The Dubai Metro system is one of the most popular ways to travel in Dubai. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also a quick and easy way to get around the city.
We will provide you with all the information you need to know about Dubai Metro tickets and fares. We’ll cover everything from single journey fares to passes, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs.
Modes of public transport in Dubai include the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, bus, and water bus.
Journeys can be made using a combination of different modes of transport and paid for using credits added to a contactless travel card (Nol Card).
Dubai’s transport system is divided into 7 zones. The price paid for a journey depends on the number of zones crossed during the trip. Ticket prices are cheap compared to similar systems in other major cities.
Children aged up to 5 years travel free. Concessionary fares for students and senior citizens are only available to residents.
Nol Cards
Passengers pay with Nol Cards; contactless smart cards. Different types of cards are available to meet individual passenger needs. Cards must be purchased before travel.
- Silver Nol Cards – Suitable for residents and tourists.
- Gold Nol Cards – Suitable for residents and tourists wishing to travel in Gold Class (first class carriages).
- Personal Nol Cards – Personalised card with photo. Concessionary fares are available for students, seniors, and the disabled.
- Red Tickets (paper) – Ideal for occasional users. Can be loaded with up to 10 trips or 5 daily passes.
Passengers cannot use cash as a direct payment method on the Dubai Metro, buses, or water buses. Credit cards and other payment forms are also not accepted as direct payments. Cash and credit cards can be used to buy the Nol cards, top them up, and add passes.
Gold Class carriages are for those that wish to travel first class. Every Dubai Metro train has one Gold Class carriage. They have bigger and more comfortable seats with more legroom. Gold Class carriages are typically less crowded than Standard Class carriages.
Nol Cards can be purchased at many locations in Dubai, including ticket offices at Dubai Metro stations and Dubai Bus stations. There are ticket offices at all stations on both the Red Line and the Green Line.
| Silver Card | Gold Card | Personal Card | Red Ticket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Users | Standard Class Travellers | Gold Class travellers | Concession fare travellers | Occasional travellers |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 90 days or 10 trips |
| Card Price | AED 25 (includes AED 19 trip credit) | AED 25 (includes AED 19 trip credit) | AED 70 (includes AED 20 trip credit) | AED 2 |
| Rechargeable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to 10 trips or 5 daily passes |
| Documents Required | None | None | Students - Student ID, Senior Citizens - Emirates ID, People of Determination (residents) - Emirates ID + photo + POD Card, People of Determination (tourists) - Official POD document from competent authority | None |
Nol Cards can be used on different forms of transport (Metro, buses, water buses).
Passengers are only charged once, dependent on the length of the journey, provided transfer times between different modes are adhered to (30 minutes maximum permitted).
For example, if your journey involves a trip on the Dubai Metro and a bus, your journey will be counted as a single trip provided you check-in on the bus within 30 minutes of checking out of the Dubai Metro station.
Nol is the Arabic word for ‘fare’.
Fares
The fare is charged at the end of the journey and is dependent on the number of zones passed through. The fare is deducted when the card is tapped on one of the card readers located at the exits of Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram stations, buses, or water buses.
| Silver Card (AED) | Gold Card (AED) | Personal Card (AED) | Red Ticket (AED) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journey within 1 zone | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Journey between 2 adjacent zones | 5 | 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Journey crossing more than 2 zones | 7.5 | 15 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
| Students and Senior Citizens | N/A | N/A | 50% discount | N/A |
| People of Determination | N/A | N/A | Free | N/A |
| Children (Aged 5 and under) | Free | Free | Free | Free |
The latest AED exchange rates are:
- Euro – 1 AED = 0.25 euros
- British pound – 1 AED = 0.21 British pounds
- US dollars – 1 AED = 0.27 US dollars
Exchange rates were last updated on . Exchange rates for other currencies can be found here.
A 50 percent discount is available to resident students and senior citizens holding Personal Nol Cards. Personal Nol Cards are only available to UAE nationals and residents (application procedure and ID required).
Small children (aged 5 and under) travel free (regardless of nationality and residence).
A map showing the zones and all Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram stations can be found here.
The easiest way to work out the cost of a Metro trip is to use the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) S’hail app. The app gives the cost of the trip and journey times. It will also give the cost and journey times for other modes of transport (bus, local taxi, Uber, etc.).
Passes
Passes are available and can be added/charged to Nol Cards. They allow unlimited travel on the Metro, buses, Dubai Tram, etc. Passes offer cheaper fares for frequent travellers.
Prices for passes are shown in the table below:
| Silver Card | Silver Card | Silver Card | Gold Card | Gold Card | Gold Card | Students/ Seniors | Students/ Seniors | Students/ Seniors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | 2 Zones | Unlimited Zones | 1 Zone | 2 Zones | Unlimited Zones | 1 Zone | 2 Zones | Unlimited Zones | |
| 7 days | 50 | 80 | 110 | 100 | 160 | 220 | 25 | 40 | 55 |
| 30 days | 140 | 230 | 350 | 280 | 460 | 700 | 70 | 115 | 175 |
| 90 days | 330 | 550 | 830 | 660 | 1100 | 1660 | 165 | 275 | 415 |
| 1 year | 1060 | 1770 | 2670 | 2120 | 3540 | 5340 | 530 | 885 | 1335 |
As an example, holders of a Silver Card can add a 7-day all-zone pass for 110 AED (£22.94, €27.13, $29.95).
Holders of Silver Cards can add an all-zone monthly pass (30-day) at a cost of 350 AED (£72.98, €86.33, $95.29).
Resident students and seniors enjoy a 50 percent discount on the cost of travel passes.
Anonymous Silver Card and Gold Card users can only add a 7-day pass. To add 30-day (monthly), 90-day, or 1-year passes, users need to register their cards.
Red Ticket holders can add a standard 1 day pass for 20 AED (£4.17, €4.93, $5.45). The cost of a 1-day pass for travel in Gold Class carriages is 40 AED (£8.34, €9.87, $10.89). The 1-day ticket allows holders to travel in all zones by any method of transport. More 1 day passes can be added if and when required.
Best Nol Card for Tourists
Most tourists that plan to get around the city using public transport, will find that the Nol Silver Card suits their needs.
They can add a 7-day pass to the card without having to register the card. Further 7-day passes can be added for longer stays.
Tourists anticipating infrequent use of public transport should purchase a Red Ticket and add funds as required.
Nol Cards – Other Uses – Taxis, Parking, Shopping, etc
Nol Cards were introduced to pay for public transport (Dubai Metro, buses, etc.).
Since being launched their use has expanded. Holders can now use the Nol Card system to pay for a variety of services and goods including:
- Taxis
- Shopping – Stores accepting Nol Cards include Circle K (convenience store) and Carrefour.
- Restaurants – Nol Cards can be used to buy food and drink at outlets such as Burger King and Gloria Jean’s Coffees.
- Parking – The latest parking meters allow drivers to pay for their parking without obtaining a paper ticket. Drivers simply enter their number plate on the touchscreen of the parking meter and pay using a Nol Card (or coins)
- Public Parks – The small fee to enter public parks can now only be paid by Nol Card. Public parks where entry fees apply include Zabeel Park, Al Mamzar Beach Park, Dubai Creek Park, and Mushrif Park.
Nol Cards only work in Dubai. They are not accepted as a form of payment in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any of the other emirates.
I am interested, didn’t even know you can travel in Dubai but it’s cool, if I wanted to go this place, besides a passport, what else would I need? I’m from America.
I travel everyday on work from sharjah to dubai and back. Can I use the unlimited monthly pass on Dubai sharjah bus?
I want renew my NOL card which last renewed in Feb 20. Please advise I can renew online the same
I have silver nol card, if I will take 1 zone monthly pass. Is it possible to travel once in a month to other zone.
I am regular commuter from Union Metro station to Oud Metha metro , or Baniyas metro station to Oud metha. Is there any discounts package available?
We will be in Dubai from 3/3-3/7 and most of what we will be seeing is along the Red Line. Is that all one zone? We have no need for a five day pass. So I assume single ticket? Can I put a load on it such as 50 AED?
I need to travel daily from Al Ghubaiba bus station to Al Quoz Industrial Area 4. How much for a monthly card?
I want to know the rate for monthly unlimited pass for a resident visa holder.
I am holding a silver nol card. Does it have an unlimited pass option for bus and train for 1 month?
Can I use a silver card for two persons?
My son (21 years old) and I will be travelling to Dubai for 7 days. We are tourists.
I presume Silver Card would be convenient.
1. Can I purchase the Silver Card from the Airport?
2. Since we will be using this card most of the time on the metro, bus and monorail, how much top up should we have? Just an estimate.
3. Can we get a refund on the unused amount in the Silver Card? Possible to get at the Airport Metro?
Thanks.
How can I travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi by train and how much does it cost. It is cheaper to book online or when you are in Dubai?
I am a resident using metro and bus. I have to take two buses to reach my room from work and same to go for work. Which pass is suitable for me and how much does it cost?
We are five friends are travelling to Dubai for holidays. So which card should we buy and what would be the price?
You can buy the tickets from each station as you travel.
Go for silver card (one for each). 25 aed (6 aed card price – 19 aed balance), and the details for charges between different zones you can see above.
How do I get from the Dubai airport to the Burj Khalifa.
From Terminal 3 take the Red Line and exit at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station.
Burj Khalifa is on the Red Line.
I am a resident using metro and bus. I have to take two buses to reach my room from work and same to go for work. Which pass is suitable for me and how much does it cost?
Silver card is enough. The cost is depends on how many zones you are crossing, not how many buses you take.
I want to use this card from abudabi to dubai bus. And in dubai that day to the visiting house and next day to airport for twice in total. Then which card should I buy?
Take silver nol card to travel inside Dubai. From Abu Dhabi to Dubai you have to pay by cash.
Is there any discount for everyday commuters?
Yes, you can take the monthly pass, and there are 3 types of pass available. if you are travelling between only one zone then the pass cost will be 140 AED. A two zone pass is 240 AED. A three zone of more pass is 340 AED..
Yes. You can buy 1 year, 30 days or 7 days unlimited travel pass for all zones or some of the zones.
For tourists, Gold Class travel in metro train is advisable as regular class is most often too congested.
At the time of writing, Gold class unlimited pass for 7 days for all zones costs around AED 400 (around US$ 110) and it covers metro train, bus and tram.
I’ll be visiting Dubai for a month with a friend. Which would be the best card to move between Ajman and Dubai?
Red card is valid for 90 days. Or you can get the silver card (AED 25 extra) if you plan to visit again within 5 years. Get a gold card if you want to use the gold class.
You can’t use nol card to travel between different emirates.
Take a bus from Al Mussallah Bus Station in Ajman to Al Rashidya Bus Station in Dubai (and back). One-way ticket costs around 12 to 15 dirhams (around US$4).
Sliver card is affordable for tourists or residents.
What do T1, T2 and T3 mean?
Terminals at the airport
Please refer RTA MAP
Dubai Transport is Devided in 7 Zones.
T1: Travelling in One Zone Only
T2: Travelling in 2 Only.
T3: Includes more than 2 Zones
Dubai Airport terminal 1, 2 and 3
T1 – Single trip starts and ends in same zone
T2 – Single trip starts in one zone and ends in adjacent zone
T3 – Single trip through more than two zones
I want 1 day pass for all zone how much is cost
20 dihram
Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Explanation added to text.
Hello, I will be in Dubai overnight (from 10pm to 8am next day). Is the 1 day ticket for 24 hours or for a calendar day?
Only until midnight. 🙁
its valid for the following day till midnight 12.00 a.m.
I’m a foreign student coming to Dubai for my educational program which is of 2 years. Which card or pass will be best suitable for me?
The Silver card
Or the Gold card if you want to travel in STYLE
Silver nol card is ok for you.
blue card.
depends on how often you use the public transport within Dubai.
If you travel on daily basis then get a (money saver) 3 month pass (if your semester is going to take more then 3 months to finish), or go for monthly passes if you travel more then 20day a month (and if you semester break is less than 3 months far from now)
The Blue nol card standard class
The blue nol card would be best.
Ask the station master. He will advise you.
Silver
I suggest you go for the Silver Nol Card.
It depends where you are going and where you are living. You can take Dubai Tram or Dubai Metro.
We are staying in Dubai for 5 nights travelling 2 people. please suggest the best card for transportation in Dubai. thank you 🙂
Don’t be lazy, see list above!
Don’t be lazy. Give a proper answer!!!
red card..
Nol is the best card for transportation.
Silver will be better.
If you are staying only for 5 days, I think buying a daily metro ticket would be the best and cheapest.
Thank you for the article. It was very informative.
Just a quick query. I recently got a job in Dubai Investment Park. However, I will be staying quite far away from my work place. Since I would be using the metro & bus regularly, would it be beneficial for me to get a 30 day pass? And on which type of card would it be better? Silver or Blue? Thanks again in advance! Cheers!
Get the Silver card.
You can go for Gold card if you want premium seats at the front of the metro.
But the fare of the gold card is double that of silver cards.
Do the day passes have to be consecutive? We will be in Dubai before and after a cruise and would like to use the metro before and after.
You can buy a consecutive one.
Can you buy family travel passes in Dubai? How does that cost? If children go free, what is the maximum age? Or is there any discount price for children?
Children below 1 metre can ride for free
5 and under are free. Otherwise you must pay full fare.
The maximum age for free metro in Dubai is 5 years and under.
can i buy a metro card online before i get to dubai
yes, visit, nol.ae
No you can’t. But when you get out of the airport there is a metro station where you can buy at the counter.
HI There, we going Dubai this month for 5 days with kids and 1 person is 65, we would like to travel my metro, could you please advice which is best line we need to use and the tickets price.
Gold metro daily ticket.
Hello! I will soon visit Dubai for 10 days (9 nights) with my husband. Can you please advise me which card is suitable for us to roam from places to places until night and the total cost for 2 adults.
I am not understanding the difference between daily passes and cards. Are the costs different? Do the cards allow us to use bus or do we need to pay additional fees?
Thanking you in advance
Shakeela
Get the silver card.
As your stay is long, daily tickets are of no use to you.
Silver card gets you 10% discount from the normal fare of daily cards.
Yes you can use the cards on bus.
We will be in Dubai for 2 days. We will use the metro from the International Airport. we are arriving at 11 pm.
What is the operating hour for the metro
What card will i need if i were to travel from airport to Al Ras station and also to Dubai mall the next day. We are a family of 4 so do we need 4 cards?
Going to be in Dubai for 13 hours.
Looking to go from the airport to downtown Dubai.
Is the red card, with a daily pass, a good bet? Thanks
yes
How do you change metro lines? Do you go out of the metro station?
No, you get out of the train and take another train.
Hello,
My wife and I, would like to visit Dubai for 7 days.
We would like to use all public transportations (tram, metro and buses).
What card we should buy and where can we buy it?
Regards and thanks
Me and my husband will be staying in Dubai for 8 days. What pass do we buy?
Hello! We are staying in Dubai for 4 days. Can we buy mutliple red cards and refill it every day? Can we chose to get 1 gold card and fill it for 7 days?
Planning to visit Dubai in June for 11 days. Travelling with my family, 2 daughters aged 10 & 5. Questions: Is there a big difference between Gold and Standard Class? Is there discount for children travelling?
Hi, everyday I used to travel from Emirates Metro Station to UAE Exchange Metro Station back to back. Metro train is my daily transportation to office. Is there anything you can advise me to do to have a discount or to save more? I’m an expat holding residence visa.
Is a day pass good for 24 hours or a calendar day?
Only until midnight. 🙁
Found the silver card very handy and easy to use. Cheaper than individual fares, cost us five for journey which cost non card holder ten. Very similar to using the Dublin Leap card.
I am coming to Dubai for one day only and making the following 4 trips:
1) Airport to Dubai Media City
2) Dubai Media City to Dierah City Center
3) Dierah City Center to Dubai Mall
4) Dubai Mall to Airport
What is the cheapest ticket I can buy. And up to what time the metro operates. Thanks.
In my opinion, it is just easiest to pay for each trip using the Silver Nol card. The red cards and day passes are confusing and not a good deal.
The first time you ride the metro, buy a Silver card from the manned kiosk near the entry turnstyles. It costs only 25AED and comes with 19AED value on the card. When the card has less than 8AED, simply top it up with another 10-15AED at the same manned kiosk, or the top up machines at the station.
Messing around with single trip tickets and day passes are overly complicated to me.
Before leaving Dubai, simply give your card as a gift to a hotel worker or taxi driver that was nice to you. They will appriciate the gesture, I’m sure.
Very helpful, thank you!
Thanks Harry.
Good job Harry
Thanks for this very useful information.
We are going to Dubai for holidays and we need to travel a lot between Dubai and Sharjah. Can the Dubai metro passes be used for buses in Sharjah ? If not, is there any other pass that covers the public transport in both the Emirates ?
Nearest metro from Sharjah is Al Quasis metro station green line. You would then have to switch lines after a few stops to the red line to continue to Damac which is Dubai Marina
Minimum fare from one station to very next station is AED 3 for silver card holders for both red and green lines?
We’re traveling in a group of two people. Can one silver card be used by two people at the same time of do we need to purchase two cards?
It is one card per person. There is no option to swipe twice for two people.
Hi,
If I buy red ticket and load it with 7 days passes, would it allow me to have unlimited rides for 7 days or not?
I have limited mobility and can’t do stairs. Is the Metro easily accessible for those with limited mobility?
All Metro stations are equipped with lifts and escalators for access.
Use public transport it’s cheap safe metro can get a bit crowded but that’s part of the fun sometimes
Can I buy cards online?
Nol card is issued by RTA and this cannot be purchased online. Just dont buy red card as it is only valid for 90 days.
Good information and useful
Does one need 2 cards for travel on the red line and green line or 1 card is enough to travel both lines?
You only need one card.
We are two seniors (ages 72 and 74) travelling to Dubai for five days in February. We are looking for a pass that covers trains, trams and buses (including water buses).
NOL Card works on Trains, Trams and Buses. You shall have to check for water buses..
Hi. I’m going to visit Dubai this month for the job hunt. That means I will need to travel a lot. I’m coming for 30 days. Which card will be suitable for me? Thanks in advance.
You can get a Silver card (no ID required) and load it with a 30 day pass. The new fares came out late last year. I presume you will want a pass that covers all zones. This will cost 350 AED.
You don t need that much. 100-150 aed might be well enough, depending on how much you travel. Sometimes 1 to 3 rudes enough cause day ends up pretty fast before you finish visiting one area. Take it easy. If you need more you can top up at the metro station,
30 days pass available for person having Resident Visa Only. On Tourist Visa One month pass not given
We’re in Sharjah and Dubai on holiday for seventeen days. Is there any card which is valid for public transport to visit exciting places like Dubai Mall etc?
Depends how long you are in Dubai for? If you are in Dubai for a week you could buy a Silver card and charge it up with a 7 day pass for all zones for 110 AED (or two 7 day passes). You could also buy a red ticket(s) for 1 day at 20 AED.
That can be used for any form of public transportation.
We at staying in Dubai for 5 days. Is there a ticket that will cover all public transport for the 5 days or do we need to get a ticket for each trip?
You could buy a Red Ticket and load it with 5 daily passes. The Red Ticket costs 2 AED for the ticket itself. A daily pass costs 20 AED. So the total cost would be 102 AED.
The ticket would be valid for the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, and buses.
If you want to travel Gold Class on the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram the daily pass costs 40 AED per day.
Is it loading the Red ticket to 20 aed the only option? Can’t we load a lesser amount like 10 aed, if we are gonna travel only once to n fro.