Dubai nol card: Types, benefits and uses, full details revealed

Nol, which means ‘fare’ in Arabic, is a smart card designed by the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) to ensure seamless payment for commuters using public transportation in the emirate.

The nol Card can be used on the Dubai Metro, buses, trams, and water buses, and can be used more for several trips, depending on the card used.

Aside from being a reloadable card, the nol card can also be used for making payments at parking areas, petrol stations, restaurants and pharmacies.

That said, here is all you need to know about the different types of nol cards and its many uses.

Types of nol cards in Dubai

There are several types of nol Cards available, including a standard silver card, a personalised gold card, and a limited-edition card featuring popular Dubai landmarks. The card can also be used to pay for parking and other services in Dubai.

Here are the four types of nol cards:

1. nol Silver Card

The nol Silver card is a smart card which can be topped up with cash up to AED 1000 upon registeration.

This card gives commuters access to all the compartments of the Dubai Metro. However, male card-holders will not be able to sit at the Women and Children’s compartment in the metro as well as on other public modes of transport.

The nol Silver card can be purchased from any ticket office for AED25, which is inclusive of the AED19 e-purse value.

Benefits of the nol Silver card include:

1. Automatically calculates the cost of the trip and deducts it from the cardholder’s balance
2. Valid on all modes of transport, Dubai public parks, Etihad Museum and 2000+ shops across Dubai
3. Five-year validity
4. Affordable price and can be used immediately

2. nol Gold card

The nol Gold card has the same features as the nol silver card, however, commuters who are gold card holders can access the Dubai metro’s gold class seats for a premium fare.

Commuters can also access the gold class cabins on the Dubai Tram.

The nol Gold card can be purchased from any ticket office for AED25, which is inclusive of the AED19 e-purse value.

Benefits of the nol Gold card include:

1. Access to gold class cabins on Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram.
2. Automatically calculates the cost of the trip and deducts it from the cardholder’s balance
3. Valid on all modes of transport, Dubai public parks, Etihad Museum and 2000+ shops across Dubai
4. Five-year validity
5. Affordable price and can be used immediately

3. nol Blue card

The nol Blue card or personal card is a personalised smart card for commuters which can be topped up with cash up to AED 5000.

The nol Blue card can be purchased from any ticket office for AED70, which is inclusive of the AED20 e-purse value.

Benefits of the nol Blue card include:

1. Blue card holders can secure card balance if your card gets lost or stolen
2. Valid on all modes of transport, Dubai public parks, Etihad Museum and 2000+ shops across Dubai
3. Variety of secure online services, as well as SMS and email notifications to keep the cardholder updated
4. Automatically calculates the cost of the trip and deducts it from the cardholder’s balance
5. Students, senior citizens, or a persons of determination have special fares for different concession types of nol Blue card

4. nol Red ticket

Unlike the nol Silver, Gold and Blue smart cards, the nol Red ticket is a paper-based smart ticket which can be bought from any ticket vending machine at any time for AED2.

The card can be loaded with up to 10 Single Trips, however, it cannot be used to make payments other than for public transportation.

Benefits of the nol Red ticket include:

1. Low ticket price
2. Allows ticket holders to pay for the exact trip only
3. Can be bought from any ticket vending machine at any time.
4. The same ticket can be used for Metro, Tram and Buses and does not require to buy another ticket

Other uses of the nol card in Dubai

In addition to transportation, your Dubai Nol card can be used for various other purposes such as:

• Grocery shopping
• Paying restaurant bills
• A doctor’s appointment
• Buying medicines at a pharmacy
• Paying for Dubai taxi bills
• Paying for entry to public parks and the Etihad Museum
• Refueling your car at ENOC petrol stations
• Registering your vehicle at designated Tasjeel centres
• Travelling via the Palm Monorail
• Paying the entry fee for IMG World of Adventure

Here is the list of RTA-approved supermarkets, pharmacies and other areas where the nol card is accepted.