A change of route is required to get to Downtown Dubai from the Dubai Mall/ Burj Khalifa metro station. The bus and taxi service road at the station has been temporarily closed by the Roads and Transport Authority, said to be effective immediately until the end of 2026.
The metro will NOT be closed. The Red Line is still in service. The service road has been dedicated next to Sheikh Zayed Road near the station and has been closed where the buses stop and people walk to and from the platform and taxi unload.
That road is now used only by construction vehicles, and will stay the way until the expansion project being undertaken is complete.
Burj Khalifa Metro Station Closed: The Reason
The closure will be linked to a comprehensive station redevelopment project which was officially announced in January 2026, when RTA and Emaar Properties signed a public-private partnership (P3) contract to redevelop one of the busiest stations on the Dubai Metro network.
The project will expand the total area of the station from 6,700 square metres to 8,500 square metres. The enlarged station will incorporate upgraded entrances and pedestrian bridges, a larger concourse and platform, new escalators and lifts, separated entry/exit gates, more fare gates, and new commercial facilities. Landscaping works are not the only part of the scope, integration with public transport and other mobility options will also be included.
The numbers at the back of the expansion give some idea of why the disruption is deemed worthwhile. The station, when completed, will have a capacity of 65 percent more than the current station, increasing daily to 220,000 and hourly to 12,320 passengers serving the station.
It is a significant difference at a station that is already operating at full capacity with peak periods, as most recently seen at the station on New Year’s Eve when the gates at the entrance were closed early because of the number of people using them.
According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, the project is a strategic investment at the heart of Dubai’s urban core, which is a direct investment in the quality of life and a boost to travel times and access to Dubai’s most iconic landmarks.
What Has Changed on the Ground
Access to the metro station is still available and functioning as usual. The RTA has stated that a comprehensive traffic management plan has been put in place, including a new bus lay-by, and the existing bus lay-by will be used to continue bus services during the construction.
Other parking facilities are also available for drivers, if necessary. Directional signage has been placed around the station and surrounding roads and as far as motorists are concerned, towards Jebel Ali and Bur Dubai.
The dedicated drop-off road will be closed for taxi and private car commuters, who normally park near the station. The drivers will have to make other pick-up and dropping-off points near the station and give extra time for walking to the station entrance.
The new lay-by will continue to be a service point for bus passengers but its location may mean that commuters will need to refer to the updated signage on the ground for the correct point on the bus to board and alight.
Burj Khalifa Metro Station CLosed: Advise for Commuters
The RTA has recommended commuters to start their journeys earlier than usual during the construction period, particularly when heading to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa.
It’s likely to be even busier around the station in the next few months as the summer tourist season approaches, and construction projects are underway.During that summer season, the peak hour around the station is expected to be even busier than usual, with the construction projects underway and the summer tourist season soon to arrive.
If this station is frequently used by passengers, the Financial Centre metro station (Red Line) and Business Bay metro station (Yasasin line) are the closest alternatives when congestion at the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa metro station places Dubai metro station out of reach. The stations are both within walking distance of parts of Downtown Dubai and can be utilized to spread commuter demand over the network during expansion.
There is no specific end date yet for the closure beyond the general end-of-2026 date. The RTA has stated it will be keeping everyone updated as the project moves forward.
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