more

Dubai Duty Free is one of the world's highest-revenue airport retail operations, stocking perfumes, alcohol, electronics, gold, chocolates and branded clothing. In the departures area it is accessible after passing immigration — allow time for queues. In arrivals, the duty-free section is after baggage claim and before the exit. Prices on spirits and perfumes are generally lower than in city shops.

Duty Free Shopping Inside T1

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Novotel Dubai Airport

Al Garhoud · 4-star hotel directly connected to the terminal complex

The Novotel sits within the airport complex and is accessible via an enclosed walkway without going through customs — useful for transit passengers with longer layovers who need rest. Rooms run AED 500–900 per night depending on season. The hotel has a pool, gym and 24-hour restaurant. Booking in advance is recommended as the property frequently fills during peak travel periods.

★ 4.2 ~5 min walk

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Century Mall Garhoud

Al Garhoud · Community mall with restaurants, retail & cinema

Century Mall is the main shopping and dining centre in Al Garhoud, around 600 metres from the station exit. It has a cinema multiplex, a food court with international chains, a Carrefour supermarket, and standard retail. Open daily 10:00–22:00 (until 23:00 Thursday–Friday). Useful for passengers with time to spare before a flight or workers in the Al Garhoud area wanting dining options away from the terminal.

Shopping Mall ~600m walk

How to Get to Airport Terminal 1 from the Dubai Metro

Follow these four steps to move between the metro and the airport terminal without confusion. The entire process from train to arrivals hall takes under 10 minutes.

Exit the Red Line train at Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station. Doors open on both sides — check the overhead platform signs to confirm you are at the right station before the doors close. The platform is underground and fully air-conditioned.
Tap your Silver or Gold Nol Card at the exit gates. An RTA airport surcharge of AED 5.00 is added automatically to your journey when boarding or alighting at either airport metro station. This is charged once per trip, not per gate tap.
An air-conditioned underground walkway connects the metro station directly to Terminal 1's arrivals and departures halls. Follow the clearly marked green and white signs for "Terminal 1". No outdoor walking is required at any point.
The underground walkway takes approximately 4–6 minutes on foot. Moving walkways and elevators are available throughout. If travelling with heavy luggage use the elevators — they are located at both ends of the walkway and beside every set of gates.

Important for departing passengers: Allow at least 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights. Factor in metro travel time plus check-in, immigration, and security. During peak hours (06:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00) trains run every 3–4 minutes. The metro saves AED 40–70 compared to an airport taxi for most journeys.

Getting There

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By Metro

Red Line, Station R14. Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10:00–01:00 (Friday).

Red Line R14

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By Bus

RTA bus routes 33, 403 serve this station.

Route 33 connects Al Garhoud with central Deira and runs at roughly 20-minute intervals during the day, providing access to the areas around the Creek and Deira residential neighbourhoods. Route 403 covers the Airport Free Zone and Garhoud area to the east. Both accept Nol Card — Zone 1 fare AED 3.00 Silver. For most airport passengers, the metro is faster than the bus into central Dubai.

33403

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By Taxi / Ride-Hail

RTA taxis available at the station exit. Uber and Careem also serve this area. Use the RTA app for journey planning and fare estimates.

Airport taxis have a fixed AED 20 metered start; typical total fares from T1: BurJuman / Deira AED 45–60; Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa AED 55–75; DIFC / Financial Centre AED 65–85; Dubai Marina AED 85–110; Sharjah city AED 35–55. The metro costs AED 8.00 Silver including the airport surcharge to most central Dubai stations, making it significantly cheaper. Uber and Careem pickup is from the Ground Transportation area — check the app for designated pickup zones at T1.

Walking Distances from Station

Connected

Dubai International Airport T1

Airport

200m

flydubai Terminal

Airport

800m

Al Garhoud Bridge

Landmark

600m

Century Mall

Shopping

400m

Airport Free Zone Offices

Business

Nol Card Fares from Airport Terminal 1 — Zone 1

Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station is in Zone 1 of the Dubai Metro fare system. All fares from this station include the RTA airport surcharge of AED 5.00 automatically added on top of the standard zone fare. The table below shows Silver and Gold Nol Card totals to the most common destinations.

Destination	Metro Station	Silver Nol Card	Gold Nol Card
Airport Terminal 3 (inter-terminal)	Terminal 3 (R13)	AED 8.00	AED 11.00
Deira / Al Rigga	Al Rigga (R11)	AED 8.00	AED 11.00
BurJuman (Red/Green interchange)	BurJuman (R20)	AED 8.00	AED 11.00
Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa	Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (R23)	AED 8.00	AED 11.00
Mall of the Emirates	Mall of the Emirates (R25)	AED 10.00	AED 15.00
Jumeirah Lakes Towers / Marina	DMCC (R27)	AED 10.00	AED 15.00
Expo City Dubai	Expo 2020 (R35)	AED 11.50	AED 18.00

Fares shown are for Nol Card holders and include the AED 5.00 airport surcharge applicable at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 stations. 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. The airport surcharge counts toward your daily cap total.

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 including Airport Terminal 1. It works on all RTA transport including metro, bus, tram, and water bus. Even with the airport surcharge, the metro costs far less than a taxi for most Dubai journeys.

✦ Visitor Tips

Practical advice for using this station.

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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.

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Airport Surcharge Applies

An RTA airport surcharge of AED 5.00 is added automatically when boarding or alighting at either airport metro station, on top of the standard zone fare.

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours for Airport Terminal 1 Station?

Airport Terminal 1 operates 05:00–00:00 Monday to Thursday and Saturday to Sunday. On Fridays the station opens later: 10:00–01:00. Trains run every 3–7 minutes at peak times and every 7–10 minutes off-peak.

How do I top up my Nol Card at this station?

Nol Card vending machines are installed at all Dubai Metro stations and accept cash and bank cards for self-service top-ups around the clock. For card purchase or account registration, visit an RTA customer service counter at a major station or the rta.ae website.

Is there an airport surcharge on the Dubai Metro?

Yes. An additional AED 5.00 airport surcharge is applied whenever you start or end a journey at Airport Terminal 1 (R14) or Airport Terminal 3 (R13). It is deducted automatically from your Nol Card balance.

Where is Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station?

Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station (R14) is on the Red Line, directly connected to Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 — the home of flydubai and other airlines. It is between GGICO (R15) and Airport Terminal 3 (R13). Note: an extra AED 5 airport surcharge applies to journeys starting or ending here.

How do I get from Airport Terminal 1 Metro to the Dubai Metro Red Line?

Airport Terminal 1 (R14) is already on the Red Line. From the station, take any Red Line train toward Expo 2020 direction to reach central Dubai stops like BurJuman, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, and Mall of the Emirates. Journey to BurJuman takes approximately 20 minutes.

Which exit should I use at Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station?

Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station has two main exits. The primary exit leads directly via the underground walkway into Terminal 1 arrivals and departures — this is the one to use for all airport-related travel. A second exit leads to the street level in Al Garhoud for passengers heading to nearby hotels and Century Mall. For the airport terminal, follow the signs marked "Terminal 1" inside the station concourse. The RTA Dubai app shows numbered exit locations on its station map.

Can I bring a suitcase or large luggage on the Dubai Metro at Airport Terminal 1?

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). Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station 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.

What is the Nol Card daily cap and how does it work at Airport Terminal 1?

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. The AED 5.00 airport surcharge counts toward your daily cap total. You can check your current day spend in the RTA Dubai app or at any ticket machine at Airport Terminal 1 Metro Station.

How much is the airport surcharge on the Dubai Metro?

An RTA airport surcharge of AED 5.00 is automatically added to your Nol Card fare when you board or alight at either Dubai International Airport metro station (Terminal 1 or Terminal 3). The surcharge is charged once per trip, not per gate tap. For example a journey from Airport Terminal 1 to Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall) costs AED 3.00 in zone fares plus AED 5.00 airport surcharge, totalling AED 8.00 with a Silver Nol Card. The surcharge applies to all Nol Card types including Silver, Gold, and the Blue daily ticket.

Is there a direct metro connection between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3?

Yes. Terminal 1 (Station R14) and Terminal 3 (Station R13) are directly connected by the Red Line — they are adjacent stations, one stop apart. The journey takes approximately 3–4 minutes and costs AED 3.00 with a Silver Nol Card plus the AED 5.00 airport surcharge. This inter-terminal metro connection is the fastest way to transfer between terminals at Dubai International Airport, significantly quicker than the airport shuttle bus during busy periods.