How much is a Nol card?

A Silver nol card costs AED 25, and AED 19 of that is travel credit, so the card itself costs AED 6. Each journey then costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two zones and AED 7.50 beyond that. A paper Red Ticket costs AED 2 but carries higher fares.

Common nol cards, rather than every product

Anonymous Silver and Gold cards hold up to AED 1,000, and registered or Personal cards up to AED 5,000, according to RTA’s card comparison. It also lists nol Travel at AED 100 including AED 19 credit; compare its benefits with your actual plans before paying the difference.

What each journey costs

RTA divides Dubai into 7 zones. One journey can last up to 180 minutes and include up to 3 transfers. If you check in on a bus within 30 minutes of leaving the Metro, the two legs are charged as one journey based on the total zones crossed.

Who pays less

• Children: RTA’s fare table says age 5 and below, while its top-up service says under 5. Both cover under-fives; ask the ticket office for a child aged exactly 5.
• People of determination travel free with a Personal (Blue) card.
• Concessions: Student, senior and social-assistance categories have eligibility and document requirements for a Personal card; nationality or student status alone does not establish qualification.

Passes: 7, 30, 90 and 365 days

An anonymous Silver or Gold card can take only the 7-day pass. The 30, 90 and 365-day passes need a registered card. Gold passes cost twice the Silver price, and student and senior Emirati passes cost half. RTA’s pass table starts at 7 days.

Worked example: pay as you go or a 7-day pass?

Say you spend five days in Dubai and make two trips a day, each across two zones:

• Pay as you go: 10 trips x AED 5 = AED 50 in fares.
• 7-day two-zone pass: AED 80.

In this example, 16 charged journeys equal AED 80 and the pass costs less than 17 such journeys. Count charged journeys and coverage, and include card purchase if needed; the AED 19 credit is already part of the purchase price, not an extra separate payment.

Where to buy and how to top up

• Buy at the ticket vending machines and ticket offices in every Metro station, or from authorised sales agents. Dubai Airports says nol cards are sold at the ticket offices and machines in Terminals 1 and 3. You can pay in cash or by card.
• Virtual card: the nol Pay app issues one on compatible Samsung and Huawei phones.
• Top-up: RTA lists its service as free, but bank or third-party channel fees may differ. Minimums depend on the channel: AED 20 at a Metro vending machine and AED 50 at a Metro ticket office in the current top-up table.
• Balance activation: A top-up entered by card ID can take 45 minutes to 4 hours and then require activation; an NFC scan with a second tap can be immediate. Check usable balance before boarding a bus, whose validator cannot activate a pending online top-up.

Mistakes that cost money

• Low balance at the gate. Metro gates need at least AED 7.50 on a Silver or Gold card (AED 3.50 on a Blue card).
• Travelling without a valid fare, or with a card issued to someone else, carries a AED 200 fine.
• Eating or drinking where it is not allowed carries a AED 100 fine.
• Leaving credit on the card. An anonymous card’s balance is refunded in cash at a Metro ticket office only if the card is still active and holds AED 100 or less. The fee is 2.5% of the balance or AED 5, whichever is higher.

Where the card works

RTA’s listed transport modes accept the card under their conditions, but nol acceptance does not mean a service is running today. The Palm Monorail is suspended for maintenance until further notice according to its operator at review; see is there a Metro to Palm Jumeirah. For a short visit, also compare single-trip or day QR tickets and the internet-access requirement for digital tickets.

Frequently asked questions

Is the AED 19 credit on a new card usable straight away?

Yes. It is ordinary travel balance; only the AED 6 issuance part is the card’s cost.

Do children need a card?

Under-fives are free in both sources. For age exactly 5, two official pages differ, so ask the ticket office. Older children need valid tickets or cards; Personal-card concessions depend on eligibility.

Can I buy a nol card at Dubai airport?

Yes, at the Metro ticket offices and machines in Terminals 1 and 3. Terminal 2 has no Metro station. Getting into town is covered in DXB to your hotel.

Is a Gold card worth it?

It costs the same AED 25 to buy, but every Metro and Tram fare is doubled for the Gold Class carriage.

Hours and late-night options are in what time the Dubai Metro closes, lines and rules in the Dubai Metro and nol card guide, and wider costs in is Dubai expensive. First visit? Start with 15 things to know before your first trip.

Sources reviewed remotely on 11 October 2026: card prices, fares and top-up conditions, including eligibility limits and conflicting official age wording. This checks published information, not a personal visit. See editorial policy.