Dubai public transport and nol card guide: cards, fares, Metro rules and airport transfers

How Dubai's public transport network fits together

RTA describes the Dubai Metro, with its Red and Green lines, as one of the most advanced and modern rail systems, and it runs alongside the Dubai Tram, the public bus system and several kinds of marine transport. RTA has also approved a future Blue Line that will connect existing interchange stations at Creek on the Green Line and Centrepoint on the Red Line with areas such as Dubai Creek Harbour, Mirdif and International City. The Blue Line is a project, not a service you can ride yet, so plan today's journeys around the Red and Green lines.

According to RTA, the tram links the Dubai Metro with the Palm Monorail and runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, which makes it the natural connector for Dubai Marina and JBR. Buses fill in the neighbourhoods the rail lines do not reach, and marine services cross Dubai Creek and serve the coast. For a wider view of how these modes compare with taxis and walking, read our guide to getting around Dubai without a car, and for door-to-door trips see our Dubai taxis and ride-hailing guide.

• Dubai Metro: the Red and Green lines, with a Blue Line approved as a future project.
• Dubai Tram: links the Metro with the Palm Monorail along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road.
• Dubai Bus: RTA routes with downloadable timetables and departure boards.
• Marine transport: traditional and modern abras, Dubai Ferry and Dubai Water Taxi.

nol card types: Red Ticket, Silver, Gold and the personal Blue card

RTA calls the nol card a smart card that lets you pay for its different transport modes with a single tap. Its Choose nol page lists the main options. The Silver card is the regular card. RTA lists it at AED 25, which includes AED 19 of balance, with a maximum balance of AED 1,000 if the card is anonymous and AED 5,000 if it is registered, and a validity of five years. The Gold card has the same price, balance limits and validity, and it adds the right to use the Gold Class cabins on the Metro and tram at double the regular fare.

The Personal card, which RTA also refers to as the nol blue card, carries your name and is required for concession fares. RTA lists it at AED 70 including AED 20 of credit, and notes that you can recover the balance if the card is lost or stolen. Concession categories on RTA's page include students, People of Determination (residents and tourists), social affairs beneficiaries and senior citizens, each with its own supporting documents. The Red Ticket is a paper, disposable ticket priced at AED 2 that works on only one mode of transport at a time, can be loaded with up to 10 journeys or 5 daily passes, and is valid for 90 days or 10 trips. RTA also sells a nol Travel card at AED 100, including AED 19 of balance, which bundles offers and discounts for tourists and residents.

• Red Ticket: paper ticket, AED 2, one mode at a time, valid for 90 days or 10 trips.
• Silver: the regular card, AED 25 including AED 19 balance, valid for five years.
• Gold: AED 25 including AED 19 balance, gives Gold Class access at double the regular fare.
• Personal (blue): AED 70 including AED 20 credit, needed for concession fares, balance recoverable if lost.

Which card should a visitor buy?

For most visitors the Silver card is the sensible default. It works across the Metro, tram, buses and marine services, it costs less per trip than a Red Ticket, and the balance stays on the card for five years if you come back. A Red Ticket can make sense for a single journey or a very short stopover, but remember that it is limited to one mode at a time, so a trip that combines a bus and the Metro is simpler on a card.

Choose the Gold card only if you actually want to ride in Gold Class, because every Gold Class journey is charged at double the regular fare. Apply for a Personal card well ahead of time if you are eligible for a concession, since RTA asks for documents. If you plan to stay longer, RTA says registered Silver and Gold cards can apply for 7, 30, 90 and 365 day travel pass products, and registering your card online also protects the balance if you lose it. If this is your first trip, our first-time Dubai checklist covers the other things to sort out before you land.

• One or two journeys only: a Red Ticket is enough.
• A few days of mixed Metro, tram and bus travel: a Silver card.
• You want the quieter Gold Class cabin and accept double fares: a Gold card.
• Eligible for a concession: apply early for a Personal (blue) card.

Where to buy and top up a nol card

RTA says you can buy a nol card at ticket offices, ticket vending machines, RTA customer happiness centres, authorised sales agents or online. If you arrive by air, Dubai Airports says Metro passes are on sale at ticket offices and vending machines in DXB Terminals 1 and 3, and that Gold and Silver nol cards are available there.

Top up before you need to travel rather than at the gate, especially late in the evening. RTA's bus page includes a tool to check your nol balance using the nol tag ID printed on the card, and the RTA Dubai, S'hail and nol Pay apps are listed on RTA's nol pages. The card is not only for transport: RTA says Silver, Gold and blue cards can pay at RTA parking meters, and that nol micropayments are accepted at more than 2,000 outlets around Metro stations and beyond, with a cap of AED 200 per payment.

• Buy at ticket offices, vending machines, RTA customer happiness centres, authorised agents or online.
• At DXB, use the ticket offices or vending machines in Terminals 1 and 3.
• Check the balance with your nol tag ID before a long day out.
• Keep a small buffer so a top-up queue does not hold you up.

How to tap in and tap out

RTA's instructions are simple. Before you travel, make sure the card has a minimum balance of AED 7.50, or that a Red Ticket has at least one single trip loaded. At the Metro gates, or at the entrance of a bus or marine vessel, place the card on the reader and wait for a beep or a green light before you walk through. Do the same when you leave: tap at the exit reader, wait for the beep or green light, and the system calculates the fare from the number of zones you have passed.

RTA specifically asks riders to check out at the end of the journey to avoid being overcharged. If a reader rejects your card, wait until the indicator light stops flashing and try again. Hold only one card over the reader at a time, and do not swipe it past too quickly, because that can leave the transaction incomplete. RTA also recommends keeping the card in a protective pouch and not carrying it in a back pocket, where the chip can be damaged when you sit down.

• Keep at least AED 7.50 on the card before you start a journey.
• Tap in and wait for the beep or green light; tap out the same way.
• If a card is rejected, wait for the light to stop flashing, then tap again.
• Never hold two cards over a reader at once.

How fares, zones and transfers work

RTA divides Dubai into 7 fare zones, and each zone contains Metro, tram and bus stations. At the end of a journey you are charged according to the total number of zones you have passed through, and the amount is deducted automatically from the card's e-purse. You can combine modes on one journey, but RTA says a transfer between two different modes must be made within 30 minutes. Its transfer rules allow a maximum journey duration of 180 minutes and up to 3 transfers.

RTA publishes example Red Ticket fares of AED 4 within one zone, AED 6 across two adjacent zones and AED 8.50 across more than two zones, with Gold Class Red Ticket fares of AED 8, AED 12 and AED 17. On the same page, a Silver card trip within one zone costs AED 3, less than the equivalent Red Ticket. Treat these as a snapshot and check the current fare table on RTA's nol Fares page before you budget.

• Dubai has 7 fare zones; you pay by the number of zones crossed.
• Switch between modes within 30 minutes to keep one journey.
• A journey can last up to 180 minutes with up to 3 transfers.
• Cards are cheaper per trip than Red Tickets on RTA's published table.

Metro cabins: Gold Class, Women & Children and general

RTA explains that a Dubai Metro train is made up of different cabin types: a cabin for nol Gold card holders, a designated group of cabins for women and children, and general cabins. Gold Class cabins are reserved for Gold Class ticket holders and have wider leather seats and panoramic views. The Women & Children cabins are only for women and children. The tram uses the same Gold Class and Women & Children designations.

In a 2019 press release, RTA said it was relocating the Women & Children cabin on its existing trains from its old position next to the Gold cabin to the other end of the train, and that posters on floors and platform screen doors would guide women and children to the new location. It said the change followed the popularity of these cabins, especially during summer holidays. On the platform, follow the floor markings and signs rather than assuming which end of the train you need. RTA's list of fined offences includes accessing or sitting in areas designated for specific categories, so men travelling alone should use the general cabins, or Gold Class with a Gold fare.

• Gold Class: Gold card or Gold fare only, at double the regular fare.
• Women & Children cabins: for women and children only.
• General cabins: open to everyone, including families travelling together.
• Follow platform floor markings to find the right cabin.

Rules on board: food, drink, luggage and conduct

RTA's Metro etiquette asks riders not to push, to respect personal space, to move along the platform and down into the cabins, and to let passengers get off before boarding. Its list of fined offences includes eating and drinking in areas where it is not allowed, putting feet on seats, entering restricted areas, sleeping where sleeping is prohibited, using a card that belongs to someone else, travelling without paying the fare, and damaging equipment or seats. RTA publishes the fine amounts on its Metro page; check them there rather than relying on figures repeated elsewhere. The practical rule is to finish your drink or snack before you pass the gates.

RTA's baggage policy allows two suitcases per passenger: one large suitcase no bigger than 81 cm by 58 cm by 30 cm, and one small suitcase no bigger than 55 cm by 38 cm by 20 cm. All luggage must go in the dedicated luggage area found in each cabin. On the safety side, RTA lists Wi-Fi across the network, more than 3,000 CCTV cameras in trains and stations, a dedicated Metro Police force and an emergency call box in every train and station.

• Do not eat or drink where it is not allowed; finish before the gates.
• Two suitcases at most: one large and one small, stowed in the luggage area.
• Let passengers off first and move down into the cabin.
• Use only your own card; using someone else's is a listed offence.

Connecting by tram, bus and marine transport

The tram is the easiest link between the Metro and the waterfront districts. RTA says it connects with both the Metro and the Palm Monorail and describes it as the world's first tramway to use platform screen doors aligned with the tram doors, which also help protect the air-conditioning in the stations. Our Dubai Marina and JBR guide shows how the tram fits into a day in that area. For buses, RTA's bus page lets you download a timetable by route number and view a departure board by stop name, which is the quickest way to check whether a connection is worth waiting for.

On the water, RTA notes that the word abra comes from the Arabic verb meaning to cross, and it runs traditional, modern and air-conditioned abras alongside Dubai Ferry and Dubai Water Taxi. RTA's marine page has its own timetables and a ticket booking option, and its nol Fares page confirms the nol card can be used on the water bus. A creek crossing pairs well with our historic district and creek souks guide. For the city centre, our Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa guide covers the area around the tallest tower, and if you are heading beyond Dubai, our Sharjah day trip guide explains the intercity options.

• Tram: the link between the Metro, the Palm Monorail, Dubai Marina and JBR.
• Bus: check the departure board by stop name before you walk to the stop.
• Abras, Dubai Ferry and Dubai Water Taxi: check RTA's marine timetables.
• Keep each mode change within the 30-minute transfer window.

Airport to the city by Metro

Dubai Airports says the Metro Red Line connects with DXB Terminals 1 and 3. It lists operating hours of 5am to midnight from Monday to Thursday, 5am to 1am the next day on Friday, 5am to midnight on Saturday and 8am to midnight on Sunday, and notes that hours may be extended during public holidays and citywide celebrations. RTA's timetable page carries the same Metro opening hours and points riders to separate timetables for holidays and special occasions.

Dubai Airports asks Metro passengers to travel light, with up to two pieces of luggage including hand luggage, which matches RTA's two-suitcase limit. If you have more bags, a late arrival or a destination far from a Red Line station, a taxi is usually simpler. Our Dubai airport arrival guide walks through each terminal's options, and the taxis and ride-hailing guide explains what to expect at the taxi rank.

• Red Line connections from DXB Terminals 1 and 3.
• Buy a nol card at the terminal ticket offices or vending machines.
• Two pieces of luggage at most, including hand luggage.
• Check the timetable if you land late at night or on a Sunday morning.

Planning a trip with the RTA Journey Planner

RTA's Journey Planner page has tabs to plan a journey, plan routes, view timetables, see departures and open the Metro map. When you plan a journey you start typing a station or stop and select it from the list, then choose a departure time. RTA's planner options let you include or exclude the Metro, bus, tram and marine modes and choose the route with the fewest interchanges, which is useful when you are carrying bags or travelling with children.

Check the plan on the day you travel, not the night before. RTA's timetable page holds the regular timetables for each mode and says that holiday and special-occasion timetables are linked from the main banner on its homepage. If the planner suggests a long walk between a station and your destination, compare it with a short taxi ride, especially in the hotter months.

• Pick start and end points from the station and stop list.
• Select the modes you are willing to use and the fewest-interchange option.
• Use the Departures tab to see the departure board for your stop.
• Look for holiday timetables on RTA's homepage banner during public holidays.

Heat, crowds and timing your journeys

Stations and trains are air-conditioned, but the walk to and from a station is often the hardest part of a summer journey. Plan routes that keep outdoor walking short, carry water for the walk outside, and remember that you cannot drink it in areas where eating and drinking are not allowed. Our guide to planning around Dubai's heat has more detail on the hottest months and the best times of day to be outdoors.

Commuter rush hours tend to be the busiest times on the Metro, so if your plans are flexible, travel in the middle of the day or the evening. On crowded platforms, stand clear of the doors, let people off first and move into the cabin rather than stopping by the doorway. If you are travelling with a stroller or luggage, wait for a less crowded train rather than forcing your way on.

• Keep outdoor walking short in the summer months.
• Carry water for the walk, but do not drink it where it is not allowed.
• Avoid commuter peaks when you have luggage or a stroller.
• Wait for the next train if the current one is full.

Accessibility for People of Determination

RTA lists several accessibility features on the Metro: a contrasting tactile guidance path for people with difficulty seeing, platform alerts with audible beeps and flashing lights when doors open and close, dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on all trains, lift access to all station levels and information screens throughout trains and stations.

On its People of Determination page, RTA says holders of the personalised nol card for People of Determination can travel free on the Dubai Metro and public buses. It lists the card at AED 70, made up of AED 50 for the card and AED 20 of initial credit for other services such as parking and water bus trips. RTA also describes newer buses with lowered floors, room for up to 3 wheelchairs on the water bus, space for 2 wheelchairs on Dubai Ferry and taxis for People of Determination operating 24 hours a day. Tourists can apply using a tourist People of Determination card or an official document from their home country, according to RTA's Choose nol page. Our accessible travel guide for People of Determination covers airport assistance, hotels and attractions.

• Lift access to all Metro station levels and wheelchair spaces on all trains.
• Free Metro and bus travel with a personalised People of Determination nol card.
• Wheelchair space on the water bus and Dubai Ferry.
• Apply for the personalised card before you travel, with your supporting document.

Lost cards, rejected cards and emergencies

If you lose a nol blue card, RTA asks you to call its customer service on 800 90 90 straight away to report it, and not to let anyone else use your blue card. For Silver and Gold cards, the protection comes from registering the card online with RTA before anything goes wrong, so do that on your first day. If a card is simply rejected at a gate, wait for the indicator light to stop flashing and tap again, then ask at the ticket office if the problem continues.

For anything urgent on a train or platform, RTA says every train and station has an emergency call box, the Metro has an integrated radio system with the emergency services, and a dedicated Metro Police force works on the network. Outside the network, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services lists 998 for medical emergencies, and the Government of Dubai Media Office has reported Dubai Police asking the public to use 999 only for emergencies and 901 for non-urgent enquiries. Our health, pharmacies and emergencies guide explains what to do if you need medical help.

• Lost blue card: call RTA on 800 90 90 immediately.
• Register Silver and Gold cards online to protect the balance.
• On the Metro: use the emergency call box in the train or station.
• Emergencies: 999 police, 998 ambulance; 901 for non-urgent police enquiries.

Pre-trip nol card checklist

A few minutes of preparation saves most of the common problems: a card without enough balance at the gate, the wrong cabin, a drink confiscated at the barrier or a missed last train. Run through this list before your first journey and again before any late-night or airport trip.

• Buy a Silver card (or a Gold card if you want Gold Class) and register it online.
• Keep at least AED 7.50 on the card and check the balance before long days out.
• Tap in and tap out on every journey, and wait for the beep or green light.
• Plan with the RTA Journey Planner on the day, and check holiday timetables.
• Choose the right cabin: general, Women & Children or Gold Class.
• Finish food and drinks before the gates and keep luggage to two pieces.
• Save 999, 998, 901 and RTA's 800 90 90 in your phone.