Considering the massive size of Dubai, you would think it was home to 10 million people, not the 2.2 million or so who work, live and play in this delicious fop of a city on the Arabian Gulf. Navigating around the city can be tedious because of all the never ending construction and traffic. Thankfully, the two year old plus Dubai Metro helps cut commute times while providing a space age experience.

Whether you want to visit the city’s souqs, the bombastic Dubai malls or the city’s various business or style hubs, a ride on the Dubai Metro is a must. Costing about US$1.50 to $2 on average, the driverless trains are spotlessly clean and thanks to the ample conditioning, the experience is a comfortable one. The air-con on the trains and at all rail stations may cancel out any carbon emission reductions a ride on the Metro instead of an SUV may save, but try not to think about it. The 50 mile long system, with additional lines on the drawing board, is one of the most impressive public transportation networks on which I have ridden.

Be warned: behave yourself on the Metro or you might land yourself into some trouble during your trip to the United Arab Emirates. Chewing gum and eating are a no-no, and falling asleep can land you an 300 dirhams (US$80) fine. In fact, you should educate yourself about the “Fares and Fines,” as the sign below, ubiquitous throughout the system, explains. Enjoy the ride: the Metro’s design and efficiency are among the reasons the Middle East is a fascinating region through which to travel. The stations, I must add, are works of art in their own right.

A chandelier at Salahuddin Station

A chandelier at Salahuddin Station

Dubai Internet City Metro Station

Dubai Internet City Metro Station

Beware of the fines and fares!

Beware of the fines and fares!

List of fines at Dubai Metro stations

List of fines at Dubai Metro stations

About The Author

Leon Kaye

Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event. His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about corporate responsibility, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine. Leon works out of Fresno and Silicon Valley, California, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 60 countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.