Airport Terminal 3 (R13) is the Red Line station connected to DXB Terminal 3, in zone 5. Check your flight’s terminal before choosing this station: an airline name alone is not a reliable substitute for the booking details.
Which train takes you into Dubai?
For Deira, Downtown and the Marina corridor, follow trains towards Expo 2020 or Life Pharmacy. The first city-bound stop is Airport Terminal 1, followed by Al Garhoud, City Centre Deira, Al Rigga and Union. Union is therefore five stops from Terminal 3, not two.
For Expo City itself, choose Expo 2020 on the destination display. For Ibn Battuta or Life Pharmacy, choose the Life Pharmacy service. Both branches cover the central Red Line corridor before separating at National Paints.
Before the fare gate
Follow terminal Metro signs and buy or top up your Nol card. Check the luggage limits before bringing large bags: an airline baggage allowance does not override Metro dimensions. Keep baggage clear of doors and wheelchair spaces.
Arriving late or returning for a flight
Your landing time is not the time you reach the platform. Allow for immigration, baggage and the terminal walk. Check the station-specific departure in RTA’s timetable or S’hail; do not subtract a journey estimate from network closing time to guess the last train.
For an early flight, work backwards from the airline’s check-in deadline. If the first available Metro journey does not leave a comfortable margin, use a taxi. For terminal-to-terminal connections, follow airline and airport guidance before leaving the secure area.
Correction, 26 September 2026: removed incorrect stop counts and unsupported airport travel-time assurances.