Sobha Realty Metro Station (R36) is a Dubai Metro Red Line (R36) station on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, close to Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT). It is the former Dubai Marina and DAMAC Properties Metro Station and offers direct access to Dubai with the Red Line to important areas across Dubai, and is connected to the Dubai Tram system to JBR, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The station location is key and will play a vital role in the public transport network for the local community, commuters, and visitors to this area of Dubai.
Sobha Realty Metro Station at a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Station name | Sobha Realty |
| Station code | R36 |
| Metro line | Red Line |
| Fare zone | Zone 2 |
| Area | Dubai Marina / JLT |
| Road | Sheikh Zayed Road |
| Nearby tram connection | Dubai Marina Tram Station |
| Previous names | Dubai Marina, DAMAC Properties |
| Opened | 30 April 2010 |
| Main nearby areas | Dubai Marina, JLT, JBR |
| RTA network | Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram |
Currently, RTA have their metro map placing R36 between Al Fardan Exchange (R35) and DMCC (R37) and naming it as Sobha Realty. The station is also shown on RTA’s maps of the rail network, with the Dubai Tram station at Dubai Marina.
Where is the station located?
Sobha Realty Metro Station is located on Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchange 5 and Dubai Marina, next to Jumeirah Lakes Towers. The station is located on the eastern side of Dubai Marina and near the western side of JLT, which is convenient for commuters travelling between these areas.
The area map on RTA’s website indicates that the station will be located near Dubai Marina and other surrounding streets, and there will be pedestrian access between the metro and the broader area.
The area description can also be found on maps and property websites, as it differs because of the location. The station could also be linked to Dubai Marina, JLT, Al Thanyah, or Sheikh Zayed Road.
Why the location matters
The station is not located next to all the attractions in Dubai Marina. On the contrary, its main benefit is that it is located next to Sheikh Zayed Road and along the tram network.
The station is directly connected to the Red Line for JLT commuters. The pedestrian link will enable those going towards the waterfront to extend their journey towards Dubai Marina, JBR, Palm Jumeirah, and Media City via the tram. According to RTA’s network map, there is a direct connection between R36 and Dubai Marina Tram Station 05.
Station history and name changes
The station was opened on 30 April 2010 and renamed Dubai Marina. It later operated under the DAMAC Properties name before becoming Sobha Realty.
The official name of the station was changed to Sobha Realty Metro Station by RTA, which awarded Sobha Realty the naming rights of the station. The naming-rights contract and the subsequent station name are documented in RTA’s publication.
The history is important as older sites, maps, travel articles, property listings, and local directions might refer to the station as Dubai Marina Metro Station or DAMAC Properties Metro Station.
Do not assume that these names are different stations if you are looking for an older travel plan. They are located on the same Red Line.
Which Metro line serves the station?
The station is on the Dubai Metro Red Line and has the station code R36. Currently available RTA prices are R35 for Al Fardan Exchange, R36 for Sobha Realty, and R37 for DMCC.
The Red Line is a direct rail line that connects the key areas of Dubai. Passengers take the ride towards the city centre and go through stations such as Dubai Internet City, Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Financial Centre, and other central stations.
The opposite direction will take passengers to DMCC, National Paints, Ibn Battuta, and the further stations in the south along the Red Line.
Red Line connections
The Red Line is especially convenient if you need to go to the same station on the same line, as you would not need to switch trains.
Passengers will usually have to transfer at an interchange station (such as BurJuman or Union) for destinations on the Green Line. The route will vary depending on the final destination and direction of travel.
Dubai Tram connection
Sobha Realty Metro Station is one of the most significant elements, as it is connected to the Dubai Tram.
Dubai Marina Tram Station is station 05 as per RTA’s rail maps and is connected with R36. The tram network then goes through Dubai Marina Mall, JBR, Marina Towers, Mina Seyahi, Media City, Palm Jumeirah, and Knowledge Village.
The connection involves passengers having to walk between the metro area and the tram area. The station is especially convenient for citizens who need to get to the waterfront but not to the metro.
Sobha Realty and DMCC are also mentioned in JBR’s official visitor information as one of the Red Line metro options available to reach JBR, and the tram is available for access to The Walk and more.
How to reach JBR from the station
The metro does not run right to The Walk if travelling to JBR. One feasible alternative is to travel on the Dubai Tram beyond the Marina side.
The tram runs to Jumeirah Beach Residence 1, Jumeirah Beach Residence 2, Dubai Marina Mall, and other waterfront stations.
This is often more convenient than using the metro station as the last stop.
Sobha Realty Metro Station timings
Travellers should check the RTA timetable before travelling late at night,, as metro and tram operating hours may vary. RTA’s current timetable contains a specific reference to R36 and R37 in relation to Metro-Tram interchange information.
The timetable information provided by RTA will always be preferred to the information provided by third-party websites, as operating hours may vary during public holidays, special events, Ramadan timetables, maintenance, or any other reasons.
RTA’s official operating hours for Dubai Tram are the following:
- Monday to Saturday: 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM the following day
- Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM the following day
These are the tram running times, not that every metro or tram trip will actually leave at those times.
If you are taking the last connection from Metro to Tram, please allow additional time for walking between the systems as well as checking the last departure.
Metro fares from the station
Fares are based on the number of Dubai public transport zones travelled. In the present day, RTA is operating seven zones all over Dubai, with metro, tram, and bus stations allocated to their respective zones.
For the standard Silver Nol card, RTA currently shows:
| Journey | Silver Nol fare |
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 |
Gold tickets are more expensive; red tickets have their own price. According to RTA, transfers between different modes of public transport can be considered part of the journey if they take place within the agreed 30-minute transfer period.
The exact rate paid will then depend on the starting and finishing point, the zones crossed, and the type of Nol product used.
Is the tram included in the Metro fare?
If the transfer requirements are met, Metro and Tram trips can be included as part of an integrated RTA trip. According to RTA, all transfers between modes of public transport need to be completed within 30 minutes for the journey integration listed on the RTA fare page.
The necessary check-in and check-out processes should be adhered to by passengers for mode transfers.
Places near the station
The surrounding area is residential towers, offices, hotels, restaurants, and waterfront attractions. The most appropriate places are Dubai Marina, JLT, and JBR.
Dubai Marina
The station serves one of the main areas in Dubai Marina. The district encompasses the waterfront of the marina and features residential towers, restaurants and cafés, as well as hotels and leisure facilities.
The trams from the station also make it easier to further penetrate the Marina area than to walk all the way in from the metro.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
JLT is right next to the station’s eastern side. It is a district featuring high-rise residential and commercial buildings grouped around a series of landscaped lakes.
The Red Line will offer an easy public transport route to all other Red Line districts and to central Dubai for people who are working or living in JLT. The current RTA network map allocates R36 to Sobha Realty and R37 to DMCC, thus verifying its location in this corridor.
Jumeirah Beach Residence
Passengers should take the tram or another connecting service once they reach the Marina side, as JBR is further from the coastline.
According to the official JBR website, Sobha Realty and DMCC are Metro Access Points, and there is a tram to get to The Walk.
Dubai Marina Mall
There are links between Dubai Marina Mall and the other network of trams in the area. On RTA’s rail map, Dubai Marina Mall is tram stop 04, and Dubai Marina is 05.
This will allow visitors to enter the Metro station via the Metro-Tram combination rather than direct entry to the mall.
Getting to Dubai Marina from the station
This will depend on the specific area of Dubai Marina that you’re looking to visit.
Waterfront area: A pedestrian connection from Dubai Marina Tram Station will be provided to minimize the walking distance. The tram then goes on to take you to Dubai Marina Mall, Marina Towers, and more waterfront stops.
If the destination is close to JLT, it may be more convenient to exit the station on the JLT side.
If a hotel or restaurant is located further away from either a public transport stop or an office, a taxi or ride-hailing service might be a time-saver.
Getting to Palm Jumeirah
There is no direct Red Line service from Palm Jumeirah at this station. The Dubai Tram is heading towards Palm Jumeirah, and RTA’s map of the system shows Palm Jumeirah as tram stop 09.
This way a traveller may use the metro to get to this area, walk through the pedestrian corridor, and then take the tram to Palm Jumeirah.
One of the reasons, therefore, that the station can be more useful to visitors than its immediate context indicates is that the utility is extended beyond its buildings to the wider rail network.
What facilities are available?
Sobha Realty Metro Station provides all necessary facilities for passengers and also pedestrian access and connection to the Dubai Tram. The station is also located with the ease of access to Sheikh Zayed Road and the surrounding residential and commercial areas.
Key facilities include:
- Ticketing and Nol card services
- Passenger waiting areas or circulation areas
- Passenger-accessible routes
- Pedestrian linkages to surrounding areas
- A direct line from Dubai to the Dubai Tram is available.
- Adequate directional signage and passenger information.
- Road access enclosures around Sheikh Zayed Road
Is it convenient for tourists?
The station is a convenient starting point for Dubai Marina and Dubai JBR visitors who do not rely on taxis exclusively.
The Red Line is used to connect to Dubai’s hubs, and the tram will connect the public transport network to the waterfront. This area of the network is also served by metro and tram services, according to the official information from JBR.
The tourist should find out the exact location of the hotel before choosing the station exit or transport to be used. Two locations may be referred to as being in “Dubai Marina,” and you may need to get to different onward connections.
Is the station useful for daily commuters?
Yes, especially commuters on the Red Line or working in JLT, Dubai Marina, and other commercial areas in the vicinity.
The station’s proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road is also a major advantage, as it provides excellent road access, and the Red Line will eliminate the need to cross a number of the busiest roads in Dubai. The tram link also provides an additional way for staff and residents whose endpoints are nearer to JBR, Marina Mall, or Palm Jumeirah to gain access.
The best way, however, will depend on the point of departure and destination. Sometimes it’s possible to walk to a nearby tram station or bus stop or another Red Line stop.
Conclusion
Sobha Realty Metro Station isn’t just a transit point for the neighbouring Dubai Marina and JLT. Located on the Red Line, it is connected to the Dubai Tram and forms part of a transport corridor between Sheikh Zayed Road and the Marina waterfront, JBR, Palm Jumeirah, and Media City.
To plan your journeys, consult the RTA metro map, timetable, and fare information before making your journey. Station names, operating timetables, and public transport may change, and it is possible that the old site name, Dubai Marina or Dubai Marina Properties, is still in use.
Read Also: Salah Al Din Metro Station Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the station code for Sobha Realty Metro Station?
The station code is R36 and is on the Dubai Metro Red Line.
What was Sobha Realty Metro Station called before?
It was formerly called Dubai Marina Metro Station and DAMAC Properties Metro Station.
Which areas does Sobha Realty Metro Station serve?
The most significant use is for Dubai Marina, JLT, and surrounding areas, and it will be connected via tram to JBR and Palm Jumeirah.
Is JBR directly connected to the metro station?
Not directly by Metro. JBR is easily accessible by changing onto the Dubai Tram.
What is the cheapest Dubai Metro fare?
A journey within one zone will cost AED 3 for a Silver Nol card.
Does Sobha Realty Metro Station connect to the Dubai Tram?
Yes. It is linked to the Dubai Marina Tram by a pedestrian link.
Which Metro line is Sobha Realty Metro Station on?
It is located on the Dubai Metro Red Line, between Al Fardan Exchange and DMCC.
