Hafilat smart card for public transport in Abu Dhabi: Types, prices, passes and how to buy in 2026
From a Dh10 anonymous card to free annual permits for seniors and people of determination, here's everything you need to know about Abu Dhabi's public bus payment system
Dubai: Touring Abu Dhabi, or looking for a cheaper way to commute to work in the capital? Just a tap of a card, and you can access Abu Dhabi’s extensive public bus network. It all begins with the Hafilat smart card.
Here’s everything you need to know about Hafilat cards, how they work, and what you can expect to pay for them.
What is the Hafilat smart card?
Hafilat smart cards give you instant access to public transportation services in Abu Dhabi. You can tap the card on the smart reader to pay the fare, when boarding and alighting a bus.
The card provides a range of services for both residents and visitors, and you can choose from different options to select one that best suits your requirements.
Abu Dhabi Mobility, which operates under the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, is responsible for the Hafilat smart card system.
What are the Hafilat smart card options?
Depending on your usage frequency and requirements, you can select from two main Hafilat card options:
Hafilat Anonymous Card
This card is easy to obtain, as there are no prerequisites or documents required to purchase it. Since it is not linked to an Emirates ID, it permits the user to remain anonymous.
Price: Dh10
Validity: 16 years
Key features:
- Easy to buy, with no documents required
- You can add money to the card and reuse it multiple times.
- You can add a Public Transport Pass for 7 days or 30 days.
Hafilat Personalised Card
Designed for long-term use, the Hafilat Personalised Card offers additional benefits and subsidised rates to specific segments of society.
Price: Free
Validity: 16 years
Key features:
- You can add money to the card and reuse it multiple times.
- You can add a Public Transport Pass for 7 days or 30 days.
- You can add subsidised annual permits for the following segments: seniors, students, and people of determination.
- You can transfer your balance in case of damage or loss of card.
Documents required: The following identification documents are required in order to buy this card:
- Emirates ID
- Passport and visa (for visitors)
- Personal photograph, which can be taken at Customer Happiness Offices at bus stations
If you are applying through the Abu Dhabi Mobility website – admobility.gov.ae – you will need to present a copy of the application and payment receipt to a customer care office at any of the bus stations or the airport, in order to pick up your Hafilat Personalised Card.
What are the annual permits offered by Hafilat?
Annual permits provide specialised, year-long facilities for residents, based on their unique needs. There are three types of yearly permits available under Hafilat Personalised Cards.
Student Permit
This annual permit gives students unlimited free trips on Abu Dhabi’s public buses, for a year.
Price: Dh500
Validity: One year
Key features:
- Unlimited free trips within the city, and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
- Subsidised rate
- You are not required to buy any additional passes
- The card is valid for 16 years and the annual permit can be renewed annually
Requirements:
- Valid Emirates ID card
- Personal photograph, which can be taken at Customer Happiness Offices at bus stations
- Valid document proving the applicant is a student
Senior Permit
This annual permit is geared towards residents or citizens aged 55 years or older.
Price: Free
Validity: One year
Key features:
- Unlimited free trips within the city, and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
- Subsidised rate
- You are not required to buy any additional passes
- The card is valid for 16 years and the annual permit can be renewed annually
Requirements:
- The applicant must be a resident or citizen, aged 55 years or older
- Valid Emirates ID card
- Personal photograph, which can be taken at Customer Happiness Offices at bus stations
People of Determination Permit (including one companion)
The People of Determination Permit allows eligible cardholders free travel on Abu Dhabi’s public bus system, and also features a free permit for one companion.
Price: Free
Validity: One year
Key features:
- Free permit for one companion, for a year
- Unlimited free trips within the city, and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
- Subsidised rate
- You are not required to buy any additional passes
- The card is valid for 16 years and the annual permit can be renewed annually
Requirements:
- Valid Emirates ID card
- Personal photograph, which can be taken at Customer Happiness Offices at bus stations
- People of Determination Card (PoD) or Aounak Card (a free health insurance policy issued by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi for non-UAE national residents who are people of determination)
- Medical report for temporary cases
- The companion must hold a Hafilat Personalised Card
What are Hafilat’s public transport passes?
If you are looking to travel for a shorter time period, or don’t meet the requirements for annual permits, consider Hafilat’s public transport passes. These are official smart card add-ons, used for cashless and unlimited bus travel across Abu Dhabi and its suburbs, for limited time periods.
There are two types of public transport passes available.
30-day pass
Price: Dh95
Validity: 30 days from the date of purchase
Key features:
- Unlimited trips within the city, and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
- Subsidised rate of Dh80 is available for beneficiaries belonging to the following entities:
Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority
Ministry of Community Development
Requirements:
You must already own a smart card – either the Hafilat Anonymous or Personalised Card.
Seven-day pass
Price: Dh35
Validity: Seven days from the date of purchase
Key features:
- Unlimited trips within the city, and suburbs in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
- Subsidised rate is available for beneficiaries belonging to the following entities:
Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority
Ministry of Community Development
Requirements:
You must already own a smart card – either the Hafilat Anonymous or Personalised Card.
How to use a Hafilat smart card
Before using your Hafilat smart card, it’s best to understand how the system works. According to Abu Dhabi Mobility:
- The fare is calculated based on the distance travelled between boarding and alighting.
- Failure to tap out will lead to the automatic deduction of the full amount of the bus journey upon next use. This applies to transfers as well.
- Failure to comply with fare payment results in strict penalties, such as Dh500 fine for failure to present a valid permit to the inspector upon request, and Dh200 fine for travelling on public transport without paying the correct fare.
Once you have bought your Hafilat card, an annual permit or a public transport pass, follow these steps, outlined by Abu Dhabi Mobility:
- Check the validity of the card, passes and permits available before boarding. Expired permits will prevent you from boarding the bus.
- Make sure there is enough balance for at least one trip.
- Tap the card on the smart reader when boarding and alighting the bus.
- Check the remaining balance before alighting so you are well-informed ahead of your next trip.
How to buy a Hafilat smart card
You can buy a Hafilat smart card at the following locations:
- Bus stations: Visit a Customer Happiness Office or ticket counter at any major bus station in Abu Dhabi (such as the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station) to choose and purchase your Hafilat card. Discover bus terminal locations and schedules on Abu Dhabi Mobility’s website: admobility.gov.ae/en/pb-bus-service
- Ticket vending machines: TVMs can be found at major bus stops, transportation hubs and in select malls, including Yas Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall.
- Abu Dhabi International Airport: You can purchase a Hafilat card at the guest services counter in the Arrivals Hall, or through TVMs located around the airport.
- Retail partners: Selected hypermarkets and money exchange centres around the city also sell Hafilat smart cards.
How to buy a Hafilat digital smart card
If you would prefer not to visit a ticket office or bus station to purchase your Hafilat card, and want the convenience of buying it online, you can use the official Darb app to buy a Hafilat digital card.
The Hafilat digital smart card can be added to your phone wallet (such as Google Wallet or Apple Wallet). It offers the same functionality as a physical Hafilat smart card, so you can use it to top up your balance, and buy eligible travel passes directly from your phone. You can use your phone to tap the digital card when boarding and alighting as well, as long as it is a near field communication (NFC) enabled device.
Here are the steps to purchase your Hafilat digital card:
- Download the Darb app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Log in with your Emirates ID.
- Once you are signed in, navigate to the ‘Hafilat’ section in the app.
- Request a new ‘Digital Hafilat Card’.
- Pay the applicable card issuance fee. For instance, the fee would be Dh10 if you are buying a Hafilat Anonymous Card.
- Once activated, your digital card is ready to use immediately.
How to recharge a Hafilat smart card
You can instantly recharge your Hafilat card through TVMs and recharge machines at bus station, as well as online, via the TAMM app. Here are the steps to follow.
Recharge via the TAMM app
The TAMM app is the official digital platform for Abu Dhabi’s government services. Follow these steps to recharge via the TAMM app:
- Download the TAMM app via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Log in using your UAE PASS.
- Select ‘Services’, tap on ‘Drive & Transport’, and navigate to ‘Top up Public Transport Card (Hafilat)’.
- Enter your Hafilat card number. Choose the top-up amount you want to add to your balance.
- Complete the payment.
Processing time: It may take up to two hours for the Hafilat card to reflect your new balance.
Recharge via a TVM or recharge machine
At bus stations around the city, you can access a TVM or recharge machine and instantly update the balance on your card. Here are the steps to follow:
- Insert your Hafilat card on the machine’s card reader.
- Select ‘Top up card’ from the drop-down menu.
- Choose or enter the amount you want to add.
- Insert cash or use your debit/credit card to make the payment.
- Confirm the transaction and collect your receipt.
- Remove your card.
Processing time: Your balance will be updated instantly.