The naming of the Dubai Metro stations can be quite confusing, not least because the names may not represent the area that the station is located in, but also because the station names can change from time to time depending on the station naming rights deals. So below we list the station names and if they have been previously called something else, together with their location:
Dubai Metro Red Line
Centerpoint
This station was initially called Rashidiya but this was changed in 2021. It has a large car park attached and is located on Airport Road in Rashidiya.
Emirates
Emirates station is between Centerpoint and Airport stations and is located on 35th Street. It has not had a name change since the start of the Metro in 2009.
Airport T3
Airport T1
The airport stations have not been renamed as this may cause some confusion!
GGICO
This station is located in Garhoud (and is often known as Garhoud Station)
City Centre
Has always been named this and links to City Centre shopping mall in Garhoud.
Al Rigga
Again, has been named this from the start and named after the area.
Union
The interchange station for the red and green lines. Located in Union Square in the Al Rigga area.
Burjuman
Initially called Khaleed bin al Whalid station due to the fact that the RTA did not reach an agreement with Burjuman for the naming rights until 2012 when it was finally named Burjuman. It is located at the shopping mall.
ADCB
This station was initially called Al Karama which is where it is located. Naming rights were agreed in 2014 and the station name was changed.
Max Fashion
This was originally called Al Jafiliya, again the area where it is located, but was renamed in 2021.
World Trade Centre
Emirates Towers
Financial Centre
All 3 stations are self explanatory!
Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa
Located at the edge of the Dubai Mall, it is over a mile to walk to the Burj Khalifa.
Business Bay
Named after the area it is located in.
Al Safa
Initially called Noor Islamic Bank, this changed to Noor Bank in 2014. In 2021 it was renamed after the area it is located in.
Equiti
Initially called First Gulf Bank, it was renamed First Abu Dhabi Bank in 2018 after the banks merged. In 2020 it was renamed Umm Al Sheif and then this again changed to Equiti in 2022. It is located near the Gold and Diamond park in Al Barsha.
Mall of the Emirates
Attached to the mall, name never changed.
Mashreq
This was originally called Sharaf DG and is located near the Al Barsha salik gate. (Since then another station ahs been named Sharaf DG).
Dubai Internet City
Named after the location, name not changed.
Al Khail
Was initially called Nakheel and renamed Al Khail in 2020. It is located next to Emirates Golf Club.
Sobha Realty
Initially named Dubai Marina metro station, it was renamed Sobha Realty station in 2021.
DMCC
Was originally named Jumeirah Lake Towers after its location but was renamed to DMCC in 2018.
Jebel Ali
This was originally called Nakheel Harbour and Tower but was changed to Jebel Ali in 2020. To confuse matters, Jebel Ali station was previously at the end of the red line and was subsequently renamed UAE Exchange. It is the interchange for the Expo 2020 line. It is not particularly near anything but does have a large car park attached.
Ibn Battuta
Named after the shopping mall and the name has not changed.
Energy
For a short while this was named DUBAL but was changed to Energy when the station opened. It is located in the Jebel Ali industrial area.
Danube
Initially named Jebel Ali Industrial, which describes it location.
UAE Exchange
Initially called Jebel Ali, it was renamed UAE Exchange in 2015. It is located in a heavily industrialised area of Jebel Ali and is at the end of the Red Line.