NOL Card Price 2026 – Card Types, Fares & Travel Pass Costs
The NOL card price in Dubai starts from AED 2 for a disposable Red Ticket. A standard Silver or Gold NOL card costs AED 25, while a Personal NOL card starts from AED 70.
The amount you pay for the card is different from the fare deducted for each journey. Your total transport cost depends on the card type, travel class, number of zones crossed and whether you use pay-as-you-go credit or an unlimited travel pass.
NOL Card Price List for 2026
The table below compares the current purchase price, included balance and validity of each NOL card option.
| NOL card type | Total price | Included balance | Card or application cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Ticket | AED 2 | Fare added separately | AED 2 | 90 days or 10 trips |
| Silver NOL Card | AED 25 | AED 19 | AED 6 | 5 years |
| Gold NOL Card | AED 25 | AED 19 | AED 6 | 5 years |
| Personal Silver NOL Card | AED 70 | AED 20 | AED 50 | 5 years |
| Student NOL Card | AED 70 | AED 20 | AED 50 | Card: 5 years |
| Student NOL Card with ISIC | AED 95 | AED 20 | AED 50 plus AED 25 ISIC fee | Card: 5 years |
| Personal Gold NOL Card | AED 80 | AED 20 | AED 60 | 5 years |
| Special-design Personal Silver | AED 100 | AED 20 | AED 80 | 5 years |
| Special-design Personal Gold | AED 110 | AED 20 | AED 90 | 5 years |
| People of Determination Card | Free | Not applicable | Free | Based on eligibility |
| NOL Travel Card | AED 100 | AED 19 | AED 81 | 5 years |
The Silver and Gold cards both cost AED 25 and include AED 19 of usable travel credit. This means the actual card issuance portion is AED 6, while the remaining amount can immediately be used for Metro, Tram, bus and other supported payments.
Complete a NOL Card Balance Check before travelling to confirm that your card has enough credit for the journey. You can view the available balance through the NOL Pay app, RTA digital services, Metro ticket machines or station counters. Keeping at least AED 7.50 on the card helps prevent entry problems at Metro gates and bus readers.
What Is the Cheapest NOL Card in Dubai?
The Red Ticket is the cheapest option to purchase because it costs only AED 2. However, its individual journey fares are higher than the fares charged to Silver and Personal card users.
A Silver NOL card normally offers better value for tourists who expect to make several journeys. It costs more initially, but AED 19 of the AED 25 purchase price remains available as travel balance.
Quick recommendation
- Buy a Red Ticket for one or two occasional journeys.
- Buy a Silver card for several trips or a longer Dubai stay.
- Buy a Gold card only when you want Gold Class access.
- Apply for a Personal card when you need balance protection, travel passes or concession fares.
- Consider the NOL Travel Card when its partner discounts match your plans.
Silver NOL Card Price
The Silver NOL Card costs AED 25 and comes with AED 19 preloaded balance. It is the standard choice for most Dubai residents, workers and tourists using public transport regularly.
Silver card fares start from AED 3 for travel within one zone and reach AED 7.50 when a journey crosses more than two zones.
Silver NOL Card features
- Purchase price: AED 25
- Included travel credit: AED 19
- Effective card cost: AED 6
- Maximum anonymous balance: AED 1,000
- Maximum registered balance: AED 5,000
- Validity: Five years
- Standard Metro, Tram and bus fares
- Eligible for registration and balance protection
- Can hold travel passes after meeting registration requirements
A Silver card can also be used for selected non-transport payments, including purchases at participating retail outlets and payments at supported RTA parking machines.
Gold NOL Card Price
The Gold NOL Card also costs AED 25 and includes AED 19 balance. Its purchase price is the same as the Silver card, but Metro and Tram journeys in Gold Class cost more.
Gold card fares range from AED 6 for one-zone travel to AED 15 for journeys crossing more than two zones. Gold Class passengers are charged the premium fare when using the designated cabin, even when seats are unavailable.
Gold NOL Card features
- Purchase price: AED 25
- Included balance: AED 19
- Effective card cost: AED 6
- Gold Class access on Dubai Metro and Tram
- Maximum anonymous balance: AED 1,000
- Maximum registered balance: AED 5,000
- Validity: Five years
Gold pricing applies mainly to Metro and Tram services that provide a separate Gold Class cabin. On buses and services without Gold Class, the regular fare may apply.
Personal or Blue NOL Card Price
The Personal NOL Card, commonly called the Blue NOL Card, costs AED 70. The price includes a AED 50 application fee and AED 20 balance.
This card is connected to the holder’s identity and displays personal details. It provides stronger balance protection and allows eligible users to receive student, senior citizen or People of Determination concessions.
Benefits of a Personal NOL Card
- Recover the remaining balance if the card is lost or stolen
- Store up to AED 5,000
- Load 30-day, 90-day and 365-day travel passes
- Access eligible concession fares
- Manage the card through supported digital channels
- Protect the card with a PIN
- Review recent card transactions
A Personal NOL Card remains valid for five years. However, student and senior concessions normally remain valid for one year and must be renewed if the cardholder is still eligible.
Student NOL Card Price
The standard Student NOL Card costs AED 70, including AED 20 balance. Students who choose the combined NOL and International Student Identity Card option pay AED 95.
The ISIC version includes the same public transport fare concession as the regular Student NOL Card, plus separate international student membership benefits.
Student eligibility requirements
Students generally qualify when they:
- Are between 5 and 23 years old
- Attend a school, college or university in the UAE
- Have valid identification
- Provide current proof of enrolment when records cannot be verified electronically
Eligible students receive a 50% discount on standard Dubai Metro, Tram and bus fares. The discount does not generally apply to intercity or seasonal bus services.
Student NOL Card price comparison
| Student card option | Total cost | Included balance | Fare discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Student NOL Card | AED 70 | AED 20 | 50% |
| Student NOL Card with ISIC | AED 95 | AED 20 | 50% |
The Personal NOL Card itself remains valid for five years, but the student concession must be renewed regularly with valid eligibility evidence.
Senior Citizen NOL Card Price
Senior Emiratis and eligible UAE residents aged 60 or above can apply for a Personal Silver NOL Card. The standard card price is AED 70, including AED 20 credit.
Approved cardholders receive a 50% discount on standard Metro, Tram and Dubai Bus fares. The concession must be renewed while the holder continues to meet the eligibility conditions.
The discount does not automatically cover every RTA service. Intercity and seasonal bus journeys may follow separate fare rules.
People of Determination NOL Card Price
The Personal NOL Card is free for eligible residents and tourists who qualify under the People of Determination category.
Approved cardholders can travel free on covered Dubai Metro, Tram and bus services. The application may require an active Sanad Card, Tourist Sanad Card or other accepted evidence of eligibility.
Personal Gold and Special-Design NOL Card Prices
Adult users can apply for a Personal Gold NOL Card for AED 80. This includes a AED 50 application charge, AED 20 balance and AED 10 Gold card design fee.
Special designs cost more than standard Personal cards.
| Personal card design | Price | Included balance |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Personal Silver | AED 70 | AED 20 |
| Standard Personal Gold | AED 80 | AED 20 |
| Special-design Personal Silver | AED 100 | AED 20 |
| Special-design Personal Gold | AED 110 | AED 20 |
Personal Gold cards are available for regular adult customers. Concession categories such as students, senior citizens and People of Determination use Personal Silver cards.
Red NOL Ticket Price
The Red Ticket is a disposable paper ticket that costs AED 2 before the journey fare is added. It is mainly intended for tourists and occasional passengers who do not need a reusable smart card.
A Red Ticket can be loaded with up to 10 single journeys or five daily passes. It is valid for 90 days or until the permitted journeys have been used.
Red Ticket limitations
- Higher fare per journey than Silver cards
- Limited to selected transport modes
- Cannot store a normal e-purse balance like a Silver card
- Cannot provide the same balance protection as a Personal card
- Designed for short-term or occasional travel
- Can only be used for one transport mode at a time
A Red Ticket costs AED 4 for a regular one-zone journey, compared with AED 3 using a Silver or Personal card.
NOL Travel Card Price
The NOL Travel Card costs AED 100 and includes AED 19 balance. It combines normal NOL payment functions with partner offers and discounts intended for tourists and residents.
Its higher initial price means it is not automatically the cheapest transport card. The value depends on whether the cardholder uses the additional offers included with the product.
The card remains valid for five years and can hold up to AED 1,000 anonymously or AED 5,000 after registration.
Dubai Metro, Tram and Bus Fares by Zone
Dubai’s public transport network uses a zone-based fare system. The amount deducted depends on the number of zones crossed during a completed journey.
| Zones travelled | Silver or Personal | Gold | Discounted Personal | Red Ticket | Gold Red Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Within one zone | AED 3 | AED 6 | AED 1.50 | AED 4 | AED 8 |
| Two adjacent zones | AED 5 | AED 10 | AED 2.50 | AED 6 | AED 12 |
| More than two zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15 | AED 3.75 | AED 8.50 | AED 17 |
Discounted fares apply only to approved concession categories using a valid Personal NOL Card. People of Determination travel free on covered services, while children aged five and below can use the Metro, Tram and bus without paying a fare.
How NOL Zones Affect the Fare
Dubai’s transport network is divided into fare zones. Your fare is not calculated only by distance or the number of stations passed.
The system checks the zones crossed between your check-in and check-out points. Metro, Tram and bus transfers may form one journey when completed within the permitted transfer conditions.
To avoid an incorrect maximum fare deduction:
- Tap your card when entering the Metro, bus or other supported service.
- Use the same card throughout the journey.
- Tap out correctly at your destination.
- Check the reader display for the remaining balance.
- Do not place several contactless cards against the reader together.
NOL Travel Pass Prices
A NOL travel pass provides unlimited journeys within the selected zones and validity period. Passes are available for one zone, two zones or all zones.
Silver NOL travel pass prices
| Pass duration | One zone | Two zones | All zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | AED 50 | AED 80 | AED 110 |
| 30 days | AED 140 | AED 230 | AED 350 |
| 90 days | AED 330 | AED 550 | AED 830 |
| 365 days | AED 1,060 | AED 1,770 | AED 2,670 |
Gold NOL travel pass prices
| Pass duration | One zone | Two zones | All zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | AED 100 | AED 160 | AED 220 |
| 30 days | AED 280 | AED 460 | AED 700 |
| 90 days | AED 660 | AED 1,100 | AED 1,660 |
| 365 days | AED 2,120 | AED 3,540 | AED 5,340 |
Student and senior travel pass prices
| Pass duration | One zone | Two zones | All zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | AED 25 | AED 40 | AED 55 |
| 30 days | AED 70 | AED 115 | AED 175 |
| 90 days | AED 165 | AED 275 | AED 415 |
| 365 days | AED 530 | AED 885 | AED 1,335 |
Anonymous Silver and Gold cards can normally hold only a seven-day travel pass. Registered Silver, registered Gold and Personal cards can access longer 30-day, 90-day and 365-day products.
Is a Monthly NOL Pass Cheaper?
A monthly pass is worthwhile when the cost of your normal journeys would exceed the fixed pass price. The decision depends on the zones you cross and the number of days you commute.
For example, an all-zones Silver monthly pass costs AED 350. A passenger making two all-zone journeys per working day could otherwise spend AED 15 daily, so regular five-day commuting may make the pass easier to budget.
A one-zone commuter should not automatically buy an all-zones pass. Selecting a pass that matches the actual route can reduce the monthly cost considerably.
Is There an Automatic Daily NOL Fare Cap?
Do not assume that regular pay-as-you-go journeys automatically become free after spending AED 14. The current published NOL pricing structure lists individual zonal fares and separate travel-pass products rather than an automatic AED 14 daily cap.
Passengers wanting unlimited travel should purchase the appropriate travel pass instead of relying on an unofficial daily spending limit.
NOL Card Minimum Balance
You should maintain at least AED 7.50 on a reusable NOL card before beginning a journey. This amount covers the maximum standard pay-as-you-go fare charged to Silver and Personal cards.
The Red Ticket must contain at least one valid journey. Gold passengers should consider maintaining AED 15 because an all-zone Gold Class journey can cost up to AED 15.
What happens when the balance is too low?
A Metro gate or transport reader may reject the card when the available balance is insufficient. The reader usually displays a warning, allowing you to top up before trying again.
Recharge before reaching the platform or boarding point, especially during busy commuting periods when vending-machine queues may be longer.
NOL Card Recharge Limits
The maximum amount stored depends on the registration status of the card.
| NOL card status | Maximum stored balance |
|---|---|
| Anonymous Silver or Gold | AED 1,000 |
| Registered Silver or Gold | AED 5,000 |
| Personal NOL Card | AED 5,000 |
The maximum online top-up transaction is AED 150. Scheduled automatic top-ups through supported NOL Pay features can start from AED 20, subject to the applicable daily limit.
Minimum recharge at Metro vending machines
The minimum top-up at ticket vending machines inside Dubai Metro stations is AED 20. This requirement applies even when the card only needs a smaller amount.
Passengers wanting to add less than AED 20 may use another supported channel, such as NOL Pay, selected solar-powered bus-stop machines, ZOOM outlets or Tram ticket vending machines.
How Long Does an Online Recharge Take?
Some online and mobile top-ups require activation before the amount appears in the usable card balance. Activation can take between 45 minutes and four hours.
After waiting, tap or insert the card at a supported activation point, such as:
- A Dubai Metro gate
- A parking meter
- A solar-powered bus-stop machine
- The NOL Pay app on a compatible NFC phone
- A supported ticket office or vending machine
Do not complete an online recharge immediately before travelling unless your balance already covers the journey.
Where to Buy a NOL Card
Silver, Gold and Red NOL products can be purchased through physical RTA sales channels across Dubai.
Common purchase locations include:
- Dubai Metro station ticket offices
- Ticket vending machines
- Major bus stations
- RTA-authorised sales agents
- Selected customer service locations
- Supported NOL Pay options for virtual cards
Personal cards are applied for through supported online or mobile channels because identity details and eligibility documents may need to be verified.
NOL Card Price at Dubai Airport
The standard NOL card price does not normally increase simply because you purchase it at Dubai International Airport. A Silver or Gold card remains AED 25 through standard RTA ticketing channels.
Passengers arriving at terminals connected to the Dubai Metro can check ticket offices or vending machines near the station entrance. A Red Ticket is suitable for a single journey, while Silver usually provides better value for a multi-day visit.
Which NOL Card Is Best for Tourists?
A Silver NOL card is generally the best choice for tourists planning several Metro, Tram or bus journeys. It provides lower fares than the Red Ticket and includes AED 19 balance.
The Red Ticket may be sufficient when:
- You are taking only one or two journeys
- You do not expect to recharge
- You are staying near one location
- You mainly plan to use taxis or private transport
The NOL Travel Card may suit visitors who can use its additional partner benefits. Compare the value of those offers against its AED 100 purchase price before choosing it.
Which NOL Card Is Best for Dubai Residents?
The best card depends on commuting habits.
Occasional passengers
Choose Silver for standard fares without an application process.
Daily commuters
Register a Silver card or apply for a Personal card to access longer travel passes and balance protection.
Gold Class passengers
Choose Gold when you regularly want to use the premium Metro and Tram cabins.
Students and seniors
Apply for an eligible Personal Silver card to receive concession fares.
People of Determination
Apply for the appropriate Personal NOL Card to access free travel on covered services.
How to Buy a NOL Travel Pass
A first travel pass can be loaded using NOL Pay or at supported ticket offices and vending machines.
The usual process is:
- Choose the required pass duration.
- Select one zone, two zones or all zones.
- Confirm Silver, Gold or concession pricing.
- Pay the travel pass fee.
- Tap the card at a Metro gate or another supported device when activation is required.
- Check the expiry date before travelling.
Travel passes generally cover repeated travel on eligible RTA public transport services within the selected zones. Intercity buses are excluded from standard concession and travel-pass benefits.
NOL Card Refund Fees
A valid Personal or registered NOL card may qualify for a refund when it is lost, damaged, faulty, expired or no longer needed.
Cash refunds of AED 100 or less can be processed at eligible Metro ticket offices. A service fee of 2.5% or AED 5, whichever is higher, is deducted.
Balances can also be transferred to another Personal or registered NOL card. The balance-transfer option is free, although approval and activation requirements apply.
What to Do If Your NOL Card Is Lost
Anonymous cards offer limited protection because they are not connected to an identified account. Registering a Silver or Gold card makes it easier to protect and recover the remaining balance.
For a lost Personal or registered card:
- Report the loss through an authorised RTA channel.
- Submit the replacement or refund request.
- Wait for the card to be blocked.
- Choose cash or transfer to another eligible card when available.
- Activate the transferred balance after approval.
A lost card may take up to 48 hours to be blocked, so report it as soon as possible.
Common NOL Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing the card price with included credit
The Silver card costs AED 25, but AED 19 remains available for travel. The non-refundable physical card portion is only part of the total purchase price.
Assuming Gold and Silver cost the same to use
Both cards cost AED 25 to buy, but Gold Class Metro and Tram fares are higher.
Buying the wrong zone pass
A one-zone pass cannot cover regular journeys that cross two or more zones. Check your usual stations before purchasing.
Forgetting to tap out
Failing to check out correctly may result in a higher fare deduction.
Expecting student discounts without approval
A standard Silver card does not provide a student discount. The concession must be approved and linked to an eligible Personal NOL Card.
Relying on outdated recharge limits
Metro vending machines require a minimum AED 20 top-up. Smaller recharges may need to be completed through another supported channel.
FAQs
How much does a NOL card cost in Dubai?
The NOL card price starts at AED 2 for a disposable Red Ticket. Silver and Gold cards cost AED 25 with AED 19 included balance. A standard Personal NOL Card costs AED 70 with AED 20 balance, while special designs and combined student products cost more.
What is the Silver NOL card price in 2026?
The Silver NOL card price is AED 25. This payment includes AED 19 of usable travel credit, meaning the effective card issuance cost is AED 6. The card remains valid for five years and supports standard fares on the Dubai Metro, Tram and public buses.
Is a Silver NOL card cheaper than a Red Ticket?
The Red Ticket is cheaper to purchase at AED 2, but its individual journey fares are higher. A Silver NOL card price of AED 25 includes AED 19 balance and saves AED 1 on each standard zonal fare, making it better for passengers taking several journeys.
How much is a monthly NOL pass for all zones?
The all-zones 30-day pass costs AED 350 for Silver, AED 700 for Gold and AED 175 for eligible students or senior cardholders. The NOL card price is separate when purchasing a new card, so first-time users may need to pay both the card and pass cost.
What is the minimum balance required on a NOL card?
Passengers should have at least AED 7.50 available before beginning a journey with a reusable card. This minimum covers the maximum standard Silver fare. The NOL card price paid at purchase includes initial balance, but users must recharge whenever the remaining value falls below the required amount.
How much does a student NOL card cost?
The standard student NOL card price is AED 70, including AED 20 balance. The combined student card with ISIC membership costs AED 95. Approved students aged 5 to 23 receive a 50% discount on eligible Dubai Metro, Tram and bus fares while their concession remains valid.
Is the NOL card price the same at Dubai Airport?
The standard NOL card price is generally the same through official RTA ticketing channels at Dubai Airport. Silver and Gold cards cost AED 25, while a Red Ticket starts at AED 2 before the fare is added. Availability may depend on the ticket office or vending machine used.
Can I transfer money from a lost NOL card?
You can request a remaining-balance transfer when the lost card is Personal or registered. The amount can be moved to another eligible Personal or registered card after approval. The NOL card price for a replacement may still apply, but the balance-transfer service itself can be completed without a transfer fee.
