Getting to Dubai and Around by Metro, Abra and Taxi

Because Dubai was built along a linear coastal corridor, combining the elevated Dubai Metro for long north-south hops with RTA taxis (or the Careem app) for the last mile is the fastest, coolest way to move around the city.

From Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC)

• Red Line Metro from DXB Terminals 1 and 3: the Red Line runs directly from the airport terminals through Deira (Union and BurJuman transfer stations), Downtown (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall), Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina (Sobha Realty and DMCC). Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one cabin bag onto the train. Note that budget Terminal 2 is on the opposite side of the runway and requires a short taxi ride or bus to reach the Metro.
• Official RTA Taxis from DXB: cream-coloured metered taxis with coloured roofs queue 24 hours a day outside all terminals (pink-roofed taxis driven by women are also available for solo female passengers and families). They take contactless cards and reach Old Dubai in 15 minutes, Downtown in 20 minutes and Dubai Marina in 30 to 35 minutes outside rush hour.
• From Al Maktoum Airport (DWC): take the RTA F55 bus to Expo 2020 Metro Station (the southern terminus of the Red Line) or a metered taxi.

How the Nol Card and Metro lines work

You cannot tap a foreign bank card directly on Dubai Metro gates; instead, buy a rechargeable Nol card from any station ticket office or vending machine. Skip the single paper Red ticket and buy either a Silver Nol Card (standard cabins) or a Gold Nol Card (which gives access to the panoramic front-of-train Gold Class cabin for twice the low standard fare). The Red Line follows Sheikh Zayed Road from DXB to Expo City/UAE Exchange; the Green Line loops around historic Deira and Bur Dubai, meeting the Red Line at Union and BurJuman. In Dubai Marina, the Metro connects seamlessly with the Dubai Tram (remember to tap your Nol card on the platform validator even though the tram has no turnstiles).

Taxis, Careem and day trips to Abu Dhabi

Never hail unmarked private cars; flag down cream RTA taxis on the street or book an RTA Hala Taxi through the local Careem app (Uber also operates, using higher-priced Lexus limousines). For a day trip to Abu Dhabi without renting a car, board the RTA E100 bus from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station (Old Dubai) or the E101 bus from Ibn Battuta Bus Station (south Dubai), paying directly with your Nol card.