Board any northbound Red Line train from Mall of the Emirates and ride eleven stops to Union. Both the Life Pharmacy and Route 2020 branch services stop at every trunk station on the way north, so the first train that arrives is the right one.
11 stops, 0 changes at the interchange. The line colour shows which train you are on at each point.
For one or two people, the Metro wins on cost and predictability. For a family with luggage, or in a hurry, a taxi is door to door and skips the walk.
| Option | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | AED 7.5 (Silver Nol) | ~25 min | Cheapest, no traffic |
| Taxi | AED 55 to 81 | 24 to 35 min | Door to door, luggage, families |
Straight shot up the Red Line trunk. Any Centrepoint-bound train from Mall of the Emirates works, both Life Pharmacy and Route 2020 branch services stop at every station on the way. Eleven stops on one train, roughly 25 minutes, and the trip crosses the maximum three fare zones at AED 7.50 on a Silver Nol card. Board earlier in the evening if you want a seat through the Downtown offices, which fill up between 5 and 7 PM.
Union is the central Red and Green Line interchange, one block from Union Square and a short walk from the old Deira souks, the Etisalat headquarters and the northern end of the creek.
For more on the area around Union, what is close by and worth a stop, see the Union station guide.
No. Any northbound Red Line train from Mall of the Emirates, whether marked Life Pharmacy or Expo 2020, continues eleven stops north to Union (R18). One train, no platform change.
The trip crosses the maximum three fare zones (Mall of the Emirates Zone 2, then Zone 6, then Zone 5 at Union). On a Silver Nol card it is AED 7.50, on a Gold Nol card AED 15, on a Blue personal card AED 7.50, and on a single-use Red ticket AED 8.50 plus AED 2 to buy the ticket itself.
About 25 minutes from platform to platform, including the short waits between stations. Peak morning and evening runs a few minutes slower on the underground stretch through Downtown.
Between Emirates Towers (R23) and BurJuman (R19), and again through Union. From BurJuman north to City Centre Deira, every Red Line station sits below ground.
Yes. Union is the primary Red-to-Green interchange and the change happens inside the paid area. Follow the signs from the Red Line concourse down to the Green Line platforms; no second Nol tap.
Yes. Mall of the Emirates has lifts from the skybridge down to the platform, the Red Line trains have wide doors, and Union is fully step-free with lifts to both line levels.
No, much cheaper on the Metro. A taxi from Mall of the Emirates to Union is around AED 55 to 81 and 24 to 35 minutes depending on traffic, against AED 7.50 on the Metro. The Metro also avoids the Sheikh Zayed Road afternoon slowdown.
Weekday morning peak into the city and weekday evening on the reverse as commuters head from the Downtown and Trade Centre offices back to Barsha and the Marina. Weekend afternoons are moderate.
The last northbound train from Mall of the Emirates towards Centrepoint runs about 12:21 AM Sunday to Wednesday and 1:22 AM on Friday.