Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has published the special operating timetable for the Red and Green lines during Ramadan, which begins on 18 February 2026. From Monday-to-Thursday and again on Saturday, trains will now run from 05:00 to midnight, while the Metro will stay open until 01:00 on Fridays to accommodate late-night prayers and social gatherings. Sunday start-ups move to 08:00 to match the city’s slower weekend rhythm. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
The transport plan goes beyond rail. Paid public parking has been split into two daily shifts (08:00-18:00 and 20:00-00:00), creating a two-hour free window around Maghrib so motorists can break the fast without worrying about meters. Salik road-tolls will also drop to AED 4 outside peak times and will be completely waived between 02:00 and 07:00, encouraging delivery fleets and inter-emirate traffic to shift to off-peak slots. (arabwheels.ae)
If you’re an overseas professional or visitor planning to take advantage of these Ramadan transport perks, remember that entry requirements still apply. VisaHQ streamlines the UAE visa process with quick online applications, real-time status updates and document checklists, letting you focus on prayer times and metro schedules instead of paperwork. Check the specific options here: https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
![Dubai Metro extends operating hours and offers free parking windows for Ramadan 2026]()
For business travellers and assignees, the longer rail span and predictable parking costs mean evening meetings, client dinners or mosque visits can be planned without resorting to private cars or ride-hailing surges. Multinationals with Ramadan-adjusted office hours can remind staff that the first trains still start at 05:00, preserving early-morning productivity while respecting the fast.
RTA’s data show ridership jumps 12-15 % during Ramadan evenings; extending service is expected to shift at least 35,000 daily car trips to rail, easing Sheikh Zayed Road congestion and shrinking employer transport bills. Companies should update travel policies to reflect the temporary toll and parking exemptions, and advise employees to preload Nol and Salik accounts before the holy month rush begins.
Looking ahead, the RTA says it will analyse smart-gate data to decide whether some of the late-night Friday services should become permanent – a move that would support Dubai’s 20-minute-city strategy and bolster its pitch as a regional headquarters hub.
The transport plan goes beyond rail. Paid public parking has been split into two daily shifts (08:00-18:00 and 20:00-00:00), creating a two-hour free window around Maghrib so motorists can break the fast without worrying about meters. Salik road-tolls will also drop to AED 4 outside peak times and will be completely waived between 02:00 and 07:00, encouraging delivery fleets and inter-emirate traffic to shift to off-peak slots. (arabwheels.ae)
If you’re an overseas professional or visitor planning to take advantage of these Ramadan transport perks, remember that entry requirements still apply. VisaHQ streamlines the UAE visa process with quick online applications, real-time status updates and document checklists, letting you focus on prayer times and metro schedules instead of paperwork. Check the specific options here: https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
For business travellers and assignees, the longer rail span and predictable parking costs mean evening meetings, client dinners or mosque visits can be planned without resorting to private cars or ride-hailing surges. Multinationals with Ramadan-adjusted office hours can remind staff that the first trains still start at 05:00, preserving early-morning productivity while respecting the fast.
RTA’s data show ridership jumps 12-15 % during Ramadan evenings; extending service is expected to shift at least 35,000 daily car trips to rail, easing Sheikh Zayed Road congestion and shrinking employer transport bills. Companies should update travel policies to reflect the temporary toll and parking exemptions, and advise employees to preload Nol and Salik accounts before the holy month rush begins.
Looking ahead, the RTA says it will analyse smart-gate data to decide whether some of the late-night Friday services should become permanent – a move that would support Dubai’s 20-minute-city strategy and bolster its pitch as a regional headquarters hub.
