Public Transport Card Setup Guide

Action checklist

Complete these steps in order for the fastest, safest setup.

• 1Buy a Silver Nol card at any metro station ticket machine — costs 25 AED (19 AED usable credit + 6 AED card fee)
• 2Tap in and tap out at every metro station — missed tap-out results in maximum fare charge
• 3Recharge at station machines, RTA app, or any Union Coop / LuLu checkout
• 4Minimum balance to board: 7.5 AED (metro) — top up before it drops below 10 AED
• 5Register your card at wojhati.ae to protect balance if card is lost
• 6The same Nol card works on metro, bus, Dubai Tram, water bus, and some car parks

Nol card types

Silver card (25 AED): standard for most users — works on all RTA transport Gold card (25 AED + premium fare): access to Gold Class metro car — front or rear carriage, air-conditioned waiting area. Not worth the extra cost for daily commuters. Blue card (25 AED): for public buses only, not metro Red ticket (single use): 2–8.5 AED, disposable, no registration — use only for one-off trips Most newcomers should get Silver.

Metro fares by zone

Zone 1 (1–3 stations): 2.00 AED Zone 2 (4–9 stations): 3.00 AED Zone 3 (10–14 stations): 5.00 AED Zone 4 (15+ stations or crossing zones): 7.50 AED Fares are calculated automatically when you tap in and tap out. Daily cap: 20 AED (you won't be charged more, no matter how many trips).

Recharging tips

The RTA Wojhati app allows card recharges, journey planning, and balance checks. Available on iOS and Android. You can also recharge at: Dubai Metro ticket machines (cash + card), LuLu Hypermarket checkouts, Union Coop branches, and selected petrol stations. Minimum top-up: 10 AED. Maximum stored balance: 500 AED.