Complete lowdown on Dubai Tram, including five things to do at each stop
What’s On has a complete guide to the Dubai Tram, including things to do in Dubai by tram stops around Dubai Marina, plus costs, timings, stations and more.
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THE BIG QUESTIONS ANSWERED
How many carriages does each tram have? Seven, with three classes: Gold, Silver, and Women And Children.
What time does it run? Between 6.30am and 1.30am every day of the week except Fridays, when it opens at 9am.
Does it connect with Dubai Metro? Yes, at two stations – Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lakes Towers – plus at The Palm Monorail.
How many stops are there? Eleven (see map above right).
How long does it take to ride the entire route? 42 minutes.
What’s the length of the whole track? 10.6km.
What’s the top speed of the trams? A. 50kph.
How many passengers can fit on one tram? 405.
How long will I have to wait for a tram? The maximum waiting time is six minutes.
How mch does it cost to buy a ticket? Dhs2 for a single Silver class ride; Gold class is Dhs4. You can use your NoL card to pay for journeys (Dhs3).
MAP – CLICK TO SEE AND DOWNLOAD A LARGER VERSION
A GUIDE TO THE STOPS
It’s all well and good riding the tram, but we suspect the novelty would soon wear off. So what exactly does it serve and how can you make the most of it? Below you’ll find five things within a five minute walk of each stop.
JBR 1
Outdoor running track
There’s something therapeutic about jogging alongside the sea, and this springy track on JBR’s The Beach makes it much easier to do just that. We recommend coming here early in the morning, when you won’t have to dodge crowds of shoppers and beach bums.
WiBit
This huge inflatable aqua park is the perfect place for kids and big kids. Moored just over 20 metres out to sea, it boasts two trampolines, two giant climbing walls, a number of slippery slides and a rope swing, plus plenty of other obstacles to put you through your paces.
Nstyle
Pop in here for all your mani-pedi needs. This popular spa offers a good range of services and a great in-chair massage while you’re getting your nails painted. Just keep your toes off the sand on The Beach afterwards.
1847
When Dubai’s discerning gents want an old-fashioned grooming, 1847 is where they go. This popular spa has the feel of a suave gentleman’s club. Lie back in the comfy chairs and surrender yourself to a (surprisingly relaxing, given the name) cut throat shave.
Outdoor Cinema
Take advantage of the cooler temperatures by catching a film alfresco. Reel Cinemas have opened up an outdoor screen on The Beach, for screenings of classic and modern movies.
JBR 2
Rosso
This oldie-but-a-goodie has one of the largest terraces overlooking the beach at JBR. The food it hearty Italian fare and is served in a relaxed setting.
Sapori di BiCe
This delightful Italian brand has arrived at The Beach after its wildly successful launch at City Walk. This freshly baked pastries, delicious brunches and there’s even a dedicated children’s play area.
Girders Garden
With its enormous television screen, regular BBQs and vast tables, this fourth-floor dec area is a perfect place to enjoy sports and socials in the comfort of a European garden-style terrace.
Kidville
Kidville offers newborns to six year olds a unique range of classes including My Big Messy Art Class – using a variety of paints, dough, crayons, chalk and collage.
Bliss Lounge
Relax at this chic beachside spot as resident DJ Alex Amoralez and Mary G mix the smoothest deep house tunes.
3) JLT
Nifty Little Things
This is a women’s craft group that puts strong emphasis on all things retro. Think vintage-style plaques, clothes hangers and tie racks.
Dreamworks spa
This is one of Dubai’s most popular spas not least for its great service and affordability, but the treatments are excellent too. Try the Balinese massage a truly relaxing experience.
Tribe Fit
If Glee made gyms, Tribe fit would be exactly what it would look like. Besides a world-class gym and exercise classes, Tribe fit also arrange camping trips, movie nights and networking events designed to build a community between the members.
Capella Club
Fancy learning to pole dance? Or maybe Spanish Flamenco is your thing? This compact dance studio offers a wide range of disciplines, from belly dance and flamenco, to break dancing, capoeira and pole dancing.
Link up with the Metro
This is one of two places where the tram links directly to a Metro stop. So hop on board at JLT as explore the rest of the city.
4) MARINA MALL
Asia Asia
Pier 7 is packing with brilliant dining and nightlife destinations, and its latest – Asia Asia – is one of the best. It’s beautifully decorated, the food is inspired (a fusion of Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine) and the marina views from the terrace are to die for.
KO Fitness
This boxing and martial arts focused gym near Al Marayah supermarket is a real hidden gem. The friendly, expert trainers will put you through your paces with a serious workout. Best of all, it costs just Dhs60 per hour-long class – ridiculously cheap for Dubai.
Shades
A favourite place to bring visitors, this outdoor bar is truly something special. Grab some seats next to the stunning infinity pool, order a few tapas and watch the sunset over the boats in the marina below.
The Spa
Few spas are as serene as this offering from The Address Marina. With a heavy focus on heady aromatherapy oils by Aromatherapy Associates, choose from treatments aimed to re-energise, rejuvenate or simply relax you.
Play A Round @ Some Place Nice
Bribe the kids into best shopping behavior by rewarding them with a trip to this fun play centre. While there are plenty of activities for children of all ages, the highlight is undoubtedly the neon mini-golf.
5) DUBAI MARINA
Maybury
This part supermarket, part cooking studio, part café concept store is a neighbourhood favourite. Think fresh and healthy produce from the shelves in the store to the food served.
Angsana Spa & Health Club
An award-winning spa with a refreshing blend of treatments that places special emphasis on the use of natural ingredients such as native flowers and fruits.
N.A.I.L.S
N.A.I.L.S is an organic nail and body spa that does holistic therapies and top-of-the-range treatments with a natural twist.
Xtreme Wake
Xtreme Wake offers wakeboarding and wake surfing in Dubai offering day rides that set off from Marina Walk. Get coaching from highly-skilled boarders from the back of a slick Master Craft speedboat.
Reem al Bawadi
This Arabesque-styled restaurant is popular with residents, tourists and locals alike and serves traditional Middle Eastern cuisines with all the mezze and grills.
6) MARINA TOWERS
Yellow Boats
Explore Dubai’s skyline from the water onboard the infamous Yellow Boats on Dubai. You’ll whizz through the water at speed so prepared to get wet.
Johnny Rockets
This American-style diner serves outstanding milkshakes, excellent fries and decent burgers. But beware the all-singing, all-dancing staff renditions of cheesy disco hits.
Dubai Marina Flower Shop
This lovely little florist claims they have the best European florists in town, trained and studied in UK, US and Moscow, so you can expect bloomin’ marvelous bouquets.
Spinneys
One of Dubai’s biggest and popular supermarket chains is located just down the hill from this tram stop.
Hard Rock Hotel Dubai (Coming Soon)
The new Hard Rock Hotel – slated to open next year – will take up the first 33 floors of Marina 101 tower in Dubai Marina. The hotel will incorporate a Rock Spa, Body Rock gym, a club lounge and a restaurant, plus a Rock Shop selling the Hard Rock’s famous branded t-shirts and mugs.
7) MINA SEYAHI
Barasti
This infamous beach bar needs no introduction. Head there early in the afternoon to grab some lunch and work on your tan, then stick around for the evening festivities when all of Dubai’s party people seem to cram onto the sand.
Market & Platters
Tired of the trolley dash around your usual supermarket? This boutique grocers will make you love your weekly foodshop. Choose from artisan cheeses, remarkably fresh fruit and veg, and seafood that looks like it’s just come off the boat. They’ll even prepare your meat, fish and spice mixes to make cooking that much easier.
Zero Gravity
This restaurant, bar and beach club is still relatively new to the area but it’s made a big impact. During the day, sunworshippers flock to its picturesque beach, while in the evening, regular events such as the Lost Angels Ladies Night and On-shore Social keep the crowd buzzing.
Bubbalicious
This is more than just a Friday brunch – it’s an institution. Few dining destinations can miss the lavishness of this stalwart at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. The selection is huge, catering for every need whether you’re craving a roast dinner, a Thai curry or just a ridiculous amount of cheese.
El Sur
When you dine on the terrace at El Sur, it’s easy to feel like you’re in the Mediterranean rather than the Middle East. Arguably Dubai’s most authentic and best Spanish restaurant, soak up the sun while you sample tasty patatas bravas and burratta cheese, washed down with refreshing sangria.
8) MEDIA CITY
Urban Bistro
In need of some quiet time? This media city institution may be buzzing during the weekday lunch run, but is the perfect spot for chilling out with a book on the weekend. Collapse onto one of the sofas, order something from the breakfast menu and don’t forget to sample the excellent coffee.
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
This open air venue has been home to some of the biggest events in Dubai, from the original Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival (which is returning to its Media City roots this year) to What’s On’s own Party in the Park.
Circle
This restaurant has branches all over Dubai, but its Media City outlet is arguably the best when the temperatures drop. The outdoor terrace seating overlooking the café is a great spot for soaking up some fun while you grab some lunch.
Q43
Located on the 43rd floor of Media One hotel, this fashionable bar always seems to be buzzing, whether it’s the afternoon business lunch rush or the ever-popular happy hour. The food is excellent and the floor to ceiling windows provide incredible views of the sea and city below.
Tamanya Terrace
This outdoor bar in the Radisson Blu Hotel is notable for being the home of Electric Days, a brilliant house music night that attracts the coolest DJs and an even cooler crowd. Make sure to get there before sunset for the best views and vibe.
9) PALM JUMEIRAH
James and Alex Dance Studio
It’s never too late to learn a new skill, and let’s be honest – the ability to bust a move is always an impressive one. At this Media City dance school, children and adults of all levels of ability can take classes in everything from hip hop and contemporary dance to tango and ballet.
Kalm on the Palm
The city is full of places to pop in for a quick mani-pedi but this is one of the best. This independent nail salon is pretty small, so you feel well looked after and less like you’re on a conveyor belt of customers. The threading and waxing services are also top notch.
Palm Jumeirah Monorail
Dodge the traffic to Atlantis by hopping on the monorail. Located at the start of the trunk in Al Ittihad Park near the Golden Mile apartments, the short journey is a great way to see the impressive man-made island, not to mention a stress-free way to get to Nasimi Beach.
Riva Beach Club
Sure you could pay for a day pass to a hotel beach, but why bother when Dubai’s first stand-alone beach club is this good? With plenty of daybeds, a temperature-controlled swimming pool (and kids’ pool) and a tasty Mediterranean menu, Riva is more than worth the (reasonable) price of admission.
Rawr Yoga
Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying the effectiveness of Bikram Yoga. Ninety minutes, 26 postures, 40 degree heat – the numbers add up to the detoxing, destressing workout of your life. Rawr is a lovely, bright studio with great instructors and a strong community of friendly yogis.
10) KNOWLEDGE VILLAGE
The Cure
Dubai is littered with nail spas, but The Cure probably has the most loyal following of them all. The reason? Back to back Friends re-runs, played on big screens through wireless headphones. Lie back and be pampered while Ross, Rachel and co. keep you entertained.
Story Rooftop Bar
This vibrant nightlife spot in the middle of Knowledge Village always seems to be buzzing. With its distinctive graffiti walls, lively bar and plenty of sofa space, it’s a popular venue for post-work drinks with the Media City crowd.
Zen Yoga
One of the most established yoga studios in Dubai, and also one of its most popular. Staffed by international certified and experienced teachers, Zen offers a range of yoga classes including Vinyasa, Ashtanga and prenatal yoga. The studio hosts regular workshops too.
Kung
This Korean nightlife spot in Tecom is known for its raucous private karaoke rooms that you can rent by the hour, while tucking into tasty Korean snacks. It’s great for big gatherings and the perfect stop off at that time of the evening when you really need to belt out some Bon Jovi.
Jetty Lounge
Located in the One & Only Royal Mirage, this is one of the prettiest beach bars in all of Dubai, with tables right out on the sand. Perfect for sundowners, sip a cocktail while gazing out over the ocean and watching the Palm Jumeirah light up.
11) AL SUFOUH ROAD
Black Palace Beach
At a midway point between the Palm Jumeirah and the Madinat Jumeirah is a wide, sandy sheltered beach. There aren’t any facilities to speak of, so most folk just rock up on the weekend with towels, umbrellas and a cool box of food to last them the afternoon.
AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE…
While there’s not much else to see around the tram’s final stop, there are plans for expansion during the next stage of development. This will see the route extended to the Burj Al Arab and the Madinat Jumeirah.
