How to Go to Palm Jumeirah Beach by Metro Without Accidentally Ending Up in Abu Dhabi
Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s top spots, famous for its luxury resorts, beachside restaurants, and amazing views of the Arabian Gulf. Many people go by taxi or car, but you can also reach it using the Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail.
Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown of the trip to get to Palm Jumeirah Beach by metro.
How to Go to Palm Jumeirah Beach by Metro
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To go to Palm Jumeirah Beach by metro, first take the Red Line Metro to Al Fardan Exchange (formerly Al Khail) or Dubai Internet City. From there, you can take a tram or a taxi. After that, ride the Palm Monorail from Palm Gateway Station.
Finally, walk to the beach, such as Atlantis, The Pointe, or Al Ittihad Park Beach.
To learn more, check out our breakdown of the steps below.
Step 1: Buy or top up your Nol card
To make your trip more convenient, make sure to buy or top up your Nol card first thing.
You can buy a Nol card from many places across Dubai: ticket offices at all Metro stations, selected bus stations and RTA Customer Service Centres.
You can also purchase one from vending machines and authorized retail agents, such as convenience stores or supermarkets with the RTA signage.
If you prefer digital methods, you can use the Nol Pay mobile app (available on iOS and Android) to order a card or register your anonymity or personalized card and top it up via NFC or through your phone.
You can also recharge your card online on the official RTA website by entering your card’s ID, or use partner apps like Dubai Now or S’hail.
For in-person top ups, the ticket vending machines or ticket counters at Metro or bus stations work well. There are also solar-powered or outdoor top-up kiosks at some bus stops.
The minimum balance required is AED 7.50. However, note that the minimum top-up amount depends on where you’re recharging—it may be as low as AED 5 via kiosks or online, but at Metro station ticket offices it’s often higher (e.g. AED 50).
Step 2: Take the Red Line Metro
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To get to Palm Jumeirah by metro, take the Red Line that runs along Sheikh Zayed Road.
If you’re coming from Downtown Dubai or Bur Dubai, go toward either Al Fardan Exchange (the station was formerly called Al Khail) or Dubai Internet City Metro Station. These two stations are the nearest ones to Palm Jumeirah.
Step 3: Transfer to a Tram or Taxi
From your metro stop, you can either take a taxi or the tram to reach the Palm Gateway Monorail Station.
If you choose a taxi, it’s a quick 5- to 10-minute ride and usually costs around AED 12 to 20.
If you prefer the tram, you can walk from the metro station to the Dubai Tram, ride it to Palm Jumeirah Tram Station, and then walk across the pedestrian bridge to the Palm Gateway Monorail Station.
You can expect about a 10-minute walk between the tram and the monorail entry, depending on your pace and luggage. The tram ride is compatible with the Nol card and a single fare costs only AED 3.
Step 4: Board the Palm Monorail
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From Palm Gateway Station, take the Palm Monorail, which runs along the trunk of the Palm and gives you nice views on the way.
The Palm Monorail isn’t Nol-compatible, so you’ll need to buy separate tickets. Prices start from AED 5 for a single leg, with round-trip fares starting from AED 10. For full price details, check the Palm Monorail ticket prices page.
You can buy tickets from the kiosks and customer-service counters at any Monorail station, or you can buy online from the official Palm Monorail booking page.
Once you have your ticket, enter through the gates at the platform, wait for the next train.
Trains leave every 15 minutes. The first train from Gateway leaves at 9:00 AM and the last train leaves at 9:45 PM. For more details, you can see this on the Palm Monorail timetable & schedule.
The Palm Monorail stations and stops include Palm Gateway, Al Ittihad Park, Palm Jumeirah Mall, Nakheel Mall, and Atlantis Aquaventure. Nakheel Mall is a popular stop for shopping, while Atlantis is a known stop for the resorts, beaches, or The Pointe.
Step 5: Walk to the Beach
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Once you get off the monorail, you can walk to your beach depending on which station you use.
From Nakheel Mall, there are beaches and shops within easy walking distance.
From Al Ittihad Park station, you’re close to Palm West Beach. At Atlantis Aquaventure station, you can walk along the boardwalk, go into Atlantis, or reach nearby beaches and The Pointe.
If you need a public beach, Al Ittihad Park Beach is accessible from the Al Ittihad Park station.
For more upscale beach access, the resort beaches around Atlantis or The Pointe are good options, but check if reservations or passes are required to enter.
Travel Time and Costs
To help you budget your trip, here a quick breakdown of the journey, including estimated time and fares:
Pro Tip:
The tram is cheaper at AED 3, but it takes more time because of walking and transfers. If you want to save time, a short taxi ride (from AED 12) is worth it.
Alternative Ways to Go to Palm Jumeirah Beach
Taking the Dubai Metro is a good option, but there are also other ways to reach Palm Jumeirah.
Via RTA Bus
You can take an RTA bus to Dubai Marina or Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). Specific routes may vary, so it’s best to check the latest schedules and routes on the official RTA website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Once you arrive at Dubai Marina or JBR, you can transfer to the Dubai Tram, which connects to the Palm Monorail.
Via Taxi and Ride-Hailing Apps
Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Careem and Uber are convenient options that take you directly to Palm Jumeirah. Fares from Downtown Dubai typically range from AED 40 to AED 60, depending on traffic and time of day.
For more information on Careem fares, you can refer to their trip fare calculation page. Uber also provides fare estimates and booking options through their official Dubai page.
Via Car
If you’re driving a car, you can park for free at The Pointe, a popular waterfront destination on Palm Jumeirah. Some hotels and beach clubs also offer limited parking for guests.
If you drive to Palm Gateway to ride the Palm Monorail to Palm Jumeirah beach, you can validate your monorail ticket for 3 hours free parking. After that, a fee of about AED 10/hour applies.