Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1 Location, Timings And Nearby Places Guide

Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1 is at the corner of Sheikh Zayed Road and is closest to the offices, shopping, and hotels in Business Bay, and to Bay Avenue. It is located on the Red Line, between Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station and ONPASSIVE Station; best for office workers, hotel guests, nd those looking for Sheikh Zayed Road, but not the canal side of the district.

Every weekday,  commuters, tourists, and residents use this exit to get to the commercial heart of Business Bay without having to deal with the crowds on the busy roads. Learn about all aspects of Exit 1 directions, timing, as well as places nearby and transit options, from current  RTA terminology and schedules. 

Quick Facts

These details reflect current RTA station data and operating schedules as of 2026 (Station Code R26, Red Line). Timings and fares can shift during Ramadan, public holidays, or RTA service updates, so checking the RTA S’hail app before travelling is recommended.

Where is Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1 located?

Business Bay Metro Station is located on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) between Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station and ONPASSIVE Station. There are two exits from the Station, one on each side of the district. 

Exit 1 (Landside): Going to the commercial towers, hotel, and landside feeder bus stop area is the preferred/ better exit. 

Exit 2 (Seaside): Provides access to a pedestrian pathway towards the residential interior of Business Bay, the canal side of Bay Avenue, nd the promenade for the Dubai Water Canal. 

Read More: Burjuman Metro Station
BurJuman Metro Station Exit 4

Exit 1 vs Exit 2 at a Glance

Quick answer: If you’re heading to the Dubai Water Canal or canal-side dining, Exit 2 is the more direct choice. For offices, hotels, and Bay Avenue, use Exit 1.

Who Should Use Exit 1?

• Commuters traveling to corporate properties such as Executive Towers, Vision Tower, or other businesses in the area.
• Those who stay along Sheikh Zayed Road at the hotel will be situated here.
• Business visitors at meetings in the commercial towers of Business Bay
• People care oming to Bay Avenue to shop and eat.
• People riding the Metro on Sheikh Zayed Road to get to a taxi, Careem, or Uber.  People using the Metro along Sheikh Zayed Road to reach a taxi, Careem, or Uber.
• Tourists who are not their first time in the city are looking for the easiest way to get to the main business district. 

What’s Near Exit 1

Exiting 1, you are close to several commercial and hospitality sites: 

• Bay Avenue — a retail and dining strip with cafes, restaurants, and daily convenience stores
• Executive Towers — a large office and residential cluster housing multinational firms
• Vision Tower — a business hub for corporate offices and co-working spaces
• JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai and The Oberoi Dubai — both within walking distance along Sheikh Zayed Road
•  Dubai Water Canal — reachable on foot, though the walk is shorter from Exit 2

This blend of officeshotelsel,s and retail makes this exit more popular during the morning hours when people go to work than the neighbouring Exit 2, which is more popular with residents and evening leisure visitors. 

Read More: Salah Al Din Metro Station

Walking Times from Exit 1 to Nearby Landmarks

These are approximate on-foot times in normal conditions; add a few extra minutes during peak hours or in summer heat.

Exit Guide

The following steps will help the first-time user leave the station smoothly and easily and get to street level without confusion:

1. From the platform, follow the overhead signage marked ‘Exit 1 / Sheikh Zayed Road.’
2. Take the escalator or elevator down to the concourse level; elevators are available at both exits for accessibility.
3. Tap out using your Nol Card at the gate line closest to the Exit 1 signage.
4. Continue through the pedestrian bridge, which connects directly to the Sheikh Zayed Road frontage.
5. Once outside, feeder buses, taxis, and Careem/Uber pickup points are typically available a short walk from the exit.
6. For Bay Avenue and Executive Towers, follow the covered walkway signs rather than crossing Sheikh Zayed Road directly.

There is good signage and a well-marked walkway, and station staff will be found near the gate line if assistance is required in finding your way around during peak hours. 

How to Reach Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1 From Key Areas

From Downtown Dubai:  Ride the Red Line from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station to Rashidiya (about 3-4 minutes). 

From Dubai Marina or JBR: Get on the Red Line and ride to Rashidiya, which takes about 20-25 minutes; no transfer is required. 

From DIFC: The ride takes about 10 minutes, or it’s a short walk to the closest Red Line stationn and then just one stop there. 

From Dubai International Airport (Terminals 1 and 3): The Business Bay Metro Station is directly connected to Dubai International Airport by the Dubai Red Line; it takes between 10 and 15 minutes to reach the airport, depending on the terminal and the conditions of the service. 

From Sharjah: Intercity buses/taxis from Sharjah will go to Dubai and then transfer to the Red Line towards Business Bay from Union/ Rashidiya. 

By private vehicle: Drivers can directly reach the station through Sheikh Zayed Road. Presently, there is no dedicated station parking, but paid public parking is available around Bay Avenue and around commercial buildings nearby, which are located about 5-10 minutes away from Exit 1. 

Whichever route is used, arriving via the Red Line and exiting through Exit 1 is the most direct way to reach Business Bay’s office core.

Approximate Travel Times from Business Bay Metro Station

These are approximate journey times for planning purposes, not durations guaranteed by RTA. Actual travel time depends on transfers, service frequency, and time of day.

Timings and Peak Hours at Business Bay Metro Station

According to the latest RTA timetable, the Business Bay Metro Station will operate daily from 5:00 AM to midnight, from Monday to Saturday, with an additional hour on Friday nights, and open at 8:00 AM on Sundays.

Generally, trains run at 3 to 4 minute intervals during peak hours and 5 to 7 minutes during non-peak hours, although this may vary by time. The peak hours are generally the weekdays, between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM, and 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, when the most traffic goes through Exit 1.

Letting just 30 minutes pass outside these times can make a difference in crowding at the gate lines and walkway.

Weekly Operating Schedule

Fare Zone and Nol Card Details

Metro fares are calculated according to the number of zones crossed during the journey. Check the RTA fare calculator for the exact fare on your trip, and use the Nol Card kiosks near Exit 1 for quick top-ups before boarding.

 NOL card Types and Fares

The discount is only applicable once the card is registered under the Student, Senior Citizennn or People of Determination category; a Regular Blue/Personal card will cost the same as Silver. The eligible People of Determination are entitled to free travelln RTA public transport, within the limits of their eligibility. Fares vary based on the number of zones travelled; please always check the exact fare on the RTA fare calculator as fares change regularly. 

Feeder Buses and Bus Connections Near Exit 1

Feeder and city bus routes run from and to Business Bay Metro Station, linking to residential areas, to Bay Square, a, nd other business districts. The location of the bus bay assignments is different for each route, so don’t assume a particular route stops directly at Exi;1; consult the RTA app for the current location. 

• The F14 is a circular route that passes through Bay Square, Executive Towers, and Empire Heights.
• Feeder routes F19A and F19B link Metro Station Business Bay with residential areas in the vicinity.
• F20 — connects to additional Business Bay residential zones
• F41 — feeder coverage in the wider Business Bay area, typically from the Landside bus stop

The routes make the station a convenient transfer point for people who reside just beyond walking distance. 

Accessibility and Facilities at Exit 1

Full accessibility is taken into consideration when designing Exit 1. Access is provided by elevators and escalators to street level, tactile floor pathways are provided for passengers who are blind or low vision,n and priority seating is offered on the platform and within the trains.

Guests can use the free WiFi at various locations inside the station, and the station employees will assist passengers who require further assistance to get out of the station at the gate line. 

Read More: Al Rigga Metro Station

Parking Near Exit 1

Business Bay Metro Station does not have dedicated parking. Most of the commuters who drive use paid public parking around Bay Avenue, where the charges are approximately AED 5 to AED 10 per hou,r and then walk or use the covered pedestrian bridge to Exit 1. 

Common Problems and Solutions at Exit 1

Trouble finding Exit 1: First-time users sometimes confuse it with Exit 2. Follow the overhead ‘Exit 1 / Sheikh Zayed Road’ signage from the platform, or ask station staff near the gate line.

Crowding during rush hours: The 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM windows get heavy foot traffic. Shifting travel by even 30 minutes noticeably eases congestion at the gates and walkway.

Losing direction after exiting: Use a nearby landmark — Vision Tower or a hotel entrance — to reorient, or follow the covered walkway signs rather than crossing Sheikh Zayed Road directly.

Low Nol Card balance at the gate: Top up in advance at the kiosks near Exit 1 to avoid delays at the ticket gates during busy periods.

Difficulty finding a taxi at peak times: Share your pickup point with your Careem or Uber driver in advance, since pickup areas near Exit 1 can get busy during rush hour.

Read More: Al Ghubaiba Metro Station

Frequently Asked Questions

Which exit should I use for Bay Avenue?

Take Exit 1, which is directly on the Sheikh Zayed Road side of the station, near the Bay Avenue and Executive Towers cluster. 

What time does Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1 open?

It is usually open from 5:00 AM to midnight Monday-Thursday and Saturday, and from 8:00 AM to midnight on Sunday. 

Is there parking at Business Bay Metro Station Exit 1?

There are no dedicated station parking facilities; paid public parking is located nearby aroundBay Avenuee – the hourly costs are applicable according to RTA rates. 

How do I get from Exit 1 to Burj Khalifa?

Burj Khalifa is about 20 minutes walk from Exit 1. In summer, most commuters would rather take the metro one stop north to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Station. 

Which feeder buses stop near Exit 1?

Feeder buses F14, F19A, F19B, and F20 are for Business Bay Metro Station; check the current stop location vs Exit 1 on the RTA app. 

Can I use a taxi or Careem from Exit 1?

Yes, a taxi and/or ride-hailing can be found in the immediate vicinity of Exit 1, but please, please ask your driver beforehand what the actual taxi area is during peak travel times. 

Is Exit 1 wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes, Exit 1 is accessible by elevator, tactile guidance path,s and has priority seating for wheelchairs, strollers, rs and mobility impaired passengers. 

What is the fare zone for Business Bay Metro Station?

The pricesof Businesss Bay Metro Station tickets are based on the number of zones traversed in the trip. Use the RTA fare calculator or the S’hail app for details about the fare for your trip. 

Which offices and towers are closest to Exit 1?

Exit 1 is located within a short walking distance of several Bay Avenue office blocks,d Executive Towers, and Vision Tower. 

Does Exit 1 connect to Dubai International Airport?

Yes, the Red Line will run from Business Bay Metro Station to Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3 — though the actual travel time will depend on transfers verify travel time with the RTA journey planner to get a current travel time. 

What time does the metro open on Sundays?

Similarly, like RTA’s weekly schedule, Sundays will have a later opening time for Business Bay Metro Station at 8:00 AM, as opposed to 5:00 AM during the week. 

What is the station code for Business Bay Metro Station?

The official station code for the RTA is R26 for the Red Line. 

Should I use Exit 1 or Exit 2 for the Dubai Water Canal?

If you need to go to the Dubai Water Canal and any Canal-side restaurants, then exit 2 is the more direct path; if you are going to Sheikh Zayed Road, offices, hotels, and Bay Avenue, then exit 1 is more suitable.