Line🔴 Red Line
Station IDR38
ZoneZone 3
Operating Hours05:00–00:00
Nol ZoneZone 3
Accessibility♿ Full Access
Status
Jebel Ali Metro Station platform
Jabal Ali Metro Station, Dubai

About Jebel Ali Metro Station

Jebel Ali metro station (R38) is a Red Line station in Zone 3, positioned on Sheikh Zayed Road near the boundary between Dubai city and the Jebel Ali industrial and logistics zone. The station serves as a key gateway for workers accessing the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) — one of the world's largest and most strategically important free economic zones — as well as visitors to Ibn Battuta Mall, located approximately 500 metres away. Importantly, this station also offers a free Park & Ride facility, one of only three on the entire Dubai Metro network.

The jabal ali metro dubai station opened in September 2009 as part of the original Red Line extension into the south-western corridor. Daily ridership here is driven heavily by JAFZA workers — thousands of logistics, manufacturing, and port-operations employees who use the metro and connecting buses to reach their workplaces within the free zone. The station is also used by cargo professionals visiting the Jebel Ali Port operations offices and by residents of the surrounding residential properties. Zone 3 fares apply for all journeys from this station into central Dubai.

The station is situated at the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road and the Jebel Ali area boundary. Ibn Battuta Mall is 500 metres on foot via the covered pedestrian link — a notable advantage given summer heat. The Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is 400 metres away. JAFZA begins approximately 2 kilometres south, typically reached by connecting bus or taxi from this station. Jebel Ali Port, the largest man-made port in the Middle East and 9th largest in the world by container throughput, is approximately 3 kilometres away.

From jebel ali metro station, four destinations are accessible without transfers: Ibn Battuta Mall (station R39, 1 stop, approximately 3 minutes — also walkable at 500 metres); Dubai Marina / JBR (via DMCC at R37, 2 stops and approximately 8 minutes); Mall of the Emirates (R32, 6 stops toward Rashidiya, approximately 16 minutes); and Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa (R25, 13 stops, approximately 32 minutes). The metro to jafza connection requires a bus interchange at this station for most JAFZA locations.

The station serves JAFZA workers and commuters above all else, with a secondary audience of mall shoppers and hotel guests at the Movenpick property. The free Park & Ride is a significant advantage of the jebel ali red line station — it allows drivers from outer Dubai or Abu Dhabi to park for free and transfer to the metro, avoiding toll costs and downtown traffic. The Park & Ride fills by 07:30 on weekdays so arrive early. For first-time visitors, the key tip is that metro station jebel ali has direct pedestrian access to Ibn Battuta Mall, making it a preferred arrival point for shoppers even though the next station (R39 Ibn Battuta) is also connected.

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

About Jebel Ali — Metro Station Area

Jebel Ali is the industrial and logistics heart of Dubai — a carefully planned special economic zone that occupies a significant portion of Dubai's south-western coastline. The Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) was established in 1985 and has grown into one of the most active trade hubs in the world, hosting more than 9,000 companies from 150+ countries and accounting for approximately 25% of Dubai's total exports. The zone covers 57 square kilometres and combines light manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, port operations, and corporate offices.

Jebel Ali Port, the facility that anchors the zone, is the largest man-made port in the Middle East and one of the top 10 container ports globally. While the port itself is not publicly accessible, its scale defines the character of the entire area. The jebel ali metro jafza connection means that professionals working in the zone can now commute without relying on private transport — a significant change from the zone's earlier history when almost all workers drove or used company buses.

Practical tips: The free Park & Ride at this station is one of only 3 on the Dubai Metro network. Spaces are limited and first-come-first-served — early arrival before 07:30 is necessary to secure a spot on weekdays. The JAFZA internal bus network connects from this station into various parts of the free zone; these buses only operate during standard working hours. Ibn Battuta Mall is a practical amenity for workers in the zone who want to shop or eat after work without driving elsewhere, and the metro connection to the mall is air-conditioned throughout.

Red Line — Nearby Stations

Adjacent stations on the line.

 SOBHA REALTY R36 Visit →
DMCC R37 Visit →
Jabal Ali R38 ← You are here
Ibn Battuta R39 Visit →
Energy R40 Visit →

Nearby Places

Verified places at or within walking distance of Jabal Ali Metro Station.

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Ibn Battuta Mall

Sheikh Zayed Road · Themed mall across 6 courts — 10 min walk from Jebel Ali station

★ 4.3 ~500m walk

Ibn Battuta Mall is Dubai's most architecturally distinctive shopping centre, with six courts themed after the regions visited by the 14th-century explorer — China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Andalusia. It houses 270+ outlets, a Carrefour hypermarket, VOX Cinemas with IMAX, and dozens of restaurants. Rated 4.3/5. Hours 10:00–23:00 Sunday–Wednesday, 10:00–00:00 Thursday–Saturday. The 500-metre walk from jebel ali metro station uses a pedestrian path along Sheikh Zayed Road — also accessible at Station R39 (Ibn Battuta) via covered walkway.

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Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate

Sheikh Zayed Road · Closest hotel to Jebel Ali Metro Station

★ 4.1 ~400m walk

Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is the nearest hotel to the jabal ali metro dubai station, attached to Ibn Battuta Mall. It is a four-star business hotel popular with corporate visitors to JAFZA and Jebel Ali Port, offering 396 rooms with a fitness centre, pool, and several restaurant options. Rated 4.1/5. The 400-metre walk from this station goes through the Ibn Battuta Mall pedestrian access route — entirely covered and air-conditioned. Reception is open 24 hours.

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Jebel Ali Free Zone — JAFZA

Jebel Ali · One of the world's largest free zones, 9,000+ companies

Business Zone ~2km

JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority) is one of the most strategically important free zones in the world, hosting over 9,000 companies from 150+ countries in sectors including logistics, manufacturing, oil and gas, and retail. It accounts for approximately 25% of Dubai's exports and is home to several Fortune 500 regional offices. Access for workers from metro to jafza is via JAFZA internal shuttle buses that depart from this station. Visitor access to JAFZA requires prior registration with the company being visited — general public access is not permitted. The zone begins approximately 2 km south of the metro station.

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Jebel Ali Port

Jebel Ali · Largest container port in the Middle East

Industrial Port ~3km

Jebel Ali Port is operated by DP World and is the largest man-made harbour in the world and the busiest container port in the Middle East. It handles over 14 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually and is a cornerstone of UAE trade infrastructure. The port is a restricted industrial facility not accessible to the public. Port operations employees typically use dedicated company transport or the JAFZA shuttle from jebel ali red line station. Distance approximately 3 km from the metro, reachable by taxi in approximately 10 minutes.

How to Use Jebel Ali Metro Station Metro Station

Here is a straightforward guide to entering, navigating, and exiting Jebel Ali 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. Jebel Ali 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 R38. Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10:00–01:00 (Friday).

Red Line R38
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By Bus

RTA bus routes 14, 93, X14 serve this station.

1493X14

Bus stops are on Sheikh Zayed Road service road adjacent to the station. Route 14 runs through the Jebel Ali corridor and connects southward toward Jebel Ali Village and the industrial zone, and northward toward Deira via SZR — making it useful for cross-city workers who bypass the metro. Route 93 connects through Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens, and the Route 2020 corridor. Route X14 is an express service connecting toward Abu Hail and Deira, useful for passengers needing to reach northern parts of Dubai without using the metro trunk. Nol Card required; JAFZA internal shuttles are separate company or zone-operated services not on the Nol network.

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By Taxi / Ride-Hail

RTA taxis available at the station exit. Uber and Careem also serve this area.

RTA taxis are available at the station exit and the Ibn Battuta Mall taxi rank. Approximate fares from jebel ali metro station: JAFZA main gate approximately AED 20–30 (4 km); Dubai Marina approximately AED 35–50 (12 km); Downtown Dubai approximately AED 70–90 (24 km); Dubai International Airport T3 approximately AED 80–100 (26 km); Abu Dhabi approximately AED 200–250 (125 km). Uber and Careem available. Metro is highly recommended for journeys into Dubai city; taxis are most practical for JAFZA access and destinations beyond the Red Line's reach.

Walking Distances from Station

500m
Ibn Battuta Mall
Shopping
2km
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
Business
3km
Jebel Ali Port
Industry
400m
Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate
Hotels
1km
Jabal Ali Industrial Area
Industry

Nol Card Fares from Jebel Ali Metro Station — Zone 3

Jebel Ali Metro Station is in Zone 3 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 11.50AED 18.00
BurJuman (interchange)BurJuman (R20)AED 6.50AED 13.00
Downtown Dubai / Burj KhalifaBurj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (R23)AED 6.50AED 13.00
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 6.50AED 13.00
Expo City DubaiExpo 2020 (R35)AED 3.00AED 6.00

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 3 applies here — AED 7.50 (Silver) / AED 15.00 (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

Jabal Ali 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.
Jebel Ali Metro Station (R38) is the southern terminus of the Red Line on Sheikh Zayed Road, south of Ibn Battuta Station (R37). It is an elevated station in the Jebel Ali area, near Jebel Ali Free Zone and is also a Route 2020 interchange point.
Yes. Jebel Ali is a Park-and-Ride station with a dedicated multi-storey car park. This makes it popular with residents from Jebel Ali Village and Discovery Gardens who drive to the station and commute by metro into Dubai. Parking is affordable and managed by RTA.
From Jebel Ali (R38), take the Red Line toward Rashidiya direction to DMCC Station (R36). Connect to the Dubai Tram at DMCC for Dubai Marina Walk and JBR. Total journey time is approximately 20–25 minutes. Alternatively, taxis from Jebel Ali Metro take around 15 minutes to Dubai Marina.
Jebel Ali 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). Jebel Ali 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 Jebel Ali 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 14, 93, X14 stop directly at or within 200 metres of Jebel Ali 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 Jebel Ali Metro Station.