Line🔴 Red Line
Station IDR17
ZoneZone 1
Operating Hours05:00–00:00
Nol ZoneZone 1
Accessibility♿ Full Access
Status
Al Rigga Metro platform
Al Rigga Metro Station, Dubai
Al Rigga station entrance

About Al Rigga Metro Station — Red Line, Deira

Al Rigga metro station (R21) is on the Red Line in Nol Zone 1, located in the heart of the Al Rigga and Al Muraqabbat districts of Deira. The station takes its name from Al Rigga Street — one of the most commercially active streets in old Deira, lined with budget hotels, restaurants, currency exchange offices, mobile phone shops, and tailoring businesses. The station is elevated, with platform doors and full accessibility including lifts at each exit. It sits between Union interchange (R18) to the west and Max (R21) to the east on the Red Line.

The station opened in September 2009 as part of the original Red Line launch. Al Rigga is consistently one of the higher-usage non-interchange Red Line stations in Deira, drawing commuters and residents from the surrounding neighbourhood as well as visitors staying in the area's many budget and mid-range hotels. The station serves an important function as a feeder point for the Creek and Al Ghurair Centre, both within walking distance.

The station is positioned on Omar Ibn Al Khattab Road at the intersection with Al Rigga Street. Al Ghurair Centre — one of Dubai's oldest shopping malls — is approximately 800 metres north along Al Rigga Street, about a 10-minute walk. The Dubai Creek and the abra (water taxi) crossing to Bur Dubai are approximately 1.5 kilometres south. Deira City Centre mall is two stops east on the Red Line at City Centre Deira station (R22).

From the al rigga metro station, key destinations are well-connected: Union interchange is 3 minutes west for Green Line access to Old Dubai; Gold Souq station is one stop east on the Green Line via Union; Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall is approximately 20 minutes southwest on the Red Line; Dubai International Airport T3 is approximately 15 minutes east. Al Ghurair Centre's covered mall provides an air-conditioned walking shortcut on hot days to reach several hotels and the Hyatt Regency without full street exposure.

The metro near al ghurair centre connection here is particularly useful for visitors staying in the Al Rigga hotel corridor — one of Dubai's highest concentrations of budget and mid-range accommodation. First-time visitors should note that Exit 1 faces Omar Ibn Al Khattab Road and Exit 2 faces Al Rigga Street toward the currency exchanges and restaurants. Use Exit 2 for Al Ghurair Centre and Exit 1 for the Creek direction.

Opened
September 2009
Platform Type
Elevated
Platform Doors
Yes
Gold Class
Yes (Car 1)
Women & Children Car
Yes (Car 3)

About Al Rigga & Al Muraqabbat — Al Rigga Metro Station Area

Al Rigga and Al Muraqabbat are neighbouring commercial and residential sub-districts within Deira, characterised by dense mid-rise buildings, street-level retail, and some of Dubai's most concentrated budget hotel inventory. The area is home to a large South Asian and Arab expatriate community, and the streets reflect this with South Indian restaurants, Lebanese bakeries, Pakistani textile shops, and Filipino supermarkets alongside mobile phone stores and tailoring businesses.

Al Rigga Street itself runs northwest from the station past Al Ghurair Centre toward the Hyatt Regency Dubai on the Creek. The metro station al rigga deira is the metro anchor for this entire hotel corridor. Al Ghurair Centre, one of Dubai's first enclosed shopping malls (opened 1981), sits 800 metres north and has recently undergone major renovation with a new outdoor lifestyle zone, cinema, and expanded dining. The Creek is 1.5 km south via Al Maktoum Street, with abra crossings to Bur Dubai operating from Al Seef all day for AED 1.

Practical tips for the area: Al Rigga's currency exchange offices on Al Rigga Street tend to offer better rates than those at the airport or hotels — bring your foreign currency here rather than exchanging at arrival. The area is busiest in the evenings from 18:00 onward when residents and workers return for shopping and dining. Most restaurants in the area are halal and alcohol is only available in licensed hotels. Cash is widely preferred in smaller shops, though cards are accepted at supermarkets and the mall.

Red Line — Nearby Stations

Adjacent stations on the line.

 GGICO R15 Visit →
City Centre Deira R16 Visit →
Al Rigga R17 ← You are here
Union R18 Visit →
BurJuman R19 Visit →

Nearby Places

Verified places at or within walking distance of Al Rigga Metro Station.

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Al Rigga Road Restaurants

Al Rigga Street, Deira · Dense strip of Lebanese, Indian & Filipino eateries

Dining Strip At Station

Al Rigga Street below and adjacent to the al rigga metro station is one of Deira's densest dining strips, with Lebanese shwarma joints, South Indian thali restaurants, Filipino fast-food counters, and Egyptian kushari spots all within steps of the exit. Most are open from 07:00 through to 01:00, with prices typically AED 10–35 per meal. The area is particularly lively after 19:00 when workers from the surrounding offices and hotels arrive for dinner. No reservations needed — most are counter-service or simple table-service establishments.

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Currency Exchange Row

Al Rigga Street · Multiple exchange bureaus with competitive rates

Financial Services ~100m walk

Al Rigga Street has one of the highest concentrations of licensed currency exchange offices in Dubai, clustered within 100–200 metres of the station exit. The competition between bureaus keeps rates competitive — typically better than airport or hotel exchanges. Major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, INR, PHP, PKR) are always available. Most bureaus are open Sunday–Thursday 08:30–22:30 and Friday–Saturday 09:30–22:30. Bring your passport for transactions above AED 2,000 as identification is required by UAE regulations.

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Al Rigga Park

Al Muraqabbat, Deira · Quiet community park with shaded seating

Parks ~300m walk

A small but well-maintained community park approximately 300 metres from the metro station al rigga deira exit, located off Al Muraqabbat Road. The park has shaded seating, a small children's playground, and mature trees providing relief from the sun. It is primarily used by local residents for early morning walks and evening relaxation. Entry is free and the park is accessible during daylight hours. A welcome quiet space in an otherwise densely commercial neighbourhood.

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Riviera Hotel Dubai

Al Rigga Road · Classic Deira hotel popular with business travellers

★ 3.8 ~200m walk

A long-established Deira hotel approximately 200 metres from the station on Al Rigga Road. The Riviera Hotel is popular with business travellers visiting the Deira commercial district and offers straightforward mid-range accommodation with an in-house restaurant. 24-hour reception. Rates tend to be competitive given the prime metro-adjacent location. For visitors staying here, the al rigga dubai metro station is the most convenient entry point into the Red Line for trips across the city.

How to Use Al Rigga Metro Metro Station

Here is a straightforward guide to entering, navigating, and exiting Al Rigga 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 Rigga 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

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By Metro

Red Line, Station R17. Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10:00–01:00 (Friday).

Red Line R17
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By Bus

RTA bus routes 11, 42, C10 serve this station.

1142C10

Bus stops are on Omar Ibn Al Khattab Road below the station. Route 11 connects the Al Rigga area to Rashidiya/Centrepoint terminus in the east, serving the residential suburbs of eastern Dubai including Mirdif. Route 42 serves the Naif and Al Murar areas to the south — useful for reaching the Naif Souq and historic Deira without changing trains. Route C10 is a Deira community connector serving residential streets between stations. All routes require a Nol Card. Frequencies vary from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the time of day and route.

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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.

RTA taxis queue at the station exit on Omar Ibn Al Khattab Road. Al Rigga is a busy area and taxis are usually available without a long wait, though peak hours (07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:30) can see queues. Approximate fares: Dubai Creek abra station approximately AED 15–20 (1.5 km); Al Ghurair Centre approximately AED 15 (walk is faster, 10 min); Gold Souq approximately AED 20–25 (2.5 km); Dubai International Airport T3 approximately AED 45–60 (14 km). Uber and Careem are comparable in price to metered taxis for these distances.

Walking Distances from Station

50m
Al Rigga Street Restaurants
Dining
200m
Riviera Hotel Dubai
Hotels
100m
Currency Exchange Row
Services
400m
Al Muraqabbat Police Station
Services
300m
Al Rigga Park
Parks

Nol Card Fares from Al Rigga Metro — Zone 1

Al Rigga 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.

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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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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

Al Rigga 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.
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.
Al Rigga Metro Station (R17) is on the Red Line in Deira, Dubai, on Al Rigga Street. It is between City Centre Deira (R16) and Union (R18) stations, in the heart of Deira's commercial and dining district — just one stop from Deira City Centre Mall.
Al Rigga Street is lined with Lebanese, Indian, Filipino, and Middle Eastern restaurants within metres of the station exits. It is one of Deira's liveliest dining strips, with dozens of affordable eateries, bakeries, and juice bars open late. Currency exchange bureaus and small supermarkets are also right at the station.
From Al Rigga (R17), take the Red Line toward Expo 2020 direction — no transfer needed. Ride through Union and BurJuman to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station (R25). The journey takes approximately 20 minutes. Exit via the Dubai Mall link bridge to reach Burj Khalifa and the fountain.
Al Rigga 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 Rigga 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 Rigga 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 11, 42, C10 stop directly at or within 200 metres of Al Rigga 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 Rigga Metro.