NOL Card Fare Calculator – Check Dubai Transport Fares 2026

Use the NOL Card Fare Calculator above to estimate the cost of travelling by Dubai Metro, public bus, Tram or marine transport. The tool also includes an emirate-to-emirate bus option for passengers travelling from Dubai to destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Ain or Fujairah.

For Metro journeys, simply choose your starting station and destination station. The calculator identifies the relevant fare zones and displays an estimated price according to your selected NOL card type.

Dubai’s regular Metro, Tram and public bus fares are not based only on the number of stops or kilometres travelled. The amount deducted from your NOL card depends mainly on the number of fare zones included in the complete journey. Dubai’s public transport network is divided into seven fare zones.

Before starting your journey, check your Nol Card Balance to make sure you have enough credit for the estimated fare. Maintaining sufficient balance helps you avoid entry issues at Metro gates and delays when transferring between buses, trams, or other RTA services.

How to Use the NOL Fare Calculator

The calculator is divided into separate tabs for Metro, bus, Tram and water transport.

Calculate a Dubai Metro Fare

Select Metro and follow these steps:

1. Choose your starting Metro station.
2. Choose your destination station.
3. Select your NOL card or ticket type.
4. Select the journey option shown in the calculator.
5. Click Calculate Fare.

The tool calculates the journey station to station rather than asking you to identify the zones manually. This is useful for tourists and occasional passengers who may know their Metro stations but not the corresponding RTA zones.

The calculated amount is an estimate. The final fare is determined automatically when you tap out at your destination using the Metro gate. RTA calculates the deduction according to the zones passed during the completed journey.

Calculate a Dubai Bus Fare

Open the Bus tab and choose the relevant journey type.

For a journey inside Dubai, select the local bus or zone option available in the calculator. Dubai public buses generally use the same zone-based fare structure as the Metro and Tram.

For travel outside Dubai, choose the intercity or emirate-to-emirate option. Select the emirate or city you are leaving from and your destination to view the estimated route fare.

Intercity bus fees do not follow the normal AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50 Dubai zone table. RTA states that bus fares across cities vary according to the destination.

Calculate a Dubai Tram Fare

Choose the Tram tab, select the journey details and choose your card type.

The Dubai Tram is part of the same seven-zone public transport system used for Metro and local bus journeys. Therefore, the fare is determined by the total zones included in the journey rather than a separate flat Tram ticket price.

Calculate a Water Transport Fare

Use the Water Transport tab to select an Abra, Water Bus or another available marine journey.

Marine transport prices are often route-specific. For example, traditional motorised Abras on selected Dubai Creek routes cost AED 1 per passenger and are paid in cash. Some Dubai Water Canal and Abra routes cost AED 2 per stop, while sightseeing and charter services have different prices.

For this reason, marine results should be used as an estimate and checked against the exact route before travelling.

Current Dubai Metro, Tram and Bus Fares

The standard RTA fare bands are based on whether the journey remains within one zone, covers two adjacent zones or passes through more than two zones.

These are the fare amounts currently displayed by RTA for regular journeys. Gold Class costs twice the standard prepaid fare because it provides access to the dedicated Gold cabin on the Metro and Tram.

How Dubai NOL Fares Are Calculated

Dubai contains seven public transport fare zones. Each zone includes Metro stations, Tram stations and bus stops.

Your charge depends on the complete journey:

Within One Zone

The journey starts and ends in the same fare zone.

A Silver NOL card is normally charged AED 3, while a regular Red Ticket costs AED 4.

Two Adjacent Zones

The journey begins in one zone and finishes in a neighbouring zone.

The regular Silver fare is AED 5, and the standard Red Ticket fare is AED 6.

More Than Two Zones

This fare applies when the journey covers more than two zones.

The standard Silver NOL fare is AED 7.50, while a regular Red Ticket costs AED 8.50.

The number of stations is not always enough to determine the fare. A journey containing several stations can remain within one zone, while another journey with fewer stops may cross a zone boundary.

Metro Station-to-Station Fare Calculation

A station-to-station calculator makes fare checking easier because passengers do not need to study the RTA zone map before every journey.

After you choose the starting and destination stations, the tool checks the zones connected with those stations. It then places the journey in one of the three official fare categories.

The result may vary when a journey involves an unusual route, temporary service change or different transport operator. The amount shown by the Metro gate when you tap out remains the final charge.

Metro, Bus and Tram Transfer Rules

RTA allows passengers to combine different public transport modes as one journey when the transfer is completed correctly.

For example, you may travel by Metro and then use a public bus to reach your final destination. You must tap out of the Metro and tap into the bus within 30 minutes for the trips to be treated as one connected journey. The total deduction is then based on the combined zones travelled.

RTA permits up to three transfers within the allowed journey duration. Missing the transfer window can cause the next part of the trip to be charged as a separate journey.

Bus Fare from One Emirate to Another

The intercity section of the calculator helps estimate bus fares between Dubai and other emirates or cities.

RTA operates buses connecting Dubai with several external destinations under agreements with transport authorities and operating companies across the UAE. Passengers can check the latest routes and departure times through the RTA website, S’hail app or station timetable.

Can You Pay an Intercity Bus Fare with a NOL Card?

A physical or virtual NOL card can be used on intercity buses operated by RTA. Cash and card payments may also be available at selected ticket offices or vending machines.

However, NOL cards are accepted only on RTA buses. A service operated entirely by another emirate may use a different payment system, such as Hafilat in Abu Dhabi or Sayer in Sharjah.

Always confirm the operator before relying on your NOL card.

Do Student and Senior Discounts Apply to Intercity Buses?

The normal 50% student and senior concession does not apply to RTA intercity or seasonal bus fares.

People of Determination who hold an eligible personal NOL card can travel free on RTA intercity buses.

Monthly and other NOL travel passes also exclude intercity and seasonal buses. The full route fare must therefore be paid separately.

NOL Card Types and Fare Differences

Silver NOL Card

The Silver card is the standard choice for regular passengers. It provides the normal prepaid fare of AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50, depending on the journey zones.

A Silver card currently costs AED 25 and includes AED 19 in usable balance. It is valid for five years.

Gold NOL Card

The Gold card allows passengers to use the Gold Class cabin on Dubai Metro and Tram services.

Gold fares are double the standard Silver fare. The card itself costs AED 25 and includes AED 19 balance.

Personal or Blue NOL Card

A personal NOL card is linked to its holder and provides balance protection and access to eligible concession fares.

The regular fare is the same as a Silver card unless an approved concession category has been added to the personal card.

Student and Senior NOL Cards

Eligible students, senior Emiratis and residents can receive a 50% discount on regular Metro, Tram and Dubai bus fares through an approved personal or student NOL card. The discount does not extend to intercity or seasonal buses.

People of Determination

Eligible People of Determination can travel free on Dubai Metro and buses using a personal NOL card. RTA also allows eligible personal card holders to travel free on its intercity buses.

Red Ticket

The Red Ticket is designed mainly for visitors and passengers making a limited number of journeys.

It is charged per trip and costs slightly more than travelling with a Silver NOL card. Gold Class can also be loaded on a Red Ticket at twice the regular Red Ticket fare.

Minimum NOL Card Balance Required

Keep at least AED 7.50 on your NOL card before entering the Dubai Metro.

RTA advises passengers to check their balance before travelling. The gate may not open when the available balance is below the required amount.

You can check your balance through the RTA website or NOL Pay app. Recharge options include the NOL Pay app, RTA website, vending machines, ticket offices and authorised sales agents.

How to Avoid Paying the Wrong Fare

Always tap your NOL card when entering and leaving the Metro, bus or supported marine service. RTA specifically advises passengers to check out correctly to avoid being overcharged.

Also remember to:

• Maintain enough balance before starting the journey.
• Use the same card throughout a connected journey.
• Complete Metro-to-bus or bus-to-Metro transfers within 30 minutes.
• Do not use another person’s personal concession card.
• Confirm intercity routes and fares before arriving at the station.
• Check whether a marine service accepts NOL, cash or another payment method.

Is the NOL Card Fare Calculator Accurate?

The calculator uses current published RTA fare bands and station or route information to provide a practical estimate.

The result should be highly useful for planning standard Metro, Tram and Dubai bus journeys. However, actual deductions can differ because of route changes, missed check-outs, separate journeys, intercity operators, special services or revised RTA pricing.

The calculator is an independent travel-planning tool and is not an official RTA service. Check the official RTA journey planner or S’hail app when you need live route information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Dubai Metro journey cost?

A Dubai Metro trip with a Silver NOL card costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two adjacent zones and AED 7.50 when travelling through more than two zones. Gold Class costs twice the Silver fare, while Red Ticket fares start from AED 4.

Does Dubai Metro fare depend on the number of stations?

No. The fare is mainly based on the number of transport zones included in the completed journey. Two routes with a similar number of stations can cost different amounts when one crosses more zone boundaries than the other.

Can I calculate a Metro fare from one station to another?

Yes. Select your starting Metro station, destination station and NOL card type in the calculator. It maps the stations to their fare zones and estimates the expected deduction without requiring you to identify the zones yourself.

Can I use a NOL card on a Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi bus?

You can use a physical or virtual NOL card on an intercity service operated by Dubai RTA. NOL cards are only accepted on RTA buses, so confirm the operator when using a service managed by another emirate or transport authority.

Is the student discount available on intercity buses?

No. RTA states that student and senior NOL card holders do not receive the normal 50% concession on intercity or seasonal bus services. Eligible People of Determination with personal NOL cards can travel free on RTA intercity buses.

How much balance is required to enter Dubai Metro?

You should have at least AED 7.50 on your NOL card before tapping in at a Metro station. Keeping additional balance is recommended when you plan multiple journeys or need to use a connecting bus after leaving the Metro.

Are Metro and bus transfers charged separately?

They can be counted as one connected journey when you transfer within 30 minutes. The final fare is calculated according to the total zones travelled across both parts of the trip. A transfer made after the permitted window may be charged separately.

Are all Dubai Abra fares AED 1?

No. The AED 1 fare applies to specific traditional Abra routes across Dubai Creek. Other electrical Abra, Water Canal, Water Bus, sightseeing and private charter routes have different prices, commonly calculated per stop, passenger, journey or charter duration.

Final Note

Use the NOL Card Fare Calculator before leaving to estimate your Metro, bus, Tram or marine transport cost. For Metro travel, selecting the exact starting and destination stations gives a more convenient result than manually searching the zone map.

For intercity buses and marine services, treat the displayed result as an estimate because charges can vary by destination, route and operator. Always maintain enough NOL balance and check the latest RTA timetable before travelling.