Business Bay Metro Station is a Dubai Metro Red Line station (code R26) on Sheikh Zayed Road, serving the Business Bay district. It sits one stop from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station and is one of the busier stops on the line, with two separate exits and two nearby RTA bus stops that are easy to mix up. Here’s everything you need: exact location, both exits, hours, fares, accessibility, and what’s within walking distance.
Where Business Bay Metro Station is located
The station sits on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), on an elevated section of track with a skybridge crossing the highway, right at the edge of the Business Bay district. Downtown Dubai lies to the north-east, the Al Wasl neighbourhood sits directly across the highway to the north-west, and the Dubai Water Canal boardwalk is about a 15-minute walk away.
Coordinates: 25.1913°N, 55.2604°E.
If you’re coming from Downtown Dubai or Burj Khalifa, it’s one stop away on the Red Line, heading toward Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy. If you’re coming along Sheikh Zayed Road itself, the station is impossible to miss: it’s the elevated structure with the skybridge linking Business Bay to Al Wasl across the highway.
Line, zone and station code
Business Bay Metro Station is on the Red Line, in Fare Zone 6, with the official station code R26. It opened on October 15, 2010, about a year after the Red Line’s first section, and runs on two side platforms serving both directions.
Adjacent stations on the Red Line:
- Toward Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya): Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station, one stop away
- Toward Expo 2020 and Life Pharmacy: ONPASSIVE Station, which is being renamed Garmin Station during late 2026 (it was previously called Al Safa and, before that, Noor Bank, so you may still see older names in some directions apps)
If you’re trying to work out which zone you’re paying for, Zone 6 is the one to look for on your Nol card top-up or journey planner.
Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1 and Exit 2
Most searches for this station are actually about the exits, not the station in general, so here’s the detail most pages skip.
Exit 1 is on the Business Bay side of Sheikh Zayed Road, often called the Landside, at the foot of the station footbridge. Use it for Business Bay’s towers, hotels and shops: Vision Tower and Regal Tower are under 10 minutes’ walk, and Executive Towers, Bay Avenue Mall and Iris Bay are around 11 minutes. The Landside bus stops, served by routes F14, F19A, F19B, F41, X22 and 51, are close by.
Exit 2 takes you across the skybridge to the Al Wasl side, often called the Seaside, a residential villa neighbourhood. Use it for Al Wasl Centre, the Emarat headquarters, Al Safa Mosque, the taxi pick-up on that side, and the Seaside bus stop, served by routes 7, 9, 14, 91 and F20.
A quick way to remember it: Exit 1 for Business Bay, Exit 2 for Al Wasl.
Is Business Bay Bus Station the same as Business Bay Metro Station?
No, and this trips a lot of people up. Business Bay Metro Station is the Red Line rail station described on this page. RTA also runs two separate bus stops nearby that share the “Business Bay” name:
| Stop | Location | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Business Bay Metro Station (this page) | Elevated station on Sheikh Zayed Road, code R26 | Red Line trains |
| Business Bay Metro Bus Stop, Landside (stops 1, 2 and 3) | Business Bay side of Sheikh Zayed Road, by Exit 1 | Routes F14, F19A, F19B, F41, X22 and 51 |
| Business Bay Metro Bus Stop, Seaside | Al Wasl side of Sheikh Zayed Road, by Exit 2 | Routes 7, 9, 14, 91 and F20 |
If a bus route or a friend told you to meet at “Business Bay station” and you can’t find them at the metro platform, they may mean one of the bus stops instead. Some journey planners also label the two metro platforms “Business Bay Metro Station 1” and “Business Bay Metro Station 2”; these are the same station, not separate stops. Business Bay 2 Bus Station, where route F14 starts, is a different bus station again.
Operating hours and train frequency
| Day | First train | Last train |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Monday to Thursday | 5:00 AM | 12:00 AM (midnight) |
| Friday | 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM (next day) |
Trains run about every 2 minutes at peak times and up to every 4 minutes off-peak, according to RTA. Sunday’s later 8:00 AM start catches a lot of people out since it’s easy to assume the weekday schedule applies, but Sunday is the second day of the UAE weekend and runs on its own timetable.
These are RTA’s current regular timings. Hours change for Eid and major events, so see the FAQ below for the latest holiday arrangements.
Fares and Nol Card
You’ll need a Nol card to ride, tapped at the gates on entry and exit. Fares are zone-based:
| Fare type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Silver Nol, within 1 zone | AED 3.00 |
| Silver Nol, 2 adjacent zones | AED 5.00 |
| Silver Nol, more than 2 zones | AED 7.50 |
| Gold Class | AED 6.00 (1 zone), AED 10.00 (2 zones), AED 15.00 (more than 2 zones) |
| Children aged 5 and under | Free |
| People of Determination | Free, with a Personal (Blue) Nol card |
| Senior citizens aged 60 and over | 50% discount, with a Personal Nol card |
Business Bay sits in Zone 6. The one-stop trip to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall stays within Zone 6, so it’s a single-zone fare, while longer trips cross more zones and cost more.
Accessibility and facilities
The station is built for step-free access throughout: lifts serve every level of the station, escalators connect street level to the platforms, and tactile guidance paths run through the concourse for visually impaired passengers. People of Determination travel free with a Personal (Blue) Nol card, and every train has dedicated spaces for wheelchair users.
On-site, you’ll find:
- Nol card top-up machines and a staffed ticket office
- Free WiFi throughout the station
- Restrooms
- A small convenience store and ATMs
- Train information screens throughout the station
- CCTV coverage and visible security staff
If you’re travelling with a wheelchair, a stroller, or heavy luggage, use the lifts and pick your exit based on where you’re actually headed (see the exits section above).
Parking near Business Bay Metro Station
Streets around the station are Premium paid parking, managed by Parkin, the operator of Dubai’s public parking. Premium parking costs AED 6.30 per hour including VAT at peak times (8 to 10 AM and 4 to 8 PM) and less off-peak, and public parking is free from 10 PM to 8 AM, on Sundays and on public holidays. Meters no longer take cash, so pay through the Parkin app, the RTA or Dubai Now apps, a Nol card, or SMS.
There’s no park-and-ride facility at Business Bay. If you want to drive part of the way and take the Metro, Red Line park-and-ride facilities include Centrepoint and National Paints.
Buses, taxis, water taxi and other lines
Feeder buses: routes F14, F19A, F19B, F20 and F41 connect to Business Bay Metro Station, along with city routes 7, 9, 14, 51, 91 and X22. Buses stop at the Landside and Seaside bus stops described above, not at the metro platform itself, so allow a short walk between the two.
Taxi and ride-hailing: a taxi rank sits at street level near the station, and Careem and Uber both pick up and drop off in the same area.
Water taxi: the Dubai Water Canal is about a 15-minute walk from the station. RTA’s DC2 abra runs along the canal, stopping at Al Wajeha Al Maeyah, Marasi, Business Bay Marine Station, Godolphin and Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Station, for AED 2 per stop, from 8 AM to 10 PM Monday to Saturday and 10 AM to 10 PM on Sunday.
Green Line transfer: Business Bay is on the Red Line only. To reach the Green Line, ride toward Union Station or BurJuman Station and transfer there; both are interchange stations between the two lines.
What’s within walking distance
Landmarks and attractions
Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall are one stop away (about 2 to 3 minutes by train), so most people take the train rather than walk: on foot it’s around 30 minutes to Burj Khalifa and 35 minutes to the Dubai Mall main entrance. From the station itself, Bay Avenue Park is about 15 minutes’ walk from Exit 1, and the Dubai Water Canal boardwalk is about 15 minutes from either exit.
Hotels
Within easy reach on the Business Bay side, all from Exit 1: Paramount Hotel Midtown (about 12 minutes’ walk), Anantara Downtown Dubai, formerly The Oberoi (13 minutes), JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (13 minutes), Park Regis Business Bay (14 minutes), Taj Dubai (17 minutes) and Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront (18 minutes).
Malls and shopping
Bay Avenue Mall, at the Executive Towers complex, is about an 11-minute walk from Exit 1. For larger shopping, Dubai Mall is one stop away by train.
Nearby buildings
All of these are on the Business Bay side of Sheikh Zayed Road, so use Exit 1.
| Building | Walk from station | Distance on foot |
|---|---|---|
| Vision Tower | 8 min | 630 m |
| Regal Tower | 10 min | 720 m |
| Executive Towers | 11 min | 850 m |
| Iris Bay | 11 min | 850 m |
| Burlington Tower | 13 min | 980 m |
| Aspect Tower | 14 min | 1.0 km |
| Silver Tower | 15 min | 1.1 km |
| The Binary by Omniyat | 16 min | 1.2 km |
| Citadel Tower | 18 min | 1.4 km |
| Clover Bay Tower | 19 min | 1.4 km |
| Prime Tower | 21 min | 1.6 km |
| Lake Central Tower | 23 min | 1.8 km |
| The Atria | 27 min | 2.0 km |
| Churchill Towers | 27 min | 2.0 km |
| DAMAC Maison Privé | 28 min | 2.1 km |
| Opal Tower | 29 min | 2.1 km |
| XL Tower | 31 min | 2.3 km |
| Metropolis Tower | 32 min | 2.4 km |
| Bay Square | 34 min | 2.5 km |
| Millennium Binghatti Residences | 34 min | 2.6 km |
| Ubora Towers | 35 min | 2.6 km |
Empire Heights and Capital Golden Tower are around 45 minutes on foot, so a taxi or bus is the better option. Walking times are based on mapped pedestrian routes at an average pace of about 4.5 km/h, so a brisk walker will be a little quicker.
Getting to Business Bay Metro Station from other stations
| From | Line | Approx. journey |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station | Red and Green Line interchange | Direct on the Red Line, 8 stops, about 18 min |
| BurJuman Station | Red and Green Line interchange | Direct on the Red Line, 7 stops, about 15 min |
| Centrepoint (formerly Rashidiya) | Red Line terminus | Direct on the Red Line, 15 stops, about 34 min |
| Airport Terminal 1 | Red Line | Direct on the Red Line, 12 stops, about 27 min |
| Airport Terminal 3 | Red Line | Direct on the Red Line, 13 stops, about 29 min |
| Mall of the Emirates | Red Line | Direct on the Red Line, 3 stops, about 11 min |
| Sobha Realty (for Dubai Marina) | Red Line | Direct on the Red Line, 7 stops, about 22 min |
| DMCC (for JLT) | Red Line | Direct on the Red Line, 8 stops, about 24 min |
All of these are single-line rides with no transfer required, since Business Bay and every station listed above sit on the Red Line. If you’re coming from a Green Line station (Baniyas Square, Al Ghubaiba, Oud Metha, Stadium and similar), transfer at Union or BurJuman.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Business Bay Metro Station located?
On Sheikh Zayed Road, on an elevated section of track between the Business Bay and Al Wasl areas, one stop from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station.
Which line and zone is it on?
The Red Line, Fare Zone 6, station code R26.
Where is Exit 1?
On the Business Bay side of Sheikh Zayed Road (the Landside), closest to Business Bay towers such as Vision Tower, Regal Tower and Executive Towers.
Where is Exit 2?
Across the skybridge on the Al Wasl side (the Seaside), closest to Al Wasl Centre, the Emarat headquarters and the Seaside bus stop.
Is Business Bay Bus Station the same as the metro station?
No. The metro station is the Red Line rail stop. “Business Bay Bus Station” usually refers to one of two separate RTA bus stops nearby, Landside or Seaside.
What are the operating hours?
5:00 AM to midnight Saturday through Thursday, 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Friday, and 8:00 AM to midnight on Sunday.
How much does a trip cost?
Zone-based, starting at AED 3.00 for a single zone on a Silver Nol card. See the fares table above for the full breakdown.
Is the station wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Lifts serve every level of the station, tactile guidance paths run through it, every train has dedicated wheelchair spaces, and People of Determination travel free with a Personal (Blue) Nol card.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes. Streets around the station are Premium paid parking run by Parkin, at AED 6.30 per hour including VAT at peak times, and free from 10 PM to 8 AM, on Sundays and on public holidays. There’s no park-and-ride at this station.
How do I get to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall from here?
One stop on the Red Line toward Centrepoint, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Which buses connect to the station?
Feeder routes F14, F19A, F19B, F20, and F41, plus several city routes, stopping at the nearby Landside and Seaside bus stops.
Does the station run different hours on public holidays or New Year’s Eve?
Dubai’s metro typically extends hours around major public events, including New Year’s Eve, to handle Burj Khalifa fireworks crowds. For New Year’s Eve 2025, it ran non-stop for 43 hours, from 5:00 AM on 31 December to 11:59 PM on 1 January. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station closed to entry from 5:00 PM that evening, and Business Bay was one of the nearby stations riders were directed to instead. During Eid Al Adha 2026, trains ran until 1:00 AM each night.
How busy does it get during rush hour?
Like most inner-city stations on the Red Line, expect it to be busiest on weekday mornings and evenings, particularly around the Exit 1 side near the office towers. RTA figures for the first half of 2026 put Business Bay among the Red Line’s busiest stations, with around 5 million riders.
What if Business Bay isn’t actually my nearest station?
Use RTA’s own station finder or the S’hail app to check; Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station may be closer if you’re at the Downtown end of the district.
Sources and last verified
Station code, line, zone, opening date, and platform details come from RTA’s metro station map and Wikipedia. Operating hours, holiday timings and fares come from RTA’s official timetable and Nol fares pages and Dubai Media Office announcements. Parking tariffs are from Parkin and Dubai Media Office, bus routes from RTA’s route data, and walking times from mapped pedestrian routes.