Route 2020: The Red Line's Expo Branch Explained
The Route 2020 branch is the newest piece of today's network — a 15 km spur built for Expo 2020 that now serves some of Dubai's fastest-growing communities. Here's how it works and where it takes you.
How the Branch Works
At Jabal Ali station the Red Line splits: trains marked UAE Exchange continue on the original main route, while trains marked Expo 2020 swing onto the branch. Check the destination on the train front and platform screens; picked wrong? Change at Jabal Ali — the cross-platform switch takes 2–4 minutes.
The Six Branch Stations
| Station | Serves |
|---|---|
| The Gardens (R70) | The Gardens community, Ibn Battuta overflow |
| Discovery Gardens (R71) | One of Dubai's largest affordable communities |
| Al Furjan (R72) | Al Furjan's villas and apartments |
| Jumeirah Golf Estates (R73) | The championship golf community |
| Dubai Investment Park (R74) | DIP's mixed business/residential district |
| Expo 2020 (R76) | Expo City Dubai — the terminus at the gates (guide) |
Why the Branch Matters
- It transformed commutes: Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan went from bus-only districts to 35-minute rail rides from Downtown.
- Expo legacy in action: built to move Expo's 24 million visits, it now feeds Expo City's events calendar and the districts growing around it.
- Elevated views: the sweep between DIP and Expo — desert-edge suburbs giving way to the Al Wasl dome — is one of the network's best front-window rides (photo guide).
Practical Notes
- Branch stations sit in fare zone 1; Downtown trips cost AED 7.50, Marina trips AED 5 (calculator).
- Off-peak, main-route trains outnumber branch trains — at Jabal Ali, the screen shows minutes to the next Expo train; grab a coffee-free breather (it's still the metro!) rather than sprinting.
- Event nights at Expo City run extra branch frequency, but build in the post-event surge.
Planning more journeys? Start from the latest Dubai Metro map — every line, station and fare zone on one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Route 2020 branch split from the Red Line?
At Jabal Ali station — trains marked Expo 2020 take the branch, trains marked UAE Exchange continue on the main route, with an easy cross-platform change between them.
Which communities does Route 2020 serve?
The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Investment Park and Expo City at the terminus.
How long is the ride from Downtown to Expo City?
About 50 minutes including the branch, costing AED 7.50 with a Nol Silver card.