Dubai is building a new Metro line, the Blue Line, and it is the biggest addition to the network since the Metro opened in 2009. It will run 30km with 14 stations through Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, International City and Dubai Creek Harbour, and it is due to open on 9 September 2029. Tunnelling began in May 2026 and the first phase has already been completed.
If you are thinking about buying in Dubai, a Metro line matters because it changes how easy an area is to live in and to rent out. Here is where the project stands as of 6 November 2026, which communities it serves, and how to think about it as a buyer without treating an announcement as a guarantee.
Dubai Metro Blue Line at a glance
- Length and stations: 30km, with 14 new stations, about 15.5km of it underground (RTA, 9 November 2025, via The National).
- Cost: AED 20.5 billion, about US$5.58 billion (The National, 9 July 2026).
- Opening date: 9 September 2029, the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro (RTA, via The National, 9 November 2025).
- Progress: 10% in November 2025 (RTA), 12% in December 2025 (Gulf News), and 20% in May 2026 (Khaleej Times). The RTA's target is 30% by the end of 2026.
- Tunnelling: started on 3 May 2026; the first phase was completed in about two months (The National, 9 July 2026).
- Network after completion: 131km of track, 78 stations and 168 trains (The National, 9 July 2026).
- Congestion: the RTA expects traffic on the corridors it serves to fall by about 20% (Khaleej Times, 3 May 2026).
Where will the Blue Line run?
The Blue Line is made up of two routes that join the existing Red and Green Lines, according to Gulf News (27 July 2026):
| Route 1 | Route 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 21km | About 9km |
| Stations | 10 | 4 |
| Starts at | Creek Interchange, Al Jaddaf (Green Line) | Centrepoint Interchange, Al Rashidiya (Red Line) |
| Passes through | Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, International City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Academic City | Mirdif and Al Warqa'a, then on to International City 1 |
The two routes meet at International City 1, planned as the largest underground interchange in the Metro network, designed for an estimated 350,000 passengers a day (Gulf News, 27 July 2026). The RTA says the line will connect five urban regions: Bur Dubai and Deira, Downtown and Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Marina and JBR, and Expo City Dubai (The National, 9 November 2025). It will also give a direct link to Dubai International Airport, with journey times of 10 to 25 minutes from nine key areas (Khaleej Times, 3 May 2026).
Blue Line construction progress: what has been built so far
The project moved quickly from announcement to the ground. The route was approved in November 2023, the construction contract was awarded in December 2024 and the foundation stone was laid in June 2025 (Khaleej Times, 3 May 2026). The RTA reported 10% completion in November 2025, and Gulf News reported 12% in December 2025, with more than 3,500 people on 12 active sites.
On 3 May 2026, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum started the first tunnel boring machine, named Al Wugeisha. It is 163 metres long, weighs more than 2,000 tonnes and advances about 13 to 17 metres a day (Khaleej Times, 3 May 2026). Three machines will work outward from International City 1, towards Mirdif, the Auto Market and Al Warsan (International City 2). The RTA announced in July that the first phase of tunnelling was complete.
As of 6 November 2026, the most recent figure we could confirm from a named outlet is 20% complete in May 2026. We have not found a newer official percentage, so check the RTA for the latest number.
The Blue Line is also not the only line on the way. The Gold Line, a 42km underground line costing AED 34 billion, is scheduled for 9 September 2032 (The National, 9 July 2026). For the wider pipeline, see our guide to Dubai's AED 2.1 trillion project pipeline, and for rail beyond the city, our article on the Etihad Rail Dubai station.
Which areas on the Blue Line matter for property?
These are the communities the line serves, with what is publicly known about each:
- Dubai Creek Harbour: a waterfront community of roughly 40,000 residents, served by the Emaar Properties Station, planned at about 74 metres, billed as the world's tallest metro station (Gulf News, 27 July 2026).
- Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Academic City: the line connects Academic City, which is projected to have more than 50,000 students by 2029 (Khaleej Times, 3 May 2026).
- International City: home to the main interchange, so it moves from a car-dependent district to a transport hub.
- Mirdif and Al Warqa'a: established family communities on the Red Line side of the new line.
- Dubai Festival City: on the route between Al Jaddaf and Creek Harbour.
What it means for buyers and investors
The RTA has said it expects property values near Blue Line stations to rise by about 25% (Gulf News, 17 December 2025). That is an official projection, not a forecast anyone can promise, and it will depend on the specific building, the price paid and the market when the line opens. Here is a more careful way to use the news:
- Walking distance is what counts. A station helps most when you can reach it on foot in comfortable heat, so check the real walking route, not the distance on a map.
- The opening date is 2029. Construction is still under way and the line will not carry passengers for almost three more years. Pay a price that makes sense today, and treat the Metro as a potential extra, not the whole case.
- Look at who rents there. Students at Academic City, staff in Silicon Oasis and families in Mirdif are different tenants. Think about who will use the property before you buy.
- Compare running costs. A station-side location can mean higher prices already. Compare the price per sq ft and the service charges with similar buildings further away.
- Off-plan buyers should check the handover date. If a project is due before 2029, you may live there for a time before the station opens.
Our team can walk you through the options in the areas the line serves. See our properties, read the Dubai Investment Guide, or speak to us.
Dubai Metro Blue Line: quick answers
When will the Dubai Metro Blue Line open?
The RTA's scheduled opening date is 9 September 2029. As of 6 November 2026, that date has not changed.
How many stations does the Blue Line have?
14 stations on two routes: 10 on the 21km Route 1 and 4 on the 9km Route 2.
How much will the Blue Line cost?
AED 20.5 billion, about US$5.58 billion, according to the RTA as reported by The National.
Which communities will the Blue Line serve?
Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Creek Harbour, International City, Dubai Academic City, Dubai Festival City and Al Warqa'a, plus connections to the Red and Green Lines.
Will the Blue Line increase property prices?
The RTA has projected a rise of about 25% near stations, but no one can guarantee it. Price changes depend on the building, the market and the timing.
Sources
- The National: First phase of tunnelling complete on Dubai Metro Blue Line, 9 July 2026
- The National: Dubai Metro Blue Line 10% complete, RTA says, 9 November 2025
- Khaleej Times: Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates work for Dubai Metro Blue Line tunnels, 3 May 2026
- Gulf News: Dubai Metro Blue Line explained: routes, stations and construction progress, 27 July 2026
- Gulf News: Dubai Metro Blue Line reaches 12 per cent completion, on track for 2029 launch, 17 December 2025
- Dubai Media Office: Mohammed bin Rashid inaugurates tunnelling works for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, 3 May 2026
This article is for general information only and is not financial or investment advice. Figures are from the sources listed, are correct as of 6 November 2026 and may change as the project progresses.