Max Metro Station is a station on the Dubai Metro’s Red Line in the Al Jafiliya and Al Kifaf area. It is situated on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road and is close to Zabeel Park, Dubai Frame, Dubai Garden Glow, and surrounding residential and commercial developments. R21 is the station code of the Dubai Metro. It was called Al Jafiliya Metro Station, but was changed to Max in 2021 as part of Dubai’s metro station naming rights programme. Both names are now found in online searches and in old travel information, but the current name for the station is Max. It is an ideal place to stay while commuting or visiting Dubai, being at the heart of the city.
Quick Facts About Max Metro Station
| Detail | Information |
| Current name | Max |
| Previous name | Al Jafiliya |
| Metro line | Dubai Metro Red Line |
| Station code | R21 |
| Location | Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, Al Kifaf/Al Jafiliya |
| Opened | September 2009 |
| Former station name changed | 2021 |
| Nearby landmark | Zabeel Park |
| Major attraction nearby | Dubai Frame |
| Metro interchange | No direct interchange at the station |
| Next station northbound | ADCB |
| Next station southbound | World Trade Centre |
| Transport connections | Dubai buses, taxis and nearby bus facilities |
The current RTA map confirms the R21 designation and its location between ADCB (R20) and World Trade Centre (R22) on the Red Line.
Where Is Max Metro Station in Dubai?
Max Metro Station is located on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road close to Al Kifaf and Al Jafiliya in the central area of Dubai. It is also located near the giant green space of Zabeel Park, and extends towards Bur Dubai, Karama, Al Jafiliya and the World Trade Centre area.
The area is convenient for its proximity to several destinations, which seem to be isolated on a Dubai map. Zabeel Park is known as the station, and there is also the Dubai Frame in the park.
Unlike Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai, the area around the apartment is not a tourist hot spot. Rather, it integrates residential neighbourhoods, government buildings, offices, and recreational sites, and links to key roads.
This makes the station a station of daily use for commuters and visitors alike.
Station Location and Area
The station is located on what was formerly the outskirts of Al Jafiliya, a location which is why older travel information uses the old name of Al Jafiliya. It is also customary to talk about the station in terms of Al Kifaf.
The area data provided by Property Finder also identifies the station as one of the key public-transport hubs in Al Jafiliya, and indicates that it is linked to the transport network in this area.
The basic message is: Al Jafiliya Metro Station and the existing Max station are the same Red Line station.
Max Metro Station on the Dubai Red Line
The station serves the Dubai Metro Red Line, which, depending on the service, runs through major parts of Dubai from Centrepoint into the centre and then on to the end of the line at Expo 2020/Life Pharmacy. According to RTA’s latest timetable, Centrepoint is listed as R11 and Life Pharmacy as R42, while Expo 2020 is marked as R76 on the larger Red Line network map.
There are no interchanges from this station, and one can move towards the central and western parts of Dubai without changing trains from the station.
The immediately adjacent Red Line stations are:
| Direction | Station | Code |
| Toward Centrepoint | ADCB | R20 |
| Current station | Max | R21 |
| Toward Expo/Life Pharmacy | World Trade Centre | R22 |
This sequence has value to be used when planning a journey as it displays precisely where the station is in the Red Line corridor. The station order is confirmed by the official network map of RTA.
Is It an Interchange Station?
No. The station is not one of the Red-Green Line interchange stations.
The stations that RTA declared as the interchange stations between the Dubai Metro Red and Green lines are BurJuman and Union.
Thus, a passenger coming from the Green Line could have to change trains to the Red Line at one of those interchange stations before arriving at this station.
Why the Station Was Previously Called Al Jafiliya
Al Jafiliya station opened in 2009. RTA awarded the naming rights of the station in August 2021 to Landmark Group, and the station was renamed Max Fashion.
The renaming was part of a broader naming-rights initiative by Dubai’s metro system, which allows commercial entities to name certain stations.
This history is important when performing an online search because older content may yield seemingly different results. A search for Al Jafiliya Metro Station could yield maps, transport pages, videos, and older articles that refer to the same station.
The shorter name Max is used in RTA’s current network map, and references to the station name (in recent times) indicate that the old name was Al Jafiliya.
Max Metro Station to Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park is one of the major attractions that is close to Max Metro Station, and that is why it is a popular place to visit.
Zabeel Park is one of the largest urban parks in Dubai, and the most convenient entry point to the park will be determined by the area that a visitor would like to visit. The station is the closest general access station to the park, and it is thought to be about a 5-10 minute walk from the park entrance.
The park has several attractions and recreational areas such as the Dubai Frame.
It is important to note that there are several entries to the park, so it is important to check the gate that one is going to rather than assuming that any in-park destination is the same walking distance from the station.
Dubai Frame
One of the most significant attractions of this station is the Dubai Frame.
It’s located within Zabeel Park and is among the closest Dubai Metro stations. Access is either on foot or by bus service.
The location information for the Dubai Frame shows that it is around half a mile from Gate 4, but the real distance from the station may vary depending on the station exit and route taken.
When traveling with bags or other travelers, traveling with children, or visiting during Dubai’s warmer seasons, walking might not be the most comfortable way to travel.
Dubai Garden Glow
There is another attraction at Zabeel Park, called Dubai Garden Glow. The attraction is located in the same general park complex so that the station could serve as a point for public transportation.
But the dates, entrance arrangements and opening hours for the seasonal attractions may also vary. Please check the latest information with the attraction before travelling.
Bus Connections and Public Transport
The station is connected to Dubai’s public transport network, such as buses and taxis.
In recent years, RTA has implemented several changes to bus stopping plans within this area. In January 2026, RTA announced that the stops E100 and E201, which served the station area, were moved to the Al Jafiliya Bus Station from the Max Metro Bus Stop (South 2).
Previously, there were also C26, F27, and X92 stopping points, which had been transferred to landside stops in the station area.
This is a very practical point: even if the metro station does not change, a bus stop can change its location.
The latest bus routes and timetables are available through RTA’s journey-planning website, or via the S’hail application – not an old blog post or a static route list. RTA purposefully targets passengers with information about public transport on S’hail.
Al Jafiliya Bus Station
It’s worth noting that the nearby Al Jafiliya Bus Station is especially significant for commuters transiting to and from buses and metros.
There are several bus stops both on the seaside and landside side of the station; travellers should take care to identify the bus route number and stop direction before boarding the bus.
This is particularly significant for cross-city operations, as a road may be used to transport buses in both directions.
Dubai Metro Timings
The hours of operation for Dubai Metro are determined by the RTA and may change from day to day and on holidays or special occasions.
At present, the following general opening hours are published on RTA’s regular timetable:
| Day | Metro station hours |
| Monday–Thursday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM next day |
| Saturday | 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
These are general station hours and do not guarantee the exact time of arrival of any train on any given day. RTA also mentions that special occasion and holiday timetables may also vary.
Passengers should therefore consult the up-to-date RTA timetable before embarking on their journey if they travel early in the morning, late at night, or on a public holiday.
Dubai Metro Fares From the Station
The pricing of Dubai Metro tickets is not based on the station where the passengers board the train, but rather on the number of zones that they cross.
RTA has divided the Dubai public transport system into seven zones. If the bus and metro trip meets the requirements for a connected journey, then it can be considered a connected journey. For the integrated fare structure, RTA says the transfer between different modes has to be completed within 30 minutes.
The current standard fare listed by RTA for a Silver nol card is
| Journey | Silver nol fare |
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 |
The corresponding fares for Goa ld Nol card are AED 6, AED 10, and AED 15, and for a regular Red Ticket, the fares are AED 4, AED 6, and AED 8.50 for the same journey categories.
It is not possible to give a single fixed fare for all journeys from this station because it depends on the zones crossed in the whole journey.
How to Reach the Station
How to get to the station will depend on the starting point.
Fares are valid not only for the Red Line, but also for all trains that run on it. BurJuman or Union are the stations at which passengers arriving from the Green Line can change trains to get on the Red Line.
The station is located on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road and is adjacent to various bus and taxi services.
If you’re specifically traveling to Zabeel Park or Dubai Frame, you need to decide on your specific gate before you get on the ground with your walk, bus, or taxi.
Facilities and Passenger Services
The addition of Max Metro Station will offer vital provisions for passengers and will make commuting and traveling to and from the station more convenient. The station provides ticketing and Nol card facilities, accessible facilities, a passenger information system, and linkages with other public transport.
- Facilities for top-up and ticketing of Nol cards.
- Lifts and escalators for easy access
- The provision of wheelchair access and tactile guidance paths.Wheelchair access and tactile guidance paths.
- Public toilets
- Bus and taxi service.
- Wireless Internet access and cell phone reception.
- CCTV and emergency facilities:
- Passenger information displays
- Security and Metro Police services.
Places Near Max Metro Station
The immediate vicinity of the station is a blend of attractions, public facilities, parks and business locations.
The most pertinent locations nearby are:
- Zabeel Park is a large public park and is the main leisure centre of the station.
- Dubai Frame is one of the iconic structures in Zabeel Park.
- It is a seasonal attraction inside the Zabeel Park complex, called Dubai Garden Glow.
- Further down the Red Line is Dubai World Trade Centre, which is a big events and exhibition centre.
- The area of Al Jafiliya, which was the district from which the station has its original name.
- Locality around the current station site.
The station is also strategically located to provide easy access to government and administrative centers in the broader Al Jafiliya region.
Best Station for Dubai Frame: Max or ADCB?
For most of the visitors arriving in Dubai by Metro, the Max station is normally the more convenient as it is the more direct access towards Zabeel Park.
There is another Red Line station in that area, ADCB, which may prove useful in different circumstances depending on the trip origin and destination. The property search engine, Property Finder, lists ADCB as an alternative metro option for Zabeel Park, but further away from the park than the primary metro connection to Zabeel Park linked with Max.
For best results, it is important to select the park entrance to be used, not just by the name.
Tips for Using the Station
Some tips can help you make the trip less tedious:
- Please consult the RTA journey planner or S’hail app before travelling, as bus routes and stop locations may vary.
- When arriving at Dubai Frame, be sure to know which gate in Zabeel Park you are entering before you leave the station.
- Have a valid NOL card that has enough balance for the full ride.
- Be aware that older online information may refer to the station as Al Jafiliya, but the current RTA map indicates it is Max, R21.
Conclusion
The Red Line station, Max Metro Station, is a major station in Dubai that is situated in the Al Jafiliya and Al Kifaf areas. The station has an R21 stop number, meaning it is located in the heart of Dubai and is close to various other stations, such as Zabeel Park, Dubai Frame, and others. The station was once called Al Jafiliya but can still be found on some maps and internet resources, and the current RTA network calls it Max. Its location also makes it a convenient transit hub for the rest of the Dubai Metro system and the bus network, which makes it a convenient way to get from one point to another for both tourists visiting nearby attractions and people commuting from one part of the city to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current name of Al Jafiliya Metro Station?
The present official name is Max; the station is R21 on the Red Line of Dubai Metro. It was formerly called Al Jafiliya, but was renamed in 2021.
Which metro line is Max Station on?
The station will be situated on the Dubai Metro Red Line between ADCB (R20) and World Trade Centre (R22).
What is the station code?
The official name of the station is R21. This code will be used to identify the station on Dubai Metro maps and transportation information.
Which metro station is closest to Zabeel Park?
Among the Metro stations, Max Metro Station is one of the closest stations to Zabeel Park. The exact distance to walk will vary depending on the entrance and location within the big park.
How can I reach Dubai Frame by Metro?
Use the Red Line to the station and then follow the walkway towards Zabeel Park (Dubai Frame). Actual walking distance will vary by park entrance.
Is Al Jafiliya the same as Max Station?
Yes. Al Jafiliya is the former name of the same Metro station. In 2021, it was renamed Max by RTA, in the context of naming rights for Dubai’s metro stations.
Can I change from the Red Line to the Green Line at Max?
No, Max is NOT a Red-Green Line interchange station. In between the two Dubai Metro lines, there are interchange stations between BurJuman and Union.
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