Dubai Metro Tickets will provide commuters with the benefit of having a fast, convenient, and cost-effective ride on the entire metro line throughout the city. The system, which is run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is based on the Nol Card, which is a smart and rechargeable card that allows one to easily travel on the Metro, Tram, and buses, and even a few taxis. The Red Ticket, Silver Card, Gold Card, and Blue Card are provided, and the traveller can opt according to the frequency of travel and the comfort they want. The cost of the Metro is charged depending on the number of zones traversed, which means that there is a reasonable costing system for tourists and those who use it daily.
Red Tickets are suitable in the short-term visitor category, as they provide single, return, and day booking, whereas Silver and Gold Nol Cards are suitable in the case of frequent travellers. Gold Card passengers have a chance to use a wider-seat Gold Class cabin. Nol Cards can be recharged preferably at ticket counters, machines, and online. The prices of the Dubai Metro tickets are low, and a person can take a ride as cheaply as AED 3, and this is one of the reasons why it is possible to consider it as one of the most affordable means to visit the main attractions of Dubai, such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the terminals. In general, the Dubai Metro tickets offer an efficient, convenient, and affordable mode of transportation.
Dubai Metro Tickets
| Ticket / Nol Card Type | Best For | Features | Starting Fare | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Ticket | Tourists & occasional riders | Paper-based, single/return/day/weekly pass options | AED 3 | Up to 90 days (10 trips max) |
| Silver Nol Card | Daily commuters | Rechargeable smart card, used across all RTA transport | AED 3 | 5 years |
| Gold Nol Card | Premium travel | Access to Gold Class cabin, higher comfort | AED 6 | 5 years |
| Blue Nol Card | Personalized frequent user card | Secure, recover balance if lost, supports concessions | AED 3 | 5 years |
| 1-Day Pass (Red Ticket) | Tourists exploring city in 1 day | Unlimited metro, tram, and bus travel for 24 hours | AED 20 | 1 day |
| Weekly Pass (Red Ticket) | Short-term visitors | Unlimited travel across zones for 7 days | AED 110+ | 7 days |
| Monthly Pass (Silver/Gold) | Residents & regular metro users | Unlimited travel within selected zones | AED 140–700 | 30 days |
1. Red Ticket (Paper Ticket)
- Most suitable for tourists and occasional riders.
- Promotes day and weekly passes, single and return passes.
- Valuable up to 90 days (maximum 10 trips)
2. Silver Nol Card
- Perfect for daily commuters in the metro, buses, and trams.
- A smart card that is refilled with cost-effective fares.
- Lasts 5 years and can be topped up regularly.
3. Gold Nol Card
- Premium Gold Class cabins with roomy seats.
- Has the same recharge option as the Silver Card.
- Increased price and increased comfort for passengers.
4. Blue Nol Card (Personal Card)
- The protection of the balance of the registered card is lost.
- Appropriate for students, elderly people, and those who are determined (discounts).
- Distribution of works within all RTA transport services.
5. 1-Day Pass (Red Ticket)
- Metro, tram, and buses: 24 hours of unlimited travel.
- Ideal when the tourist wants to visit Dubai in one day.
- Affordable to use on several occasions.
6. Weekly Pass (Red Ticket)
- 7 days of unlimited travel within the selected zones.
- Good with short-term visitors who will be staying a week.
- No need to recharge daily
7. Monthly Pass (Silver/Gold Card)
- Most suitable for those with daily metro travel.
- Unlimited travel within selected areas within 30 days.
- Saves money among its regular users.
Where to Buy Dubai Metro Tickets
1. Dubai Metro Stations
- Ticket counters at every station
- Ticket vending machines at entry areas
- Staff assistance is available at major stations
2. Tram & Bus Stations
- Ticket vending machines
- No Card top-up kiosks
3. Zoom Convenience Stores
- Located inside metro stations and nearby areas
- Buy or recharge Nol Cards instantly
4. RTA Customer Happiness Centres
- Available across Dubai
- Full Nol Card services and support
5. Online Platforms
- RTA Dubai App
- No Pay App
- Recharge balance or buy passes online
6. Dubai Airports (Terminal 1 & 3)
- Ticket counters for tourists arriving in Dubai
- Red Tickets, Silver NOL Cards, and day passes are available
How to Buy Dubai Metro Tickets
You can buy tickets using offline and online methods.
Offline Method
- Go to any station of the Dubai Metro.
- Visit the ticket counter or the vending machine.
- Select Red Ticket, Silver Nol Card, or Gold Nol Card.
- Choose single/return/day pass/weekly pass.
- Form of payment can be cash, debit/credit card, or contactless payment.
- Take your ticket or NOL Card.
- Travel at the gates by tapping in and out.
Online Method
- Install either the RTA Dubai App or the Nol Pay App.
- Register/ open an account or log in.
- Select either Nol Services or Top-Up Nol Card.
- Choose the type of Nol Card that you wish to purchase or refill.
- Add balance or purchase a pass (daily, weekly, monthly, or by zone).
- Make payments with a card, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay.
- Top-up works by tapping the card on a metro gate or validator.
Dubai Metro Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Within 1 Zone | 2 Adjacent Zones | More Than 2 Zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Ticket – Regular Class | AED 4 | AED 6 | AED 8.50 |
| Red Ticket – Gold Class | AED 8 | AED 12 | AED 17 |
| Silver Nol Card – Regular Class | AED 3 | AED 5 | AED 7.50 |
| Gold Nol Card – Gold Class | AED 6 | AED 10 | AED 15 |
| Student / Senior / People of Determination (Blue Card) | AED 1.5 | AED 2.5 | AED 3.75 |
| 1-Day Pass (Red Ticket) | AED 22 | Works for all zones | Unlimited travel |
| 7-Day Pass | AED 110+ | Based on selected zones | Unlimited for 7 days |
| Monthly Pass | AED 140–700 | Based on zones | Unlimited for 30 days |
Dubai Metro Ticket Refund Policy
1. Red Ticket Refund Policy
- The use of Red Tickets (single, return, day pass) is not refundable.
- In case of non-use and faultiness of the ticket, you can demand a replacement at the ticket counter.
- There are no accidental purchases that receive cash refunds.
2. Silver Nol Silver & Gold Nol Refund Policy.
- The amount of balances in the Nol Card is usually non-refundable.
- Refunding is only made upon the condition that the card is damaged or faulty and transfer of the balance can be made.
- Passes (daily/weekly/monthly) cannot be refunded after being used.
3. Blue Nol Card (Personalised) Refund Policy.
- You may demand the refund of the balance left.
- Only after identity verification is the cardholder issued a refund.
- It can also take up to 14 days to obtain a refund.
4. Money back on malfunctioning transactions.
- RTA permits the refund in exceptional situations:
- Double fare deduction
- Machine malfunction
- Failed online top-up
- System error
- Refunds should be applied either in the RTA Dubai App or the Customer Happiness Centres.
5. No Refund on Expired Tickets
- There is no transfer or refund of Red Tickets, passes, or Nol balances that might be out of date.
How to Check Dubai Metro Ticket Balance
- Go to a station of the Dubai Metro.
- Swipe your Nol Card on a ticket vending machine.
- The check balance was shown on the screen.
- Check the balance with the RTA Dubai app.
- Or check the balance immediately with the No Pay app.
- Swipe a card on a Nol validator device at stations or bus stops.
Dubai Metro Single vs Return Ticket
| Feature | Single Ticket | Return Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | One-way trip only | Round trip (to and from the same destination) |
| Ticket Type | Red Ticket (Paper) | Red Ticket (Paper) |
| Validity | Valid for one journey | Valid for two journeys (same day) |
| Zones Covered | Based on selected zones | Based on selected zones |
| Cost | Cheaper (one-way fare) | Double the single ticket fare |
| Best For | Short, one-time travel | Travelers returning the same day |
| Where to Buy | Metro stations, vending machines | Metro stations, vending machines |
| Refund Policy | Non-refundable after use | Non-refundable after use |
1. What kind of Dubai Metro tickets do you have?
Dubai Metro sells Red tickets (single/return/day/weekly), Silver Nol Cards, Gold Nol Cards, and individualized blue Nol Cards, based on various travel requirements.
2. What is the price of a Dubai Metro ticket?
Fares depend on zones:
- Zone: AED 3–4
- Zones: AED 5–6
- Zones: AED 7.5–8.5
- Gold Class fares are higher.
3. Can tourists use the Dubai Metro?
Yes. Single trips, return trips, and 1-day tickets are also mostly used by tourists through the Red Ticket.
4. Where do I purchase Dubai Metro tickets?
The tickets can be bought in the metro, vending machines, Zoom store, bus/tram stations, airports, and online via the RTA Dubai or Nol Pay apps.
5. Is a Dubai Metro ticket refundable?
The majority of the tickets (Red, Silver, and Gold) are fraudulent. Balance refunds can only be done by Blue Nol Cards.