Dubai nol Travel Card guide: Best transport card for tourists, prices, benefits and where to buy it

Dubai: If you’re a tourist in Dubai, you can explore the city via a convenient and budget-friendly nol card. This travel card has multiple options to choose from, and can be topped up on the go via your smartphone. Here’s everything you need to know about the nol Travel Card for tourists. What is the nol card? The nol card is a payment card provided by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It works seamlessly across public transport modes – you can use it at the Dubai Metro, in public buses and trams, as well as the Dubai Ferry, taxis, water taxis, and abras. It can also be used for payment at parking meters in the city, and for petrol at ENOC petrol stations. Learn all about this versatile travel card here. Which nol card should tourists get? Depending on your frequency of travel, and the kind of experience you’re looking for, regular commuters can choose from any of the four nol card options available – Silver, Gold, Blue or Red. However, the RTA recommends the nol Travel Card for tourists. Introduced in 2024, this card is designed specifically for visitors to the city. It includes a regular nol card that permits tourists to travel aboard the Dubai Metro, tram, public buses and marine transport, but also features a range of discounts, with exclusive promotions across tourist facilities, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, car rental services, entertainment venues, adventures and more across Dubai. Key features of the nol Travel Card The nol Travel Card is a package that includes a Silver nol card, as well as at least 100 promotions covering 50 brands across 65 outlets across the city. Here are the key features of the nol Travel card: It’s a standard card, valid for five years, and can be topped up as required. It costs Dh100, and includes Dh19 credit upon first purchase. You can top up the card to a maximum amount of Dh1,000, if you buy it without any identification documents. If you do register with your passport details, you can top it up to a maximum of Dh5,000. You can use it to commute on Dubai Metro, trams, public buses, taxis, Dubai Ferry, water taxis, and abras, as well as to pay for parking. You can use it to avail discounts ranging from 10% to 50% at a number of venues across the city, worth more than Dh17,000. Review the latest offers and discounts on the nol Pay app, or the dedicated nol Travel website, noltravel.ae. How to purchase the nol Travel Card You can purchase a nol Travel card online or in person. Follow these steps to do so. Online: Buy the nol Travel card online, via the nol Pay app. The app also allows you to top up the card, track expenses, and review offers and discounts available in real time. Download the nol Pay app on your near-field communication (NFC) enabled smartphone. The app is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Create your account, by filling in your personal information and contact number. Select ‘Get my nol card’. Choose the nol Travel card. Pay the fees and tap ‘Purchase’. Once you buy your nol Travel card, you can use your phone to tap at turnstiles at stations, or in buses and other public transport vehicles. Cost : Dh100 In-person: Aside from at ticket offices in RTA public transport stations, the nol Travel Card is available for purchase at multiple outlets, including Zoom, Al Ansari Exchange, Europcar branches at Dubai International Airport, and Rayna Tours offices. For the full list of locations, visit noltravel.ae/nol-travel/en/faq. Visit one of these sites, and request a nol Travel package. If you would like to register, rather than buy it anonymously, ensure you bring along a valid piece of ID, such as a passport. Pay the fees. The card is activated upon purchase and can be used immediately.