Dubai Nol Card Explained: Metro Use, Card Types, and Top Up
If you plan to travel by metro from Dubai International Airport to the city center, you need a Dubai Nol Card. So, what is a Dubai Nol Card?
The Dubai Metro does not use one-way paper tickets. Instead, all passengers must use a rechargeable transport card called a Dubai Nol Card.
You can buy a Nol Card at the ticket counter in any metro station, including stations at Dubai International Airport.
There are four types of Dubai Nol Cards. The issuing fee and travel fare depend on the card type. If you are unsure which card to choose, the Silver Nol Card is enough for most visitors.
On this page, you will learn how to use the Dubai Nol Card, including card types, fares, where to buy the card, and how to recharge your balance.
In Dubai, travelers should be aware of risks such as sudden illness, injury, and heat-related conditions like dehydration or heatstroke.
Medical care is excellent but very expensive, so having proper travel insurance is highly recommended to cover unexpected medical costs and emergencies.
Get your quote in minutes on the official website now!
How to Use the Dubai Metro
Using the Dubai Metro is very easy once you have a rechargeable travel card called a Nol Card.
This section explains the following three points for people using the Dubai Metro for the first time:
- There are four types of Dubai Nol cards
- Dubai Metro fares
- How to buy a Dubai Nol card
You only need to go to the ticket office at any metro station and ask for a Silver Nol Card.
*The price is 25 AED, and AED 19 of this amount can be used as travel credit.
① There are four types of Dubai Nol cards
To ride the Dubai Metro, you must buy a travel card called a Nol Card.
There are four types of Nol Cards. The issuing fee and fares are different for each card.
- Red Nol Card
- Silver Nol Card ← Recommended!
- Gold Nol Card
- Blue Nol Card
If you stay in Dubai for one week or longer, the Silver Nol Card is the best option for most travelers.
Below are the main features of each type of Nol Card.
| Item | Red Nol Card | Silver Nol Card | Gold Nol Card B | Blue Nol Card B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | Ticket office or Ticket machine | Ticket office | ||
| Issuance Fee | 2 AED | 25 AED | 70 AED | |
| Rechargeable | Up to 10 trips | yes | ||
| Validity Period | 90 days | 5 years | ||
Let’s take a look at the features of each card.
Red Nol Card
The Red Nol Card can be topped up for up to 10 trips. There is an issuing fee of 2 AED.
This card is suitable if you want to visit places like Dubai Mall during a short stopover at Dubai International Airport.
Silver Nol Card ← Recommended!
If you stay in Dubai for about one week or longer, the Silver Nol Card is the best option.
The issuing fee is AED 25, but AED 19 of this amount is added as travel credit. This means the actual card cost is only AED 6, and AED 19 is already loaded on the card when you buy it.
The Silver Nol Card can be used not only on the metro, but also on buses and trams.
*Please note that Dubai buses do not accept cash or credit cards, so a Nol Card is required.
The Silver Nol Card is valid for 5 years, so you can also use it on your next trip to Dubai.
Gold Nol Card
The Gold Nol Card allows you to ride in the Gold Class cabins on the Dubai Metro. However, it is not necessary for most travelers.
The issuing fee is the same as the Silver Nol Card (AED 25, including AED 19 credit), but metro fares with the Gold Nol Card are double the Silver Card fares.
Blue Nol Card
The Blue Nol Card is mainly for residents and long-term visitors, so most tourists do not need it.
The issuing fee is AED 70, and AED 25 is added as travel credit. Identification may be required to apply for this card.
② Dubai Metro Fares
The Dubai Metro is divided into five zones, as shown in the diagram. The fare depends on how many zones you travel across.
The fare also changes depending on the type of Nol Card you use. Please check the table below for details.
| Travel Distance | Red Nol Card | Silver Nol Card | Gold Nol Card | Blue Nol Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel within 1 zone | 4 AED | 3 AED | 6 AED | 3 AED |
| Travel across 2 zones | 6 AED | 5 AED | 10 AED | 5 AED |
| Travel across 3 or more zones | 8.5 AED | 7.5 AED | 15 AED | 7.5 AED |
For example, when traveling across two zones, the fare is AED 5 with a Silver Nol Card, but AED 6 with a Red Nol Card.
Traveling from Dubai International Airport (Terminal 3) to Dubai Mall requires a two-zone fare.
If you want to travel between the airport and Dubai Mall during a short transit, the Red Nol Card is a good choice.
③ How to Buy a Dubai Nol Card for the Metro
You can buy a Red Nol Card from ticket machines located near the metro ticket gates.
Other Nol Cards can be purchased at the ticket office in any metro station.
After buying your Nol Card, you can top up your balance at the ticket machines.
*Even when topping up your card at a ticket machine, you can pay by credit card.
How to Top Up Your Dubai Nol Card
Topping up your Nol Card is very easy.
Just prepare your Nol Card and either cash (AED) or a credit/debit card, then use the ticket machine located near the metro ticket gates to add balance to your card.
Tap the screen to start.
Place your Nol Card on the card reader at the bottom right. Do not insert the card. Just place it on the reader.
Tap CARD TOP UP on the lower left side of the screen.
Choose the amount you want to add from the buttons on the screen.
Select either CASH or CREDIT CARD on the screen.
If paying by credit card, tap your card on the black contactless reader in the center of the machine.
If paying with cash, insert the exact amount of cash into the cash slot at the top right.
Once the payment is complete, your Nol Card top-up is finished.
Use the “S’hail” App to Travel Around Dubai Easily
When you want to search for places in Dubai, you can use Google Maps to find routes to your destination.
However, by using an app called S’hail, you can find routes that do not appear on Google Maps.
*The app also shows transportation fares, including metro, bus, tram, and even ferry costs.
The S’hail app works almost the same way as Google Maps. No account registration is required. You only need to download the app on your smartphone.
After opening the app, tap Plan a Journey.
Enter your starting point (such as a station name) in field A, and your destination (such as a mall name) in field B.
After entering both locations, tap Search. The app will show all available routes along with transportation fares.
For example, in the route highlighted with a red box, the metro fare is shown as 5 AED.
The fares displayed in S’hail for metro, bus, and tram are based on using a Silver Nol Card.
When you tap on a route, you can see detailed information such as transfer points and travel time.
Summary: Buy a Silver Nol Card to Use the Dubai Metro
To ride the Dubai Metro, you need a Nol Card, which is a rechargeable travel card that can be used multiple times.
There are four types of Nol Cards. For travelers, the Red Nol Card or the Silver Nol Card is suitable.
| Item | Red Nol Card | Silver Nol Card | Gold Nol Card B | Blue Nol Card B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | Ticket office or Ticket machine | Ticket office | ||
| Issuance Fee | 2 AED | 25 AED | 70 AED | |
| Rechargeable | Up to 10 trips | yes | ||
| Validity Period | 90 days | 5 years | ||
If you stay in Dubai for one week or longer, the Silver Nol Card is the best choice.
Keep in mind that fares change depending on the card type you use.
| Travel Distance | Red Nol Card | Silver Nol Card | Gold Nol Card | Blue Nol Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel within 1 zone | 4 AED | 3 AED | 6 AED | 3 AED |
| Travel across 2 zones | 6 AED | 5 AED | 10 AED | 5 AED |
| Travel across 3 or more zones | 8.5 AED | 7.5 AED | 15 AED | 7.5 AED |
For example, traveling across two zones costs AED 5 with a Silver Nol Card, but AED 6 with a Red Nol Card.
This means that if you plan to use the metro, buses, and trams several times during your stay, the Silver Nol Card is much more cost-effective.
