Business Bay Metro Station is a station on Dubai Metro’s Red Line that serves the Business Bay business district and surrounding areas of Downtown Dubai. Its station number is R26, and it is located on Sheikh Zayed Road. The station is linked to Dubai’s metro network, allowing commuters to travel to various parts of Dubai, including major office districts, residential complexes, shopping centers, and other stations. The station is helpful for people who go to the offices, hotels, and residential towers in Business Bay, but the closest metro station will depend on the destination. Before heading off on your journey, see what the building is called, which direction the train is going, and if there is a bus service in between, check what line it is and when it will run.
Where is Business Bay Metro Station?
Business Bay Metro Station is located on Sheikh Zayed Road, which links to the commercial and residential area of Business Bay, close to Downtown Dubai. It’s part of the Dubai Metro Red Line with the station code R26. The station is especially convenient for commuters who work in the business districts of Downtown Dubai, as well as those who live in the towers nearby and visitors who travel towards the city centre.
The station is located next to the northern part of the Business Bay district. Business Bay is a vast area; however, the metro station may not be the closest stop to all office, hotel, or residential buildings within the neighbourhood.
If you are heading towards Dubai Water Canal or further within the Business Bay area, look for the onward bus service or taxi service before exiting the station.
Business Bay Metro Station timings
According to the Dubai Metro operating timetable published by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the following operating hours are published. These are network-level hours and may differ between directions at Business Bay.
| Day | Operating hours |
| Monday to Thursday | 5:00 AM–12:00 AM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM–1:00 AM the following day |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM–12:00 AM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM–12:00 AM |
In the evening, check the departure time for your particular direction, not the opening hours at the station only. The regular timetable will be subject to changes brought on by public holidays, special events and temporary service changes.
The latest published operating information is available in the official RTA timetable.
Which metro line serves Business Bay?
Business Bay Metro Station is on the Red Line. It is interlinked with central Dubai, Dubai International Airport, and other destinations on Sheikh Zayed Road. The Red Line also heads to various destinations in the South; therefore, passengers should look at the displayed destination before travelling on.
Towards Centrepoint
The trains that go towards Centrepoint are heading towards the centre of the UAE, that is, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Financial Centre, Emirates Towers, Union, and the Airport Stations. This route is helpful for travellers heading to Downtown Dubai and central and northern Dubai.
Towards southern Dubai
In the other direction, it heads for destinations like Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina, and other parts of the south. Several services do not run to all stations – check if the train stops at your destination before getting on.
How to reach Dubai Mall from Business Bay
The adjacent Red Line station towards Centrepoint is Burj Khalifa/Dubj Mall, R25. Passengers can go from Business Bay to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa via the metro in one stop and then walk along the pedestrian links and signage.
All attractions in Downtown Dubai don’t have a metro station at the bottom of their entrance. Once you have left the station, you’ll have to walk to your destination in the mall or in the district. If meeting at a specific entrance, check the entrance before beginning the trip.
Business Bay bus connections
Dubai’s RTA bus network is used for connecting metro stations with surrounding neighbourhoods, commercial buildings and residential areas. Business Bay also has bus stops and routes to other destinations in the area, such as between the metro station and the business area’s bus facilities. Routes will vary depending on the stop and destination.
Check the correct bus route
Avoid choosing a bus just because its title includes the words Business Bay. Some services run from the metro station to Business Bay 2 Bus Station, and others run to commercial areas such as Bay Square or Al Safa, or other nearby areas.
Always check the official RTA public transport timetable or the RTA journey-planning service for the route number, stop from which you are boarding, direction, and operating time. This is especially crucial if going to a particular office tower or housing complex.
When should you take a bus instead of walking?
Consider a feeder bus if your destination is far within Business Bay or is far from the station by major roads or canal-side routes. The distance indicated on the map may not always be the shortest walking route.
Walking might be easier for buildings near the station. Before leaving the station, compare the walking path and the bus service to destinations further away.
How to Reach the Station
Business Bay Metro Station (R26) is a metro station in Dubai, located on Sheikh Zayed Road and serviced by metro, bus, taxi, and car. It provides services for the Business Bay district as well as to Downtown and other parts of the Red Line.
By Metro
Board the Dubai Metro Red Line and head to Business Bay Station (R26). From Dubai Mall, take the train and head south to Dubai and get off at the next stop. If you come from the Green Line, you can transfer to the Red Line at Union or BurJuman.
By Bus
RTA buses run between Business Bay and other residential and commercial areas. Before travelling, be sure to check the bus route and stop, and wait at the bus stop closest to the station because not all buses that run on the bus route stop directly at the metro entrance.
By Car or Taxi
Access to the station area is provided by Sheikh Zayed Road and various connecting roads. Taxis: Just type in Business Bay Metro Station. When driving, look for local parking spaces, as there is no guaranteed parking space in the designated public space.
By Walking
Once in Business Bay, head towards Sheikh Zayed Road on foot and then head towards the metro station entryway. Walking time will vary depending on your starting point, so please be sure to find out about the pedestrian route before you leave.
Please note the latest train connections and station information are available on the official RTA Metro Map.
Business Bay Metro Station fares
Dubai Metro fares are based on the number of fare zones travelled and the fare card (or Nol card) used for the ticket. Here are the basic fares that are published for normal journeys. Check with the RTA ahead of time to ensure they have a valid fare for your journey.
| Payment type | Within one zone | Two adjacent zones | More than two zones |
| Silver Nol card | AED 3 | AED 5 | AED 7.50 |
| Gold Nol card | AED 6 | AED 10 | AED 15 |
| Red Ticket | AED 4 | AED 6 | AED 8.50 |
Your travel will be charged on the basis of the complete journey, not just based on the station where you take the train. When travelling from Business Bay to another Red Line station, please review the zones before taking for granted that the shortest route will cost a specific fare.
Which NOL card should you use?
The Silver NOL card will be ideal for people who use public transport regularly and are looking to use it at normal rates. A Gold NOL card is for passengers who want to travel in the Gold Class cabin with a higher fare. Occasional trips are to be made with a red ticket.
Select the payment depending on the frequency of your travels and the cabin you wish to occupy. Before going into the paid area, visit the card counter to see how much your card has in it to prevent any delays at the gates.
Can you transfer from the metro to a bus?
Yes. The integrated fare rules for Dubai’s public transport system enable transfers between metro and bus services. Eligibility for transfers will be based on transfer time, payment method, and any other relevant criteria. Please review the latest RTA regulations before using a transfer as part of your travel to save money.
Nearby places served by Business Bay Metro Station
Business Bay is a large mixed-use area, so the relevance of the station is dependent on the destination. It can be used by commuters who want to go to nearby commercial and residential zones, or they will need to walk or travel to other destinations.
Business Bay offices and residential buildings
The station is located in part of the district where offices, apartments, and hotels are available. But just because a building is in Business Bay doesn’t necessarily mean it’s close to the metro. Before deciding which building to use, verify the name and entrance of the building.
If you are going to a destination that is not near Sheikh Zayed Road, you should check the bus service you can get in comparison to the walk. This way you won’t show up at the station only to find out that your destination is on the other side of the district.
Dubai Water Canal
The wider Business Bay area is crossed by Dubai Water Canal. The canal’s promenades, bridges, and other developments occupy an area greater than the metro station.
When visiting a canal-side building or specific canal-side entrance, verify the official address and pedestrian entry. It is not always the closest point on the map that gives the closest walking path.
Downtown Dubai
Take the Metro one stop in the direction of Centrepoint to get to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro station. Then head along the pedestrian walkways towards Dubai Mall and the Downtown attractions.
Bay Avenue
Bay Avenue is a retail and commercial centre that’s connected to Business Bay. The route will vary according to the type of shop, office, or entrance that you want to access.
Compare the destination address with the pedestrian exits and onward transport at the station. This is better than simply taking the distance between two points in Business Bay as being the same for all places.
Travelling from Business Bay to Dubai Airport
Dubai International Airport is connected to Business Bay Metro Station via the Red Line. There is a metro station at the airport for Terminal 1 and Terminal 3; hence, it is important to know which one to board before landing at the airport.
When travelling by train to and from the airport, check the direction, service times and the end of the line. Take extra time for the walk from the metro station to your airline’s check-in area, particularly if you have large bags and/or children.
When flights leave very early in the morning or when the flight begins after the end of the metro service, take alternate means of transportation instead of assuming that the metro will run into the night.
Can you change to the Green Line?
There is no direct service to the Green Line from Business Bay Metro Station. Passengers travelling to Green Line destinations need to change at an interchange station.
The stations are Union and Burjuman, which are interchange stations. Both cross the Red and Green lines to enable passengers to proceed to destinations served by the Green Line.
Select the interchange from where you are coming from and where you are heading to, and what the journey planner suggests. When changing trains, follow the station signs, and read the destination on the next train before getting on.
Station access and passenger facilities
Dubai Metro is an automated rail service run by the RTA. The wider network offers facilities for passengers with various mobility needs, such as lift facilities and dedicated space for wheelchair users.
For step-free access, please check what facilities are available and if there are any temporary access restrictions before travelling. The journey outside the metro station is not guaranteed to be accessible: if you take a lift inside the metro, then you may find that not all pavements, crossings, or building entrances that you go through on your onward journey are accessible.
If a passenger has luggage, he should take into account the distance between the station exit and the place of his destination. If you are not close to the station, an onward bus or taxi could be a better option than walking.
Common travel mistakes to avoid
The most frequent issue with this is to assume that Business Bay is directly next to the Metro Station. Business Bay comprises numerous individual developments, and the closest stop/bus service will depend on the address.
Before leaving, verify the following information:
- Address: Provide the complete address of the building or attraction.
- Train direction: Check the direction the train is going in, towards Centrepoint or to the south.
- Bus stop: Look for the boarding point and route, not only the bus number.
- Previously, ask about the fare zones and payment details.
- Timetables: See the most up-to-date service information for late-night and holiday services.
The checks are especially helpful for people commuting to work, people transferring between metro and bus, and people who don’t know the district.
Conclusion
Business Bay Metro Station (R26) is a Red Line station that connects to Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, and various other popular locations on the metro network. It is dependent on exact location of the destination, particularly to buildings further within the district.
Always refer to the official RTA timetable and always remember to select the right train direction and check any connecting bus before getting on the train. To get the most accurate route, plan the trip to your final destination, and not to the general Business Bay area.
Read Also: BurJuman Metro Station Exit 4: Location, Map and Nearby Places
Union Metro Station Dubai: Timings, Routes, Fares and Nearby Places
Sobha Realty Metro Station: Location, Routes, Timings and Nearby Places
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the station code for Business Bay Metro Station?
It is called R26 and is used for the Red Line.
What time does Business Bay Metro Station open?
The regular metro service operates from 5:00 AM, Monday through Saturday, and 8:00 AM on Sunday. Please refer to the RTA Timetable for changes.
Which metro line serves Business Bay?
The station is part of the Dubai Metro Red Line.
Is Dubai Mall accessible by metro from Business Bay?
Yes. Change trains one stop towards Centrepoint at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station.
Can I change to the Green Line at Business Bay?
No. Change at Union or BurJuman for the Green Line.
How much is a metro fare from Business Bay?
The price of Standard Silver NOL fares begins at AED 3. The total is based on the number of fare zones traversed.
Can I travel to Dubai Airport from Business Bay by metro?
Yes. The Red Line will link to Dubai International Airport (DIA) at both its Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
Are buses available near Business Bay Metro Station?
Yes. There are RTA buses that go around the district. Please refer to the official timetable to see the proper route and stop.
Is every Business Bay building within walking distance?
No. It is a large district, and some buildings are accessible only by onward bus/taxi.
Where can I check the latest metro timings?
Please check the official RTA website for the latest published hours of service and information.
