Dubai Monorail: Photo Tour to Atlantis the Palm Hotel, Palm Jumeirah

If you’re lying on the Jumeirah beach strip in Dubai, soaking up the heat of the desert beside the tepid waters of the Persian Gulf and watching the Dubai monorail glide past, you may be tempted to take a little stroll and ride the driverless train.

Dubai Monorail as seen from the private beach of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi

But there are some things you should not do in Dubai. No matter how close things appear, walking anywhere in the stifling heat is a lesson you will never forget.

Monorail stations

Dubai’s monorail connects the mainland to Atlantis the Palm which is located on the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah. The three-carriage train services four stations but at the time of visit, only two were in operation, Gateway Station, the first stop on the mainland and Atlantis Aquaventure Station, the last stop on the palm-shaped island.

Architecture

The journey takes 5 minutes to travel 5.45 km one way and you’ll pass a lot of construction and architecturally beautiful buildings that seem mostly deserted.

Construction and deserted buildings

Dubai monorail

Approaching Atlantis

Once you reach your destination, you’ll see Aquaventure waterpark which is part of Atlantis and Burj Al Arab hotel to your right. After you disembark, you can wander at leisure towards the opulence of Atlantis the Palm, the luxury underwater themed hotel.

Aquaventure

Aquaventure with Burj Al Arab in the distance

Atlantis the Palm

Atlantis the Palm

Dubai Monorail Ticket

A round trip costs 25 AED.  The plastic-coated ticket bearing a photograph of Palm Jumeirah on one side is scanned as you go through the turnstiles, and it is meant to be returned to the passenger service centre for reuse after your trip.

Visiting Dubai? Don’t miss our Top 10 Things in To in Dubai.