Why go
Rail avoids road traffic on a useful set of long-distance corridors. It works best when your stops sit near stations, such as the airport, Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina or JBR. Expect a walk, feeder bus or taxi for many final destinations.
The full story
Dubai Metro changed travel along the city’s main high-rise corridor. The Red Line follows Sheikh Zayed Road and links the airport with major developments including Burj Khalifa and Mall of the Emirates. The Green Line runs through the older city core, making it more useful for Deira and Bur Dubai. Dubai Tram extends the network around Dubai Marina and JBR, with interchanges to the Metro. The Palm Jumeirah monorail is a separate system and has historically offered a less direct connection to the Metro than its name may suggest. Stations are air-conditioned, an important comfort in hot weather, but the city’s broad roads and large developments mean station proximity should be checked before deciding to rely on rail. Consult the official route map for present interchanges and service patterns.