Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is meant to be one of the most occupied stations of the Green Line when people are commuting to the business district in the east of Dubai. On each weekday morning, a thousand workers stream across the elevated platforms on their journeys to the offices within the Free Zone. This station will be a key connection point in the sultanate for those travelling from Terminal 2 and for residents of Al Qusais and Al Twar who want to get to and from the airport and their work or other destinations quickly.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Station Name | Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 |
| Metro Line | Green Line |
| Opened | 9 September 2011 |
| Location | Al Nahda Street, between Al Qusais and Al Twar |
| Nearest Airport Terminal | Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 2 |
| Station Type | Elevated, island platform |
| Adjacent Stations | Al Qusais and Al Nahda |
| Payment | No Card (Silver, Gold, Blue, Red Ticket) |
| Operating Hours | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Sat–Thu); until 1:00 AM Fri; from 8:00 AM Sun |
In short, Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is an elevated Green Line stop on Al Nahda Street that puts Dubai Airport Free Zone, Terminal 2, and the Al Qusais residential belt within a few minutes of each other.
Location and How to Reach Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1
At Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1, which is situated between Al Qusais and Al Twar districts, you can catch public transport to the city center or head for the surrounding neighborhoods for leisure, shopping, and dining.
Ignore the noise of the station and, namely, the security force, the main entrance to Dubai Airport Free Zone is approximately 500 meters away, which will take only 5-7 minutes to walk away for most of the commuters.
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is accessible for passengers who come from central Dubai by the Green Line trains. Red Line passengers from areas like Dubai Marina, Business Bay, and BurJuman stations usually change at either Union Station or BurJuman Station.
Green Line Route and Nearby Stations
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is along the Green Line, which passes through Dubai’s older, more established neighborhoods and connects with the Red Line at two transfer points, Union and BurJuman.
Adjacent to them are Al Qusais station on one side and Al Nahda station on the other, with the benefit of being able to enjoy access to two residential neighbourhoods in one stop. Green Line trains run throughout the city for passengers wishing to continue their journey into the city, with connections to Deira, Baniyas Square, and onwards to Creek and Dubai Healthcare City.
In summary: Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 links directly to Al Qusais and Al Nahda, with onward Green Line access to Deira and interchange options to the Red Line at Union and BurJuman.
Estimated Travel Times from DAFZA Metro Station 1
Approximate journey times by metro to key interchange and business hubs, for commuters planning connections:
| Destination | Approx. Metro Travel Time |
| Union Station | 20–25 minutes (direct, Green Line) |
| BurJuman Station | 20–25 minutes (direct, Green Line) |
| Dubai Marina (via Red Line transfer) | 50–60 minutes, including interchange |
| DXB Terminal 2 (by taxi/shuttle from Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1) | 5–10 minutes |
Station Timings: First and Last Train
Green Line trains run between Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 and Dubai International Airport daily from 5:00 AM until approximately midnight on Saturday through Thursday.
Friday’s service runs until 1 pm, and Saturday and Sunday service runs from about 8 am onwards.
Trains stop every 2-4 minutes during peak commuting times and 5-7 minutes off-peak times – based on RTA-wide Green Line frequency data for 2026.
At Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1, there may be some slight variation in first and last train times that occur on the Dubai Metro. For late-night and early morning journeys, it is best to check the RTA S’hail App.
In summary: Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 runs 5:00 AM to midnight most days, extending to 1:00 AM on Fridays and starting later at 8:00 AM on Sundays, as of 2026.
Facilities and Accessibility at Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is an elevated station with an island platform aimed to handle heavy flows of office travelers during rush hours.
- All walking routes are accessible by lift and ramp, and tactile guidance paths for people of determination.
- Passengers’ service: ticket booth and a customer service counter, as well as a convenience place.
- Bicycles: public restrooms and a cafe are located close to the entrance as well, providing comfort
In summary, Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 offers full accessibility features alongside everyday conveniences like a cafe, ticket counters, and bicycle parking.
DAFZA Metro Station 1: The Business Hub
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1: Dubai Business Hub is located near Dubai Financial City. Dubai Business Hub Metro Station 1 (Dubai Airport Free Zone) is the closest metro station to Dubai Financial City.
The aviation, pharmaceuticals, IT, and logistics industries are among the over 2,000 companies housed at Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dubai Airport Free Zone, 2025). This is the reason why this station gets more weekday ridership than other Green Line stations, because of the number of offices nearby.
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is not just a single-place stop, but a multi-purpose, multi-hear transit point with warehouses, corporate headquarters, and government offices in both Al Twar and Al Qusais.
Connectivity to Dubai International Airport Terminal 2
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is the nearest green line station to Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 2, which is used mainly by regional and flydubai flights. The travellers should use Red Line Stations as the Red Line is not directly connected to Terminal 1 or 3.
Access to Terminal 2 forecourt is only a short taxi or ride-hailing service ride (Careem/Uber pickups 100m out of the station) from Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1, where you will be able to enjoy the convenience of travelling without having to be on the Red Line.
Bus Routes and Last-Mile Connectivity
For those no longer in the immediate vicinity of Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1, several RTA bus services connect the station with areas around business and residential areas, as well as airport-adjacent areas, filling the ‘last mile’ gap to get to the office.
- Route 13: connects to the Gold Souq Bus Station in Deira
- Route 64: runs to Ras Al Khor and Gold Souq Bus Station
- Route C18: links to Lamcy Plaza and Oud Metha
According to PropertyFinder (2025), the Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dubai-AIFZ) Metro Station 1 Bus Stop and Twar Union Cooperative Society Stop, respectively, are located 4 minutes from the station.
History and Development of Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 was opened as part of the initial stages of the Green Line expansion on 9 September 2011, one of the various stations constructed to further the Dubai Metro’s expansion into the eastern business corridor of Dubai.
The relatively simple and functional layout of the station is much less ornate than that of the metro stations near Dubai’s main landmarks and malls because the station was built to service office commuters, not tourists.
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is also one of the busier stations on the Green Line since its opening, mirroring the growth of Dubai Airport Free Zone,e which has seen the introduction of new office towers and logistics facilities in the last 10 years.
Safety and Security at Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is located under thRTA’sTA wide security measures, such as CCTV surveillance, security staff, and screening of bags at the station entrances.
In a platform and within each train,,n there are dedicated women and children cabins, whiaree is heavily utilised by commuters at Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 due to its high volume of work commuters.
Weekday mornings between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM and evenings between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM are the busiest windows at Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1, driven almost entirely by Free Zone office shifts.
Commuters who can shift their travel even 30 minutes earlier or later often find noticeably shorter waits and less crowded carriages.
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 Compared to Other Green Line Business Stops
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is part of several Green Line stations that are built mainly for office and business areas, and do not serve residential or leisure areas.
The Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is located in a location further away from retail and older commercial areas of Deira, which tend to attract more single commuters who work in one of Dubai’s two Single Employer Districts—the Al Rigga and Salah Al Din areas.
This results in a quieter Free Zone Airport Metro Station during the weekend and public holidays when offices are also closed in the Free Zone, as opposed to stations located near all shopping areas, which are busy throughout most of the year.
NolCard and Fare Guide
Dubai Metro fares are calculated by zone, and Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 falls within the standard Green Line fare structure covering Zones 1 through 7.
| Fare Tier | Silver | Gold | Blue (Concession) | Red Ticket |
| 1 zone (≤3km) | AED 3.00 | AED 6.00 | AED 1.50 | AED 4.00 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5.00 | AED 10.00 | AED 2.50 | AED 6.00 |
| 3+ zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15.00 | AED 3.75 | AED 8.50 |
| Daily fare cap | AED 14 | AED 20 | AED 14 | — |
Fares shown are per-journey adult rates and reflect 2026 RTA zone pricing at the time of writing; the daily cap means unlimited rides are effectively free once it’s reached. Rates can be revised by the RTA, so travellers should verify current pricing via rta.ae or the S’hail app before a trip.
| NolCard Type | Best For | Notes |
| Silver Nol Card | Daily commuters, regular metro and bus travel | Pay-per-trip across Zones 1–7; standard class |
| Gold Nol Card | Passengers who prefer the Gold Class cabin | Same zones, premium cabin access, fares double Silver |
| Blue Nol Card | Students, seniors, and People of Determination | Concession rate, roughly 50% off Silver fares |
| Red Ticket | Tourists and one-time or short-stay visitors | Single or day-pass journeys, no card registration needed |
Nearby Attractions and Hotels
A couple of leisure options and accommodation options are easily accessible from the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1, beyond the Free Zone offices.
- Dubai Creek Park and Al Mamzar Beach Park are both about 15 minutes taxi ride away.
- Jameel Arts Centre is a cultural stop, just a few minutes’ walk from the station.
- For those arriving early, there were a number of business hotels and airport hotels surrounding Al Qusais and Al Twar.
Must Explore:
Frequently Asked Questions
What line is the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 on?
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is located on the Green Line of the Dubai Metro between Al Qusais and Al Nahda metro stations.
How far is the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 from Dubai Airport Free Zone?
Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1’s main entrance is about 0.5 mile (800 metres) from the Station exit.
Does Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 connect to DXB Terminal 2?
Yes, Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 is the Green Line metro station near Dubai Airport Terminal 2, while the Red Line serves Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
What are the first and last train timings at Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1?
Trains are on most days till about midnight by 2026, until 1 am Friday, and 8 am Sunday as of 2026.
How much is the metro fare from Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1?
Fares are zone-based: Silver Nol Card fares range from AED 3 for a single zone to AED 7.50 for three or more zones, with Gold Class costing double and Blue (concession) cards costing roughly half.
Is the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 accessible to people of determination?
Yes, the station has lifts, ramps, and tactile paths designed for passengers with reduced mobility.
Which bus routes connect to the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1?
Local RTA routes pick up passengers within a short distance of the station, and changes in the number of local routesares subject to regular review; you can find the list on the RTA S’hail app.
What facilities are available inside the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1?
At the station are public toilets, a convenience store, a customer service counter, ticket machines, and a café.
Is the Dubai Airport Free Zone Metro Station 1 busy during peak hours?
Yes, weekday mornings and evenings see heavy footfall from the roughly 2,000 companies operating inside the Free Zone.
