Photo by Denys Gromov on Pexels. Taken in Dubai, UAE.
Dubai · Public transport · Last verified October 1, 2026
Dubai’s Metro, Tram and public buses use the nol fare system. The city is divided into 7 fare zones, and what you pay depends on how many zones your trip crosses and which nol product you use.
Current regular nol fares
| Journey | Silver / Personal | Red Ticket | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 zone | AED 3 | AED 4 | AED 6 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5 | AED 6 | AED 10 |
| More than 2 zones | AED 7.50 | AED 8.50 | AED 15 |
The standard Silver nol card costs AED 25 and includes AED 19 credit. Gold costs the same to buy but Gold-class Metro/Tram travel is charged at double the regular fare.
How Dubai’s 7 fare zones work
RTA divides Dubai into seven fare zones. A journey can combine Metro, Tram and public buses, and the final charge is based on the total number of zones crossed from your starting point to your final destination.
This means you do not necessarily pay separately every time you change from one mode to another.
30-minute transfer rule
RTA allows transfers between different transport modes within 30 minutes. For example, if you tap out of the Metro and tap into a bus within 30 minutes, the trip can be treated as one journey and charged according to the combined zones crossed.
RTA currently allows up to 3 transfers on one journey, with a maximum journey duration of 180 minutes.
Which nol card should a newcomer buy?
For most residents and repeat visitors, the Silver card is the simplest default. It costs AED 25 including AED 19 initial balance, is valid for five years, and gives the standard lower stored-value fares shown above.
A Red Ticket is aimed at simpler/single-trip use. It costs more per regular trip and is useful when you do not want a reusable card.
A Gold card gives access to Gold Class on Metro and Tram, but those journeys are charged at double the regular fare.
A Personal/Blue nol card is registered to the user and is required for certain concession fares. It also offers balance-recovery/security advantages.
Keep enough balance before you travel
RTA’s current Metro/Tram guidance states a minimum e-wallet balance of AED 7.50 is required for travel. Do not wait until you are already at the gate with an almost-empty card.
Metro
Dubai Metro is usually the fastest public-transport option along many major corridors, especially between the airport, Deira, Bur Dubai connections, Downtown, Business Bay, Marina and JLT.
Tap in at the fare gate before boarding and tap out when leaving. The system calculates the correct zone fare automatically.
Tram
Dubai Tram is useful around Dubai Marina, JBR and Al Sufouh. It uses the same nol ecosystem and can be combined with Metro/bus journeys under the transfer rules.
Remember to validate correctly when entering and leaving the Tram system; forgetting to tap can create fare or inspection problems.
Public buses
RTA buses extend the network well beyond Metro stations. Use nol when boarding and follow the route-specific tap rules so the system can calculate your journey correctly.
If a Metro station is not close to your home or workplace, a feeder bus may be the practical final leg rather than using taxis every day.
Weekly and longer passes
RTA sells 7-day, 30-day, 90-day and 365-day pass products, with prices varying by zones and card type. Anonymous Silver and Gold cards are currently eligible only for the 7-day pass; registered Silver/Gold cards can use longer pass products.
If you commute almost every working day, compare the relevant pass against your expected pay-as-you-go zone fares rather than assuming a pass always saves money.
Physical vs digital nol
RTA’s current nol service lets eligible users manage cards through the nol Pay app and, on supported Android/Huawei devices, convert an anonymous physical nol card into a virtual card using NFC. Device/platform support can change, so check the current nol Pay instructions before relying on mobile-only travel.
Common newcomer mistakes
- Buying a Red Ticket repeatedly when a reusable Silver card would be cheaper.
- Not keeping at least the required minimum balance.
- Taking longer than 30 minutes between modes and expecting a single-journey charge.
- Forgetting to tap correctly on Metro/Tram journeys.
- Assuming Gold costs only a little more — Gold-class Metro/Tram fares are double regular fares.
- Confusing Dubai’s nol system with Abu Dhabi’s Hafilat system.
If you are arriving through DXB, our Dubai Airport to city guide explains airport Metro/bus/taxi choices. If you will drive as well, see our Dubai Salik guide.
Official sources checked
- RTA — nol fares and zones
- RTA — Choose a nol card
- RTA — nol card service details
- RTA — Metro & Tram fares/etiquette guide
Verification date: October 1, 2026. RTA fares, pass products and mobile-card support can change; check the live RTA/nol pages before buying a long-term pass.
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