How to use Public Transport in Dubai: NOL Card

How to use the Public Transport in Dubai

In order to use the Metro, Buses, Trams, and even water taxis, you must purchase an NOL card. The NOL card is a reusable contactless smart card used to pay for any kind of public transport in Dubai.

Public transport in Dubai is super affordable, clean and convenient.

If it is your first time in Dubai, check out my first timer guide here.

Types of NOL Cards Available + fare Cost

Types of NOL Card	Cost of NOL Card	Within 1 Zone <3km	2 Ajacent Zones	3+ Zones
Gold	25 AED (19AED pre-loaded)	6 AED	10 AED	15 AED
Silver	25 AED (19 AED pre-loaded)	3 AED	5 AED	7.5 AED
Red (Regular)	2 AED (minimum top-up 7.5AED)	4 AED	6 AED	8.5 AED
Red (Gold)	2 AED (minimum top-up 7.5 AED)	8 AED	12 AED	17 AED
Blue (personal)	70 AED (20 AED pre-loaded)	3 AED	5 AED	7.5 AED

For more information about NOL fares, click here.

For tourists, I would either get the Red Nol card if you are only in Dubai for a day or two, or the Silver Nol card if you are in Dubai for longer.

The Red NOL card can only be used for a day pass (for 20AED) or for 10 single journeys only. If you think you’ll be doing more, I would get the Silver NOL card, which is the one I got myself.

How do I purchase an NOL card?

I purchased mine at the customer service desk at Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 1; however, you can also purchase a NOL card at the vending machines as well.

There is a cost to buy the NOL card; however, that does come with some money preloaded onto your card. For example, if you purchase the Silver NOL card, it will cost 25 AED; however, 19 AED of that 25 AED is preloaded onto your card to use for your travel so in this case, the Silver NOL card itself costs 6 AED.

How do I top up my NOL Card?

You can top up your NOL from any metro station, vending machines and even convenience stores such as Carrefour.

A word of warning: if you want to top up at the metro station, expect long queues unless you go early in the morning.

I found topping up via an app was the most convenient. I would recommend downloading “NOL pay” from the App Store. Here you can scan your card and top up your desired amount. The minimum you can top up here is 5 AED (£1.52), while the minimum at the metro station is 20 AED (£4.08).

How to use public transport in Dubai with NOL Card?

Simply tap in and tap out using your NOL Card, and it will calculate your journey for you. When you exit a station, it will tell you how much you have left on your card.

Do note that you do need to tap out of buses so that the fare is calculated correctly. I made this mistake, and it took out the maximum fare for me (which was 7.50 AED) instead of 3 AED – lesson learnt.

Public Transport in Dubai Rules

There are some rules that you need to know about using public transport in Dubai. There is a fine is you do not comply with these rules.

1. No eating or drinking is allowed on public transport in Dubai.
2. No smoking on public transport
3. No fish is allowed on public transport – I guess because of the smell?
4. Men are not allowed in women’s and children-only carriages
5. You are only allowed to take two suitcases at one time on public transport, and they have dimensions you have to adhere to.

Public Transport in Dubai: what you need to know before you go

• Make sure you are in the correct cabin for your ticket. ie if you have a Silver NOL card but go into the Gold Class carriage, there may well be a fine.
• There is also a women and child carriage only – if a male enters this carriage, you may also receive a fine.

• You cannot eat and/or drink on the metro, and there is a fine if you do – the metros in Dubai are super clean, and I guess they are kept that way for a reason.
• You cannot bring fish on the metro – I guess because of the smell?

• Only 2 suitcases, one small and one large suitcase, can be taken on the metro (they even had the dimensions of the suitcases)
• On the metro, they have a dedicated luggage rack; however, not all carriages have these.

• The metro was always busy when I got on it, so be prepared to stand for prolonged periods.

• Make sure you tap out using your NOL card every time. I made this mistake when I got on a bus that I didn’t tap out, and it charged me the maximum fare. The metro is easy to not miss this as they have barriers that you need to tap out using your NOL card to exit the station.

• Public transport in Dubai is cleaner than most airports and is great to keep costs down and still experience Dubai like a local.

Places to go using public transport in Dubai

These are the tours that I did and would recommend if you visit Dubai. They are all accessible through public transport.

Sky Views Observatory and the Burj Khalifa are on the red metro line at the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. If you are short on time, I would recommend doing the Sky Views Observatory over the Burj Khalifa, as this has a glass walk and glass slide, plus you can see the Burj Khalifa from it. It is also more affordable than the Burj Khalifa, Sky Views Observatory (£16) Burj Khalifa (£32).

The old town, creek, museums and street food tour is on the green metro line, so if your hotel is on the red metro line, you will need to change; it is pretty straightforward, just may take a little longer. There was a 20-minute walk (which wasn’t the best in peak heat); however, the journey to Dubai’s old city was on the red line. Al Ras Metro Station is the closest stop to the Gold Souk for your return journey. This tour is great if you want to learn about the culture here in Dubai, and for a very affordable at £6.

must do activities in Dubai

My favourite activity here in Dubai was the desert safari. I did the 7-hour tour, which included quad biking, dune bashing, camel riding, sunset photos, a 3-course BBQ Dinner, shisha, and henna. This tour also includes hotel drop-off and pick-up.

I would also recommend a day trip to Abu Dhabi. The main reason for going to Abu Dhabi was to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi. Included in this day trip were photo stops at Ferrari World, Founders Memorial and a stop to see the Abu Dhabi skyline.