7 Types of NOL Cards | Cost, Uses & Benefits Guide
Dubai is a city that thrives on convenience and efficiency, and one of the most essential tools for getting around is the NOL card. Whether you’re a resident, a frequent commuter, or a tourist visiting this dynamic city, NOL cards provide an easy and seamless way to travel.
With multiple card options tailored to different needs, these smart cards ensure that you have access to all public transport systems and smart city services across Dubai. The NOL card can be used for travel on various modes of transportation, including the metro, buses, trams, and even water taxis.
Additionally, they eliminate the need for cash payments, saving you time and hassle. Let’s explore the various types of NOL cards available and how they can enhance your travel experience in Dubai.
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7 Types of NOL Cards and Their Functions
Traveling around Dubai by public transport is easy with an NOL card. With NOL cards, payment is simple for everyone using the subway-train combo: Dubai Metro, buses, trams, and water taxis. Knowing the different NOL cards provides the knowledge necessary to select the right one for your travel needs.
- NOL Gold Card.
- NOL Silver Card.
- NOL Blue Card.
- NOL Red Ticket.
- NOL Salik Card.
- NOL Platinum Card.
- NOL VIP Card.
1. NOL Gold Card Overview
The NOL Gold Card is an individualized, reloadable smart card that can be registered under the user’s name, as it is intended primarily for frequent travelers and city residents. The other one, the Silver Card, cannot be registered under the user’s name, as it has added security and benefits.
While using the Gold Card, the fare charged to users for all types of public transportation is lower compared to the Silver Card, making it a more economically wise option for any journey compared to other modes of transportation.
Additionally, you can manage your account online and view your transaction history. You can also set up automatic reloading to suit your travel experience.
NOL Gold Card Cost
The NOL Gold Card is available for just AED 25. This price includes AED 19 on e-purse credit and a non-refundable card fee of AED 6.
NOL Gold Card Maximum Balance
The NOL Gold Card allows you to load up to AED 10,000, providing ample credit for frequent travelers to efficiently cover their transportation needs.
2. NOL Silver Card Overview
This is the NOL Silver Card, a simple, non-reusable smart card that is typically popular with people who travel infrequently or with tourists visiting Dubai. It can be easily purchased and endowed with credits ready for use, providing users with the ideal convenience by simply covering journeys on the Dubai Metro, buses, and water taxis. This card thus offered the convenience of a cashless transaction so that one would not require the exact change at times.
Silver Card Cost
Get ready to unlock your travel adventures with the NOL Silver Card! For just DH 25, you not only get this sleek card but also a fantastic DH 19 credit that you can use right away. Dive into the convenience and benefits it offers—your journey awaits!
Silver Maximum Balance
The Silver NOL card allows you to load up to AED 1,000, making it ideal for your occasional public transport needs.
3. NOL Blue Card Overview
The Blue Card is a smart identity card that will be issued to students aged 5 to 23, providing them with a subsidized fare in public transport within Dubai. The idea behind it is to enable students to access affordable transportation while also becoming familiar with various modes of public transport.
For example, the Metro, bus, and tram can be expensive for school and university students. Another feature of the NOL Blue Card is that it can be issued in the name of students, thereby providing an additional layer of security.
NOL Blue Card Cost
The NOL Blue Card is available for sale at AED 70, comprising a non-refundable fee of AED 20 for the card and AED 50 in e-purse credit. This card enables students to travel on all public transport at discounted prices.
NOL Blue Card Maximum Balance
A maximum of AED 500 can be loaded onto an NOL Blue Card. This thus enables students to load credit enough to meet their day-to-day transport needs while taking advantage of the discounted fares on Dubai Metro, buses, and trams.
4. NOL Red Card (Ticket) Overview
This is a disposable card designed for a single journey, suitable for less frequent travelers who do not have an NOL card. It is available at ticket ATM vending machines at Dubai Metro stations and bus terminals.
Nol red card allows users to pay for a one-way trip on the Dubai Metro, buses, and water taxi services. It provides a convenient solution for tourists or those who prefer not to spend money by using a smart card.
NOL Red Card Cost
The NOL Red Ticket costs AED 2 to AED 6, depending on the journey distance and the type of transport used, and is a one-off purchase made by most commuters for transportation on public transport, without requiring a smart card for access.
NOL Red Card Maximum Balance
Since the NOL Red Ticket is a single-use paper ticket, it does not have a reloadable balance. It is valid for a single trip and cannot be reused or topped up once used.
5. NOL Salik Card Overview
The NOL Salik Card surpasses the NOL card in that it also covers toll payments on roads and bridges in Dubai. Its customized nature enables payment registration for tolls and fares on the Dubai Metro, buses, and trams, in addition to water taxis, enhancing integrated and convenient travel experiences for commuters.
NOL Salik Card Cost
The NOL Salik Card is now available for sale in Dubai at AED 26, comprising AED 16 e-purse credit for transportation and a non-refundable fee of AED 10 for the card itself. Coupling NOL with Salik makes it useful for both traveling and toll payments.
NOL Salik Card Maximum Balance
The maximum balance for an NOL Salik Card in Dubai is AED 500, allowing users to load credit for both transportation fares and Salik toll charges.
6. NOL Platinum Card Overview
The NOL Platinum Card is also considered a premium smart card, offering exclusive benefits to frequent travelers. It provides complete access to VIP lounges, priority boarding, and discounted services from other forms of transportation.
It is ideally suited for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, business travelers, and luxury-seeking tourists, offering a superior travel experience with added convenience and privileges.
NOL Platinum Card Cost
The cost of the NOL Platinum Card in Dubai is flexible and depends on the exclusive privileges and benefits tailored to your needs. As a premium option, pricing is determined based on personalized services and exclusive access.
NOL Platinum Card Maximum Balance
The maximum balance of the NOL Platinum Card in Dubai varies according to the type of transportation and distance travelled. Typically, equal to the fare for the highest-priced single journey ticket in the system.
7. NOL VIP Card Overview
The NOL VIP Card is an exclusive option dedicated to government officials, diplomats, and other VIPs in Dubai. This is a customized smart card that ensures a plush and smooth travel experience.
VIP Card Exclusive Benefits
This card offers exclusive benefits, including complimentary upgrades, priority services, and specialized customer care services tailored for VIP customers.
NOL VIP Card Cost
The cost of the NOL VIP Card in Dubai varies depending on the specified privileges and services provided. The price typically covers tailored services, priority benefits, and exclusive access. It is determined on a case-by-case basis for government officials, diplomats, and VIPs, as it is a premium option.
NOL VIP Card Maximum Balance
The maximum balance for a NOL VIP Card in Dubai is typically based on the specific privileges and services included. An upper limit on balance may vary depending on the features provided by the card, as this is a premium option that offers bespoke services along with exclusive access.
10 Perks of NOL Cards in Dubai
Convenient
NOL cards provide the easiest, cashless way to make a public transport journey seamless.
Widespread acceptance
Acceptable on almost all means of public transport in Dubai, the NOL cards can be used on the Dubai Metro, buses, trams, and water taxis.
Discounted
As different types of cards offer discounts, NOL cards serve travel purposes at affordable prices, providing tremendous advantages for regular commuters, students, and tourists.
Easy to Reload
The cards can be loaded efficiently at stations, online, or through mobile apps, ensuring you always have credit wherever you travel.
Discount Fares
Some fare discounts are exclusively available to NOL Gold and NOL Blue cardholders, thereby reducing your transportation expenditure.
Variable Options
Different NOL cards are designed for occasional travelers, regular commuters, and students; there is a card variation tailored to meet your specific needs.
Safety and Customization
Personal cards, such as the NOL Gold, Blue, and VIP cards, offer additional security and benefits, including the ability to track transactions and manage them online directly.
Time-Saving
Saving time for the daily commuter, an NOL card offers automatic fare deduction with the convenience of no cash or exact change.
Easily Integrated with Salik
The NOL Salik card combines public transport and toll road payments into a single platform, simplifying users’ management of both travel and toll charges.
Special Access Benefits
Premium NOL cards, such as Platinum and VIP cards, offer special privileges to VIPs and frequent travelers, including priority services, discounts, and access to the VIP lounge.
Where do you get NOL cards in Dubai?
- Metro Stations: At any of the ticket vending machines inside the metro stations in Dubai, NOL cards can be bought and recharged.
- Bus Stations: NOL cards can be bought and loaded in selected bus stations across Dubai.
- Retail Outlets: NOL cards can also be found in licensed retailers across supermarkets, convenience stores, and kiosks.
- Online: Certain types of NOL cards can be purchased and loaded through the RTA official website or the RTA Dubai mobile application.
- Customer Service Centers: For personalized options, such as upgrading to the NOL Gold, Platinum, or VIP cards, RTA customer service centers are available at select locations across Dubai.
- Dubai Airports: If you decide to enter Dubai, NOL cards will also be available at Dubai International Airport to facilitate a direct road connection after exiting the airport.
Freequently Ask Questions
What are the different types of NOL cards?
NOL cards come in various types, each tailored to meet specific needs. The primary options include:
- NOL Gold Card: A custom-made smart card offering discounts for frequent travelers and residents.
- NOL Silver Card: A basic, disposable smart card ideal for tourists and occasional travelers.
- NOL Blue Card: A discounted card specifically for students aged 5-23.
- NOL Red Ticket: A single-use paper ticket for occasional travelers.
- NOL Salik Card: NOL card for transport with Salik toll payments.
- NOL Platinum Card: This is an elite card designed for high-net-worth individuals and VIPs, offering premium access benefits and privileges.
- NOL VIP Card: A card for government officials, diplomats, and other VIPs, offering luxury services.
Which NOL card is best for tourists in Dubai?
The NOL Silver Card is usually the best option for tourists in Dubai. It is a convenient smart card that is environmentally wasteful upon disposal and can be easily purchased with a credit load for public transportation, such as the Dubai Metro, buses, and water taxis. It’s a great option for those who only need temporary access to transport services.
Can two people use one NOL card in Dubai?
No, each person should have their own NOL card and must tap in with it when using public transport, such as the Metro, buses, and water taxis in Dubai.
Does Dubai Taxi accept NOL cards?
Yes! Passengers in Dubai taxis can now pay fares using their NOL cards. Passengers are required to tap their NOL card on the card reader inside the cab to pay their fare, providing an entirely cashless payment experience.
How do I load credit onto my NOL card?
You can conveniently charge your card using any of the ticket vending machines located inside a Dubai Metro station, bus terminal, or directly through the NOL application. Credit can also be loaded at authorized outlets throughout the city.
Can I use my NOL card for toll charges in Dubai?
The NOL Salik Card is designed to cover both public transportation fares and Salik toll charges, thus enabling users to pay for both travel and toll charges through a hassle-free single-card approach.
Is there an expiry date on NOL cards?
NOL cards do not expire in terms of their use, but you must continue to monitor the total balance. If the card remains unused for an extended period, it may be deactivated or the balance may be voided, depending on the type of card.
How can I manage my NOL Gold or Platinum card online?
For NOL Gold and NOL Platinum cardholders, you can manage your account online through the official NOL website or the NOL app. Through these platforms, you can view your transaction history, automatic top-ups, and activity history, including both top-ups and deductions.
Can I get a refund for unused credit on my NOL card?
Refund policies vary depending on the type of card. For cards like the NOL Red Ticket, refunds are generally not available. However, the same policy also applies to NOL Silver, Gold, and other adapted cards, where it is possible to apply for a refund of unused credit at authorized locations, subject to specific conditions.
How can I replace a lost or stolen NOL card?
If an NOL card is lost or stolen, it should be reported immediately to the NOL Customer Service Center. For personalized cards like the NOL Gold, Blue and Salik cards, the card can be blocked and balance transferred to a new one.
Discover the Perfect NOL Card for Your Dubai Journey
Looking for more information about the different kinds of NOL cards and how they operate? Don’t hesitate to contact us for anything else you need to make your journey around Dubai seamless. Today, discover the benefits, prices, and features of each card!
Conclusion
The NOL card system in Dubai offers a diverse range of options designed to cater to the needs of commuters, tourists, and VIPs. The single-ride ticket is for very occasional use, while the NOL VIP Card affords luxurious benefits and experiences. On the one hand, there exists, in essence, a card for just about everyone.
These smart cards provide students, daily commuters, and luxury tourists with a cashless option for traveling through the city’s public transportation system and paying for toll charges. Understanding the workings of different NOL cards enables you to make an informed choice for the card that best suits your travel needs and preferences.
