Emirates Metro Station in Dubai: Your Guide to the Area, Exits, and Fares

Dubai’s Red Line carries millions of passengers each year, and Emirates Metro Station is one of its busiest stops in the eastern corridor. Station R12 sits between Centrepoint (R11) and Airport Terminal 3 (R13), serving a dense mix of airline staff, airport workers, and residents of the Al Rashidiya district.

This guide covers everything you need to know before you travel: the area on foot, how to navigate each exit, connecting bus routes, station facilities, fares, timings, and how this station compares to other commonly searched stops on the Red Line.

• Where is Emirates Metro Station?
• What’s around Emirates Metro Station
• Station exits and how to use them
• Connecting transport from Emirates Metro Station
• Facilities at the station
• Fares, timings, and Nol Card guide
• Emirates Metro Station vs other key Red Line stations
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Emirates Metro Station?

Emirates Metro Station, code R12, operates on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro. It is positioned between Centrepoint station (R11) to the west and Airport Terminal 3 (R13) to the east, placing it in the Al Rashidiya and Garhoud corridor, one of Dubai’s main aviation and logistics zones.

The station takes its name from Emirates airline. The Emirates Group Headquarters, Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre, and Emirates Catering Village are all clustered nearby, making this station the primary commuting point for a significant portion of the airline’s workforce. For travellers, it also provides direct metro access to Dubai International Airport in a single stop, at a fraction of the cost of a taxi.

What’s around Emirates Metro Station

The area around Emirates station blends residential neighbourhoods with large-scale aviation and operational facilities. The following are within comfortable walking distance.

• Rashidiya Hypermarket: Approximately 300 metres from the station, convenient for daily shopping
• Al Rashidiya Park: Around 400 metres away, with sports courts and a jogging track
• Nahda Bus Station: Roughly 450 metres from the exits, offering intercity bus connections to Sharjah and the northern emirates
• Emirates Catering Village: Approximately 600 metres from the station, part of the Emirates Group’s operational campus
• Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre: Around 500 metres from the station, a major employer in the vicinity

For residents and employees working in the airport district, Emirates metro station cuts daily commuting costs considerably compared to driving or using taxis. The proximity to the Emirates headquarters makes it a routine stop for thousands of airline staff.

Station exits and how to use them

Emirates station has two exits. Exit 1 and Exit 2 open onto different sides of the station and point passengers toward different parts of the surrounding street network.

Both exits are fully accessible. Lifts and ramps accommodate passengers travelling with luggage, push-chairs, or reduced mobility. The station’s elevated platform connects to the concourse via both staircases and lifts at each exit.

Connecting transport from Emirates Metro Station

Three RTA bus routes serve the area directly outside Emirates station: routes 10, 36, and 51. These extend metro connectivity to streets and communities that are not directly on the Red Line, making it easier to complete a journey without a taxi.

Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available at ground level outside the station. For passengers heading to the airport, taking the Red Line one stop east to Airport Terminal 3 is the fastest and most cost-effective option, as metro fares are considerably lower than taxi rates for short distances.

From Emirates metro, passengers can continue westbound along the Red Line to reach key stations such as Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, the Emirates Tower metro station, and, further along the line, the Mall of Emirates metro station, all without changing trains.

Facilities at the station

The station is an elevated and air-conditioned with automatic platform screen doors. The following facilities are available to passengers:

• Gold Class cabin: Reserved for Gold Nol Card holders, offering a quieter and less crowded travelling environment
• Women and Children’s cabin: A dedicated cabin reserved exclusively for women and children
• Wheelchair accessibility: Full access via lifts and ramps at all exits
• Nol Card vending machines: Available on the concourse for card purchases and top-ups
• Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• Adjacent bus stops: Direct access to connecting RTA bus routes immediately outside the station

Fares, timings, and Nol Card guide

Operating hours

Single journey fares

Note: An additional AED 5.00 airport surcharge applies at Airport Terminal 3 (R13) and Airport Terminal 1 (R14), the two stations immediately east of Emirates station.

All Nol Card types are valid at the station, including the Blue Personal Nol Card and the Red tourist card. Vending machines on the concourse allow passengers to purchase a new card or top up an existing one before boarding.

Emirates Metro Station vs other key Red Line stations

Travellers often search for the Mall of Emirates metro station or the Emirates Towers metro station when planning journeys in Dubai, sometimes confusing them with Emirates station (R12). The table below sets out the key differences between these stops on the Red Line.

The Emirates Tower metro station and the Mall of the Emirates metro station are both on the same Red Line and reachable without changing trains. The Mall of the Emirates metro station (R32) also has two exits, Exit 1 and Exit 2, and serves Al Barsha and the surrounding residential and retail areas. Use our Dubai metro timings guide to plan your commute without any delays.

Key takeaways

• Emirates Metro Station (R12) is on the Red Line, between Centrepoint (R11) and Airport Terminal 3 (R13), and serves the Al Rashidiya and Garhoud district.
• The station is the closest metro stop to Emirates Group Headquarters and sits one stop from Dubai International Airport, making it a central point for airline staff and airport-bound travellers.
• Exit 1 and Exit 2 open onto different parts of the surrounding area; use the RTA Metro Map to choose the correct exit before you travel.
• Bus routes 10, 36, and 51 connect the station to the wider area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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