The Dubai Metro is the world's longest driverless automated railway system with of about 76 kilometres of rail tracks and 47 stations. Ten of the Red Line’s 29 stops are available: Nakheel Harbour & Tower, Mall of the Emirates, Financial Centre, Al Jafiliya, Khalid Bin Al Waleed, Union Square, Al Rigga, Deira City Centre, Airport T3 and Rashidiya Terminal. The 19 stops that are not opening today should all be operating by February next year. Then, in June 2010, the Green Line – stretching from Jadaf on the Creek to Al Qusais – should open. The Red Line is also going to be extended, taking it to the Jebel Ali/Abu Dhabi border. In 2012 the Purple Line will link Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali (which should open June 2010). There are plans for a Blue Line to serve the two airports along Emirates Road and even a Yellow Line, but it’s unknown where this will run. Every stop will be served by buses, abras or water taxis, all with air-conditioned waiting areas. The whole caboodle should be in business by 2015.

The train runs from 6am-11pm, Saturday to Thursday, and from 2pm-midnight on Fridays. During peak hours they will run every three minutes and 45 seconds, although initially the frequency will be every 10 minutes. Tickets will be rechargeable cards, which you can purchase from the vending machines in every station.