Nol 1 Day Pass Dubai 2026: Price, Validity, and How to Buy

The Nol 1 Day Pass is the simplest unlimited travel ticket on Dubai’s public transport network. For one fixed price, you ride the Dubai Metro, the Dubai Tram, RTA buses, and water buses as many times as you want until the end of the service day. The pass is built for tourists, short stay visitors, and residents who plan a busy travel day across the city.

This guide explains the 2026 prices, the way the pass actually expires (calendar day, not 24 hours), where to buy it, how to activate it, and how it compares to a Silver Nol card with the AED 14 daily fare cap. You will also find tourist itinerary ideas that make the pass pay for itself, plus answers to the questions that confuse most first time buyers.

If you plan to visit Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, the Gold Souk, and Mall of the Emirates in a single day, the 1 Day Pass turns the trip into a flat AED 20 line on your budget.

Quick Answer: Nol 1 Day Pass Price and Validity

The Nol 1 Day Pass costs AED 20 for the Regular Class and AED 40 for the Gold Class on the Dubai Metro. The pass is valid until midnight on the calendar day of first use, not 24 hours from purchase. It loads onto a Nol Red Ticket (issued by the Roads and Transport Authority) and gives unlimited travel on the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, RTA buses, and water buses across all zones. You can buy it at any Metro Ticket Vending Machine, ticket office, or through the Nol Pay app.

What Is the Nol 1 Day Pass

The Nol 1 Day Pass is a single day travel product issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It loads onto a Nol Red Ticket, which is the paper based card RTA designed for tourists and short term visitors. Once activated, the pass gives unlimited travel across all 7 fare zones on the Dubai Metro Red Line and Green Line, the Dubai Tram, all RTA city buses, and water buses where Nol payment is accepted.

The pass does not need registration, an Emirates ID, or a minimum balance. You buy the Red Ticket, choose the 1 Day Pass product, and start travelling. The pass is non transferable and works for one passenger only.

RTA also lets you load a 1 Day Pass on a Silver or Gold Nol card if you prefer a reloadable option. The price and rules are the same. Most tourists pick the paper Red Ticket because it is faster at the airport and at any Metro station ticket vending machine.

If you are using a Silver Nol card, then you can Check Nol Card Balance online.

Nol 1 Day Pass Price 2026

The 1 Day Pass comes in two classes that match the two cabin types on the Dubai Metro. The price is the same regardless of how many zones you cross because the pass is a flat fare All Zones product.

If you buy a brand new Red Ticket, the AED 2 card fee is included with your first pass purchase, so the actual amount you pay at the machine is AED 22 for Regular or AED 42 for Gold. The same Red Ticket can hold up to 5 day passes or 10 single trips, so you can keep it and reload through a vending machine on a future visit.

How the Nol 1 Day Pass Validity Works

The validity rule trips up most first time buyers. The pass is valid until the end of the public transport service day on which you first tap, not 24 hours from purchase. If you tap your Red Ticket at a Metro gate at 8 AM, the pass works until midnight that same day. If you tap at 9 PM, you still get only a few hours before midnight.

To get the most value, activate the pass as early in the day as possible. The Dubai Metro starts running at 5 AM most days, so a morning activation gives you the full operating window of 18 to 19 hours of unlimited travel for AED 20.

• Activation: Starts the first time you tap the Red Ticket at any Metro gate, RTA bus reader, Tram validator, or water bus turnstile.
• Expiry: Midnight on the same calendar day, regardless of when you first tapped.
• Reactivation: Cannot be reactivated or extended. A new pass is needed for the next day.
• Pause: No pause function. The pass keeps counting down once activated.
• Refund: RTA does not refund unused days or unused passes.

Where the Nol 1 Day Pass Is Accepted

The pass covers the entire RTA public transport network in Dubai, with no zone restrictions. You can travel from one end of the Red Line to the other on a single pass.

• Dubai Metro Red Line: From Centrepoint in Rashidiya to UAE Exchange in Jebel Ali, plus the Route 2020 extension to Expo City.
• Dubai Metro Green Line: From Etisalat to Creek, covering Deira, Bur Dubai, and the historic district.
• Dubai Tram: From Al Sufouh to Jumeirah Beach Residence and Dubai Marina.
• RTA buses: All city bus routes within Dubai.
• Water buses: On Dubai Marina and Dubai Water Canal routes that accept Nol payment.

The pass does NOT cover Dubai Taxi, Careem, Uber, intercity buses to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, water taxis with private hire fares, or seasonal services. For these, you pay separately.

1 Day Pass vs Silver Card Pay As You Go: Which Is Better

Many tourists wonder if the 1 Day Pass actually beats a regular Silver Nol card with the AED 14 daily fare cap. The answer depends on how many trips you take and which class you ride.

The break even point for the Regular 1 Day Pass at AED 20 against pay as you go is roughly 3 trips of 3 zones, 4 trips of 2 zones, or 7 trips of 1 zone. The Silver card daily cap of AED 14 is actually cheaper for a tourist who plans only a few longer journeys. The 1 Day Pass wins when you plan many short trips, switch transport modes often, or want the simplicity of one tap that always works.

For a Silver Nol card user, the cap kicks in automatically once daily fares reach AED 14, and the rest of the day is free until midnight. So if you have a Silver card already, you may not need a 1 Day Pass at all.

Sample Day Itineraries Where the 1 Day Pass Wins

Here are three real Dubai day trips that justify the Regular 1 Day Pass for a tourist.

Itinerary 1: First Time Tourist Highlights

1. Morning Metro from Mall of the Emirates to Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall (3 zones, AED 7.50).
2. Afternoon Metro to Union, transfer to Green Line for Al Rigga and the Gold Souk (2 zones, AED 5).
3. Late afternoon bus to Dubai Marina from Deira (3 zones).
4. Evening Tram from Dubai Marina to Jumeirah Beach Residence (free with the 1 Day Pass).
5. Late night Metro back to your hotel near Mall of the Emirates.

Without the pass, this day would cost around AED 30 to 35 in fares. The 1 Day Pass at AED 20 saves money and removes the stress of checking balances.

Itinerary 2: Old Dubai and Creek

• Metro Green Line from Etisalat to Al Ghubaiba for Bur Dubai.
• Water bus across Dubai Creek to Deira.
• Walk through Spice Souk and Gold Souk.
• RTA bus to Al Rigga for lunch.
• Metro back to your hotel.

Five separate trips across two transport modes and Dubai Creek. The 1 Day Pass covers them all under one tap.

Itinerary 3: Beach Day and Marina

1. Metro to Mall of the Emirates.
2. Bus to Kite Beach.
3. Bus to Dubai Marina.
4. Tram around Dubai Marina and JBR.
5. Metro back to your hotel near Burj Khalifa.

Six trips, three transport modes, full beach and dining day. The pass turns this into a flat AED 20.

How to Buy the Nol 1 Day Pass in Dubai

RTA sells the 1 Day Pass through four official channels. All four cost the same and all four issue an active pass that works immediately.

Method 1: Ticket Vending Machine

Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) sit at every Dubai Metro station, including Dubai International Airport stations on Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. They are the fastest option for a fresh arrival.

1. Walk up to a TVM at any Metro station such as Airport Terminal 3, Burjuman, Union, or Mall of the Emirates.
2. Touch the screen and select English or Arabic.
3. Choose 1 Day Pass from the menu.
4. Pick Regular Class (AED 20) or Gold Class (AED 40).
5. Pay with cash, debit card, or credit card.
6. Take the printed Red Ticket from the machine.
7. Tap the ticket on the gate reader to enter the Metro and start your day.

Method 2: Ticket Office

Manned ticket offices at every major Metro station are useful if you want help in English or Arabic, or if you have questions about routes and zones.

• Visit a ticket office at any Metro station.
• Tell the agent you want a 1 Day Pass.
• Choose Regular Class or Gold Class.
• Pay with cash or card.
• Collect the Red Ticket and start travelling.

Method 3: Nol Pay App

The Nol Pay app works for users who want to load a 1 Day Pass on an existing Silver or Gold Nol card or a digital Nol card on Samsung or Huawei phones.

• Download the Nol Pay app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Huawei AppGallery.
• Sign in with UAE Pass or your mobile number.
• Tap My Nol and select your card.
• Choose Buy Travel Pass and pick the 1 Day Pass.
• Select Regular or Gold class and pay with your bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
• Place your physical Nol card on the back of the phone for the NFC write.
• Tap a Metro gate to activate the pass.

Method 4: At Authorised Sellers

Some authorised RTA kiosks at malls, hotels, and tourist hubs sell Red Tickets and 1 Day Passes. Coverage varies, so check at your hotel concierge desk first.

Buying the Nol 1 Day Pass at Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport has Metro stations directly connected to Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 on the Red Line. Both stations have ticket vending machines and ticket offices that sell the 1 Day Pass.

If you arrive at Terminal 3, walk through customs and follow the Metro signs to the station. The TVMs are right at the entrance to the gates. Buy a Red Ticket with the 1 Day Pass loaded, tap to enter, and you can ride directly into the city. The journey from Airport Terminal 3 to Burjuman or Union takes about 25 minutes for under AED 20 with the pass.

Terminal 1 has the same setup. Terminal 2, which serves flydubai and budget carriers, does not have a direct Metro link, so passengers there usually take a bus or taxi to the nearest Metro station first.

How to Activate and Use the Nol 1 Day Pass

Once you have the Red Ticket with the 1 Day Pass loaded, the pass activates automatically the first time you tap. There is no separate activation step.

• At a Metro gate, hold the Red Ticket flat against the round reader area on the gate.
• Wait for the green light and the gate to open.
• Walk through and start your journey.
• At your destination, tap again at the exit gate to leave the station.
• On a bus, tap the card on the reader at the front when you board, and tap again when you alight.
• On the Tram, tap at the validator on the platform before boarding.
• Repeat for every leg of every journey throughout the day.

Tap in and tap out are mandatory. Skipping the tap out triggers a maximum journey fare in some cases, although a 1 Day Pass usually overrides this. Make tap in and tap out a habit so the pass works smoothly across all transport modes.

Tips to Get the Most from Your Nol 1 Day Pass

• Activate early in the morning: The pass expires at midnight, not 24 hours from activation. An 8 AM start gives 16 hours of value. A 4 PM start gives 8 hours.
• Plan multi mode trips: The pass shines when you mix Metro, bus, and Tram. A simple Metro return trip is rarely worth AED 20.
• Check the daily cap on a Silver card first: If you already own a Silver Nol card, the AED 14 daily cap may save you money compared to a Red Ticket pass.
• Keep the Red Ticket for next time: The Red Ticket holds up to 5 day passes or 10 single trips. Keep it in your wallet for a future Dubai visit.
• Avoid late evening activation: If you arrive at 9 PM, the pass may not be worth it. Use single trips or a Silver card with cap instead.
• Use the Tram for free coverage: The Dubai Tram around Marina and JBR is included in the pass. Add it to your itinerary to maximise value.

Troubleshooting Common 1 Day Pass Issues

Pass Not Working at the Gate

• Confirm the Red Ticket is the right side up and held flat against the reader.
• Try a different gate. Some readers respond faster than others.
• If still rejected, visit the ticket office and ask staff to check the pass status.

Bought the Wrong Class

• RTA generally does not refund passes once activated.
• If unactivated, visit a ticket office quickly to request a swap. Approval is at the agent’s discretion.

Lost the Red Ticket

• The Red Ticket is anonymous and cannot be replaced.
• The remaining pass and balance are lost with the ticket.
• Keep the ticket safe in your wallet or phone case.

Pass Expired Mid Journey

• If midnight passes during a Metro trip, the gate may charge a single fare from the Red Ticket balance to let you exit.
• Plan your last journey to end before midnight to avoid extra charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Nol 1 Day Pass cost in 2026?

The Regular Class pass costs AED 20 and the Gold Class pass costs AED 40. A new Red Ticket adds an AED 2 card fee on first purchase, so the total at the machine is AED 22 or AED 42 the first time.

Is the pass valid for 24 hours?

No. The pass is valid until midnight on the calendar day of first tap, not 24 hours from purchase. Activate the pass early in the day to get full value.

Can I buy the 1 Day Pass at Dubai Airport?

Yes. Ticket Vending Machines and ticket offices at the Metro stations connected to Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 sell the pass. Terminal 2 does not have a direct Metro link, so passengers there reach the Metro by bus or taxi first.

Does the 1 Day Pass work on the Dubai Tram and buses?

Yes. The pass covers the Dubai Metro Red Line and Green Line, the Dubai Tram across Al Sufouh and Dubai Marina, all RTA city buses, and water buses on Nol enabled routes. It does not cover Dubai Taxi or intercity buses.

Can I share the 1 Day Pass with family?

No. Each pass is valid for one passenger and is not transferable. Each family member needs their own Red Ticket and pass. Children under 5 ride free without a ticket.

Is the 1 Day Pass cheaper than a Silver Nol card with daily cap?

Not always. The Silver card has a daily fare cap of AED 14 for Regular Class trips. If your fares reach AED 14 in a day, the rest is free until midnight. For 3 or fewer 3 zone trips, the Silver card is often cheaper. The 1 Day Pass wins when you plan many short trips or many bus and tram changes.

Can I buy the 1 Day Pass on the Nol Pay app?

Yes. The Nol Pay app lets you load a 1 Day Pass on an existing Silver, Gold, or Personalised Blue Nol card. The price is the same as the Red Ticket version. iPhone users can buy the pass through the app but cannot tap to pay at gates because Apple Wallet does not yet support Nol cards.

How do I check if my 1 Day Pass is still active?

Tap the Red Ticket on a yellow Nol reader at any Metro station. The screen shows the active pass type and expiry. You can also check on the Nol Pay app or the RTA Dubai app if the pass is loaded on a registered Silver or Gold card.

Can I refund the 1 Day Pass if I do not use it?

RTA does not offer refunds for travel passes once payment is processed. Buy the pass on the day you plan to travel to avoid losing value.

How many people use the Dubai Metro daily?

Dubai’s public transport system carries over 2 million riders a day on average across Metro, Tram, buses, taxis, and marine. The Metro alone handles around 700,000 passenger trips on busy weekdays, especially at hubs like Burjuman, Union, Mall of the Emirates, and Burj Khalifa Dubai Mall.

Can children get a 1 Day Pass?

Children under 5 travel free on RTA transport without a ticket. Children aged 5 and over need their own Nol card or Red Ticket. There is no separate child fare for the 1 Day Pass.

Can I use the 1 Day Pass to travel to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi?

No. The pass is valid only inside Dubai. Intercity buses to Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Abu Dhabi charge separately and are not covered by the pass. Sharjah Airport is also not on the Dubai Metro network.

Does the 1 Day Pass include water taxi rides?

The pass covers water buses on Dubai Marina and Dubai Water Canal where Nol payment is accepted. It does not cover private water taxi hires, abra rides on Dubai Creek (which charge AED 1 in cash), or charter boats.

Conclusion

The Nol 1 Day Pass is the cleanest way for tourists and short stay visitors to ride Dubai’s public transport without thinking about fares. At AED 20 for Regular Class and AED 40 for Gold Class, the pass turns a busy day of Metro, Tram, bus, and water bus rides into a single flat fee. The validity rule (midnight on the day of first tap) means morning activation gives the best value.

Before you buy, check whether a Silver Nol card with the AED 14 daily cap might suit your trip count better. For days with 5 or more trips across multiple transport modes, the 1 Day Pass wins on cost and simplicity. Whether you are heading from Dubai International Airport to your hotel near Burj Khalifa, exploring the Gold Souk in Deira, or rolling through Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina on the same day, the 1 Day Pass keeps your trip moving and your budget under control.