The Nol Card monthly pass is a 30-day unlimited travel pass issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for use on the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, and RTA public buses. Silver card passes start at AED 140 for 1 zone, AED 230 for 2 adjacent zones, and AED 350 for all zones. The pass is loaded onto a Silver, Gold, or Concession (Blue) Nol Card.
Do This Next
- Identify which zones your daily route covers using the RTA zone map
- Open the Nol Pay app, tap Buy Product, and place your card on the NFC reader
- Select the 30-day pass, choose your zone option, and pay by card
Table of Contents
Nol Monthly Pass Prices — All Card Types and Zones
The pass price depends on two factors: your Nol card type and how many zones you need to cover. Gold card passes cost exactly double the Silver rate. Concession passes are approximately half the Silver rate for eligible groups.
| Zone Coverage | Silver Card (AED) | Gold Card (AED) | Concession Card (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Zone | 140 | 280 | 70 |
| 2 Adjacent Zones | 230 | 460 | 115 |
| All Zones | 350 | 700 | 175 |
Concession (Blue) cards are available to students, senior citizens, senior residents, and People of Determination, who receive approximately 50% off standard fares and pass prices. People of Determination may qualify for free travel depending on card type — confirm with RTA directly.
The Nol monthly pass is not available as a standalone product — it must be loaded onto an existing Silver, Gold, or eligible Concession Nol card. A Red Nol Ticket does not support monthly passes.
For full Silver card details including purchase price and balance limits, the Nol Silver Card page covers the AED 25 card cost and registration options. For a specific 2-zone price breakdown, the Nol card monthly pass 2 zones price page covers that in detail or check nol card balance.
How Nol Zones Work
The RTA network in Dubai is divided into fare zones — geographic areas that determine how much a journey costs. Your monthly pass price is fixed by zones, not by the number of trips you take.
- 1 Zone — unlimited travel within a single zone only
- 2 Adjacent Zones — travel between two neighbouring zones that share a border, for example a home zone and an office zone that sit side by side
- All Zones — unlimited travel across the entire RTA network in Dubai
When you tap in and tap out at each gate, the system checks which zones your journey crossed and whether your pass covers them. If you travel beyond your covered zones, the extra fare is deducted from your Nol card e-purse balance — it does not block your journey, but it will reduce your stored credit.
Pro Tip: If your daily commute sits between two zones and you are unsure whether they are adjacent or not, check the RTA zone map at rta.ae before buying — a 1-zone pass used on a 2-zone journey will silently charge the difference from your e-purse every time.
Pass Duration Options
The 30-day pass is the standard monthly option, but the Roads and Transport Authority offers four pass durations on registered Nol cards.
| Duration | Notes |
|---|---|
| 7-day pass | Best for short-stay visitors using Metro and buses daily |
| 30-day pass | Standard monthly pass — most used by commuters |
| 90-day pass | Better value for long-term residents with fixed routes |
| 365-day pass | Annual pass — lowest cost per trip for daily commuters |
Anonymous unregistered Nol cards may not support the 90-day or 365-day pass — only registered cards are eligible for all duration options. Registering a Nol card also protects the pass balance if the card is lost.
How to Buy or Renew a Nol Monthly Pass
Three channels are available to purchase or renew a monthly pass.
Nol Pay app — download the app, log in with UAE Pass, tap Buy Product, place your Nol card on your phone’s NFC sensor, select the 30-day pass and zone option, and pay by debit or credit card.
Ticket vending machines — available at all Metro stations and most tram and bus stops. Place your Nol card on the reader, select Travel Pass, choose 30-day, select zone coverage, and pay.
Ticket office at any Metro station — recommended for first-time buyers or anyone unsure which zones to select.
The pass must be activated by tapping your card at a Metro gate or top-up machine within 180 days of purchase. Once activated, the 30-day period begins from your first successful tap-in and runs for 30 consecutive days including weekends and public holidays. The pass cannot be paused, stopped, or transferred to another card mid-period.
For a full overview of the transport card range in Dubai, the transport cards hub covers all Nol card types, Hafilat card, and Ratibi card options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nol card monthly pass really unlimited?
Yes. Within the zones covered by your pass and within the 30-day validity period, you get unlimited rides on the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, and all RTA public buses. You must still tap in and tap out at every gate and validator — the system checks your pass and zones automatically on each journey. There is no cap on the number of rides.
Can I change my zones after buying the monthly pass?
No. Once a 30-day pass is purchased for selected zones, those zones are fixed for the entire 30-day period. You cannot upgrade, downgrade, or change zone coverage mid-pass. Zone selection can be changed when purchasing your next pass at the end of the current period.
What happens if I lose my Nol card with an active monthly pass?
If your Nol card is registered or is a personal Blue Concession card, contact the Roads and Transport Authority, report the card lost, and request a balance and pass transfer to a replacement card. If the card is anonymous and unregistered, recovery is not possible — the pass and remaining balance cannot be retrieved.
Last verified: April 2026
Reviewed by: UAE Content Team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
