How to Go to Global Village from Union Metro Station: Complete Bus 103 Guide

Getting from Union Metro Station to Global Village is easy, and you only need one bus. Bus 103 leaves from Union Bus Station, which is right next to the metro exits. It drops you at the main entrance of Global Village, and the fare is about AED 10.

Here’s the quick version: take the Red Line or Green Line to Union Metro Station, walk out toward Union Square where the bus station is, and hop on Bus 103. You’ll get to Global Village in about 55 to 60 minutes. With the metro ride included, the whole trip costs less than AED 20.

This guide covers every step, including which exit to use, bus timings, NOL card fares, and the way back. It also shows you how to reach Union Metro Station from Ajman, Sharjah, and Al Ghubaiba, and gives some ideas for what to do near the station while you wait for your bus.

Quick Journey Summary

About Union Metro Station Dubai

Union Metro Station is the busiest interchange on the Dubai Metro. It’s the only place where the Red Line and Green Line meet underground in Deira. The station is called R18 on the Red Line and G20 on the Green Line, and it sits right under Union Square (also called Al Ittihad Square) in the busy heart of old Dubai.

It’s also one of the biggest underground metro stations in the world, which is why it became a starting point for the Global Village buses. Wherever you begin your trip, you can get to Union without ever leaving the metro. You can ride the Red Line from Expo City or Dubai Marina, or the Green Line from Etisalat or Al Qusais.

Union Metro Station Location

The station is in Deira, at Union Square. It’s surrounded by three roads: Al Maktoum Road, Omar Bin Al Khattab Road, and Baniyas Road. This part of Dubai is one of the easiest areas to explore on foot. You’ll find budget hotels, restaurants, gold and textile souks, and plenty of shopping centres nearby.

One of the best-known spots is Al Ghurair Centre, one of Dubai’s oldest malls. It’s just a short walk away on Al Rigga Road, so it’s a handy place to grab food or do a bit of shopping if you get there early and have time before your bus. For opening hours and what to expect, check out our full Al Ghurair Centre Dubai visitor guide.

Union Metro Station Exits and Map

Union Metro Station has a lot of numbered exits around Union Square, and picking the right one can save you a few minutes of walking. Once you’re inside the station, just follow the signs overhead for Union Square and Union Bus Station.

The exits on the garden side, like Exit 1 and Exit 2, bring you up next to the green square. From there, the bus station platforms are only a short walk away, and there are signs to guide you.

You’ll find a station map near the ticket gates on both the Red Line and Green Line levels. If you’re still not sure, just ask any RTA staff member at the gates. Tell them “Union Bus Station, Bus 103, Global Village” and they’ll point you to the right exit.

The garden above the station is a nice open space with shaded seats. It’s a good place to sit and relax if you get there before the first afternoon bus leaves.

Step by Step: Union Metro Station to Global Village

Follow these five steps for a smooth journey.

Step 1: Take the Metro to Union Station

Just hop on any Red Line or Green Line train that’s heading toward Union. If you’re on the Red Line, Union sits between BurJuman and the Baniyas Square side, so it’s worth checking the route map inside the train to be sure. With a regular Silver NOL card, the metro fare is between AED 3 and AED 8.5, depending on how many zones you travel through.

Step 2: Exit Toward Union Square and the Bus Station

When you reach Union, tap out at the gates and follow the signs for Union Square and Union Bus Station. Take the escalators up on the garden side of the station. The bus station (some people call it Union Square Bus Station) is a group of numbered bus stops right next to the square.

Step 3: Find the Bus 103 Platform

Every stop at Union Bus Station has boards overhead showing the route numbers. Look for Bus 103, which goes to Global Village. In the busy season, especially on Friday to Sunday evenings, a line usually builds up well before the bus leaves, so the right stop is easy to spot.

Step 4: Tap Your NOL Card and Board

RTA buses don’t take cash, so you’ll need to tap your NOL card on the reader when you get on. The trip to Global Village costs about AED 10 each way. To be safe, keep at least AED 25 to 30 on your card so you can cover both directions plus your metro rides. If you need to top up, you can do it at the ticket office, at the NOL machines inside Union Metro Station, or through the RTA and Nol Pay apps.

Step 5: Ride to the Global Village Entrance

Bus 103 leaves Deira and goes along Baniyas Street and Al Rebat Street. It then passes through Nad Al Hamar and joins Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311). After that, it drops you at the bus stop near the main entrance of Global Village, at Exit 37. The ride takes about 55 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. Remember where you got off, because the buses back leave from the clearly marked stands in the same area.

Bus 103 Timings from Union Metro Station

Bus 103 is a seasonal route that operates only while Global Village is open. Season 30 ran from 15 October 2025 to 10 May 2026, and Season 31 is expected to begin in mid October 2026. During the season, the service typically follows this pattern:

Exact first and last trip times can shift slightly each season, so always confirm the live schedule in the S’hail or RTA Dubai app on the day you travel, or call the RTA on 800 9090. Outside the Global Village season, Bus 103 does not run, and the site itself is closed, so plan your visit between October and May.

How Much Does the Full Trip Cost?

One of the biggest advantages of this route is the price. Here is a realistic cost breakdown for a single adult using a Silver NOL card:

Compare that with a taxi, which typically costs AED 50 to 80 each way from central Dubai, and the savings are clear, especially for groups and families on a budget.

Reaching Union Metro Station from Other Emirates

Union is not just a Dubai hub. It is the main arrival point for intercity buses from the northern emirates, which makes it the natural transfer station for Global Village visitors coming from outside Dubai.

Ajman to Union Metro Station (Bus E400)

Bus E400 is the RTA intercity bus that runs between Al Musallah Bus Station in Ajman and Union Square Bus Station in Dubai. It starts early in the morning and runs until close to midnight, with a bus about every 20 to 30 minutes. The ride takes anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes, depending on how bad the traffic is in Sharjah. The fare is around AED 15, and you pay with your NOL card.

If you’re coming back from Union to Ajman, the first E400 leaves at about 4:25 AM and the last one leaves at around 11:30 PM. That makes a late night at Global Village tricky if you’re relying on the last bus. If you’re heading back to Ajman late, try to leave Global Village by 9:00 PM, or plan to take a taxi for the last part of the trip.

If you live in an area like Emirates City and use this route every day, you can find more details in our Emirates City Ajman guide.

Sharjah to Union Metro Station

Quite a few intercity buses run between Sharjah and Union. One of them is Bus E303, which leaves from Al Jubail Bus Station, close to the Rolla area. If you’re in central Sharjah, just get on at Al Jubail, ride to Union, and change to Bus 103 there. And if you’ll be around that part of Sharjah before your trip, our Rolla Mall Sharjah guide could be useful.

Al Ghubaiba to Union Metro Station

This one’s easy. Al Ghubaiba and Union are both on the Green Line, just three stops apart, so the metro ride takes less than ten minutes. But if you’re already at Al Ghubaiba, check Bus 104 first. It goes straight to Global Village from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, so you don’t need to change at Union at all.

Coming from Abu Dhabi

If you’re coming from Abu Dhabi, most people take an intercity bus to Ibn Battuta or Al Ghubaiba and then switch to the metro. If you’re planning the Abu Dhabi part of your trip, our guide to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station routes, timings, and fares explains everything about the departure side.

Alternative Ways to Reach Global Village from Union

Bus 103 is the cheapest direct option, but it is not the only one.

• Taxi or ride hailing: Taxis are available at the rank outside Union Station, and Careem and Uber both operate in Deira. Expect AED 60 to 90 to Global Village depending on traffic. For a group of four, this can be cost competitive with the bus and much faster outside rush hour.
• Metro plus Bus 102: Ride the Red Line from Union to Centrepoint Station (Rashidiya) and take Bus 102. This sometimes works better if Deira traffic is heavy, although it adds a transfer.
• Metro plus Bus 106: Ride the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates Station and take Bus 106, the fastest Global Village bus at 30 to 40 minutes. The longer metro ride usually cancels out the time saved, so this only makes sense if you are heading to that side of the city anyway.
• Driving: Global Village sits at Exit 37 on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Dubailand, near residential communities such as the ones covered in our Skycourt Towers Dubailand guide. Parking is free but fills up quickly on weekend evenings.

Around Union Metro Station: Hotels, Food, and Stays

Because the Deira area around Union Square is packed with affordable accommodation, many visitors deliberately stay near the station. Union metro station hotels range from international three and four star names along Al Rigga Road and Al Maktoum Road to budget guesthouses deeper in Deira, and most are within a five to ten minute walk of the station exits.

The district is also well known among workers and new arrivals for low cost shared accommodation, and listings for bed space near Union Metro Station are common on UAE classified platforms because of the station’s unmatched connectivity. Day to day life around Union Metro Station is busy and convenient, with supermarkets, pharmacies, cafeterias, and money exchanges open late, which makes it a practical base for anyone planning evening trips to Global Village during the season. For more neighbourhood and attraction guides across the city, browse our Dubai section.

Smart Travel Tips for the Union to Global Village Route

1. Travel midweek if you can. Sunday to Wednesday evenings see shorter queues at both the Union platform and the Global Village gates.
2. Top up your NOL card before leaving Union. Machines at Global Village get crowded at closing time, and you cannot board the return bus without balance.
3. Screenshot the return timings. Mobile networks slow down inside the park on busy nights.
4. Do not cut the last bus fine. After the fireworks and closing rush, queues for the 103 stand grow quickly. Aim to be at the bus stand 20 to 30 minutes before the final departure.
5. Check the season calendar. Global Village is closed roughly May to October. Bus 103 does not operate during the off season.
6. Families and People of Determination: Union Station has lifts and tactile guidance paths, RTA buses are air conditioned and accessible, and Global Village offers free entry for children under 3 and seniors over 65.

Conclusion

Getting from Union Metro Station to Global Village is honestly one of the easiest trips in Dubai. You take one metro ride to the biggest interchange in the city, then hop on one direct seasonal bus. All of it costs around AED 20, and it takes you from almost anywhere on the network to the gates of the world’s largest multicultural festival park.

Bus 103 runs often through the afternoon and evening, and you pay for everything with your NOL card. Since Union is in Deira, you can also fit in some shopping or dinner around Union Square before or after your visit. Just check the live timings in the RTA app on the day you travel, keep some money on your card, and the rest is simple.

Which bus goes to Global Village from Union Metro Station?

RTA Bus 103 runs directly from Union Bus Station, located beside the Union Metro Station exits at Union Square, to the Global Village main entrance. It is a seasonal route that operates only while Global Village is open.

How long does Bus 103 take from Union to Global Village?

The journey takes approximately 55 to 60 minutes depending on traffic, travelling via Baniyas Street, Al Rebat Street, and Nad Al Hamar before joining Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.

How much is the bus from Union Metro Station to Global Village?

The fare is approximately AED 10 each way, deducted automatically from your NOL card. Cash is not accepted on RTA buses.

Where exactly is the bus station at Union Metro?

Union Bus Station sits beside Union Square, directly above the metro station. Follow the in-station signage for Union Square and Union Bus Station, take the exits on the garden side, and look for the platform displaying route 103.

What are the Bus 103 timings from Union Metro Station?

During the Global Village season, the first bus typically departs in the early afternoon, around 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM, with the last departure around 10:30 PM and a frequency of every 30 to 40 minutes. Confirm live timings in the S’hail or RTA Dubai app.

Is there a direct metro to Global Village?

No. Global Village has no metro station. The closest option is taking the metro to Union, Centrepoint, or Mall of the Emirates and transferring to the dedicated RTA bus from there.

Can I go from Ajman to Global Village via Union Metro Station?

Yes. Take intercity Bus E400 from Al Musallah Bus Station in Ajman to Union Square Bus Station, then transfer to Bus 103. Allow at least two and a half hours for the full journey and check the last E400 return timing, which leaves Union at around 11:30 PM.

How do I get from Al Ghubaiba to Union Metro Station?

Both stations are on the Green Line, just three stops and under ten minutes apart. However, if you are already at Al Ghubaiba, Bus 104 runs to Global Village directly from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, which avoids the transfer.

Does Bus 103 run all year?

No. Bus 103 operates only during the Global Village season, which typically runs from mid October to early May. Season 30 ran from 15 October 2025 to 10 May 2026.

What time is the last bus from Global Village back to Union?

Return buses run until shortly after the park closes, which is midnight on weekdays and later on weekends and public holidays. Head to the marked route 103 and stand near the exit at least 20 to 30 minutes before closing to avoid the rush.