New to Dubai and trying to navigate the NOL card system for public transport?
You’ve come to the best place as we’re going to speak you thru all the things it’s essential know so you’ll be able to hit the bottom working while you attain Dubai.

When you intend on utilizing public transport in Dubai, you will have a Nol card. Nol in Arabic means fare.
Nol or a Nol card is a chargeable chip card. You want a Nol to journey on Dubai’s RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) Metro, buses, taxis and trams. It can be used for a lot of different companies in Dubai, together with public park entry, parking meters, museums, and even paying for groceries!
There are a number of Nol card decisions, although, which we all know will be complicated for newcomers. We’re going to speak you thru all of your Nol card choices, zones and what you need to anticipate to pay, important for getting round in Dubai.
What Forms of Nol Card are there?
Nol playing cards are available in:
Purple Nol ticket
Silver Nol Card
Gold Nol Card
Blue Nol Card
Who wants a Nol Card?
All passengers aged 5 years and over want a Nol to make use of public transport in Dubai.
The one exemption in Dubai is “Individuals of Dedication”- the identify given domestically to individuals with disabilities who can use public transport without cost.
How a lot is a Nol card in Dubai?
This depends upon what color card you initially purchase. A Silver Nol, for instance, prices AED 25 ($6.80), of which AED 6 is for the cardboard, and AED 19 is a credit score in your card, whereas a Purple Nol solely prices AED 2 however has no pre-loaded credit score – extra beneath!
How a lot does every Metro journey in Dubai value?
The tariff you pay per journey depends upon which card sort you’re utilizing, and the zones travelled.
Dubai Metro Zones
Dubai is split into seven zones, which decide the speed that will probably be taken out of your Nol Card. These zones apply for travelling by Metro & Dubai Tram. To maintain it simple, there are solely 3 charges.
Tier 1 / 1 Zone: journey inside 1 zone or lower than 3 km, crossing two zones
Tier 2 / 2 Zones: begins in a single zone and ends in a neighbouring zone
Tier 3 / 3+ Zones: crosses three or extra zones
Dubai Metro and Tram map courtesy of RTA. NB Zones 3, 4 & 7 relate to the bus community not proven on this map
How can I get a Nol card in Dubai?
There are a number of alternative ways you should purchase your Nol card.
You should purchase from ticket workplaces positioned in all Dubai Metro stations and a few Dubai Bus stations.
Dubai’s Nol Silver Playing cards and Nol Purple Tickets will be bought from some Ticket Merchandising Machines.
It’s also possible to buy Nol Silver Playing cards in Dubai from RTA Buyer Service Centres and RTA authorised gross sales brokers.
Nol blue playing cards will be bought on-line.
Which Nol Card fits my wants finest?
So with the choice of 4 completely different Nol playing cards (Dubai Metro playing cards), which one is finest for vacationers?
Most vacationers will go for Purple or Silver Nol playing cards – right here’s what it’s essential find out about every.
Nol Purple Ticket
The Nol Purple Ticket is a paper-based (card) ticket that may be bought from any ticket merchandising machine at any time for under AED 2. It’s best for infrequent customers of the Dubai Metro, together with vacationers.
You’ll then have to load credit score onto your Purple Nol Ticket. It may be loaded with as much as 10 Single Journeys or 5 day passes.
Nol Purple Ticket key options
Low ticket value – solely 2 AED upfront ($0.54 USD)
The minimal steadiness to recharge is 7.50 AED
Legitimate for 90 days
Might be purchased from any ticket merchandising machine at any time
Lets you pay for the precise journey solely
Instance prices with a Purple Nol Ticket
You have to to load these quantities on to your Nol Purple card previous to utilizing the Metro
1-day common move 20 AED (to be used on one sort of transport solely)
1 day move gold move 40 AED
1 zone 4 AED
2 zones 6 AED
3+ zones 8.50 AED
Silver Nol Card
The Nol Silver Card is the right Nol starter card for normal use with an e-purse that may be loaded with as much as AED 1000.
The Silver Nol Card prices 25 AED upfront, which incorporates 19 AED e-purse worth and the ticket holder is nameless, ie you don’t have to register your card.
Silver Nol Card key options:
Routinely calculates the price of your journey and deduct it out of your e-purse
Legitimate on all modes of transport
Most journey period 180 minutes
The minimal steadiness is 7.50 AED
Legitimate for five years
Instance fares for the Silver Nol Card
Though the Silver Nol is 4 AED greater than the Purple Nol Ticket, you get cheaper fares on the Silver card. You may solely journey in common class:
1 zone 3 AED
2 zones 5 AED
3+ zones 7.50 AED
Nol Gold Card
The Nol Gold Card permits the holder to journey in luxurious and luxury and is an nameless card with the identical options because the Silver Card, however with the additional advantage that it provides you privileged entry to the Dubai Metro’s Gold Class seats for a premium fare.
The Gold Nol Card prices 25 AED upfront, which incorporates 19 AED e-purse worth.
Gold Nol Card key options:
Entry to Gold Class cabins on the Metro & Tram
Most journey period 180 minutes
Routinely calculates the price of your journey and deduct it out of your e-purse
Legitimate on all modes of transport (premium seating solely on Metro & Tram)
Legitimate for five years
Instance fares on a Gold Nol Card
1 zone 6 AED
2 zones 10 AED
3+ zones 15 AED
Nol Blue Card
The Nol Blue Card is a safe personalised good card that’s finest for every day commuters. You should use the Blue Nol card on all varieties of public transport which can be a part of the Nol Card scheme.
The most important distinction between Blue and Silver is that Blue Nol cardholders can get pleasure from a safe card steadiness if their card will get misplaced or stolen.
The Blue Nol Card prices 70 AED upfront, which incorporates 20 AED e-purse worth. You may load your registered Blue Nol Card with as much as 5000 AED in worth.
Blue Nol Card key options
Routinely calculates the price of your journey and deduct it out of your e-purse
Legitimate on all modes of transport
Safe card steadiness in case your card will get misplaced/stolen
Personalised with a photograph
Number of safe on-line companies, in addition to SMS & e-mail notifications to maintain you posted
Legitimate for five years
In case you are College students, Senior Citizen or social welfare holders pay 50% of the fare
The fares are the identical as you’d pay for a gold or silver card however with the additional advantage your steadiness is safe. You may prime up bigger sums without delay with out concern of dropping your steadiness.
Nol Fares Compares by Nol card
1 zone 4 AED3 AED6 AED3 AED
2 zones6 AED5 AED10 AED5 AED
Greater than 2 zones8.5 AED7.5 AED15 AED7.5 AED
Upfront cost2 AED25 AED (19 AED e-purse)25 AED (19 AED e-purse)70 AED (20 AED e-purse)
Weekly, Month-to-month, Quarterly and Annual Passes with Nol Card
In additon to the only use fares above, common Dubai Metro makes use of pays upfront fro the next fares:
7-Day common move
1 zone 50 AED
2 Zones 80 AED
3+ Zones 110 AED
7-Day Gold move
1 zone 100 AED
2 Zones 160 AED
3+ Zones 220 AED
30-Day common move
1 zone 140 AED
2 Zones 230 AED
3+ Zones 350 AED
30-Day Gold move
1 zone 280 AED
2 Zones 460 AED
3+ Zones 700 AED
90-Day common move
1 zone 330 AED
2 Zones 550 AED
3+ Zones 830 AED
90-Day Gold move
1 zone 660 AED
2 Zones 1100 AED
3+ Zones 1660 AED
365-day common move
1 zone 1060 AED
2 Zones 1770 AED
3+ Zones 2670 AED
365-day Gold move
1 zone 2120 AED
2 Zones 3540 AED
3+ Zones 5340 AED
The right way to Use the Dubai Nol Card
So now you’ve sorted out what sort of automobile you want, how does it truly work?
Be sure you have greater than 7.50 AED in your automobile earlier than you employ it
Place your Nol card on the e-reader to “check-in”
Look ahead to the beep or inexperienced gentle to know you’re profitable and move by way of the gate/entrance
On leaving the general public transport, it’s essential take a look at to make sure the proper fare is utilized
Place your card on the e-reader and await the beep or inexperienced gentle, then move by way of the gate
Different continuously requested Dubai Nol Card questions
How a lot credit score do I would like on my Nol card?
Dubai Metro Fares are calculated not solely on zones however the kind of ticket you’re utilizing. Use the worth pointers above and preserve a minimal steadiness of seven.50 AED in your card
Do I would like a Nol card if I’ll solely be utilizing taxis in Dubai?
While a Nol card can be utilized to pay for taxis in Dubai, taxis nonetheless settle for money and card funds aside from Nol. If taxis are the one transport you’ll use in Dubai there’s no have to exit of your solution to get a Nol card except you’d like one for paying for park entry, outlets and different useful options.
Can I get a refund on my unused Nol card steadiness?
The one card that permits you to apply for a refund is a Blue Nol card. It’s smart for those who plan on utilizing any of the opposite playing cards to solely prime as much as the quantity you suppose you’ll want to make use of.
Can I get a Blue Nol card as a vacationer?
You don’t need to be a resident to profit from the registered Blue Nol card. In case you are a frequent Dubai customer or suppose you’ll be closely utilizing the cardboard throughout your journey to Dubai then it will make sense to go to the additional effort of getting a Blue Nol card registered, although be aware you’d want an tackle to gather it from.
Can I exploit Gold Class Metro cabins with a Purple Nol ticket?
Use you should use your Purple Nol Ticket to pay as you go to be used on common or Gold, simply be sure you prime up the correct amount and keep in mind Gold tickets value extra on a Purple Nol Ticket than for those who outright purchase a Gold Nol Card.
Which Nol do I would like to make use of the ladies & youngsters’s cabin on Dubai Metro?
You should use your Purple, Silver or Gold Nol card for the ladies’s and youngsters’s cabin on the Metro, it’s the similar value as different common move cabins simply designated for households solely. It’s clearly marked with pink traces at one finish of the practice (entrance or rear relying on which means the practice goes). The one cabin that wants a unique fare is Gold.
What outlets enable me to make use of a Nol card?
There are actually over 2000 retailers in Dubai that enable faucet and pay with Nol card, you’ll be able to discover them listed right here.
The place can I be taught extra about Dubai Metro?
The very best place to begin is the RTA web siteor phone queries (inside the UAE) to 800 90 90
We hope this Nol Card information will provide help to navigate your means throughout Dubai. It’s a massive sprawling metropolis, however utilizing the Metro can actually assist vacationers get between the important thing points of interest, and in comparison with different worldwide public transport methods, it’s comparatively low-cost, clear and straightforward to make use of.
Fares right as finally replace July 2023. Please verify pricing earlier than buying with the RTA immediately.
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Take me again to the Dubai important planning data house web page
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