Public transport in Dubai Marina: modes and prices
Discover all the information about public transport in Dubai Marina. Read our public transport guide for Dubai Marina.
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Dubai Marina has both water and land transport links. The waterway is mainly convenient as a cruise trip or a scenic boat ride, while the land transportation encompasses trams, buses and the metro. From Dubai Marina you can travel to almost any part of the emirate. To use public transport you'll need a Nol card, and it's best to use a mobile app to plan your route.
The first thing you need to know is the payment system. In Dubai, in order to pay to use public transport you need an Nol card, which is the emirate's unified transport smart card. If this is your first time in the UAE, you can buy one at the airport. If a transfer picks you up and takes you to your hotel, you can buy the card from the RTA's dedicated vending machines or specialised centres.
Dubai Marina has an issue with high traffic congestion. During rush hour times in and out of the area, motorists have to idle for an hour or sometimes longer. As a result, the public transport system is a popular option for travelling around this area quickly and efficiently.
NBD! The RTA is the government office for roads and transportation which regulates the requirements for transportation and roads in Dubai, and between the other emirates and neighbouring countries.
The Dubai Marina District can be passed through in about 7 minutes by metro. There are 4 stations on this section of the Red Line running along the area. The line itself runs parallel to the Sheikh Zayed Road.The fares to use the metro range from AED 3-4 (USD 0.8-1.1). The metro operates from 5am to 12am and until 1am on Thursday and Friday. On Fridays, the first metro does not start until 10am.
Tram
The route passes through the area along Dubai Marina and includes pedestrian promenades and seafront promenades. If you want to go to the beach, you can get off at any of the tram stations and walk to the Arabian Gulf Coast. For instance, when you get off at the Jumeirah Beach Residence 1 stop, you can easily reach either Marina Beach or JBR Beach. Alternatively, from Dubai Marina you can take the Al Sufouh tram to the terminus with the same-named beach, which is largely deserted by tourists. The fare to get here is AED 3 (USD 0.8). The tram is open from 6:30am to 1am and on Fridays from 9am to 1am.
This option is preferably used as a cruise or leisure route. Dubai Marina Channel ferries run every 25 minutes from Dubai Marina Mall Station to Walk Station. This route is convenient to get from the southern part of the area to the northern part, and vice versa. Prices cost from AED 3 (USD 0.8) and is operational from 1pm to 10:30pm daily.
Taxis can be booked via the RTA, S'hail and Careem apps. If you have just arrived in Dubai, you can download them in advance. Or, if you are already there, you can order by texting your address to the number 4774. Taxis accept payment by Nol card, bank card or cash.
There are 2 parts to the price of a taxi — the call price and the metre rate per kilometre. When you pay, the driver tells you the total amount. The price of hail and collect constitutes AED 10 (USD 2.7), and you have to pay AED 2 (USD 0.5) per km. For instance, a taxi ride will cost from AED 56 (USD 15.3) from Dubai Marina West to Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai, as of Q2 2023.
NBD! Please note that in Dubai's central locations, Dubai Marina falls within the rush hour period between 6:30am to 8:30am and 5:30pm to 8pm. Hessa Street and the Sheikh Zayed Road are difficult to navigate during these hours, so if you are in a hurry, you should take public transport.
If you live on the western side of Dubai Marina and need to get to DIFC, the DMCC metro station is the closest one to choose. You can walk there within 15–20 minutes or take the tram from the Jumeirah Beach Residence 2 stop to Jumeirah Lakes Towers. From DMCC station head in the direction of Centrepoint and get off at DIFC station. The journey will take 15 minutes.
If you live in a central area, such as at the intersection of Waterfront Walk and Braih Street and want to connect to Business Bay, there are two options. The first option, and the fastest, is the metro. You have to walk 10-15 minutes to the Sobha Realty station and then get off at the Business Bay station. The journey time is about 20 minutes. The second option is to take the bus. It takes 5-10 minutes to walk to the Royal Meridian bus stop, where you can take bus number 8, and ride for 40 minutes straight to the Hassa Bint Al Murr Masjid stop. Then get on bus number 9 and get off at the Business Bay Metro Seaside stop.
If you live in the eastern part of Dubai Marina, for example on En Nasim Street, and you need to go to Downtown Dubai, then the metro is the best option. You have to walk 10–15 minutes to Al-Hale metro station and get off at Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall. Travel time between the two destinations is 20 minutes.
Dubai Marina is a compact neighbourhood of 57.2 million sq ft, with very densely built-up areas and a promenade along the coast, so it is best navigated on foot. When considering transport options, however, it is convenient to rely on the infrastructure, which is close to the tram stops.
Near the Jumeirah Beach Residence 1 stop there are Emirates Hospitals & Clinics, Noor Bank branch, Al Fattan Marine Towers shopping centre, and the Splash Pad Dubai water park for children. Next to Jumeirah Beach Residence 2 you will find Super Dooper School of Arts, The Beach Shopping Centre, Emirates Islamic and United Arab Bank branches, Sisters Beauty Lounge and Dreamworks SPA.
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The Dubai Marina Mall stop is home to the world-famous Armada Surgery Centre, the JLT Dubai Toastmasters Club School of Communication and Public Speaking, and the Karas Veterinary Clinic. Dubai Marina Mall, which is one of the emirate's largest shopping malls, and Pier 7, which is home to some of the finest restaurants in Dubai, are also located close by.
NBD! There are nursery schools and early childhood development centres within a 5–10 minute walk of each tram stop.
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Next to the Mina Seyahi stop you will find the King’s College Hospital London Trauma Centre, Dubai Media City Park and Jungle Bay Water Park which the whole family can enjoy. There are 4 veterinary clinics near the Jumeirah Lakes Towers stop. Modern Veterinary Clinic is the only multi-disciplinary veterinary clinic in the UAE with a 24-hour service.
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Dubai has a well-developed mobile internet network and free wi-fi hotspots that can be found everywhere. This allows you to use mobile apps to navigate your tip around the emirate. The following apps can be installed on your smartphone:
NBD! The apps mainly work via internet connection, so if you do not have a local SIM card, you are advised to buy one at the airport as soon as you arrive.
From Dubai Marina, public transport links will take you to almost any part of the emirate. There are direct services to the DIFC, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. To avoid the traffic jams within Dubai Marina, residents mainly use the tram and metro to get around quickly. The transit time to either end of the neighbourhood takes less than 10–15 minutes.
