The UAE by rail, read as an investor

Dubai Metro Red Line

The spine of the city: from Centrepoint past the airport, down Sheikh Zayed Road through Downtown and the Marina to Expo City, with the Route 2020 branch serving the Al Furjan corridor. Driverless, every few minutes, all day.

Dubai Metro Green Line

The old city’s line: looping through Deira and Bur Dubai past the creek, the souks and the healthcare district, interchanging with the Red Line at Union and BurJuman.

Dubai Metro Blue Line

The next line, in build for 2029: 30 kilometres linking Dubai Creek Harbour, Festival City, Mirdif, International City, Silicon Oasis and Academic City to both existing lines, with the tallest metro station in the world planned at Creek Harbour.

Dubai Tram

Eleven stops threading the Marina and JBR at street level, linking both Red Line metro stations and the Palm monorail.

Etihad Rail

The national railway: 900 kilometres from the Saudi border to Fujairah, freight already running, passenger services in build with stations announced for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid and Fujairah, and a Dubai to Abu Dhabi time of about 57 minutes.

Abu Dhabi to Dubai High Speed Rail

The announced 350 km/h line between the two cities: around 30 minutes end to end, with stations planned to serve key districts including Saadiyat Island, Yas Island, Zayed International Airport, Al Maktoum International and Dubai. Timelines belong to the railway.

Abu Dhabi Metro

Abu Dhabi’s planned metro, first announced in 2008 as part of a surface transport network of roughly 131km taking in an 18km partly underground metro line, two light rail lines and bus rapid transit. Construction had begun as of 2024. No opening date and no station list have been published, so neither is stated here.

Abu Dhabi Tram Line 4

A tram line announced by the Abu Dhabi Transport Company connecting Yas Island to Al Raha, Zayed International Airport and Etihad Plaza. Construction was slated to start in 2026 with completion set for 2030. The full station list is not yet published.

Dubai International Airport (DXB)

The emirate’s main airport, in Garhoud between Deira and Dubai Creek, and one of the busiest airports in the world for international passengers. Three terminals, with Terminal 3 handling Emirates. It sits inside the city rather than outside it, which is why the drive from most of old Dubai is short.

Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)

Dubai’s second airport at Dubai World Central, south of the city beside Expo City and Jebel Ali. It handles a fraction of DXB’s traffic today. Dubai has approved a very large expansion with the stated intention of moving operations here over the coming decades.

Zayed International Airport (AUH)

Abu Dhabi’s main airport, renamed from Abu Dhabi International in February 2024 and home to Etihad Airways. Terminal A opened in late 2023. It sits on the mainland east of the city, closer to Yas and Saadiyat than to the older island districts.

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)

Sharjah’s airport and the base for Air Arabia, the region’s largest low-cost carrier. It serves the northern emirates and is a short drive from Dubai’s northern communities.

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT)

Ras Al Khaimah’s airport, south of the city. Small by UAE standards and served mainly by regional and charter traffic, with the emirate’s tourism growth resting more on the road link to Dubai than on the airport itself.

Al Ain International Airport (AAN)

Al Ain’s airport in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi emirate, near the Omani border. Limited scheduled traffic; the city is served mainly by road from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

DXB Airport Taxi Ranks

The metered RTA ranks outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Dubai International, staffed around the clock. Airport pickups carry a fixed starting fare above the street rate, and the rank is the regulated alternative to the private drivers who approach in arrivals.

DWC Airport Taxi Rank

The metered rank at Al Maktoum International, serving the passenger terminal at Dubai World Central. Quieter than DXB, with waiting times that follow the flight schedule rather than running continuously.

Zayed International Airport Taxi Rank

The metered rank outside Terminal A at Zayed International, operated under Abu Dhabi Mobility. Airport journeys carry a fixed starting fare, and the rank runs to the flight schedule.

Sharjah Airport Taxi Rank

The metered rank at Sharjah International, serving the northern emirates. Sharjah-registered taxis may carry passengers into Dubai but not pick up there, so the return leg is a different operator.