Getting around Dubai is cheap and easy. What’s more, the introduction of the Nol card has made travel around Dubai even more effortless.
If you’re new to Dubai then you are going to need to know how to use it. Check our quick guide below for all you need to know.
Contents
- What is a Nol Card?
- Where Do I Buy a Nol Card?
- Types of Nol Cards
- Benefits of Using a Nol Card in Dubai
- How to Check Your Nol Card Balance?
- Can I Use my Nol Card for Shopping?
- Can I Use My Nol Card to Pay for Food?
- Where Else Do I Need to Use my Nol Card?
- Dubai Transport Zones & Fares by Nol Card
- Nol Passes
- Conclusion
What is a Nol Card?
The Nol card is a smart card which can be used to pay for transport around Dubai.
This was first introduced to make paying for public transport hassle free. However, in recent times the use of the Nol card has extended for all types of travel including taxi’s and even paying for petrol!
Where Do I Buy a Nol Card?
Nol cards are available from your nearest ticket office at Dubai metro and bus stations. Once you have your Nol card you can add a balance to it. You must make sure to keep a minimum balance of 7.50AED on the card at all times.
For more information on locations to buy a Nol card check the RTA website here.
Types of Nol Cards
Gold Nol Card
Price: 25AED with a balance of 19AED
Valid For: 5 Years
Used for: Gold class seats on RTA Transport, Trams, Buses, Taxi, Water Taxi, Rail, Metro
Silver Nol Card
Price: 25AED with a balance of 19AED
Valid for: 5 Years
Used for: Trams, Buses, Taxi, Water Taxi, Rail, Metro
Personal Nol Card
Price: 70AED with a balance of 20AED
Valid for: 5 Years
Used for: Trams, Buses, Taxi, Water Taxi, Rail, Metro
Extra Benefits: Balance recoverable should you lose the card, top up online, monthly fixed price for all zones.
Red Ticket
Price: 2AED
Valid for: 90 Days
Used for: Metro, Buses, Trams
The red card is mainly aimed at short term visitors to Dubai. If you are staying in Dubai more than a couple of days and planning to move around a lot we recommend one of the other cards.
The down side to the red card is that you can only use it for one mode of transport at a time.
Customised Card
Dubai RTA has recently introduced a customised card. You will need to contact them through their website and can choose between several different designs.
Price: 30AED
Valid for: 5 Years
Used for: Trams, Buses, Taxi, Water Taxi, Rail, Metro
Benefits of Using a Nol Card in Dubai
The introduction of Nol has contributed to making Dubai one of the easiest places to travel around. Coins are a hassle to carry around and are also dirty. Some of the benefits of using a Nol Card are highlighted below:
- Can be used to pay for public transport and car parking
- Cuts out the need to carry extra cash
- Different card types mean senior citizens and students travel for less
How to Check Your Nol Card Balance?
There are two different ways of checking your nol card balance.
- Go to the RTA website from your mobile or desktop, click on check nol balance, type in card number and security code.
- If you’re already in a metro station, hand it over to the ticket office and they will swipe and check it for you within seconds.
Can I Use my Nol Card for Shopping?
Amazingly, the answer to this is yes. As the world progresses, so does Dubai and at a rate better than most other cities. The Nol card can now be used to shop at major retail outlets such as; Almaya, Carrefour, Lulu, AllDay, Zoom, Circle K, Gloria Jeans, Burger King and more!
Can I Use My Nol Card to Pay for Food?
Again, the answer to this question is yes! A growing number of Dubai restaurants are now accepting nol cards for payment. This number has seen an exponential growth since the emergence of Covid19, creating a cashless and safer society.
The card can also be used at a variety of pharmacies, coffee shops and petrol stations.
It’s important to check before you dine but more often than not you will be good to go.
Where Else Do I Need to Use my Nol Card?
In 2017 it became mandatory for use to gain entry to many public parks. Parks such as; Al Mamzar Beach Park, Creek Park, Mushrif Park and Zabeel park are amongst the most popular where Nol Cards Must be Used.
Dubai Transport Zones & Fares by Nol Card
The below table details the cost of travel between each transport zone in Dubai dependant on the type of card you have.
| PRICE(AED) | SILVER | GOLD | BLUE (PERSONAL) | RED |
| STUDENT/SENIOR CITIZEN | N/A | N/A | 50% | N/A |
| TRAVEL WITHIN 1 ZONE | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 ADJACENT ZONES | 5 | 10 | 5 | 6 |
| MORE THAN 2 ZONES | 7.5 | 15 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| CHILDREN | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
| PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION | N/A | N/A | FREE | N/A |
For more information on zones and fares and to stay updated on costs visit this page.
Nol Passes
Passes are great when you know that you are going to use public transport in Dubai frequently. Passes allow unlimited travel on all pubic transport, but not taxi’s.
If you are on a short trip in Dubai and hold a red card you can buy a day pass for 20AED.
For gold card members who wish to travel in more luxury, day passes are 40AED.
Conclusion
Getting around Dubai has always been cheap and easy. However, since the introduction of Nol Cards this has made it even simpler.
Whenever your visiting Dubai, whether it’s for a few days or a couple of weeks do not hesitate to carry one of these. Nol cards have to be one of the most essential things to have in your wallet when visiting Dubai.
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