Dubai: Getting around on public transport

Metro - If you don’t have a car the Metro is a cost effective way to travel. There are currently two lines. The red lines runs straight along Sheikh Zayed Road and the southern side of the airport, passing through Terminal 1 and 3, and the green line is horseshoe-shaped and services the southern side of the Creek and the northern side of the airport. The two lines intersect each other at two points. You will require a Nol card to travel, available as top-up or one-use cards from ticket vending machines and ticket offices.

A monorail services the Palm Jumeirah but it is not currently linked to the Metro line. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office.

A 14km tram is also currently being built along Al Soufah Road from Dubai Marina to the Mall of the Emirates Metro station, linking with the Palm Jumeirah Monorail. It is expected to open in 2014.

Bus - The RTA bus service is the cheapest form of transport, and the service is frequent. The RTA website offers a journey planner (Wojhati).

Taxis - Taxis are convenient and fairly cheap. You can travel from the Creek to Dubai Marina for around Dhs 60, and in the heat of the summer a door to door service is sometimes essential. Bookings can be made via the RTA website or by calling +971 4 2080808. All taxis are licenced by the RTA but they have different coloured roofs depending on the operator. For example, a taxi with a pink roof is for ladies and children only. Fares are metered although there is a small extra charge for booking, or for taxis picked up at the airport.

Airports - There are four main international airports in easy reach of Dubai. Dubai International Airport is the home of Emirates airline, and is located on the northern side of the Creek. The airport is an international hub; it services more than 6,000 flights a week to more than 215 destinations. A taxi from the Dubai Marina to the airport would take around 45 minutes.

Alternatively, you could fly by Etihad and use Abu Dhabi airport, which offers a free park and ride service from the Dubai Marina Mall. The airport services 53 airlines to 85 destinations. A taxi from the Dubai Marina to the airport would take around an hour and a half.

Sharjah International Airport, around 30 minutes from Deira, also handles a large number of intra-regional flights and is home to the low-cost operator Air Arabia. 

Al Maktoum International Airport, near Jebel Ali, has opened for passengers in October 2013, serviced by carriers Nas Air and Wizz Air.

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