The metro station is known as Baniyas Square Station and is the most strategically positioned metro station in the centre of Old Dubai. This underground station in the crowded Deira area of the city links millions of passengers annually to some of the oldest marketplaces, businesses, and residential places in Dubai, as well as tourist destinations. As a tourist finding out the culture of the city or as a resident travelling to work every day, Baniyas Square is a crucial part of the urban connectivity. In this detailed guide, I will cover all the facilities of this station, its location, connectivity, history, places to visit nearby, etc., in a manner that is explanatory to all.
Understanding Baniyas Square Station
What is Baniyas Square Station?
Baniyas Square Station is a green line Dubai Metro station. It opened on 9 September 2011 and is operated fully by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The metro station is underground and serves one of the central locations of Deira – a busy and culturally diverse place in Dubai.
Basic Station Details
| Feature | Details |
| Metro Line | Green Line |
| Station Code | G21 |
| Zone | Zone 5 |
| Structure | Underground |
| Platform Type | 2 Side Platforms |
| Opened | 9 September 2011 |
| Operator | Roads and Transport Authority |
Location and Accessibility
Where is Baniyas Square Station Located?
Baniyas Square Station lies under the crossing of Al Maktoum Road and the 27th Street in Naif area, Deira, Dubai. This position makes it a walking distance to several tourist spots n,, namely Naif Souk, Gold Souk, and Dubai Creekk.
Nearby Landmarks
Naif Souis is a shopping district famous for clothes and electronics shopping
- Gold Souka notorious shopping destination for gold and jewelry
- Dubai Creek is a water canal, on which you can take a boat ride
- Deira Twin Towers -commercial building, shops, and offices
- Al Sabkha Bus Station -local buses
- Shopping mall nearby- Al Ghurair Centre
Metro Timings at Baniyas Square Station
The following are the new train schedules of Baniyas Square Station in both directions towards the Creek and towards Etisalat.
Operating Hours
Baniyas Square Station works according to the common RTA Green Line schedule. The normal working hours are as under:
| Day | First Train (Creek) | First Train (Etisalat) | Last Train |
| Monday–Thursday | 5:00 AM | 5:10 AM | 11:45 PM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM | 5:10 AM | 12:30 AM |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM | 5:10 AM | 12:00 AM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | 8:10 AM | 11:45 PM |
Note: Timings may vary during public holidays or special events.
Train Frequency
- Every 3-5 minutes during peak hours
- Every 6-8 minutes during non-peak hours
Facilities at Baniyas Square Station
Inside the Station
The station is well planned to accommodate a huge number of passengers. It has important public transport facilities, so that the travel experience is comfortable.
Facilities Include
- TVMs, Ticket Vending Machines NOL Card Recharge Counters.
- Service Booth
- Elevators and Escalators
- Toilets (and Disabled-friendly toilets)
- Prayer Rooms
- Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Security Surveillance
- Clear signage, bilingual Arabic-English example
- Stores and Kiosks within the station
These are facilities that ensure the ease of travel for elderly persons or disabled persons, and tourists who are not familiar with the city.
Ticket Prices from Baniyas Square
Dubai Metro operates on a zone-based fare system. Baniyas Square lies in Zone 5.
🎟️ Approximate Metro Fare Table
| Zones Crossed | No Silver Card Fare |
| 1 Zone | AED 3.00 |
| 2 Zones | AED 5.00 |
| 3+ Zones | AED 7.50 |
Connectivity and Transfers
Metro Line Transfer
The closest station for switching lines is Union Station, which is just one stop away. From Union Station, passengers can transfer between the Green and Red Lines easily.
Bus and Taxi Options
The station has multiple bus stops nearby, and it’s surrounded by RTA-registered taxi stands.
Nearby Bus Stops
| Bus Stop | Walking Time |
| Al Sabkha Bus Station | 2 minutes |
| Naif Park – 02 | 1 minute |
| Deira Post Office | 3 minutes |
Common Bus Routes
- C9, C28, 13, 17, 27, 53
- These buses connect passengers to areas like Karama, Al Rigga, Satwa, and Dubai Mall.
Nearby Stations on the Green Line
| Station Code | Name | Direction |
| G20 | Union Station | Next to Etisalat |
| G21 | Baniyas Square | Current Station |
| G22 | Gold Souq | Next to the Creek |
Who Should Use Baniyas Square Station?
Baniyas Square Station is highly recommended for:
Tourists
It offers direct access to traditional shopping markets and tourist attractions like:
- Gold Souk
- Spice Souk
- Dubai Creek and Abra rides
Residents
In case you reside in Deira, this station will offer you an easy and quick journey to:
- Offices in Bur Dubai, Al Qusais, and Al Nahda
- In more distant regions, Metro changes at Union Station
Small Business Owners
This station is also used by many wholesalers and traders in Deira to commute or to ferry goods in foot carts to the markets and vice versa.
Exploring Attractions Near Baniyas Square
Souks and Markets
Naif Souk
A well-known clothing, shoe, electronics,, and accessories market. It has a reputation for low prices and a big variety.
Gold Souk
It is one of the biggest gold markets in the world, where hundreds of gold and jewelry stores are located. The prices are normally quoted on real-time gold rates.
Spice Souk
There you will find spices, herbs, dried fruits, and even traditional perfumes.
Dubai Creek
A short walk of a few minutes will get you to DubaCreekek, which has an Abra ride at only AED 1. These wooden boats make a traditional impression of the old Dubai, and Deira is linked with Bur Dubai.
Tips for First-Time Users
1. Get a NOL card
You need an RTA Nol card to travel on the metro. There are four types:
| NoCard Type | Suitable For | Price (AED) |
| Red Ticket | Tourists, short-term use | 2.00 + fare |
| Silver Card | Regular travelers | 25.00 (includes 19 fare) |
| Gold Card | Premium class access | 25.00 |
| Blue Card | Personalized/Students | Varies |
2. Avoid Peak Hours
It is better to avoid the periods 7:30 AM -9:30 AM and 5:30 PM- -7:30 PM on weekdays. Earlier or later than these hours, it is less crowded.
3. Use Metro Map Apps
Get the RTA Dubai App or the S hail App to receive real-time information about train schedules and services at the stations.
4. Keep Right on Escalators
When you are not walking, move to the right so that other people can move on the left.
Hotels Near Baniyas Square Station
When you are a visitor in Dubai, being in a location close to this station will mean you have good transportation links and access to tourist sites
🏨 Mid-Range and Luxury Hotels
| Hotel Name | Category |
| Landmark Grand Hotel | 4-Star |
| Carlton Palace Hotel | 5-Star |
| Marco Polo Hotel | 4-Star |
| J5 Hotels – Port Saeed | 4-Star |
🛏️ Budget Hotels
| Hotel Name | Notes |
| Mount Royal Hotel | Near the metro station |
| Queens Hotel Dubai | Affordable rates |
| Phoenicia Hotel | Clean, good service |
| Florida City Hotel | Great for tourists |
Future Developments
Dubai Metro is still developing its stations and lines. It is planned:
- Additional exits at crowded stations, such as Baniyas Square
- Improved tourist signs
- Better Wi-Fi and intelligent kiosks
- More retail space in stations
These are the plans ahead that will make Baniyas Square Station more efficient and conducive to the users.
Conclusion
Baniyas Square Metro Station is not an ordinary metro station, but also an entrance to the old Dubai. It has history, culture, and contemporary convenience blended. So you are a tourist wandering around the souks or a bargain hunter, or a daily commuter, this station is an important part of ensuring your Dubai experience is hassle-free and one to remember.
Featuring outstanding transport links, close proximity to tourist destinations, low-price hotels, and all the amenities of the metro, Baniyas Square proves to be a jewel of the Dubai Metro system. It is conveniently located, convenient to access, and has lots of fun things to do at every turn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Baniyas Square Metro near the Gold Souk?
Yes, Gold Souk is just 1 station away (G22 Gold Souq) and also takes around 10 10-minute walk.
Does Baniyas Square Metro have toilets?
Yes, there are public toilets within the station, by the exits.
Is it possible to travel by using ann NOL card at Baniyas Square?
Yes, Baniyas Square Dubai Metro station accepts NOl Card payments to buy tickets, as well as all other stations.
Is the statistic tourist-friendly?
Absolutely! It is situated close to several historical, cultural, and shopping places – ideal to entertain tourists seeking to know the old Dubai.
Last modified: June 12, 2025
