A Guide to Dubai's NOL Card

A Guide to Dubai's NOL Card

The NOL card in Dubai is a smart card that enables you to pay for the use of various RTA transport modes in Dubai with just one, single card. 

That's right, no longer will you have to carry coins or cash or numerous passes to get from A to B and back, instead, Dubai's public transport systems have made life easy for you. 

You can use your NOL card to travel on the most popular RTA services in Dubai, like the Dubai Metro, buses, water buses, Dubai Tram and you can even pay for RTA's paid parking services across the city using the same card. 

Where can I get a NOL Card?
You can get NOL cards at any ticket office, some ticket vending machines, any RTA Customer Service centres and through authorised sales agents in the city. 

Why do I need one?
The public transport services mentioned don't accept cash as payment upon entering the vehicle. For instance, you may use cash to purchase your NOL card in Dubai Metro stops, which you should then present when entering the Dubai Metro itself. 

In fact, you need the NOL card to get through the Dubai Metro's barriers in order to enter the boarding areas. For RTA's buses and water buses, you must have a NOL card to board. 

What types of NOL Card are there?
Commuters have various ticket options when using Dubai's public transport. They may buy single journey tickets, daily passes and monthly passes dependingo on your journey plans.

NOL Red Ticket: This has to be used within 90 days, and is calculated from the date of purchase of your ticket. 

NOL Silver, Gold & Blue Card: These types of tickets are valid for five years, all you have to do is top up your account as you go. 

How do I top-up my NOL Card up?
You can top your NOL Card up at any ticket offices, for instance at Dubai Metro stations, at ticket vending machines by scanning your existing card, via RTA's online service and also via RTA's Public Transport App. 

Do I have to pay for every separate journey?
Actually, there is only one fare to complete a journey if you use both Dubai Metro and one of RTA's bus. A passenger can take a free trip on a bus if they get into the bus within 30 minutes of exiting from the Dubai Metro, and vice versa. 

How do I use my NOL Card on a bus?
When you enter the vehicle, simply touch your card onto the NOL Card reader, located near the bus driver. When you exit the bus, you need to touch your card to the reader asecond time. The system wil check that your card has a valid travel pass, calculate the far for the trip you have just taken and deduct that amount from your e-purse, or deduct one trip from your card, whichever the case may be. 

If you do not check-ou, the system will always deduct the maximum fare, so you shoud always remember to check-out. 

How do I check my balance?
The balance of your NOL Card will be shown when you check-in/check-out of public transport like Dubai Metro, RTA buses and so on. You can also view it from any ticket vending machine, ticket office, authorised sales agents, online and via the RTA's Public Transport App. 

NOL Cards are an ideal thing to have if you are a frequent traveller, or wish to travel across different modes of transport using a single card. Tickets are ideal for visitors and occassional travellers, too. 

Zone Fares & Times
The city of Dubai is divided into 7 zones in terms of transport. Each zone contains all transport types - metro, buses, water taxis - and your journey is calculated dependent on the total number of zones you have passed. Please see below for a rough guide to NOL zonal fares: