The Nol Silver Card is Dubai’s standard contactless public transport card, issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It costs AED 25, which includes AED 19 in preloaded credit and a AED 6 card fee. The card works across all RTA services — Dubai Metro, buses, trams, water buses, and RTA taxis — and is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase.
Do This Next
- Buy a Nol Silver Card at any Dubai Metro station ticket machine or customer service counter
- Tap to enter and exit on every journey — fares are deducted automatically
- Recharge at any ticket machine, RTA customer service office, or via the Nol Pay app
Table of Contents
What Is the Nol Silver Card
The Nol Silver Card is a smart card — a contactless payment card linked to a stored travel balance — issued by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the government authority managing Dubai’s public transport network. It is the most widely used Nol card type and serves as the default option for both residents and visitors.
The Nol Silver Card does not store personal details unless registered. An unregistered card cannot recover its balance if lost, while a registered card can.
Nol Silver Card Price and What It Includes
The new Nol card price of AED 25 is the standard purchase price at any point of sale across Dubai’s transport network.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card fee (non-refundable) | AED 6 |
| Preloaded travel credit | AED 19 |
| Total purchase price | AED 25 |
| Maximum stored balance (registered) | AED 5,000 |
| Maximum stored balance (unregistered) | AED 1,000 |
| Card validity | 5 years from purchase |
The AED 6 card fee is non-refundable. Only the remaining travel credit balance can be refunded if the card is returned to an RTA customer service counter. Registering the card online raises the maximum balance limit from AED 1,000 to AED 5,000 — an option suited to frequent travellers making larger top-ups.
Where the Nol Silver Card Works
The Roads and Transport Authority designed the Nol Silver Card to work across every RTA-operated transport mode in Dubai.
- Dubai Metro (all lines and stations)
- Dubai Tram (Al Sufouh corridor)
- RTA public buses (all routes)
- Dubai Water Bus (creek crossings and marine transit)
- RTA taxis (tap on the in-vehicle payment terminal at journey end)
- Selected RTA parking meters across Dubai
- Some retail outlets and food outlets that accept Nol payments
The Nol Silver Card cannot be used on non-RTA services — it is not accepted on private bus operators, airport express services from other providers, or ride-hailing apps. Within the RTA network, it covers all seven transit zones in Dubai automatically.
Pro Tip: Always tap both on entry and on exit at Metro gates and tram stops. Failing to tap out results in the maximum zone fare being charged rather than the actual journey fare — this is the most common cause of unexpectedly high balance deductions.
How to Use the Nol Silver Card
Metro, Tram and Bus
Tap the card on the card reader at the Metro gate or bus door when boarding, and tap again when exiting. The system calculates the correct fare based on the zones travelled and deducts it automatically. No paper ticket is needed.
Always tap out — a missed exit tap charges the maximum zone fare for that journey.
RTA Taxis
Present the card to the driver at journey end. Tap it on the handheld payment terminal. The fare is deducted from the card balance directly, so no cash or card swipe is required.
Parking
At RTA parking meters across Dubai, insert or tap the Nol Silver Card to pay for parking time. Fares deduct from the same travel balance used for transport.
How to Check Your Nol Silver Card Balance
Four methods are available to check the remaining balance:
- Nol Pay app — open the app, hold the card against the phone’s NFC reader, and the balance displays immediately
- Metro station gates — the balance shows briefly on the gate display when you tap in
- Ticket vending machines — insert or tap the card at any Metro station machine to view balance and transaction history
- RTA customer service counters — staff can check balance and print a transaction history on request
For a full overview of transport card options and Nol monthly pass pricing, the transport cards hub covers the Nol card range, Hafilat card, and Ratibi card options in one place. If you are specifically comparing zone-based monthly passes, the Nol card monthly pass 2 zones price page has the current rate breakdown or see guide on Nol Card Balance Check.
How to Recharge the Nol Silver Card
The Nol Silver Card balance can be topped up through several channels:
- 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
- Selected retail outlets displaying the Nol recharge logo
There is no minimum recharge amount, but the card balance cannot exceed AED 1,000 on an unregistered card or AED 5,000 on a registered one. As of 2025, the Nol Pay app is the most convenient channel for residents who want to top up without visiting a station.
How to Register the Nol Silver Card
Registration is optional but recommended for anyone using the card regularly. It protects the balance if the card is lost and raises the maximum stored balance to AED 5,000.
- Visit the RTA website or Nol Pay app
- Enter the 16-digit card number printed on the back of the card
- Provide your name, Emirates ID or passport number, email, and mobile number
- Complete registration — the balance limit increase applies immediately
An unregistered Nol Silver Card that is lost cannot be refunded or replaced. Once registered, the card balance can be transferred to a replacement card at any RTA customer service counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Nol Silver Card cost in Dubai?
The Nol Silver Card costs AED 25. This includes a non-refundable AED 6 card fee and AED 19 in preloaded travel credit. The card is available at all Dubai Metro station ticket machines and RTA customer service counters. No registration is required at the point of purchase — registration can be completed later online or through the Nol Pay app.
What is the difference between registered and unregistered Nol Silver Cards?
An unregistered Nol Silver Card has a maximum stored balance of AED 1,000 and cannot recover its balance if lost or damaged. A registered card raises the maximum balance to AED 5,000 and allows the balance to be transferred to a replacement card if the original is lost. Registration requires a valid Emirates ID or passport number and a mobile number.
How long is the Nol Silver Card valid?
The Nol Silver Card is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase. The card itself expires after this period, but the balance can be transferred to a new card at an RTA customer service counter before or after the expiry date. Unused credit is not lost automatically at expiry — it requires an in-person balance transfer request.
Can the Nol Silver Card be used in taxis?
Yes. The Nol Silver Card is accepted in all RTA taxis across Dubai. At the end of the journey, tap the card on the handheld payment terminal in the vehicle. The fare deducts from the card’s stored travel balance. The Nol Silver Card cannot be used in non-RTA taxis or ride-hailing services.
Where can I recharge the Nol Silver Card?
The Nol Silver Card can be recharged at ticket vending machines at any Dubai Metro station, through the Nol Pay app using a linked debit or credit card, at RTA customer service counters, and at selected retail outlets displaying the Nol recharge logo. There is no minimum recharge amount. The card balance cannot exceed AED 1,000 for unregistered cards or AED 5,000 for registered cards.
Last verified: April 2026
Reviewed by: UAE Content Team
Source: Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
