Line🔴 Red Line
Station IDR23
ZoneZone 1
Operating Hours05:00–00:00
Nol ZoneZone 1
Accessibility♿ Full Access
Status
Emirates Tower Metro platform
Emirates Towers Metro Station, Dubai
Emirates Towers station entrance

About Emirates Tower Metro Station

Emirates tower metro is station R23 on the Dubai Metro Red Line, located in Zone 1 on Sheikh Zayed Road — one of Dubai's most prestigious business addresses. The station sits directly beneath the iconic Emirates Towers complex, which houses the offices of the UAE Prime Minister and the five-star Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel. It is the closest metro stop to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and serves one of the highest concentrations of corporate headquarters and financial institutions in the Middle East.

Emirates Towers metro station opened in September 2009 as part of the inaugural Red Line launch. The station serves a significant daily passenger volume dominated by business travellers, bankers, lawyers, and hotel guests — making it one of the busiest non-interchange stations on the Red Line. Frequency is high: trains run every 3–4 minutes during peak hours (06:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00) and every 7–10 minutes off-peak, making it an efficient choice for anyone working in this corridor of Sheikh Zayed Road.

The station is positioned on Sheikh Zayed Road between World Trade Centre (R22) to the north and Financial Centre (R24) to the south. The Emirates Towers themselves — the 355-metre office tower and the 309-metre hotel tower — are visible from the platform. Gate Village, DIFC's dining and gallery complex, is approximately 400 metres on foot via the pedestrian bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to the DIFC precinct. The nearby Zuma restaurant, Iris, and numerous fine-dining venues in Gate Avenue are within a 7–10 minute walk.

From emirates towers metro station, four major destinations are easily reachable: Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa at R25 is just 2 stops and approximately 6 minutes by metro; BurJuman interchange (R20) is 3 stops and 8 minutes away toward Union; Dubai Mall of the Emirates (R29) is 4 stops and around 11 minutes toward Expo; and Dubai International Airport T3 (R18) is 5 stops and approximately 14 minutes for inbound travellers. All of these journeys remain within the Zone 1 or Zone 1–2 fare band, making costs very reasonable.

The station is primarily used by financial sector professionals, business hotel guests at Jumeirah Emirates Towers and nearby properties, and visitors heading to DIFC for dining and events. For first-time visitors, the key practical tip is to check which exit you need before entering — the pedestrian bridge to DIFC is accessible from specific exits and navigating above Sheikh Zayed Road without local knowledge can add 10 minutes to an otherwise simple walk. The emirates tower metro red line also provides easy onward connections at Union station for the Green Line, making it a convenient starting point for cross-city journeys.

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

About Sheikh Zayed Road — Emirates Tower Metro Area

Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchange 1 and the DIFC exits is Dubai's most recognisable skyline corridor — a dense strip of glass-and-steel towers housing the region's largest banks, law firms, management consultancies, and multinational headquarters. The road itself is a 12-lane motorway that divides Dubai's east from west, but the pedestrian environment above it — via covered bridges and elevated walkways — is better than it looks from street level.

Emirates towers metro station sits at the heart of this district. The Emirates Towers complex — one of the defining landmarks of modern Dubai — is directly attached to the station, as is the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel with its ground-floor Boulevard shopping and dining strip. DIFC begins immediately south of the towers, connected via a pedestrian bridge. Gate Village, DIFC's cultural and culinary quarter, is home to over 50 restaurants and a curated selection of art galleries, making it a genuine destination in its own right after office hours and on weekends.

Practical tips for visitors: weekday lunchtimes (12:30–14:00) see very high demand at Gate Village and Boulevard restaurants — book ahead for popular venues like Zuma or arrive early. Parking on Sheikh Zayed Road is very expensive and scarce; using metro emirates towers dubai is by far the easiest way to arrive. If attending an event at DIFC's Gate Avenue or the DIFC Art Night, the metro runs later than most events finish, making it a practical exit option. The Dubai Tram is not connected to this station — for JBR and Dubai Marina, take the metro to DMCC and walk or use a taxi.

Red Line — Nearby Stations

Adjacent stations on the line.

 Max R21 Visit →
World Trade Centre R22 Visit →
Emirates Towers R23 ← You are here
Financial Centre R24 Visit →
Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall R25 Visit →

Nearby Places

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

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Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel

Sheikh Zayed Road · Iconic 5-star luxury hotel & corporate tower

★ 4.6 At Station

The Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel is one of Dubai's flagship five-star business hotels, rising 56 floors above Sheikh Zayed Road with 400 rooms and suites. The hotel's Boulevard ground floor runs directly from the metro station entrance and hosts a curated selection of luxury boutiques and restaurants including The Rib Room and Scarlett's bar. Rating 4.6/5 from thousands of reviews. No walk needed — the station is integrated into the complex.

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Emirates Towers Boulevard

Sheikh Zayed Road · Upscale retail & dining at the base of the towers

Luxury Shopping ~100m walk

Emirates Towers Boulevard is the upscale ground-floor retail and dining strip connecting the hotel and office towers. It houses luxury brands including Cartier, Rolex, and Bottega Veneta alongside cafés and casual restaurants. Hours approximately 10:00–22:00 Sunday to Thursday, 10:00–23:00 Friday to Saturday. Access is via a short covered walk from the station exit — one of the most convenient designer retail strips to reach by metro in Dubai.

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DIFC Gate Village

Gate Village, DIFC · Restaurant & art gallery complex

Fine Dining & Arts ~400m walk

Gate Village is DIFC's celebrated dining and cultural quarter, home to Zuma, Coya, Nobu, Gaucho, and 40+ other restaurants and bars. It also houses the Lighthouse art gallery and regular public exhibitions. Access from emirates tower metro is via the overhead pedestrian bridge — follow signs for DIFC from the station exit. Most restaurants are open 12:00–15:00 for lunch and 19:00–01:00 for dinner. Walk time approximately 5–7 minutes. Rated among the top dining destinations in the Middle East.

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Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

DIFC · Global financial hub with offices, restaurants & events

Business District ~500m walk

DIFC is the UAE's premier financial free zone, hosting over 6,000 registered companies including HSBC, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and every major global bank. It operates under a distinct common law legal system. For business visitors, the main entrance and Gate Avenue retail strip are approximately 500 metres (7 minutes) from emirates towers metro station via the pedestrian bridge. The DIFC Art Night and Taste of DIFC events are popular with visitors. Security gates manage access during evenings and weekends but pedestrian throughways remain open.

How to Use Emirates Tower Metro Metro Station

Here is a straightforward guide to entering, navigating, and exiting Emirates Tower 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. Emirates Tower 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 R23. Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10:00–01:00 (Friday).

Red Line R23
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By Bus

RTA bus routes X25, F51, 98 serve this station.

X25F5198

Bus stops are on Sheikh Zayed Road service lanes adjacent to the station. Route X25 is an express service connecting Sheikh Zayed Road corridor to Sharjah — useful for cross-emirate commuters. Route F51 (DIFC Feeder) is a short feeder route running within DIFC, connecting the metro station to deeper parts of the financial centre without the pedestrian bridge walk. Route 98 connects through the Satwa and Jumeirah corridor southward. All routes require a Nol Card; services run approximately every 15–30 minutes depending on 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.

RTA taxis pick up from the service road beside the station. Approximate fares from emirates tower metro station: DIFC Gate Village approximately AED 15–20 (taxi is usually slower than walking given traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road); Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa approximately AED 20–30 (1.5 km, 5–10 min depending on signal timing); Dubai Marina approximately AED 50–70 (20 km, 20–35 min); Dubai International Airport T3 approximately AED 50–65 (18 km, 20 min on the highway). Metro to T3 is approximately AED 8 Silver and far quicker than taxi in traffic. Uber and Careem surge pricing applies in this area during peak business hours.

Walking Distances from Station

100m
Emirates Towers Offices
Business
150m
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
Hotels
400m
DIFC Gate Village
Business/Dining
500m
Zuma Restaurant (DIFC)
Dining
400m
The Lighthouse DIFC
Arts

Nol Card Fares from Emirates Tower Metro — Zone 1

Emirates Tower 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

Emirates Towers 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 Towers Metro Station (R23) is on the Red Line on Sheikh Zayed Road, directly beneath the Emirates Towers complex. It is between World Trade Centre (R22) and Financial Centre (R24) stations, and is the closest metro stop to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Yes. Emirates Towers is the nearest metro station to DIFC. Gate Village — DIFC's restaurant and arts complex — is approximately 400 metres away, about a 5-minute walk via the pedestrian bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road. The DIFC main gate and Gate Avenue are also within easy walking distance.
From Emirates Towers (R23), take the Red Line two stops toward Expo direction to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station (R25). The journey takes about 6 minutes. Exit at the Dubai Mall covered walkway for direct access to Downtown Dubai, the fountain, and Burj Khalifa.
Emirates Tower 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). Emirates Tower 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 Emirates Tower 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 X25, F51, 98 stop directly at or within 200 metres of Emirates Tower 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 Emirates Tower Metro.