The Gold Nol Card is a contactless smart card issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for use across Dubai’s public transport network. It costs AED 25, which includes AED 19 in preloaded credit and a non-refundable AED 6 card fee. The key difference from the Silver Nol Card is access to Gold Class cabins on the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram — quieter, more spacious carriages with dedicated seating.
Do This Next
- Buy a Gold Nol Card at any Dubai Metro station ticket machine or RTA customer service counter
- Tap in and out at Gold Class cabin gates on the Metro or Tram — not standard gates
- Recharge at any Metro station ticket machine, RTA kiosk, or via the RTA Dubai app
Table of Contents
Gold Nol Card Price and Fees
The Gold Nol Card and the Silver Nol Card carry the same purchase price of AED 25, but they differ in fare rates — Gold Class trips cost exactly double the standard fare across every zone and every mode.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card purchase price | AED 25 |
| Preloaded travel credit | AED 19 |
| Card issuance fee (non-refundable) | AED 6 |
| Minimum balance required to start a trip | AED 7.50 |
| Replacement card fee (lost or damaged) | AED 25 |
| Card validity | 5 years from purchase |
The AED 6 card issuance fee is non-refundable under any circumstance. Only the remaining travel credit balance can be refunded if you return the card to an RTA customer service centre.
Gold Class Fare Structure
Gold Class fares apply automatically when a Gold Nol Card is used to tap into any Gold Class cabin gate on the Dubai Metro or Dubai Tram. The zone-based fare system calculates the correct amount at exit.
| Zones Travelled | Standard Fare (AED) | Gold Class Fare (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | 3.00 | 6.00 |
| 2 Zones | 5.00 | 10.00 |
| 3 or more Zones | 7.50 | 15.00 |
Gold Class fares are exactly double the standard rate across all zones. This premium applies only when entering through Gold Class gates — if a Gold Nol Card holder taps into a standard gate, the standard fare applies instead.
Pro Tip: Gold Class cabins on the Dubai Metro are the first carriage at the front of each train. Look for the gold-coloured signage at the platform. If you tap into a Silver Class gate by mistake using your Gold Nol Card, only the standard fare is charged — you are not penalised, but you lose access to the Gold cabin for that journey.
What Is Gold Class on the Dubai Metro and Tram
Gold Class is a premium carriage tier on the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram operated by the Roads and Transport Authority. The cabins are physically separated from standard carriages and carry fewer passengers by design, with wider seats and a quieter environment.
Gold Class access is restricted to Gold Nol Card holders. Passengers carrying a Silver Nol Card, Blue Nol Card, or Red Ticket cannot enter Gold Class cabins — gates will not open and a fare penalty applies if attempted. As of 2025, this restriction is enforced by the gate system, not by staff.
Gold Class is available on every Dubai Metro train on both the Red Line and Green Line, and on all Dubai Tram stops along the Al Sufouh corridor.
Where the Gold Nol Card Works
The Roads and Transport Authority designed the Gold Nol Card to function across all RTA-operated transport modes in Dubai — not only Gold Class.
- Dubai Metro — Gold Class cabins (Gold fare) or standard cabins (standard fare)
- Dubai Tram — Gold Class section (Gold fare) or standard section (standard fare)
- RTA public buses — standard fare applies, no Gold Class on buses
- Dubai Water Bus — standard fare applies
- RTA taxis — tap on the in-vehicle terminal at journey end, standard taxi metered fare applies
- Selected RTA parking meters — fare deducted from stored balance
The Gold Nol Card does not provide Gold Class access on buses or water buses — those services have no Gold tier. The Gold premium applies exclusively to Metro and Tram carriage access. For a full comparison of transport card options available in Dubai, the transport cards hub covers the Nol card range side by side.
How to Check Your Gold Nol Card Balance
Four methods are available to check the remaining balance on a Gold Nol Card:
- Nol Pay app — hold the card against the phone’s NFC sensor with the app open; balance and recent transactions display immediately
- Metro station ticket machines — tap or insert the card at any vending machine to view balance and top-up history
- Metro gates — the gate display shows the current balance briefly each time you tap in
- RTA customer service counters — staff can print a full transaction history on request
The Gold Nol Card does not expire mid-journey if the balance drops below zero. However, a minimum balance of AED 7.50 is required to begin any new journey — if the balance falls below this threshold, the gate will not open.
For comparison on the standard card and its pricing, the Nol Silver Card page covers the AED 25 purchase price, balance limits, and registration process in full or see guide on Nol Card Balance Check..
Gold Nol Card Validity and Expiry
The Gold Nol Card is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase. The expiry date is printed on the back of the card and can also be checked via the Nol Pay app or any Metro station ticket machine.
Once expired, the card itself cannot be renewed. Any remaining balance can be transferred to a new card at an RTA customer service centre — this requires presenting the expired card in person.
A Gold Nol Card that has been inactive for an extended period may require reactivation at an RTA customer service counter before use. Check the card status if it has not been used for more than 12 months.
How to Recharge the Gold Nol Card
The Gold Nol Card accepts top-ups through the same channels as all Nol card types:
- Ticket vending machines at any Dubai Metro station — cash and card accepted
- Nol Pay app — link a debit or credit card and top up remotely
- RTA customer service counters at major Metro stations
- Authorised retail outlets displaying the Nol recharge logo
There is no minimum recharge amount. The maximum stored balance is AED 1,000 for an unregistered card and AED 5,000 for a registered card. Registration is optional — Gold Nol Cards can be purchased and used without registration, but an unregistered card cannot recover its balance if lost or damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Gold Nol Card cost in Dubai?
The Gold Nol Card costs AED 25. This includes a non-refundable AED 6 card issuance fee and AED 19 in preloaded travel credit. The purchase price is the same as the Silver Nol Card. Both are available at all Dubai Metro station ticket machines and RTA customer service counters. The difference between the two cards lies in the fare rate and Gold Class cabin access, not the purchase price.
What is the Gold Class fare on the Dubai Metro?
Gold Class fares are exactly double the standard Nol Card fares across all zones. A one-zone trip costs AED 6 with the Gold Nol Card compared to AED 3 with a standard card. A two-zone trip costs AED 10 instead of AED 5. A three-zone or longer trip costs AED 15 instead of AED 7.50. Gold Class fares apply on the Metro and Tram only — bus and water bus journeys charge the standard rate regardless of card type.
Can I use the Gold Nol Card on Dubai buses and taxis?
Yes. The Gold Nol Card is accepted on all RTA public buses, Dubai Water Bus services, and RTA taxis. However, Gold Class access does not apply on these services — only on the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram. Bus and water bus fares are charged at the standard rate. For RTA taxis, the metered fare is deducted from the card balance at journey end by tapping on the in-vehicle payment terminal.
How long is the Gold Nol Card valid?
The Gold Nol Card is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase. The card cannot be renewed after expiry, but any remaining balance can be transferred to a new card at an RTA customer service centre. The expiry date is printed on the back of the card and is also visible in the Nol Pay app and at Metro station ticket machines.
What happens if I tap into a standard gate with my Gold Nol Card?
If a Gold Nol Card is used to enter through a standard Silver Class gate on the Dubai Metro or Tram, only the standard fare is charged — not the Gold Class fare. You are not penalised for using the wrong gate, but you will be in a standard cabin for that journey. To access Gold Class cabins, you must tap in through the designated Gold Class gates, which are located at the front carriage section of each platform.
Last verified: April 2026
Reviewed by: UAE Content Team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
