Line🔴 Red Line
Station IDR12
ZoneZone 1
Operating Hours05:00–00:00
Nol ZoneZone 1
Accessibility♿ Full Access
Status
Emirates Metro Station platform
Emirates Metro Station, Dubai
Emirates station entrance

About Emirates Metro Station — Red Line, Zone 1

Emirates metro station (R12) is on the Red Line in Nol Zone 1, located in the Al Rashidiya district between Dubai International Airport and the Al Garhoud area. The station takes its name from the Emirates airline facilities — including the Emirates Catering Village — in the surrounding area. It is one stop from Airport Terminal 3 (R13, approximately 3 minutes), making it the closest residential area metro station to the airport. The station is elevated with platform doors, Gold Class (Car 1), and a Women and Children's car (Car 3).

The metro station near dxb opened in September 2009 as part of the original Red Line. Emirates Station serves two distinct populations: residents of the Al Rashidiya and Al Nahda residential communities who use it as their daily metro connection, and aviation industry workers at the Emirates airline facilities, Dubai Duty Free warehouses, and airport logistics operations nearby. The Nahda Bus Station — a major interchange for routes to Sharjah and the wider Deira area — is within 450 metres of the station.

The station is positioned along Airport Road (E11), which runs from the city centre toward the airport. Al Rashidiya Park is approximately 400 metres from the station — a spacious community park with sports courts and a jogging track serving the surrounding residential area. The Rashidiya Hypermarket is 300 metres away for essential grocery needs.

From the emirates red line metro station, key connections by metro are fast: Airport Terminal 3 (R13) is 1 stop east (3 minutes); Airport Terminal 1 (R14, with AED 5 airport surcharge) is 2 stops east (6 minutes); Rashidiya/Centrepoint terminus is 1 stop west (4 minutes); Union interchange (for Green Line) is approximately 18 minutes west. For Dubai International Airport, the metro is the cheapest option — significantly cheaper than taxis, which charge AED 50–70 for the same journey.

The emirates metro station 2 designation is sometimes used informally to differentiate from the adjacent airport stations. For practical purposes, visitors heading to the airport should take the train one more stop east to Airport Terminal 3 (for Emirates Terminal 3 and the main departures hall) rather than exiting at Emirates station. This station is most useful for those visiting the Al Rashidiya residential area or needing to connect to the Nahda Bus Station for Sharjah-bound buses.

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

About Al Rashidiya — Emirates Metro Station Area

Al Rashidiya around the emirates metro station area is a mixed residential and logistics district in eastern Dubai. The western part (near the Centrepoint terminus) is primarily Emirati villa housing, while the area around Emirates station has a denser mix of apartment buildings, airline crew accommodation, and logistics facilities serving the nearby airport. The Emirates Catering Village — the massive facility that prepares in-flight meals for Emirates flights — is the most significant employer landmark near the station.

The Nahda Bus Station approximately 450 metres from the dubai emirates metro is one of the key bus interchanges in this part of Dubai, with frequent services to Al Nahda, Sharjah, and the surrounding Deira residential areas. This makes Emirates metro station a useful interchange point for passengers combining metro and bus travel across the Al Nahda and Al Rashidiya suburbs.

Practical tips: the Al Rashidiya Park is one of the larger community parks in eastern Dubai with a jogging track, fitness equipment, and sports courts. It is most active in the early mornings (05:30–08:00) and early evenings (17:00–20:00) when residents use it before and after their commutes. Cash is widely used in the surrounding shops and small restaurants. For airport transfers from this neighbourhood, the metro is significantly cheaper than taxis — one stop to Terminal 3 costs AED 3.00 Silver (before adding the AED 5 airport surcharge at the terminal station).

Red Line — Nearby Stations

Adjacent stations on the line.

 Centrepoint R11 Visit →
Emirates R12 ← You are here
Airport Terminal 3 R13 Visit →
Airport Terminal 1 R14 Visit →

Nearby Places

Verified places at or within walking distance of Emirates Metro Station.

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Rashidiya Hypermarket

Al Rashidiya · Large supermarket serving the local residential community

Supermarket ~300m walk

The Rashidiya Hypermarket is approximately 300 metres from the emirates metro station exit — about a 4-minute walk. It is a large community supermarket serving the residential population of Al Rashidiya with a wide range of groceries, fresh produce, household items, and imported South Asian food products. A practical essential stop for residents of the area arriving by metro. Cash and cards accepted. Open daily with extended hours catering to the shift-working population of the airport corridor area.

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Al Rashidiya Park

Al Rashidiya · Spacious community park with sports courts & jogging track

Parks & Recreation ~400m walk

Al Rashidiya Park is approximately 400 metres from the emirates red line metro station — one of the larger community parks in the eastern Dubai residential belt. The park contains a jogging track, outdoor gym equipment, football pitches, and shaded seating areas. Entry is free. Popular early morning and evening with residents from the surrounding Emirati villa compounds and apartment buildings. The park provides a pleasant green space in an otherwise predominantly built-up airport corridor neighbourhood.

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Emirates Catering Village

Al Rashidiya · Emirates airline in-flight catering facility, a local landmark

Industry ~600m walk

The Emirates Catering Village is a large Emirates airline facility approximately 600 metres from the station, responsible for preparing in-flight meals for Emirates flights from Dubai International Airport. It is a restricted-access industrial facility and not open to the public, but it is a notable local landmark that gives the metro station near dxb its name. The facility employs several thousand staff, many of whom commute daily via the Emirates metro station. Not a visitor destination but an important context point for the character of this part of Al Rashidiya.

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Nahda Bus Station

Al Nahda Road · Major bus terminus serving Sharjah & Deira routes

Transport Hub ~450m walk

Nahda Bus Station is approximately 450 metres from the dubai emirates metro station exit — a 6-minute walk along Al Nahda Road. It is one of the key bus interchanges in the eastern Dubai residential belt, with routes serving Al Nahda, Sharjah's Al Nahda area, Al Qusais, and the surrounding residential suburbs. For residents of these areas, Nahda Bus Station offers bus connections that are faster than backtracking through the metro network. Buses run frequently to Sharjah during peak hours. A Nol Card is required for all RTA routes.

How to Use Emirates Metro Station Metro Station

Here is a straightforward guide to entering, navigating, and exiting Emirates Metro Station 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. Emirates Metro Station 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 R12. Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10:00–01:00 (Friday).

Red Line R12
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By Bus

RTA bus routes 10, 36, 51 serve this station.

103651

Bus stops are on Airport Road (E11) adjacent to the station. Route 10 connects Al Rashidiya to the Deira and Union area — an alternative to the metro for reaching the Creek and Naif souq district. Route 36 serves the Al Muhaisnah and Rashidiya suburban corridor connecting eastward toward the outer suburbs. Route 51 connects toward Sharjah and Al Nahda, useful for Sharjah-based workers commuting into this part of Dubai. All routes require a Nol Card; buses run approximately every 15–25 minutes depending on the route and time of day.

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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 are available at the station exit on Airport Road. Approximate fares: Dubai International Airport T3 (approximately 3 km) approximately AED 18–25 — note the metro is far cheaper (AED 3–8 depending on where you boarded); Rashidiya/Centrepoint Bus Station approximately AED 12–18 (1.5 km); Dubai Festival City approximately AED 20–28 (4 km); DIFC/Downtown approximately AED 50–70 (16 km). Uber and Careem are available. For airport drop-offs, the metro is strongly recommended over taxis for cost savings, especially if you are travelling solo.

Walking Distances from Station

500m
Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre
Industry
400m
Al Rashidiya Residential Area
Residential
600m
Emirates Catering Village
Services
300m
Rashidiya Hypermarket
Shopping
450m
Nahda Bus Station
Transport

Nol Card Fares from Emirates Metro Station — Zone 1

Emirates Metro Station 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

Emirates 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.
Emirates Metro Station (R12) is on the Red Line in the Al Rashidiya area, between Centrepoint (R11) and Airport Terminal 3 (R13). It is an elevated station serving the Al Rashidiya residential community, approximately 5 minutes by metro from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
Emirates Station is one stop from Dubai Airport Terminal 3 (R13), which is about 3 minutes by metro. For Terminal 1, continue to Airport Terminal 1 (R14). Emirates Station itself is in the residential Rashidiya neighbourhood — not inside the airport — but it offers the most affordable metro access to the airport area.
Emirates Station serves Al Rashidiya, a residential community popular with airport and airline workers. It is also close to the Nahda Bus Station — a key terminus for buses to Sharjah. Local supermarkets, parks, and community facilities are within walking distance of the station exits.
Emirates Metro Station 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). Emirates 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.
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 Emirates Metro Station 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 10, 36, 51 stop directly at or within 200 metres of Emirates Metro Station 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 Emirates Metro Station.