Airport Terminal 1

Most international carriers flying into Dubai use Terminal 1, and this station connects that terminal straight to the Red Line. For a visitor stepping off a long-haul flight, it means a clean, air-conditioned train into the city is waiting just beyond arrivals, no haggling over fares and no waiting in a taxi rank.

The journey to the central districts takes about half an hour and costs only a few dirhams. Platforms are sized for travellers pulling suitcases, lifts serve every level, and the bilingual signage makes the route simple to follow even after a tiring flight.

Station Overview

Airport Terminal 1 opened in 2009 as part of the first phase of the Red Line and lies in Zone 5 of the NOL fare system. The automated, driverless trains that serve it run every few minutes across the operating day, so there is rarely a long wait on the platform.

Lines and Connectivity

Only the Red Line stops here. North-east it runs one stop to Airport Terminal 3 and on to the Centrepoint terminus, while south-west it passes through Deira and the city centre before joining Sheikh Zayed Road towards Downtown, the Marina and the Route 2020 branch. To reach the Green Line and the old souq district, change at Union or BurJuman.

Station Layout and Structure

Airport Terminal 1 is an elevated station tied into the terminal, with lifts and escalators moving passengers and luggage between the concourse and platform. Inside there are toilets, ATMs, NOL machines and staff on hand. Gold Class carriages run at the front of each train and a women and children carriage sits in the middle.

Accessibility

Full step-free access runs through the station, which is a real help with heavy bags. Lifts reach every level, platform screen doors line the edge, and tactile paving and audio-visual announcements assist passengers with reduced mobility or vision.

Travel Tips

• Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, since Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have separate stations.
• Pick up a NOL card at the station machines. It costs AED 25 including AED 19 of credit and covers all public transport.
• You can carry two pieces of luggage on the train, so keep bags compact and stand near the doors.
• The metro runs Saturday to Wednesday 05:00-00:00, Thursday 05:00-01:00 and Friday 08:00-01:00. Late arrivals should plan a taxi.

Nearby Attractions

Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 - directly served by the station, the terminal used by most international airlines flying into DXB.

Airport Terminal 3 - one Red Line stop away, the Emirates home terminal and one of the largest airport buildings in the world.

Deira and Garhoud hotels - a short ride towards the city, a run of airport hotels convenient for connections and layovers.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Trains at Airport Terminal 1 run Saturday to Wednesday 05:00-00:00, Thursday 05:00-01:00 and Friday 08:00-01:00. Flight arrivals keep the platform busy at odd hours, and the weekday commuter peaks around 07:30-09:30 and 17:00-19:30 add to the crowd. If you land after the last train, a taxi is the only option into the city.