How to Go to Global Village from Union Metro Station: Complete Bus 103 Guide
Getting from Union Metro Station to Global Village is one of the easiest public transport journeys in Dubai, and you only need one bus to do it. RTA Bus 103 departs directly from Union Bus Station, located right beside the metro exits, and drops you at the main entrance of Global Village for around AED 10 per trip.
Here is the short answer: take the Red Line or Green Line to Union Metro Station, exit toward Union Square where the bus station is located, board Bus 103, and you will reach Global Village in roughly 55 to 60 minutes. The full journey, including the metro ride, usually costs less than AED 20 in total.
This guide walks you through every step in detail, including station exits, bus timings, NOL card fares, the return journey, and how to reach Union Metro Station from Ajman, Sharjah, and Al Ghubaiba. It also covers what to do near the station while you wait for your bus.
Quick Journey Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Starting point | Union Metro Station, Deira, Dubai |
| Bus route | RTA Bus 103 (seasonal service) |
| Boarding point | Union Bus Station, next to Union Square |
| Journey time | 55 to 60 minutes (traffic dependent) |
| Bus fare | Approximately AED 10 per trip |
| Payment method | NOL card only (cash not accepted) |
| Frequency | Every 30 to 40 minutes |
| Operating period | Global Village season only (mid October to early May) |
| Drop-off point | Global Village main entrance, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), Exit 37 |
About Union Metro Station Dubai
Union Metro Station is the busiest interchange on the Dubai Metro network and the only station where the Red Line and Green Line meet underground in Deira. The station carries the codes R18 on the Red Line and G20 on the Green Line, and it sits directly beneath Union Square, also known as Al Ittihad Square, in the commercial heart of old Dubai.
Union is one of the largest underground metro stations in the world by floor area, which is exactly why it was chosen as a departure hub for Global Village buses. Wherever you start your journey in Dubai, whether along the Red Line from Expo City and Dubai Marina or along the Green Line from Etisalat and Al Qusais, you can reach Union without leaving the metro network.
Union Metro Station Location
The station is located in Deira at Union Square, bordered by Al Maktoum Road, Omar Bin Al Khattab Road, and Baniyas Road. The surrounding district is one of the most walkable parts of Dubai, filled with budget hotels, restaurants, gold and textile souks, and shopping centres. The popular Al Ghurair Centre, one of Dubai’s oldest malls, is a short walk away on Al Rigga Road, which makes it a convenient stop if you arrive early and want food or shopping before your bus. You can read our full Al Ghurair Centre Dubai visitor guide for opening hours and what to expect.
Union Metro Station Exits and Map
Union Metro Station has multiple numbered exits spread around Union Square, and choosing the right one saves you several minutes of walking. Inside the station, follow the overhead signage for Union Square and Union Bus Station. The exits on the Union Square garden side of the station, including the Exit 1 and Exit 2 area, bring you up beside the landscaped square, with the bus station platforms a short, signposted walk away.
A station map is displayed near the ticket gates on both the Red Line and Green Line concourses. If you are unsure, ask any RTA staff member at the gates for “Union Bus Station, Bus 103, Global Village” and they will point you to the correct exit. The Union Square garden above the station is a pleasant open space with shaded seating, useful if you arrive before the first afternoon bus departs.
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
Board any Red Line or Green Line train heading toward Union. If you are on the Red Line, Union is between BurJuman and Baniyas Square direction interchanges, so check the route map inside the train. Metro fares range from AED 3 to AED 8.5 with a standard Silver NOL card depending on how many zones you cross.
Step 2: Exit Toward Union Square and the Bus Station
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. Union Bus Station, sometimes called Union Square Bus Station, is the cluster of numbered bus platforms beside the square.
Step 3: Find the Bus 103 Platform
Each platform at Union Bus Station displays route numbers on overhead boards. Look for Bus 103 marked for Global Village. During peak season evenings, especially Friday to Sunday, a queue usually forms well before departure, so the platform is easy to spot.
Step 4: Tap Your NOL Card and Board
RTA buses do not accept cash. Tap your NOL card on the reader as you board. The Global Village trip costs approximately AED 10 each way, so keep at least AED 25 to 30 on your card to comfortably cover both directions plus your metro rides. You can top up at the ticket office, NOL machines inside Union Metro Station, or through the RTA and Nol Pay apps.
Step 5: Ride to the Global Village Entrance
Bus 103 travels out of Deira via Baniyas Street and Al Rebat Street, passing through Nad Al Hamar before joining Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and arriving at the dedicated bus drop-off near the Global Village main entrance at Exit 37. The ride takes about 55 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Note your drop-off point, because the return buses depart from the clearly marked route 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:
| Schedule Detail | Typical Timing |
| First departure from Union | Around 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM |
| Last departure from Union | Around 10:30 PM |
| Frequency | Every 30 to 40 minutes |
| Last return bus from Global Village | Shortly after park closing (midnight on weekdays, later on weekends) |
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:
| Expense | Approximate Cost |
| Metro ride to Union (1 to 2 zones) | AED 3 to 6 |
| Bus 103 to Global Village | AED 10 |
| Global Village entry ticket | AED 25 weekdays, AED 30 weekends |
| Bus 103 return to Union | AED 10 |
| Metro ride home | AED 3 to 6 |
| Estimated total | AED 51 to 62 |
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)
The RTA intercity Bus E400 runs between Al Musallah Bus Station in Ajman and Union Square Bus Station in Dubai. Buses operate from early morning until close to midnight, roughly every 20 to 30 minutes, and the journey takes 50 to 90 minutes depending on Sharjah traffic. The fare is around AED 15, paid by NOL card.
For Union to Ajman bus timings on the return leg, the first E400 leaves Union at around 4:25 AM and the last at approximately 11:30 PM, so an evening at Global Village followed by the last bus home is tight. If you are returning to Ajman late, plan to leave Global Village by 9:00 PM or arrange a taxi for the final leg. Residents of communities such as Emirates City who rely on this corridor daily can find more area detail in our Emirates City Ajman guide.
Sharjah to Union Metro Station
Several intercity routes link Sharjah with Union, including Bus E303 from Al Jubail Bus Station near the Rolla district. If you are starting around central Sharjah, you can board at Al Jubail, ride to Union, and transfer to Bus 103. Visitors spending time in that part of Sharjah before the trip may find our Rolla Mall Sharjah guide useful for the area.
Al Ghubaiba to Union Metro Station
This one is simple. Al Ghubaiba and Union are both on the Green Line, only three stops apart, so the metro ride takes under ten minutes. That said, if you are already at Al Ghubaiba, check Bus 104 first, because it runs to Global Village directly from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and saves you the transfer at Union entirely.
Coming from Abu Dhabi
Travellers from the capital usually take an intercity bus to Ibn Battuta or Al Ghubaiba, then connect by metro. If you are planning the Abu Dhabi leg of the trip, our guide to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station routes, timings, and fares covers the departure side in detail.
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
- Travel midweek if you can. Sunday to Wednesday evenings see shorter queues at both the Union platform and the Global Village gates.
- 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.
- Screenshot the return timings. Mobile networks slow down inside the park on busy nights.
- 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.
- Check the season calendar. Global Village is closed roughly May to October. Bus 103 does not operate during the off season.
- 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
Travelling from Union Metro Station to Global Village is genuinely one of the simplest attraction journeys in Dubai. One metro ride to the city’s biggest interchange, one direct seasonal bus, and around AED 20 in transport gets you from anywhere on the network to the gates of the world’s largest multicultural festival park. Bus 103 runs frequently through the afternoon and evening, the NOL card handles every payment, and the Deira location means you can pair the trip with shopping or dinner around Union Square. Confirm the live timings in the RTA app on travel day, keep your card topped up, and the rest of the journey takes care of itself.
FAQ
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.