What is Nol Card?
A chip card for all public transportation
Dubai has different types of public transportation. There is the famous metro, the longest metro line in the world without a driver.
Buses, trams and taxis are also part of public transport. The service that is responsible for all public transport is the RTA or Roads and Transport Authority. You can only use most RTA services if you have a Nol Card.
This is a kind of chip card that you purchase and can then charge with dirhams. There are 4 different Nol cards in total, which makes it a bit difficult for a tourist to decide which Nol card to buy.
In this article we clarify how you should buy a Nol card, which you can buy and how to use it.
Types of Nol cards
There are 4 different Nol cards, Red, Silver, Gold & Blue. These different types ensure that both a tourist who only takes a single ride and a resident of Dubai can use public transport in Dubai at a favorable rate.
The Red Ticket and the Silver Nol Card are the most suitable for tourists. Someone who wants something more luxurious on public transport can opt for the Gold Nol Card. Finally, the personalized Blue Nol Card is the most suitable for Dubai residents.
The seven zones that determine the rate
Dubai is divided into seven zones, which determines the rate that will be taken from your Nol Card. These zones apply for traveling by metro & tram. To keep it easy there are only 3 rates.
- Tier 1: travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones.
- Tier 2: starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone.
- Tier 3: crosses three or more zones.
With these zones you can quickly and easily find out how much your journey will cost.
Attention
This zone system is only valid for the Dubai metro and tram. Different rates apply for transport by taxi, bus or water bus. You can find these rates on the page, transport in Dubai.
What is Nol Red Ticket?
The Red Ticket or red Nol card is suitable for tourists who only want to do a single ride with the metro, for example.
This Red Ticket is a paper chip card that you can top up with 10 single journeys or 5 day passes. The one-time price for the ticket is AED 2 and is valid for 90 days, after which you can no longer charge this card. It is also not possible to change the type of public transport.
For example, if you have purchased a Red Nol Ticket and you use the metro, you will not be able to use the card for the bus.
You can buy Red Tickets in every metro station at the counter and all ticket machines of the RTA. The minimum balance to charge is AED 7.5.
Red Ticket specifications & rates
- The paper chip card is valid for 90 days from purchase.
- You can top up the Red ticket for a maximum of 10 single journeys or 5 day passes.
- Valid for metro, tram, bus or waterbus. Combined trips are not permitted.
- Children less than 5 years or shorter than 90 cm travel for free.
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Chip card | Whatever Red Ticket you buy, you always have to purchase a chip card the first time. You can then top up the Red Ticket to 10 single journeys or 5 day passes. If these have all been used up, you must purchase a chip card again. |
Red Ticket day passes
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 Day Pass (Regular Class) | 1 full day of travel (Regular Class) without restrictions with 1 type of transport, for example, the metro. | |
| | 1 Day Pass (Gold Class) | 1 full day of travel (Gold Class) without restrictions with 1 type of transport, for example, the metro. |
Red Ticket single trips
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 Zone (Regular Class) | Travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones. | |
| | 2 Zones (Regular Class) | Starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone. | |
| | 3 Zones (Regular Class) | Crosses three or more zones. | |
| | 1 Zone (Gold Class) | Travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones. | |
| | 2 Zones (Gold Class) | Starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone. | |
| | 3 Zones (Gold Class) | Crosses three or more zones. |
What is Nol Silver Card?
In contrast to the Red Ticket, this chip card is not made of paper but of plastic such as a credit card. The Silver Nol Card is the ideal card for those who are going to do more than 2 or 3 journeys on public transport from the RTA.
You can use the Silver Nol Card on all types of public transport, metro, tram, bus, waterbus, carparks,… It has also been possible since 2019 to pay in most taxis with this card. The Silver Nol Card is for sale for AED 25 of which AED 19 can be used. So this ticket actually costs you AED 6, which is AED 4 more expensive than the Red Ticket.
It is true that you can travel with a Silver Nol Card at a lower rate compared to a Red Ticket. That is why it is advantageous to buy a Silver Nol Card from the moment you travel more than 2 or 3 journeys by public transport in Dubai. The Silver Nol Card remains valid for 5 years from the date of purchase and you can recharge it up to AED 1.000. If you register the Nol Card, you can recharge it up to AED 5.000.
You can purchase the Silver Nol Card at any counter of the metro. Some bus stations also have a manned counter.
Silver Card specifications & rates
- The plastic chip card is valid for 5 years from purchase.
- You can top up the Silver Card for a maximum of AED 5.000.
- Valid for metro, tram, bus, waterbus, taxi & carparks. Combined trips are permitted.
- Connected Journey (maximum journey duration: 180 minutes. Time allowed between transfers: 30 minutes) Minimum balance: AED 7.5.
- Children less than 5 years or shorter than 90 cm travel for free.
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Chip card | The plastic Silver Nol Card costs AED 25, of which AED 19 is added to your usable balance. This remains valid for 5 years and can be charged up to AED 5.000. |
Silver Card single trips
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 Zone (Regular Class) | Travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones. | |
| | 2 Zones (Regular Class) | Starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone. | |
| | 3 Zones (Regular Class) | Crosses three or more zones. |
What is Nol Silver Card?
The Gold Nol Card is almost the same as the Silver Nol Card. The only difference is that you can use the slightly more luxurious Gold Class on the metro, tram and bus.
Here you generally have a little more space and it is more comfortable to sit. For this extra luxury you pay double the Silver Nol Card for every ride.
Gold Card specifications & rates
- The plastic chip card is valid for 5 years from purchase.
- You can top up the Gold Card for a maximum of AED 5.000.
- Valid for metro, tram, bus, waterbus, taxi & carparks. Combined trips are permitted.
- Connected Journey (maximum journey duration: 180 minutes. Time allowed between transfers: 30 minutes) Minimum balance: AED 7.5.
- Children less than 5 years or shorter than 90 cm travel for free.
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Chip card | The plastic Gold Nol Card costs AED 25, of which AED 19 is added to your usable balance. This remains valid for 5 years and can be charged up to AED 5.000. |
Silver Card single trips
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 Zone (Regular Class) | Travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones. | |
| | 2 Zones (Regular Class) | Starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone. | |
| | 3 Zones (Regular Class) | Crosses three or more zones. |
What is Nol Blue Card?
The Blue Nol Card is a photo personalized card that offers a perfect solution for Dubai residents or people who frequently use public transportation in Dubai. This costs AED 70 of which AED 20 is added to the balance of the card that you can use freely.
The plus point of this card is that you can have it blocked in case of loss and then link your old balance to a new card.
The other Nol cards are anonymous, so if you lose you also lose your balance, this is not the case with the Blue Nol Card. You can purchase a Blue Nol Card at a staffed counter or online via the RTA website.
Blue Card specifications & rates
- The plastic chip card is valid for 5 years from purchase.
- You can top up the Blue Card for a maximum of AED 5.000.
- Personalized with photo
- Valid for metro, tram, bus, waterbus, taxi & carparks. Combined trips are permitted.
- Connected Journey (maximum journey duration: 180 minutes. Time allowed between transfers: 30 minutes) Minimum balance: AED 7.5.
- Children less than 5 years or shorter than 90 cm travel for free.
- Senior resident, student & social affairs pay half the rate.
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Chip card | The plastic Blue Nol Card costs AED 70, of which AED 20 is added to your usable balance. This remains valid for 5 years and can be charged up to AED 5.000. |
Blue Card single trips
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 1 Zone (Regular Class) | Travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones. | |
| | 2 Zones (Regular Class) | Starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone. | |
| | 3 Zones (Regular Class) | Crosses three or more zones. | |
| | 1 Zone (Gold Class) | Travel within 1 zone or less than 3 km, crossing two zones. | |
| | 2 Zones (Gold Class) | Starts in one zone and ends in a neighboring zone. | |
| | 3 Zones (Gold Class) | Crosses three or more zones. |
Blue Card 7 days pass
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 7 Days Pass – 1 zone (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 7 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 7 Days Pass – 2 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 7 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 7 Days Pass – 3 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 7 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 7 Days Pass – 1 zone (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 7 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 7 Days Pass – 2 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 7 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 7 Days Pass – 3 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 7 days from date of purchase. |
Blue Card 30 days pass
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 30 Days Pass – 1 zone (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 30 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 30 Days Pass – 2 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 30 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 30 Days Pass – 3 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 30 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 30 Days Pass – 1 zone (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 30 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 30 Days Pass – 2 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 30 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 30 Days Pass – 3 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 30 days from date of purchase. |
Blue Card 90 days pass
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 90 Days Pass – 1 zone (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 90 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 90 Days Pass – 2 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 90 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 90 Days Pass – 3 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 90 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 90 Days Pass – 1 zone (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 90 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 90 Days Pass – 2 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 90 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 90 Days Pass – 3 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 90 days from date of purchase. |
Blue Card 365 days pass
| Product | Price | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | 365 Days Pass – 1 zone (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 365 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 365 Days Pass – 2 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 365 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 365 Days Pass – 3 zones (Regular Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 365 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 365 Days Pass – 1 zone (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 1 zone for 365 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 365 Days Pass – 2 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in 2 adjacent zones for 365 days from date of purchase. | |
| | 365 Days Pass – 3 zones (Gold Class) | Unlimited use of metro, tram & bus in all zones for 365 days from date of purchase. |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You can use the Nol Card for the inter-city buses that run between the emirates and therefore also from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. The Emirate of Sharjah that borders on the other side can also be reached via an inter-city bus where you can use the Dubai Nol Card. The Nol Card cannot be used for other public transport in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, but only for the inter-city bus lines.
The Nol Card can be used for all public transport in Dubai, metro, tram, bus, taxi, water bus, …
You can also use the Nol Card for almost all car parks in Dubai. Note that there are several Nol Cards that have limitations.
Depending on the use, there are different Nol Cards for sale. For example, Red Ticket and the Silver Nol Card are suitable for tourists.
The Gold Nol Card is the same as the Silver but then you can travel a little more luxuriously in the Gold Class. For the residents of Dubai and the frequent traveler there is the personalized Blue Nol Card.
