2026-05-24 • By Oliver Kemp • Informational, Guide, Smart Mobility

Dubai Metro Timings During Eid Al Adha 2026

Eid Al Adha is one of the busiest travel periods in Dubai. Streets fill up fast, malls stay open until midnight, and thousands of residents head out to mosques, beaches, and family gatherings across the city. If you want to skip the traffic stress entirely, the Dubai Metro is your smartest option this holiday.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially announced the Dubai Metro timings for Eid Al Adha 2026, along with free parking dates, tram schedules, and bus route updates. Here is everything you need to know before stepping out.

Official Dubai Metro Timings for Eid Al Adha 2026

Both the Red Line and Green Line will run on extended hours throughout the holiday period. The schedule covers the full Eid break, giving you plenty of time to plan your day without rushing back for a last train.

You can also check our Dubai Metro timings page for regular operating hours and frequency details beyond the holiday period.

Dubai Metro Red Line and Green Line Schedule

Saturday (May 23): 5:00 am to 1:00 am the next day
Sunday (May 24): 8:00 am to 1:00 am the next day
Monday to Saturday (May 25 onwards): 5:00 am to 1:00 am the next day

That is nearly 20 hours of daily metro service during peak Eid days. Whether you are heading to Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman, or the Gold Souk, you have a wide window to travel comfortably.

Heading to the airport? RTA advises passengers to use the Dubai Metro for airport trips during the break. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 are both directly served by the Red Line, making it one of the fastest and most stress-free ways to catch your flight while road traffic builds up across the city.

Dubai Tram Timings for Eid Al Adha 2026

If you are based in or visiting the JBR, Dubai Marina, or Media City areas, the Dubai Tram keeps you connected to the wider metro network. It links to the Red Line at DMCC Station and Palm Jumeirah Station, so you can travel across the city without switching to a taxi.

Dubai Tram Schedule

Saturday (May 23): 6:00 am to 1:00 am the next day
Sunday (May 24): 9:00 am to 1:00 am the next day
Monday to Saturday: 6:00 am to 1:00 am the next day

The tram is particularly popular during Eid evenings when Marina Walk and The Beach at JBR get crowded. Getting there by tram avoids the parking battle entirely.

Free Parking in Dubai During Eid Al Adha 2026

Here is a bonus that every driver looks forward to during the holidays. All public street parking across Dubai will be free from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29, 2026. That is five full days where you do not need to pay for roadside parking or worry about RTA meters running out.

A few things to keep in mind:

Multi-storey car parks are excluded and will continue to charge standard rates
Paid parking at Dubai International Airport remains in effect regardless of the holiday
Street parking near popular Eid destinations fills up quickly, so arriving early helps

If you prefer to combine driving and metro travel, the Dubai Metro Park and Ride facilities at Centrepoint, Jebel Ali, and e& stations let you park for free and ride into the city. During Eid, with five days of free public parking on top of this, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to get around.

Bus Route Changes During Eid Al Adha 2026

Some intercity bus routes have temporary adjustments in place for the holiday period. If you regularly use public buses to travel between emirates, these changes are worth noting before you plan your journey.

Bus Route E100 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station will be suspended from May 23 to May 31, 2026
Passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi during this period should use Bus Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station instead
Route E102 will operate between Al Jafiliya Station and Zayed International Airport only, skipping Ibn Battuta Station and Musaffah Shabiya Station

For all other updated bus timings during the holiday, the S'hail app is your best tool. It covers metro, bus, tram, and marine routes with real-time arrival information across the RTA network. Our Dubai Metro feeder buses guide also covers F-route connections from metro stations to surrounding areas if you need to extend your journey beyond the main lines.

Dubai Metro Fares and Nol Card Tips for Eid Travel

Metro fares stay the same during Eid Al Adha. No holiday surcharges apply. The standard zone-based Nol card pricing remains in effect throughout the break.

For a full breakdown of what each card type costs and which one suits your travel pattern best, visit our Dubai Metro fares guide or use the fare calculator to check the exact price between any two stations.

Standard Silver Nol Card Fares

Zone 1 (short journey, one zone): AED 3.00
Zone 2 (crossing two zones): AED 5.00
Zones 3 and beyond (longer city journeys): AED 7.50
Airport surcharge: An additional AED 5.00 applies for journeys to or from Terminal 1, 2, or 3
Daily cap: AED 14.00 per day on a Silver Nol card, after which rides are free until midnight

Nol Card Reminders for the Holiday

Keep at least AED 7.50 on your card if you plan to travel to the airport
Top up at any metro station, RTA smart kiosks, or through the S'hail app
Silver Nol cards offer the best value for regular metro travel
The Red Nol Ticket (single journey) costs more per trip and suits occasional users

Not sure which Nol card type is right for you? Our complete Nol card guide covers all four card types with prices, who each one is for, and how to get one. If you need to get a card before the holiday, the step-by-step guide on how to get a Nol card walks you through every option available across the city.

Best Metro Stops for Eid Outings in Dubai

One of the biggest advantages of the Dubai Metro during Eid is how many major attractions sit right along the Red and Green Lines. You can cover a big chunk of the city without touching a steering wheel. Use our interactive Dubai Metro map to plan your route before heading out.

Red Line Worth Knowing

Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station for Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Fountain show, and Souk Al Bahar
Mall of the Emirates Station for Ski Dubai and premium shopping and dining
DMCC Station to connect to the Dubai Tram and explore JBR and Marina Walk
Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 for international departures and arrivals

Green Line Worth Knowing

Gold Souk Station for traditional Eid jewellery shopping and the historic Dubai Creek area
BurJuman Station for one of Dubai's well-established city malls
Al Fahidi Station for the Dubai Museum, Al Seef, and the heritage district
Union Station as the main interchange point between Red and Green Lines

Expect the metro to be busiest between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm near malls and Gold Souk on the main Eid days. Travelling slightly outside these windows makes for a noticeably more comfortable ride. Not familiar with the full network layout? The Dubai Metro map guide covers all Red and Green Line stations with zones, connections, and landmarks.

RTA Customer Happiness Centres and Vehicle Testing

Most RTA Customer Happiness Centres will be closed across the Eid Al Adha break. However, a handful of locations remain accessible for urgent needs.

Open During Eid Al Adha

Umm Ramool Customer Happiness Centre (24/7)
Smart Kiosks in Deira, Al Barsha, Al Tawar, Al Kifaf, and RTA Headquarters (all 24/7)

Vehicle Testing Centres

Service Provider Centres for vehicle testing will be closed from Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29, 2026. Normal operations resume on Saturday, May 30, following regular approved schedules.

If you need to renew your vehicle registration, sort it before the break or use the smart kiosk locations listed above for basic transactions.

Marine Transport During Eid

Dubai's water transport network also runs during the holiday, covering routes along Dubai Creek, the Water Canal, and Palm Jumeirah. Timings are updated separately by RTA for the Eid period. Check the S'hail app or scan the official RTA QR code shared on their channels for the latest marine departure schedules.

Abra rides along Dubai Creek near the Gold Souk station are particularly atmospheric during Eid evenings and cost next to nothing.

FAQs About Dubai Metro Timings During Eid Al Adha 2026

What are the Dubai Metro timings during Eid Al Adha 2026? On most days of the holiday, both Red and Green Lines run from 5:00 am to 1:00 am. On Sundays, the metro starts slightly later at 8:00 am and still runs until 1:00 am the following day.

Is parking free in Dubai during Eid Al Adha 2026? Yes. Public street parking is free from May 25 to May 29, 2026. Multi-storey car parks are not included and continue charging standard rates. You can also use the free Park and Ride facilities at select metro stations.

Can I take the metro to Dubai Airport during Eid? Yes. The Red Line serves both Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. RTA recommends metro travel to the airport during the holiday to avoid road congestion.

Do I need a Nol card to use the metro during Eid? Yes. All metro, tram, and most bus journeys require a valid Nol card. You can top up at any metro station, smart kiosk, or through the S'hail app. Keep at least AED 7.50 on the card for airport trips, and note the daily cap of AED 14 for Silver Nol cards.

Is Bus Route E100 running during Eid Al Adha 2026? No. E100 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station is suspended from May 23 to May 31. Use Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to travel to Abu Dhabi during this period.

Are RTA customer service centres open during Eid Al Adha? Most are closed. The Umm Ramool centre and smart kiosks in Deira, Al Barsha, Al Tawar, Al Kifaf, and RTA HQ remain open 24/7 throughout the holiday.

Plan Your Eid Al Adha Travel Around the Metro

Eid Al Adha 2026 promises to be a long, lively break across Dubai. The metro runs almost the full day, parking is free on the streets for five days, and the city's biggest attractions are all within easy reach of a Red or Green Line station.

Whether you are shopping for last-minute Eid gifts at the Gold Souk, spending the day at a family beach, or catching a flight home for the holidays, the Dubai Metro has your journey covered from 5:00 am right through to 1:00 am.

For more guides on stations, fares, zones, route planning, and holiday travel tips, explore everything on dubaimetrorails.com. Eid Mubarak and safe travels!