What Is a Nol Card and Why You Need One?
A Nol Card is Dubai’s unified contactless payment system, managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), for public transportation and selected city services. “Nol” means “fare” in Arabic, and all types of Nol cards sit under the same tap-to-pay system.
The system automatically computes fares when tapping in and out across different transit zones. Just tap at a fare gate, vehicle validator, or card reader; automatic fare computation across multiple zones eliminates manual ticketing.
What Is a Nol Silver Card?
The Silver Nol Card is Dubai’s standard rechargeable smart card for everyday travel and retail micro-transactions. It serves as the primary cashless payment solution for public transit across Dubai.
- Cost: AED 25 (AED 19 credit)
- Validity: 5 Years
- Max Balance: AED 1,000 (Anonymous)
- Registered Max: AED 5,000
What You Can Do With a Silver Nol Card
The Nol Silver Card can be used across all modes of public transportation in Dubai. It is significantly cheaper than buying individual paper tickets for multiple trips.
Transit Modes
City Services
Fares & Monthly Pass Prices (2026)
Fares are structured based on the number of zones traveled. Transfers between modes within 30 minutes count as a single trip.
| Travel Type | Silver Fare | Gold Fare |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | AED 3 | AED 6 |
| 2 Adjacent Zones | AED 5 | AED 10 |
| 3+ Zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15 |
2026 Monthly Pass Guide
| Pass Type | Price (2026) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | AED 140 | Local Commutes |
| 2 Zones | AED 230 | Daily Commuters |
| All Zones | AED 350 | Unlimited City Travel |
How to Buy a Silver Nol Card
You can purchase Nol Silver Cards in under five minutes at many locations across the city. If arriving via Dubai International Airport, look for the RTA ticket offices or machines at the Terminal stations.
Balance & Top-Up Guide
Monitoring your Nol Card balance is crucial. Maintain a minimum balance of AED 7.50 to avoid entry restrictions at Metro gates.
Top-Up Options
- • Vending Machines (Min AED 20)
- • Nol Pay App (Min AED 5)
- • RTA Website
- • Ticket Offices
Check Balance
- • At Fare Gates / Readers
- • Info Kiosks
- • Nol Pay / RTA App
- • Official RTA Website