A Guide to the Dubai Tram [2024]

Dubai is a well-connected city with one of the best public transport networks in the world, which makes the city easier to explore for tourists and residents.

The Dubai Tram is one of the city’s most advanced forms of transportation that takes you around important spots in a faster and more convenient way.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about the Dubai Tram and how you can use it to go around the city during your trip.

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What is the Dubai Tram?

The Dubai tram is an overground tram system that runs the length of Al Sufouh Road to Jumeirah Lake Towers through the Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Dubbed by the Dubai Road and Transport Authority (RTA) as one of the safest modes of transport in the world, the Dubai Tram also links the Dubai Metro and Palm Monorail.

This connection makes it easier for commuters to travel around the city including Palm Jumeirah, which can only be accessed through its own monorail system.

Launched in 2014, the Dubai Tram’s primary purpose was to help alleviate the traffic congestion in Dubai’s roads giving commuters another option to go around the city.

The entire tram system stretches over 14.5 kilometers and it’s the first of its kind to use the same wireless underground electric system that can only be found in Europe’s tram networks.

The Dubai Tram operates daily from 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM carrying 405 passengers at a time through 11 stations.

The tram arrives at a station every 10 minutes on peak hours and every 12 minutes on off-peak hours.

But unlike the Dubai Metro, the tram is slower and takes 40 minutes to travel from its first to its last stop.

It has an average speed of 10 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

Things to Know

The Dubai Tram is one of the city’s most reliable forms of transportation, especially for tourists who want a no-hassle way to explore the different tourist spots around the city.

Here’s everything you need to know about this transport system:

Dubai Tram Features

The Dubai Tram is like any other modern tram that you’d see in Europe. The only difference is that it doesn’t have any overhead lines since everything is underground.

The tram is fully automated with features like flashing signal lights and audible beeps for when the gates close and open and platform screen doors.

Passengers also get to enjoy complete mobile coverage and a free Wi-Fi through the Metro network.

Each tram is also equipped with safety features like an integrated radio system in case of emergencies and its own special Metro Police to keep the peace and order in every station.

Dubai Tram Cabins

Each tram is about 44 meters long and it’s divided into three cabins: gold, silver and a special cabin for ladies with children.

Gold Cabin

Known as the “business class” of the Dubai Tram, this cabin will let you enjoy full leather seats with a 1-1 configuration with only 8 seats.

You also have your own luggage storage, more space to move around and the best seats in the house since Gold Class is located on the front of the tram.

Silver Cabin

Located behind Gold Class is the regular tram carriage with forward, rear and side seating options.

Although this accommodates more passengers than Gold Class, which means that it can get full during peak hours, this class is still well-designed and has comfortable seating.

Women and Children Only

The bottom carriage is dedicated only to women and children, which is normal in other forms of transportation in the UAE since it’s a Muslim country.

This cabin is essentially the same with Silver Class, but only women and children are allowed to sit here.

Each passenger is allowed to carry two suitcases on the tram.

This should be one large suitcase with dimensions not exceeding 81 cm x 58 cm x 30 cm and one small suitcase not exceeding 55 cm x 38 cm x 20 cm.

Dubai Tram Stations

The Dubai Tram has two phases. Phase 1 has been running since 2014 and has 11 stops through its route.

Phase 2, on the other hand, is still on hold. Upon completion, it will continue the end of Phase 1 to the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and add 6 more stations along Sheikh Zayed Road.

The 11 stations of the Dubai Tram are:

Jumeirah Beach Residence 1 Station
Jumeirah Beach Residence 2 Station
Jumeirah Lake Towers Station
Dubai Marina Mall Station
Dubai Marina Station
Marina Towers Station
Mina Seyahi Station
Dubai Media City Station
Palm Jumeirah Station
Dubai Knowledge Village Station
Al Sufouh Station

Dubai Tram Interchanges

To make your commute a lot easier, the Dubai Tram has two interchanges that link with the Metro Red Line.

The Jumeirah Lake Towers Station is connected directly to the DMCC Metro Station while the Dubai Marina Station is connected to the DAMAC Properties Metro Station.

If you have to travel to an area where the Dubai Tram doesn’t pass, you can stop at these stations, walk on the footbridge over Sheikh Zayed Road and take the Metro Red line.

If you want to visit Palm Jumeirah, you can ride the tram to the Palm Jumeirah Station that’s directly connected to the Gateway Monorail Station that traverses through the island.

Dubai Tram Schedule

The Dubai Tram runs for 20 hours every day with one-minute stops in every station. The tram’s schedule also varies depending on the day and time.

So, if you’re planning to ride the Dubai Tram, make sure to check these timings:

Saturday to Thursday		Friday
5:00 AM to 7:00 AM	Trips every 8 minutes	5:00 AM to 1:00 PM	Trips every 10 minutes
7:00 AM to 10:00 AM	Trips every 7 minutes	1:00 PM to 6:00 PM	Trips every 7 minutes
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM	Trips every 6 minutes	6:00 PM to 8:00 PM	Trips every 6 minutes
8:00 PM until closing	Trips every 8 minutes	8:00 PM to 11:00 PM	Trips every 8 minutes
		11:00 PM until closing	Trips every 10 minutes

Dubai Tram Fare

Although the Dubai Tram is a modern form of transport, the fare is affordable to make it accessible to the general public.

To pay for the Dubai Tram and other public transport in the city, you need to purchase a Nol Card. The fare for your ride will depend on the type of card that you’re using.

Here are the different types of Nol Cards and their inclusions:

Type of Card	Inclusions	Fare Rate
Gold Nol Card	Rate: AED 25 including the AED 19 minimum balance Top-up Limit: AED 500 Validity: 5 years Valid on: All Dubai public transport Benefits: Access to Gold Class cabins on the Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro	AED 6 within 1 zone AED 10 within 2 zones AED 15 for more than 2 zones
Silver Nol Card	Rate: AED 25 including the AED 19 minimum balance Top-up Limit: AED 1,000 Validity: 5 years Valid on: All Dubai public transport Benefits: None	AED 3 within 1 zone AED 5 within 2 zones AED 7.5 for more than 2 zones
Personal Nol Card	Rate: AED 70 including the AED 20 minimum balance Top-up Limit: AED 5,000 Validity: 5 years Valid on: All Dubai public transport Benefits: Top up your credit online and get your balance back if your card gets lost or stolen	AED 3 within 1 zone AED 5 within 2 zones AED 15 for more than 2 zones
Red Nol Card	Rate: AED 6 including the AED 4 minimum balance Top-up Limit: Rechargeable use for five daily passes or a maximum of ten journeys Validity: 90 days Valid on: Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and Dubai Bus Benefits: None	AED 4 within 1 zone AED 6 within 2 zones AED 8.5 for more than 2 zones
Customized Nol Card	Rate: AED 30 Top-up Limit: AED 1,000 Validity: 5 years Valid on: All Dubai public transport Benefits: Choose between 16 Dubai-inspired cards to customize your Nol card	AED 3 within 1 zone AED 5 within 2 zones AED 7.5 for more than 2 zones

Type of Card

Inclusions

Fare Rate

Gold Nol Card

Rate: AED 25 including the AED 19 minimum balance

Top-up Limit: AED 500

Validity: 5 years

Valid on: All Dubai public transport

Benefits: Access to Gold Class cabins on the Dubai Tram and Dubai Metro

AED 6 within 1 zone

AED 10 within 2 zones

AED 15 for more than 2 zones

Silver Nol Card

Rate: AED 25 including the AED 19 minimum balance

Top-up Limit: AED 1,000

Validity: 5 years

Valid on: All Dubai public transport

Benefits: None

AED 3 within 1 zone

AED 5 within 2 zones

AED 7.5 for more than 2 zones

Personal Nol Card

Rate: AED 70 including the AED 20 minimum balance

Top-up Limit: AED 5,000

Validity: 5 years

Valid on: All Dubai public transport

Benefits: Top up your credit online and get your balance back if your card gets lost or stolen

AED 3 within 1 zone

AED 5 within 2 zones

AED 15 for more than 2 zones

Red Nol Card

Rate: AED 6 including the AED 4 minimum balance

Top-up Limit: Rechargeable use for five daily passes or a maximum of ten journeys

Validity: 90 days

Valid on: Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and Dubai Bus

Benefits: None

AED 4 within 1 zone

AED 6 within 2 zones

AED 8.5 for more than 2 zones

Customized Nol Card

Rate: AED 30

Top-up Limit: AED 1,000

Validity: 5 years

Valid on: All Dubai public transport

Benefits: Choose between 16 Dubai-inspired cards to customize your Nol card

AED 3 within 1 zone

AED 5 within 2 zones

AED 7.5 for more than 2 zones

Children, senior citizens and people of determination are free to ride the Dubai Tram any time.

Dubai Tram Violations and Fines

The government ensures that every passenger will have a comfortable and safe ride with the Dubai Tram every time.

This is why you need to follow certain rules that when violated could lead to reprimand and some hefty fines.

So, if you want to avoid getting into trouble and spending your travel money on fines, here are some of the most common violations on the Dubai Tram and their fines:

Type of Violation	Fine
Putting your feet on the seats	AED 100
Entering restricted areas in the Dubai Tram or any Transport Facilities and Services despite warning signs	AED 100
Sitting or standing in non-passenger areas within the Dubai Tram or its stations	AED 100
Accessing or sitting in areas designated for specific classes like the cabin for children and women only or the gold class even if you’re assigned to silver class	AED 100
Eating or drinking inside the tram or any other prohibited areas in the station	AED 100
Causing any disturbance or inconvenience to other people using the Dubai Tram	AED 100
Carrying pets inside the Dubai Tram. Only guide dogs for blind individuals are allowed inside the tram	AED 100
Misusing the lifts and escalators	AED 100
Jumping or climbing to board the tram	AED 100
Bringing or using any material or equipment that may cause inconvenience or endanger the safety of other passengers	AED 100
Using an invalid or expired card or someone else’s card	AED 200
Selling Unified Cards without permission from the authorities	AED 200
Entering or exiting from sections where the fare is applied or failing to pay when using the tram	AED 200
Failure to present the card when requested	AED 200
Selling or promoting inside the tram	AED 200
Failing to follow the instructions of the inspector or any authorized personnel or impeding their performance of their duties	AED 200
Using the tram and its facilities and services contrary to the instructions given on signboards	AED 200
Smoking inside the tram	AED 200
Littering, spitting or performing any act that compromises the cleanliness of the tram	AED 200
Causing any distraction or obstruction to the drivers of the tram	AED 200
Sleeping on any prohibited place on the tram	AED 300
Using a counterfeit Nol Card	AED 500
Bringing alcoholic drinks inside the tram	AED 500
Parking a vehicle on the designated area for metro passengers more than the allowed time	AED 100 per day and up to AED 1,000
Carrying hazardous items like flammable materials, sharp tools and weapons on the tram	AED 1,000
Vandalizing, destroying or damaging seats or any other equipment on the tram	AED 2,000

Landmarks to See Near the Dubai Tram Stations

Dubai Marina

One of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the city, Dubai Marina is a riviera-style development with residences enjoying views of the marina.

It’s also a dining and entertainment hub with the 7-kilometer promenade named Dubai Marina Walk featuring differing dining, shopping and entertainment options.

This area is accessible through the Dubai Tram that stops at the Dubai Marina Tram Station, Dubai Marina Mall Station, Marina Towers Station and Jumeirah Beach Residences Stations.

Bluewaters Island

Bluewaters Island is another waterfront development just across Dubai Marina where the famous Ain Dubai observation wheel and Madame Tussauds are located.

The island is also home to some of the city’s top entertainment destinations including the famous Brass Monkey and Caesar’s Palace Dubai.

To get to Bluewaters Island using the Dubai Tram, you can stop at the Jumeirah beach Residences 1 or 2 station.

From there, you can use the pedestrian bridge to walk to the island, which will take you around seven minutes.

Jumeirah Beach Residences

Jumeirah Beach Residences is the best beachside community in Dubai with famous attractions like The Beach and The Walk.

Here, you can enjoy the ebay of beachside living with the 1.7-kilometer pathway where you can find some of the best hotels, retail stores, restaurants and bars.

To reach this area, you can ride the Dubai Tram and stop at the Jumeirah Beach Residences Station, which is just a few minutes walk away from the beach.

If you’re taking the Metro Red Line, stop at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Station and go to the connecting Jumeirah Lake Towers Tram Station.

Palm Jumeirah

Of course, you can’t visit Dubai and not admire the beautiful Palm Jumeirah.

This artificial island is home to some of the best resorts in the city including the famous Atlantis the Palm and Atlantis The Royal.

Since the island has its own monorail system, you can access it through the Dubai Tram, which is connected to the Gateway Station where you can ride the monorail.

Once you arrive at the Palm Jumeirah Station, you’ll need to walk on the foot bridge for about 10 minutes to reach the monorail station.