Dubai Metro Fare Calculator: nol Card Fares by Zone

How are Dubai Metro fares calculated?

RTA fares depend on two things: the type of nol card you tap with and how many fare zones your trip crosses. The same fares apply on the metro, the tram and public buses. Your card is charged when you tap in and out, so always tap out at the end of the trip.

The calculator multiplies the fare for your card and zones by your trips per day, then by the number of days. It also checks whether a 7-day pass would cost less.

Which nol card should I get?

• Red ticket: a paper ticket that costs AED 2, is valid for 90 days and holds up to 10 trips. Fares are higher, so it suits a short visit with only a few rides.
• Silver card: AED 25, which includes AED 19 of credit, and valid for 5 years. This is the best choice for most visitors and residents.
• Gold card: also AED 25 with AED 19 of credit, valid for 5 years. It lets you ride in the quieter Gold Class cabin, at double the Silver fare.
• Blue card: a personal, registered card. It is the card you need for concessions: students, Social Affairs beneficiaries and senior citizens get 50% off.

A worked example

Say you commute by metro from home to the office, a trip that crosses 2 zones. You use a Silver card, travel twice a day and work 22 days a month.

• Fare per trip: AED 5
• Per day: 2 trips x AED 5 = AED 10
• Per month: 22 days x AED 10 = AED 220

Now say you are visiting for a week and plan 4 longer trips a day across more than 2 zones, for 5 days. On a Silver card that is 4 x AED 7.50 = AED 30 a day, or AED 150 in total. A 7-day all-zones Silver pass costs AED 110, so the pass saves you AED 40. Add AED 25 for the card itself, and remember AED 19 of that is credit you can ride on.

Rules to know

• Minimum balance: you need at least AED 7.50 on a Silver or Gold card to start a journey.
• 7-day passes (Silver): AED 50 for 1 zone, AED 80 for 2 zones and AED 110 for all zones. Gold passes cost double.
• Who rides free: children under 5 and People of Determination.
• Metro hours: Monday to Thursday 5am to midnight, Friday 5am to 1am, Saturday 5am to midnight and Sunday 8am to midnight. Hours change on public holidays.

Fares and passes are set by RTA and can change, so check the RTA nol page before you buy a pass.

Tips for paying less

• Do the pass maths. A 2-zone pass at AED 80 pays off once you make more than 16 two-zone trips in 7 days. For all zones, the line is 15 trips.
• Skip the Red ticket if you will ride more than a handful of times. The Silver card's fares are lower and most of the card price comes back as credit.
• Get a Blue card if you qualify. Half-price fares add up fast for students and senior citizens.
• Top up before the station rush. Keeping more than AED 7.50 on the card saves you a queue at the gate.

For lines, stations and how the system works, read our Dubai Metro guide. If you are weighing the metro against driving, compare with the Salik toll calculator, and add transport to your plans with the trip budget planner.