Union Metro Station is a large underground station in Deira, Dubai. It joins the Red Line and the Green Line, so you can change trains here without leaving the station. That makes it one of the most useful stops on the Dubai Metro.
You might be staying in Deira, heading to Dubai Mall, or catching a bus to another emirate. This guide covers timings, routes, travel times, and the hotels, spas, malls and restaurants nearby.
Union Metro Station Dubai at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Union Square, near Al Rigga, Deira |
| Lines | Red Line (R18) and Green Line (G20) |
| Station type | Underground interchange |
| Opened | 9 September 2009 |
| Fare zone | Zone 5 |
| Red Line neighbours | Al Rigga (toward Centrepoint) and BurJuman (toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy) |
| Green Line neighbours | Salah Al Din (toward e&) and Baniyas Square (toward Creek) |
| Accessibility | Elevators and step-free access |
What Is Union Metro Station?
Union Metro Station sits at Union Square in Deira. It opened on 9 September 2009. The station is underground and covers about 25,000 square metres, so it is one of the biggest stations on the network.
Two things make it special. First, it is a transfer station. Only two stations let you switch between the Red and Green Lines: Union and BurJuman. Second, Union Square Bus Station is next to it. Buses from there go to nearby emirates such as Sharjah, Ajman and Fujairah.
The area around the station has Al Ghurair Centre, Maktoum Hospital, several consulates, and Dubai Creek.
Union Metro Station Dubai Timing
Union follows the standard Dubai Metro hours. The Red Line and Green Line use the same schedule.
| Day | Opening time | Closing time |
| Monday to Thursday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM (next day) |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
Trains come every 2 to 4 minutes at busy times. At quieter times, you wait about 5 to 7 minutes. Hours can change on public holidays, Eid and New Year’s Eve, so check the RTA website or the S’hail app before you travel. Last train times can also differ slightly by station, so don’t plan a late-night trip too tightly.
Union Metro Station Dubai Routes
Red Line
The Red Line runs from Centrepoint in the northeast to Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy in the southwest.
- Toward Expo 2020 / Life Pharmacy: BurJuman, ADCB, Max, World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, Financial Centre, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Marina area, Jabal Ali, and Expo 2020.
- Toward Centrepoint: Al Rigga, City Centre Deira, Al Garhoud, Airport Terminal 1, Airport Terminal 3, Emirates, and Centrepoint.
Green Line
The Green Line runs from e& to Creek and passes through older parts of Dubai.
- Toward e&: Salah Al Din, Abu Baker Al Siddique, Abu Hail, Al Qiyadah, Stadium, Airport Free Zone, and on to e&.
- Toward Creek: Baniyas Square, Gold Souq, Al Ras, Al Ghubaiba, then BurJuman and the Creek end of the line.
How to Change Lines
Follow the Red Line or Green Line signs inside the station. You stay inside the paid area, so you don’t need to exit and pay again. Always check the platform screen for the train’s final stop before you board.
Buses From Union Square
Union Square Bus Station has intercity routes such as E303 to Sharjah, E400 to Ajman, and E700 to Fujairah. A Ras Al Khaimah bus also runs from here. Routes can change, so check S’hail for the latest list.
Fares
You need a Nol card. On a Silver Nol card, a metro trip costs AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50, depending on how many fare zones you cross. Check the RTA app for exact prices.
Union Metro Station to Dubai Mall
Union to Dubai Mall is a direct Red Line trip. You don’t need to change trains.
- Enter Union Metro Station and tap your Nol card.
- Go to the Red Line platform toward Expo 2020 or Life Pharmacy.
- Ride past BurJuman, ADCB, Max, World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers and Financial Centre.
- Get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, the 7th stop.
- Follow the signs to the Metro Link Bridge.
The train ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and the fare is usually AED 5. The Metro Link Bridge is an air-conditioned walkway about 820 metres long, with travelators. The walk to the mall takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Dubai Mall to Union Metro Station
For the trip back, use the same station, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, on the Red Line.
- Walk back across the Metro Link Bridge to the station.
- Board the Red Line train toward Centrepoint.
- Get off at Union, the 7th stop. It comes after BurJuman.
Allow extra time on evenings and weekends, when the bridge and the platforms get crowded. If you need the Green Line, stay on until Union and follow the transfer signs.
Union Metro Station to Dubai Airport Terminal 2
Terminal 2 does not have its own metro station. Terminals 1 and 3 do, on the Red Line, but Terminal 2 needs one extra step.
Option 1: Metro and bus
- Take the Green Line from Union toward e&.
- Get off at Airport Free Zone or Al Qiyadah.
- Take bus 43, C26 or 31 to Terminal 2, or take a short taxi ride.
This usually takes about 30 to 50 minutes. Airport Free Zone station is also roughly a 10-minute walk from Terminal 2, but that is hard with heavy bags in the heat.
Option 2: Taxi from Union A taxi is the simplest choice if you have luggage or a tight flight time. Traffic decides how long the ride takes, so leave a safe buffer.
Union Metro Station to Dubai Internet City
This is another direct Red Line trip, so you don’t need to change trains.
- Board the Red Line toward Expo 2020 or Life Pharmacy.
- Ride 13 stops, passing Dubai Mall, Business Bay and Mall of the Emirates.
- Get off at Dubai Internet City.
The trip takes about 30 minutes. Dubai Internet City is in fare zone 2, and Union is in zone 5. You cross many zones, so expect the top Silver Nol fare of AED 7.50. The station serves Internet City, Media City, Barsha Heights and the Knowledge Village area. Feeder buses run from the station to nearby areas.
Hotels Near Union Metro Station Dubai
Hotels near Union are mostly in Deira, along Al Rigga Road and Omar Bin Al Khattab Street. Guides list these hotels within about 4 to 11 minutes on foot.
| Hotel | Walk to Union | Good for |
| Panorama Deira Hotel | About 4 minutes | Budget stays, closest hotel |
| Zain International Hotel | About 5 minutes | Short stays, rooftop pool |
| Swissôtel Al Ghurair | About 6 minutes | Luxury, spa, mall access |
| City Avenue Al Reqqa Hotel | About 7 minutes | Garden views, airport access |
| Royalton Hotel Dubai | About 8 minutes | Budget stays, near Gold Souk |
| Pearl Swiss Hotel | About 9 minutes | Value, pool and sauna |
| Hyatt Place Dubai Wasl District | About 11 minutes | Comfort, free breakfast |
Walk times are approximate and may change with the heat and the crowds. Room prices change with the season, so compare rates before you book.
Spa Near Union Metro Station Dubai
Many hotels near Union have a spa or wellness area.
- Swissôtel Al Ghurair: a five-star hotel with a spa and fitness centre, about 6 minutes on foot.
- Pearl Swiss Hotel: has a spa, sauna, fitness centre and outdoor pool.
- Royalton Hotel Dubai: has a wellness spa and is close to the Gold Souk.
A few spas sit inside hotels along Al Rigga Road. Luxury Spa at Howard Johnson Plaza by Wyndham Dubai Deira offers Moroccan hammam and aromatherapy. De Rest Spa is inside Best Western Premier M Four Hotel. Serenity Spa & Wellness Centre offers body scrubs and an infrared sauna.
Basic massage sessions in Deira often start around AED 150 to AED 200, and hotel spas usually cost more. Choose a licensed spa, read recent reviews, and confirm the price and session length before you book. If you are unsure, pick a well-known hotel spa.
Read Also: Etisalat Metro Station Dubai
Malls Near Union Metro Station Dubai
- Al Ghurair Centre: about a 5-minute walk from Union on Al Rigga Road. It opened in 1981 and has hundreds of shops, a supermarket and a food court.
- Reef Mall: near Salah Al Din station, one stop from Union on the Green Line.
- BurJuman: one stop away on the Red Line, toward Expo 2020.
- Deira City Centre: two stops away on the Red Line. Ride toward Centrepoint and pass Al Rigga.
- Dubai Mall: seven stops away on the Red Line, and the biggest mall on this list.
For old-style shopping, the Gold Souq station on the Green Line is two stops from Union, past Baniyas Square.
Read Also: Dubai Investment Park Metro Station
Restaurants Near Union Metro Station Dubai
At Al Ghurair Centre: The food court has fast food such as KFC and McDonald’s, plus Chinese Palace. For a sit-down meal, options include Denny’s, Yakitate, India Palace, Kababji Grill, Shogun, Tapa King and Abou Al-Arabi. A newer food complex has added more counter-service spots.
Along Al Rigga Road: The road has many restaurants serving Arabic, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Chinese food. Al Safadi, a Lebanese restaurant, is in Al Dana Building on Al Rigga Road and is listed as open daily from 9 AM to 1 AM.
In hotels: Many nearby hotels have their own restaurants, and most offer breakfast. City Avenue Al Reqqa Hotel, for example, has Dunes Restaurant.
Read Also: Oud Metha Metro Station Dubai
Final Thoughts
Union Metro Station is a smart base for exploring Dubai. It links the Red and Green Lines, has a bus station, and sits close to Al Ghurair Centre, hotels and restaurants. From here, Dubai Mall and Dubai Internet City are direct Red Line rides. For Terminal 2, use the Green Line and finish with a bus or taxi. Check timings and fares on RTA or S’hail before you travel.
