Palm Monorail, Dubai

The Palm Monorail is a driverless monorail system on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Operated by Serco, it opened on 30 April 2009 as the first monorail in the Middle East. The route runs 5.45 kilometres (3.39 miles) between Palm Gateway Station and Atlantis Aquaventure, with intermediate stops at Al Ittihad Park Station and Palm Jumeirah Mall Station. It is widely used as both public transport and a scenic ride across the palm-shaped island. The system uses Hitachi straddle-type technology, and attendants stay on board for emergencies. Construction began in March 2006, the track was completed in July 2008, and testing started in November 2008 before the delayed opening in April 2009. As of 5 December 2025, the line is suspended until further notice because of essential station maintenance.

Palm Monorail Map

Map of Palm Monorail showing its stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Palm Monorail map in PDF format.

All Stations

The Palm Monorail stations map is simple and easy to follow. The line runs from Palm Gateway Station to Atlantis Aquaventure Station and serves key Palm Jumeirah destinations along the way. For anyone looking for a stations list or route plan, these are the stops mentioned in the available information.

A future extension and a possible link to the Dubai Metro have also been mentioned, but no further route map details are given in the source material.

Timetable & Operating Hours

The Palm Monorail timetable is the same on weekdays and weekends. According to the published schedule, trains run daily with a frequency of every 15 minutes.

If you are checking operating hours, opening hours, opening times, working hours, or timings today, the available train schedule shows a first departure from Gateway at 9:00 AM and from Atlantis at 9:15 AM. The closing time for the last train is 9:45 PM from Gateway and 10:00 PM from Atlantis.

Operational timings can vary on public holidays or special dates, so schedule today information may differ. As of 5 December 2025, the line is suspended until further notice because of essential station maintenance.

Palm Monorail Tickets and discounts

Palm Monorail tickets are sold at stations, and some ticket types are also available through the website. The fare depends on the route and whether you buy a single ticket or a round trip ticket. Based on the prices provided, AED 10 is about US$2.72, AED 15 is about US$4.08, AED 20 is about US$5.45, and AED 30 is about US$8.17.

A Day Pass is available as an Unlimited Day Pass from any station to any station. It is sold at monorail stations and through the website.

• A family round-trip pass is available from Palm Gateway to Atlantis Aquaventure for 4 people from the same family.
• A monthly pass includes 6 round trips, with one round trip allowed per day.
• Some pass options are sold only at monorail stations.
• There is also a one-day family trip option for up to 8 family members.
• Identification is required for family and resident-related passes.
• Children 110 cm or shorter travel free.
• Valid tickets must be used on the same day they are purchased.
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

If you are comparing fare, ticket price, price, or cost, the lowest listed fare starts at AED 10 (US$2.72) for a single trip. The source material does not mention a fare calculator or a reloadable card for this system.

Monorail users also get a parking benefit at Palm Gateway Station after ticket validation. The first 3 hours are free, and after that the parking charges are AED 10 per hour (US$2.72 per hour).

Connections to Other Systems

The Palm Monorail is the main public transport system on Palm Jumeirah and an important part of local transport on the island. It links major destinations from Gateway Station to Atlantis Aquaventure, with stops at Al Ittihad Park Station and Palm Jumeirah Mall Station.

At Palm Gateway Station, passengers can make an out-of-station interchange to the Dubai Tram at Palm Jumeirah station. That tram connection is the key link from the monorail to the wider Dubai transport network.

A future extension to the Dubai Metro Red Line has also been discussed. In the available materials, Dubai Internet City is mentioned as the nearest metro station on that line.

As of 5 December 2025, the Palm Monorail is suspended until further notice because of essential station maintenance.

Airport Connections

Dubai Airport (DXB) connects to Palm Jumeirah Monorail Station through several transport options, including subway, bus, taxi, car, and towncar. The quickest listed option is a taxi, taking about 23 minutes. The cheapest is the subway, with fares starting from AED 7 (US$1.91) and a total journey time of about 1 hour 13 minutes.

For public transport, Dubai RTA operates a direct subway service from Airport Terminal Metro Station to Al Khail Metro Station 2, with trains departing every five minutes. Another subway route runs via Sobha Realty Metro Station 2. Bus travel is also possible, but it requires a transfer and takes about 2 hours 26 minutes.

To reach the Palm Monorail itself, travelers continue to Palm Gateway, which also connects with the Dubai Tram. In practical terms, that is the main path for transportation in Dubai from the airport to Palm Jumeirah by public transport.

• Taxi and towncar services are available on demand.
• The driving distance between Dubai Airport and Palm Jumeirah Monorail Station is about 29.9 km (18.6 miles).
• There is no direct bus from Dubai Airport to the monorail station without a transfer.

Parking near the Metro

The Palm Monorail does not directly connect to the Dubai Metro, so many visitors arrive by car, taxi, or Dubai Tram. The nearest metro station named in the source material is Dubai Internet City on the Red Line.

Palm Gateway Station is the main station parking option. It has more than 1,600 spaces, which makes it the most practical park-and-ride choice for the monorail route. Ticket holders receive 3 hours of free parking after validation. After that, parking charges are AED 10 per hour (US$2.72 per hour).

• Palm Gateway station parking: more than 1,600 spaces
• Free parking: 3 hours with a validated monorail ticket
• Parking charges after 3 hours: AED 10 per hour (US$2.72 per hour)
• Nearest metro station: Dubai Internet City

If you arrive by tram, Palm Gateway is accessible from the Dubai Tram via Palm Jumeirah stop and a short walk to the station.

The source material does not provide parking charges per day, only the hourly rate after the free period.

Fun Facts

The Palm Monorail is more than a transport link. For many visitors, it is part of the Palm Jumeirah experience itself. It was the first monorail system in the Middle East and opened on 30 April 2009.

The route crosses Palm Jumeirah from Gateway Station to Atlantis Aquaventure. It is also a driverless system, with attendants on board for emergencies, and it is known for wide views of the island, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline.

• The route is about 5.45 km (3.39 miles) long.
• Each carriage can carry 302 passengers.
• The theoretical capacity is 40,000 passengers per day.
• Palm Gateway has more than 1,600 parking spaces.
• The system uses Hitachi Monorail straddle-type technology.

The monorail also stands out because it links major attractions, hotels, shopping, parks, and waterfront destinations in one straight route. Handy, and pretty scenic too.

As of 5 December 2025, the line has been suspended until further notice because of essential station maintenance.

History

The history of the Palm Monorail starts in March 2006, when construction of the 5.45-kilometre (3.39-mile) line began under the supervision of Marubeni Corporation. The track was completed in July 2008, and vehicle testing began in November 2008.

The line was originally expected to open in December 2008, but the launch was delayed until 30 April 2009. When it opened as the Palm Jumeirah Monorail, it became the first monorail in the Middle East.

In 2010, Serco took over day-to-day operations. The system was built with a project budget of US$400 million, and an additional US$190 million was set aside for a planned 2-kilometre (1.24-mile) extension to the Dubai Metro. Other sources cited in the draft placed the total budget at US$1.1 billion.

Later, the line expanded with new stations. Al Ittihad Park Station opened on 3 July 2017, and Nakheel Mall Station opened on 28 November 2019. The monorail has also been linked with plans for a future extension to the Dubai Metro Red Line, with Dubai Internet City noted as the nearest metro station on that line.

As of 5 December 2025, the system is suspended until further notice, with operators citing essential station maintenance as the reason it had to close.

• March 2006: Construction began.
• July 2008: Track completed.
• November 2008: Vehicle testing began.
• 30 April 2009: Line opened.
• 2010: Serco took over day-to-day operations.
• 3 July 2017: Al Ittihad Park Station opened.
• 28 November 2019: Nakheel Mall Station opened.
• 5 December 2025: Service suspended until further notice.

Future Extensions

The main expansion plan mentioned for the Palm Monorail is a future extension to the Dubai Metro Red Line. The idea is to improve connections between Palm Jumeirah and the wider city transport network.

In the available material, the proposed extension is described as 2 kilometres (1.24 miles) long, and Dubai Internet City is named as the nearest metro station on the Red Line. For now, though, the monorail remains a separate system rather than a direct metro interchange.

The route currently serves Palm Jumeirah with four open stations, while two stations are listed as planned in the source material. Any future route expansion appears to be focused on stronger integration with Dubai Metro.

Nearby Attractions

The Palm Monorail route makes it easy to reach many of Palm Jumeirah’s best-known attractions. Along the line, you can stop for parks, shopping, beach time, observation decks, dining, and family attractions near Atlantis.

• Al Ittihad Park — a green oasis with more than 100 types of trees and plants local to the UAE, plus a 3.2 km (1.99 miles) running track.
• Palm West Beach — a popular spot for swimming, beach activities, dining, and relaxed days by the sea.
• Palm Jumeirah Mall — a major shopping destination with fashion, groceries, jewellery, and more.
• The View at The Palm — a 240-metre-high (787-foot) observation deck with 360-degree views of The Palm, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline.
• The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm — a landmark hotel in the first 18 floors of The Palm Tower.
• Club Vista Mare — a dining destination with restaurants and a lively waterfront atmosphere, with water sports nearby.
• Atlantis Hotel — an iconic resort with celebrity chef restaurants and a major waterpark.
• Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark — a leading aqua park in Dubai and the region, with marine-themed attractions and water activities.
• The Lost Chambers Aquarium — home to 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, stingrays, and colorful fish.
• Water Sports — kayaking, snorkelling, paddle boarding, windsurfing, and other activities for adults and children.
• Dubai Tram — an important tramway connection in Dubai transport and a useful link for getting closer to Palm Jumeirah.

If you want to combine sightseeing with city transport, the monorail is one of the easiest ways to move between Palm Jumeirah landmarks in a single trip.

Palm Monorail Video