National Paints

National Paints marks a turning point on the Red Line. This is the station where the network divides, with the original Red Line carrying on to the Life Pharmacy (UAE Exchange) terminus while the newer Route 2020 branch peels off towards Al Furjan, Discovery Gardens and Expo City. For anyone travelling to the Expo City side of the network, the direction of your train matters here, so it pays to check the destination on the platform display before boarding.

The station takes its name from the long-established National Paints factory nearby, a landmark on this stretch of the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor. The surrounding area is industrial and commercial rather than a visitor destination, and the station mainly serves the workforce of the warehouses, showrooms and businesses along this southern edge of the city.

Station Overview

National Paints opened in 2010 on the Dubai Metro Red Line and lies in Zone 2 of the NOL fare system. It is an elevated station on a viaduct, and it functions as the junction between the main Red Line and the Route 2020 branch rather than as a Red and Green Line interchange.

Lines and Connectivity

National Paints sits on the Red Line and is the point where the Route 2020 branch diverges. Trains from here run either towards the Life Pharmacy (UAE Exchange) terminus or along the Route 2020 branch to Expo City, so check the front display. In the other direction the line heads back through the Marina area towards Downtown and Deira. For the Green Line, change at BurJuman or Union.

Station Layout and Structure

National Paints is an elevated station reached by lifts, escalators and stairs. As a branch junction it is laid out to let passengers change between the main line and the Route 2020 services. Facilities include toilets, ATMs, NOL top-up machines and a staffed service point. Gold Class carriages are at the front of each train and a women and children carriage runs in the middle.

Accessibility

National Paints has full step-free access, with lifts serving the concourse and platforms. Tactile paving, audio announcements and platform screen doors are in place throughout, in line with the network's standards.

Travel Tips

• Check the destination on the platform display before boarding, as trains here split between the main Red Line and the Route 2020 branch.
• For Expo City, Al Furjan or Discovery Gardens, take a Route 2020 branch train.
• For the Green Line, change at BurJuman or Union.
• A NOL card costs AED 25 including AED 19 of credit and works across metro, tram, bus and marine transport.
• The area around the station is industrial, so plan onward travel rather than expecting shops or attractions on foot.
• The metro runs Saturday to Wednesday 05:00-00:00, Thursday 05:00-01:00 and Friday 08:00-01:00.

Nearby Attractions

Ibn Battuta Mall - a couple of stops away, a themed mall spread across six courts based on the travels of Ibn Battuta.

Jebel Ali industrial district - around the station, the warehouse and showroom belt that the stop primarily serves.

Expo City Dubai - along the Route 2020 branch that begins here, the legacy site of Expo 2020.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Trains at National Paints run Saturday to Wednesday 05:00-00:00, Thursday 05:00-01:00 and Friday 08:00-01:00. The busiest flows follow the industrial shift patterns of the surrounding district and the standard weekday commuter peaks around 07:30-09:30 and 17:00-19:30. Because it is a junction, allow a little extra time if you need to change between the main line and a Route 2020 train.