NOL Dubai Transport Card
Dubai public transport with our tourists often happen. Then the turnstile does not allow the subway, although there is money on the map. Then the money disappears from the card somewhere after the bus trip. Then the controllers are trying to finish, although there is a ticket on hand.
To this not happened, we will tell you in detail about the Dubai transport card NOL, the features of its work and fare tariffs.
Prices and other information This article actualized in May 2021. Do not forget about the strict Macid security measures in Dubai, read the article on the link above.
Latest news (May 4, 2021)
From May 4, 2021, RTA Dubai (road and transportation of Emirates Dubai) refused paper receipts for public transport fines. If you are fined you in a subway or bus now, then the receipt will come to the email address that will need to specify the controller.
But better read our article carefully so as not to break and fines not get.
What is NOL-Card
This is a single transport card of the Emirate and the city of Dubai. Now the entire internal public transport of Dubai is paid only by NOL, and no cash. Long-distance buses are paid to Abu Dhabi, Sharjju, Ajman and Fujair. With the help of NOL-Card you can pay a taxi. Full list of modes of transport We will give below.
As she looks, look at the photo next, click on the photo to enlarge.
Map of non-contact. That is, it needs to be applied to the turnstile (Validator). No need to try to insert anyone.
NOL-CARD is needed by all passengers, except for children age up to 6 years or growth of up to 90 centimeters. It is better to have a passport of a child to prove his age.
What are the types of NOL cards
Just four types:
1. Red (Red). For one-time trips. On such a map initially recorded the number of trips and the distance of the trip – inside the same zone, to the neighboring or further.
2. Silver (Silver), Golden (Gold) and Blue (Blue). For permanent use. Represent an electronic wallet like "Troika" in Moscow, "Arrow" in the suburbs or "plantain" in St. Petersburg.
On a gold map you can ride in "Golden cars" of high comfort in the Metro Dubai. Silver only in conventional wagons.
Blue is drawn up only by residents of the UAE, and for tourists it is useless. Therefore, we will not tell about blue at all.
How to work silver and golden cards
They work with an interesting feature!
When enter the subway or bus, then winning the map. In the subway it will have to do it, otherwise the turnstile will not let. In the bus you need to not forget, otherwise there is a chance of a fine of 200 dirhams. At the same time, 7.5 dirhams are written off the balance sheet of the electronic wallet – this is the maximum cost of a trip to Dubai (15 dirhams are written off with gold). Actual course, see our article "UAE Currency".
First feature – for any trip you need to be on the map not less than 7.5 (15) Dirhams.
When you leave the vehicle, you need to validate the card again. At the same time, the amount of 7.5 (15) minus the cost of a trip is returned to the electronic wallet. For example, you drove inside the same zone, the price of a trip by silver map is 3 Dirhama. With the second validation, 4.5 dirhams will return to the account.
Second feature – Do not forget to validate the card at the exit, otherwise the trip will cost 7.5 dirhams.
Tariffs for silver and golden maps See the table below.
| Range | T1 (inside the zone) |
T2 (neighboring zone) |
T3 (via zone And further) |
T1 GOLD (inside the zone) |
T2 GOLD (neighboring zone) |
T3 GOLD (via zone And further) |
| Type NOL | Silver | Silver | Silver | GOLD | GOLD | GOLD |
| Price, Dirhamov | 3 | 5 | 7.5 | 6 | ten | 15 |
How do red cards work
Red card "charged" for a trip to a certain distance. For example, inside one zone or in the adjacent zone.
On a red map will be able to enter the subway at any station, but not to come out on any. If you try to go out at the station, which is further than paid, then the turnstile just will not release.
If the bus drove further than paid on the red card, the controllers may finf by 200 dirhams.
Output. Before boarding a subway or a bus, be sure to check the range of destination and make sure that your red ticket will be valid.
Tariffs for red cards in the table below.
| Range | T1 (inside the zone) |
T2 (neighboring zone) |
T3 (via zone And further) |
T1 GOLD (inside the zone) |
T2 GOLD (neighboring zone) |
T3 GOLD (via zone And further) |
| Price, Dirhamov | 4 | 6 | 8.5 | eight | 12 | 17 |
Travel – Important Features
Theoretically, there are travel to all zones or on a certain range of travel, there are travels 1, 7, 30, 90, 365 days. But on the fact of tourists only two of them are available.
1. Direct for all zones for 1 day is available only with a red card. You can ride any distances and any number of times. But remember that such a pass should have its own passenger. That is, one cannot ride one such travel multiple people at the same time, fine – 200 Dirhams.
2. Direct for 7 days are available only on silver and golden maps. Such a travel is drawn up strictly to a certain range: T1 – inside one zone, T2 – in the adjacent zone, T3 – through the zone and further.
All other travel available only on blue maps, which are available only by residents of the Arab Emirates.
| View of travel | 1 day All zones |
1 day All Zone Gold |
7 days T1 Inside zone |
7 days T2 Neighboring zone |
7 days T3 through the zone and then |
7 days T1 GOLD Inside zone |
7 days T2 GOLD Neighboring zone |
7 days T3 GOLD through the zone and then |
| Type of required map | Red | Red | Silver | Silver | Silver | GOLD | GOLD | GOLD |
| Price, Dirhamov | twenty | 40 | 50 | 80 | 110 | 100 | 160 | 220 |
Important! How does the pass on Silver map
As soon as the Silver card is activated by the travel (T1, T2 or T3), the electronic wallet is turned off on it. That is, the card becomes exclusively passing.
Accordingly, this card can no longer be paid to travel by buses: DPR1 (in Legoland and Motiongate), 105 (in Miracle Garden and Butterfly Garden), 102, 103, 105, 106 (in Global Village) and intercity buses. It will not be possible to pay the entrance to the parks Mamzar, Creek, Scoring and Mushif. For all these purposes, you will have to buy the second NOL card.
Also, if a person bought T1 and tries to get out of the subway at the station in the next zone (where T1 is no longer applied), then the turnstile does not release. Although it would be logical that the system simply wrote down money for a trip from the electronic wallet. But this does not happen.
As a result, often have two cards – one with a loaded travel and second with an electronic wallet. We hope that this moment will correct, since all this is very uncomfortable.
And we advise tourists to think – is it worth buying T1, T2 or T3? Whether much will save, taking into account the features described above? Moreover, there is a "rule of 30 minutes".
Rule 30 minutes
In Dubai transport there is a rule that allows you to save, if you know it and be able to apply. The rule sounds like this: "The trip is considered complete if 30 minutes have passed since the transport from the transport.
You decided to go to sunbathe and swim on one of the beaches of Jumeira. You need to get to the metro station to Al Ghubaiba and then go by bus 8 to the beach.
You leave the subway, leaning your NOL-Card at the output to the reader. From this point on, the countdown of 30 minutes.
The trip will be considered a new, If you do not have time to sit on the bus for 30 minutes. That is, you will have to pay for a trip by bus.
The trip will be considered continued, If within 30 minutes you can take a bus and lean your NOL-Card to the Validator. In this case, pay the difference between the landing point in the subway and the outlet point from the bus. It is very profitable! For example, in the example of the beach Jumeira, the bus ride is free of charge.
The rules "30 minutes" have two nuances. First, the trip taking into account all the renewals lasts no more than 180 minutes. That is, as soon as 180 minutes have passed since the first input (Checkin), then any of the following input is considered a new trip.
Secondly, the exit (checkout) and the entry (Checkin) should be carried out in different types of transport or on different bus routes. For example, if you left the subway, snack and want to continue to go further on the subway, the trip will be considered a new.
Where to buy NOL-Card?
At the box office at any metro station, in the cash stations of the bus station, in special vending machines at stations and bus stops.
And there are features. At the time of the actualization of this article (May 2021), gold cards can be bought only at the checkout, and in automata can not. Silver can be bought in a machine, but not in each.
What is the price?
Red cost 2 dirhama.
Silver or Golden worth 25 dirhams, of which 19 will be on the electronic wallet.
How to replenish?
Red is replenished only in automata. For some incomprehensible reasons at the checkout they do not replenish them. We hope that in the future it will fix.
Silver and gold can be replenished in automata or at the box office.
In which types of transport you need NOL-Card?
– all intracity buses Dubai, including buses C, F, N, X;
– From April 2019, the NOL card can be paid in any taxi in Dubai. However, then get ready to replenish the bill for a decent amount. About the tariffs, read in our article "Taxi in Dubai and other Emirates";
– You can pay for paid RTA parking;
– Since 2017, the entrance to the public parks Al Mamzar, Zabeel, Creek and Mushrif are paid only by the NOL card.
How to pay for travel from a smartphone?
Theoretically, it is possible. In 2019, SMARTNOL system was introduced. However, for this you need to receive a special SIM-NOL. At the time of the update of this article (May 2021) they are issued only by residents of the UAE.
You can try. If you buy a local SIM, then ask the seller to issue such SIM, maybe. About buying a local SIM read in our articles "How to connect the Internet in the UAE" and "How to call from the UAE".
But lucky owners of smartphones Huawei. There is a special addition to Wallet, which allows you to release and use a virtual NOL card. Unfortunately, it works only with several models of smartphones: Mate X, Mate 30, Mate 20, P30, P40, NOVA 7.
Which card is optimal for a tourist?
The first optimal option is an unlimited ticket for 1 day on the Red Map. In this case, it is not necessary to study zones, think about whether there is money on the score. Just remember that one red card can only be bought only 5 times, and then you will need to buy a new one for 2 dirhams.
The second optimal option is a silver map. The main thing, do not forget to replenish the account in a timely manner so that it was at least 7.5 dirhams.
If I leave the UAE, but the NOL account remains money, then how to return them?
You can return money from a balance at any cash desk. But the Commission is charged – 5 dirhams or 5% of the status of the account. In most cases, it makes no sense for tourists.
Red card can accurately leave yourself as a souvenir.
Silver and golden valid 5 years. You can use it during the next trip to Dubai.
What else
– Look at the metro scheme in Russian in our article "Dubai Metro";
– Read on other features of buses on buses in the article "Buses to the UAE";
– How cheap and convenient to get from Dubai Airport, in the article "How to get from Dubai Airport to the city".
Successful movement in Dubai, and read our interesting articles about the UAE (List of articles below).
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Not written about green cards.
Alexander – Glavred site
These are NOL cards that sell at the entrances to public parks. Usually, when people come to the parks, they already have a NOL card. ))) I have never seen this card yourself. And pay 25 dirhams to just see, do not want.
A small addition: Silver and Golden NOL cards are valid for five years, if money from balance was not removed . If the balance is at zero, you will be offered to buy a new card 🙂
Alexander – Glavred site
Thanks for the addition, Victoria.
And you can use one silver card multiple? For example, with children?
Alexander – Glavred site
There is no metro station. If you do Check-in at the entrance two times with one card, then you can not get out. One card Check-Out to exit can only be done once.
And you can write more about unlimited cards. And then nowhere about them information. What principle they work. If I want to buy 7 days T2 which costs 80 dirham, then how much will it cost me this card? The T2 zone is meant that I can only use two zones in the route, from the airport to Burj Khalifa for example, and then from Caliphs to Dubai Marina. And if I need from the airport to Marina, I can get out near the caliphs, and then go back to the subway after 5 minutes and go to Dubai Marina, it will be considered or have some time lapse. And the same story with the bus. If I live near Burj Khalifa, but I want to get to the park of flowers, the same three zones are obtained, two on the subway and plus one by bus, how the map works. And it acts 7 days from the moment of activation or 7 days from purchase, like one-day, until 24:00 seventh days? If I have for 7 days on a silver map, I can replenish it too for a trip for example by bus 101 to Abudabi. Or for this, a separate card must be purchased.
Alexander – Glavred site
I will answer your questions. Only at the beginning you answer me one: how are you going to go to Abu Dubi now? (today January 30, 2021)
Well, in general, I planned a trip to March April, now I’m just collecting information.
Alexander – Glavred site
In this case, I can say that all the necessary information you have on our website. Read the following articles:
1. Map for 80 dirhams will cost 6 (Map itself) + 80 dirhams.
2. To go out and enter, you need to come to end. Conditions are higher in this article.
3. With buses as well, the trip should end.
4. Read the article about the Flower Park, there is said about the payment of the bus.
good day! The red card is replenished at the checkout (at least at the Burj Khalifa station)
Alexander – Glavred site
I tried, sent me to the machine. I do not remember at what station. At. The TRA website is also written that you need to replenish in the machine, and not at the checkout. But since you have such an experience, I will take. Remove the phrase that it is impossible at the checkout.
How to check the shelf life of the card?
Alexander – Glavred site
Apply the map. If the machine writes Expired, it means everything – buy a new one at the box office.
Please tell me, I already have six years old, I need to pay for transportation? thanks!
Alexander – Glavred site
Necessary. Rules Charts – Children Above 5 Will Have to Get A Valid NOL Card / Ticket.
Tell me, after all, five or six years should be a child for buying a map on the subway? The remaining sources are the age of 5 years.
Alexander – Glavred site
Alexey. We have only one source – this is the official RTA website (Dubai Transport Management). It is written there, quoting: Children Below 5 Years of Age and Below 90cm (Metro) Will Travel for FREE (no Card Required). Children Above 5 Will Have to Get A Valid NOL Card / Ticket. Unfortunately, the BELOW does not specify the English word – inclusive this or not. There is such a problem in English. I have to deal with this problem constantly. However, given the phrase above, it can be concluded that from 6 years need a pass.
The child usually reaches a growth of 90 cm for 2.5 years. You generally saw a healthy child with age 5 years old less than 90 cm. I have a son for 3 years, he already has an increase of 98 cm.
Therefore, these rules can be interpreted very differently.
In any case, I did not see and did not hear the controllers measured growth or penalized children. I have no other documents for children never asked.
Thanks for the detailed answer. Just have doubts, TC on many sites information about five years. I hope that you do not have to buy a ticket for a son 5.3 g. One more question. If I buy a speed Silver T2 for 7 days, then can I drive two zones, then get out of the subway, go back and drive further two new zones? Or I still need to buy a ticket Silver T3 to cross several zones?
Alexander – Glavred site
I never asked such a question. Good question. Let’s ask this question from RTA. Only not the fact that they will answer today, as the day off.
Yesterday, in the end, I bought a ticket for a week T2. 25 Dirham Map itself + 80 dirham travel for two zones, but zones you choose in place, apparently they are tied to the map. And on the child of five years, as you said, the ticket is not needed.
Alexander – Glavred site
Thanks Alexey and Oksana. I came from RTA a similar answer about T2. Just did not have time to answer.
