Al Khail Metro Station is the former name of Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station, a Dubai Metro Red Line station identified as R35. It stands on Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai Internet City (R34) and Sobha Realty (R36), making it a useful rail stop for Dubai Media City and nearby business and education areas.
The name is still popular as a search term, as Al Khail was the name of the station between 2020 and 2025. In March 2025, RTA awarded naming rights to Al Fardan Exchange and the maps and transport information on current RTA maps will use the new name.
Current name and station identity
The station is part of Dubai Metro’s naming-rights programme. It is known as Nakheel, was renamed Al Khail in 2020 and is now Al Fardan Exchange. RTA confirmed the 2020 switch from Nakheel to Al Khail and recently announced the new switch to Al Fardan Exchange in March 2025.
If you are looking for older maps, university information, or local articles, these three names are all for the same Red Line station:
| Period | Station name |
| Original name | Nakheel |
| 2020–2025 | Al Khail |
| Current | Al Fardan Exchange |
The station code R35 has been a convenient way to identify this station on the existing Red Line system.
Where Al Khail Metro Station is located
It is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in the area of Dubai served by the Red Line between Dubai Internet City and Sobha Realty. Being located in this area, it is not far from the critical places around Dubai Media City, such as the American University in Dubai.
The key point for navigation is that when Al Fardan Exchange R35 is mentioned, that is the station to search for, even if it mentions Al Khail Metro Station. This means that if you use a current map or journey planner, you’ll avoid following an outdated station name.
Red Line position
Al Fardan Exchange is part of the Dubai Metro Red Line. The current RTA network arranges the stations in the following sequence around it:
- R33 – InsuranceMarket
- R34 – Dubai Internet City
- R35 – Al Fardan Exchange
- R36 – Sobha Realty
- R37 – DMCC
This is a great service for getting from the Media City area to locations beyond the Red Line. The directions that passengers need to take vary, depending on the final destination and passengers do not have to change trains just to travel between Al Fardan Exchange, Dubai Internet City, or Sobha Realty.
Direction matters
People usually take the Red Line from Dubai International Airport to stations in the central part of the city, like Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay, or Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. The train passes through Sobha Realty, DMCC, Ibn Battuta and the stations in the south to reach destinations towards Dubai Marina and the southern areas of Dubai.
The important thing to do is to ensure that you know the destination and not the direction of the train, which is the old name for Al Khail. The R35 designation is a feature of the station, so it is much easier to identify the correct stop on the RTA map.
Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station timings
Information on individual first and last trains is available in RTA’s existing Metro timetable. Al Fardan Exchange is marked as R35 on the timetable and provided with separate timings based on direction and operating day.
This is significant as a general Dubai Metro opening time will not always inform you what time the first or last train leaves from R35. For instance, if you must depart early for a train or arrive at the end of the services, please refer to the current RTA timetable or its authorised journey-planning channels on the relevant date.
Current timetable information
The published timetable by RTA currently lists Al Fardan Exchange R35 as one of the Red Line stations and it shows individual information on the departure times of trains running in both directions. The times are more useful than a generic “metro opens at” time since the first and last train may vary.
In addition, during holidays or special events, the working hours of RTA are subject to changes. That’s why the official timetable is the right document to use if travel is reliant on a specific departure time.
Getting to American University in Dubai
Among the obvious reasons why people are looking for Al Khail Metro Station is its association with the American University of Dubai (AUD). AUD has issued the following directions that are to be followed by AUD Metro passengers: AUD Metro passengers are advised to take the Red Line to Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station and walk for about 5 minutes to the university campus.
This is also why the older AUD material can lead to confusion. The previous University information made reference to the same station as Al Khail and AUD’s current directions are Al Fardan Exchange. The final point remains the same, just the station’s name.
The best choice on current maps for students, parents and visitors visiting AUD is therefore to search for Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station.
Dubai Media City and nearby destinations
It is not the station name but its location near several major commercial and institutional areas that makes the station so important. One of the major attractions near the station is Dubai Media City and AUD is also conveniently connected to the station with a short walk.
Don’t mistake Dubai Internet City Metro Station for Al Fardan Exchange. They are two independent Red Line stations; Dubai Internet City is located at R34 and Al Fardan Exchange at R35. If the office, campus, or appointment specifies a station name, take all necessary caution to arrive at the exact location, as the two stations may not be the same.
Bus connections from the station
The station is also connected with Dubai’s bus network. In August 2024, RTA announced that Metro Link services are to be modified, with F58 and F59 to be added in place of F56. Under the new service terms announced by RTA, F58 will operate between Al Khail Metro Station and Dubai Internet City on a north-south route and the frequency will be three times an hour.
Older pages that refer to buses like F56 must not be assumed to be current since buses may be subject to changes, independent of the Metro network. The station’s current name is Al Fardan Exchange, whereas the 2024 announcement by RTA used the then name of Al Khail to refer to the F58 route. Always use the current information on the RTA for the bus route to double-check a bus route connection.
Why older bus information causes confusion
Older transport pages may include a variety of old station/route designations. This particular point matters here as this station has been renamed from Nakheel Station to Al Khail Station and ultimately to Al Fardan Exchange.
If it’s a present trip, go to the station using the present name (Al Fardan Exchange R35), then refer to the latest RTA bus information and select the necessary connection. This isolates historical route information from the services that run today.
Nol card and Metro fares
To use the Dubai Metro service, a Nol card is needed. According to the latest news about the Metro service provided by RTA, users should buy and recharge a Nol card and use the card when entering the metro station, then again when exiting it.
The fare is based on the number of zones crossed, not just the origin of the trip. Currently, RTA charges a standard Silver Card fare of AED 3 for use in one zone, AED 5 for use in two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 for the use of the card in more than two zones. The standard Personal Card fares are AED 5 for one zone, AAED 7.500 for two adjacent zones and AED 10 for more than two zones. The standard value of gold is double the standard fares.
Minimum NOL balance
Currently, RTA has a minimum requirement of AED 7.50 on a NOL card to access public transport services, including the Metro. There are also further details in the authority’s latest service information about the Metro gates not opening when the minimum balance is not available.
It is advisable to check before getting to the station, as a valid card does not suffice if the balance is not at or above the minimum required.
Station facilities and Metro access
Al Fardan Exchange receives the services of the Dubai Metro system and hence adopts the same general facilities and access arrangements of RTA Metro. For the Dubai Metro stations, RTA has defined this as ‘connectivity’ services with buses, taxis and other public transport, as well as Wi-Fi, ATMs and services for People of Determination.
The station will be designed for normal Red Line passenger access via NOL card gates. It is important that passengers use the information displayed on the electronic screens and the directions made on the station’s PA system, not the outdated information from websites about platform layouts.
Al Khail vs Al Fardan Exchange
It is not the actual location that is the biggest reason for confusion, but the name itself.
The Al Khail Metro Station is the same station that is now called Al Fardan Exchange by RTA; if an older site refers to Al Khail Metro Station, it is referring to that same station. The transition from Nakheel to Al Khail took place in 2020 and the transition from Al Khail to Al Fardan Exchange was announced by RTA in March 2025.
The difference is relevant when looking for the station in the current transportation app. If the older Al Khail name isn’t recognized, use Al Fardan Exchange or search by R35.
Al Khail Road and the Metro station are different.
A second detail to note is that there is a difference between Al Khail Road and Al Khail Metro Station.
The old name of the metro station was part of the station naming system and Al Khail Road is a road corridor in Dubai. The phrase “Al Khail” can then be used to search for road-related places, as well as information on the old station name.
The current reference is Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station for Metro travel.
Using the station for onward travel
The station is located in the western part of the network and is ideal for travel along the Red Line. Passengers can journey towards central Dubai and/or towards Dubai Marina and the southern Red Line stations from R35 without changing within the station.
Union and BurJuman are the two main Red/Green interchange stations for journeys that need the Green Line. The interchange you have to use depends on where you’re going, so you should use the RTA journey planner rather than selecting a transfer point from the map only.
What to search on maps today
For the previous Al Khail station, search for Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station. If you are reading an older article or document, the name “Al Khail Metro Station” is still valid since it was the official station name until it was renamed in 2025.
To get the most accurate answer, use Al Fardan Exchange R35. This exactly matches the name and code displayed by RTA at the station, which will minimize the risk of choosing another station with “Al Khail” in its name.
Travel details worth checking before departure
The best checks are dependent on the type of journey. The items essential in a regular Metro service are the station name, the direction of the service, the NOL balance and the latest timetable. If a bus trip is part of the journey, then the current feeder route should be checked, as bus services may change.
RTA specifically calls attention to passengers using their website and official apps to get information about Metro and reminds them that times may vary for holiday periods and special events.
For AUD visitors
For students travelling to Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station, they should opt for the same station and be prepared to walk from the station to the campus of the American University in Dubai. The directions as written in AUD currently refer to around 5 minutes on foot.
For fare planning
Be sure to have at least AED 7.50 in the NOL before boarding the Metro. The final fare is based on the zones traversed during the trip (not just from R35), so the amount will differ depending on the full trip.
Conclusion
The station is now officially Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station (R35) on Dubai Metro’s Red Line, but Al Khail Metro Station is still a popular name. Located between Dubai Internet City and Sobha Realty, it offers direct Metro links to other locations throughout Dubai Media City, including American University in Dubai.
Travellers will find the name change to be the most useful. Based on current RTA information, look for Al Fardan Exchange, not Al Khail; use the latest Red Line timetable and ensure that the required Nol balance is available before coming into the station.
Visit Also: Salah Al Din Metro Station Dubai: Green Line, Routes and Nearby Places
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Khail Metro Station still open?
Yes. Currently, the station is known as Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station.
What is the current name of Al Khail Metro Station?
It is now called Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station.
What is the station code?
The station number is R35.
Which Metro line is Al Khail Station on?
It is on the Dubai Metro Red Line.
What station comes after Al Fardan Exchange?
Dubai Internet City and Sobha Realty are the neighbouring stations on the Red Line.
Is Al Fardan Exchange near AUD?
Yes. According to AUD’s current directions, it will take about five minutes to walk to American University in Dubai.
What is the minimum NOL balance for Metro travel?
To use RTA, you must have at least 7.50 AED in your account.
Was Al Khail Metro Station previously called Nakheel?
Yes. In 2020, RTA changed the name of Nakheel Metro Station to Al Khail, before later changing its name to Al Fardan Exchange.
