Types of NOL Cards and their Uses
So, as a student, are you still covering the whole cost of your daily transportation costs between your house and the university or school?
Alternatively, you can be a typical traveler who wants to take a leisure trip to Dubai but is unsure which NOL card to purchase.
As a result, there are numerous NOL card alternatives for the Dubai RTA that may accommodate users’ daily demands and provide a range of facilities. Although they are not very useful, these plastic bits are an excellent method to pay for various services throughout the Gulf.
I’m here to help you choose the NOL cards that work best for you, from pricing to possible uses in different forms of transportation.
7 Different Types of NOL Cards
The use of NOL cards makes using the public transportation system in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), easier. For a smooth and convenient way to pay for transportation, these smart cards can be used with buses, trams, water taxis, and the Dubai Metro. By being aware of the various NOL card options, commuters can select the one that best fits their travel requirements and tastes.
1 NOL Silver Card
The most affordable choice for visitors to Dubai who visit sometimes is the NOL Silver Card. This disposable smart card can be bought and pre-loaded with money so that it is ready to use right away. Users of the Silver Card can tap and pay for individual trips on buses, water taxis, and the Dubai Metro. It removes the need to carry exact change for fare payments and provides the ease of cashless transactions.
Cost: To buy a new NOL card a fee of DH25 is required to be paid upfront, as this comes with DH 19 credit.
Maximum balance: The maximum balance for a Silver NOL card in Dubai is AED1000, which allows users to load credit for occasional travel on public transportation.
2 NOL Gold Card
The NOL Gold Card is a customised smart card designed for Dubai residents and frequent travelers. In contrast to the Silver Card, the Gold Card offers the added security and benefit of being reloadable and user-registered. It is an affordable choice for frequent commuters because it provides discounted fares on all forms of transportation. The Gold Card additionally enables online account management, transaction history checking, and automatic credit reloading for continuous travel.
Cost: The cost of a Gold NOL card in Dubai is AED 25, which includes AED 19 worth of e-purse credit and AED 6 as a non-refundable card fee.
Maximum balance: The maximum balance for a Gold NOL card in Dubai is AED 10,000, allowing frequent travelers to load a significant amount of credit for their transportation needs.
3 NOL Blue Card
Students can get cheaper prices on public transportation in Dubai with the NOL Blue Card. Students from the age of five to twenty-three can register this unique smart card under their own name. Students who are commuting to school or university can find the Blue Card to be an affordable option because it offers lower rates on the Dubai Metro, buses, and trams.
Cost: NOL Blue card cost in Dubai is AED 70, inclusive of AED 20 as a non-refundable card fee and AED 50 worth of e-purse credit. This personalized card offers discounted fares for students on public transportation.
Maximum balance: The maximum balance for a NOL Blue Card in Dubai is AED 500, allowing students to load credit for their transportation needs while benefiting from discounted fares on the Dubai Metro, buses, and trams.
4 NOL Red Ticket
For infrequent visitors without a NOL card, there is a paper ticket called the NOL Red Ticket that can be used only once. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at bus terminals and Dubai Metro stations. Users can pay for a single trip on buses, water taxis, and the Dubai Metro with the Red Ticket. For travelers or those who would rather not pay with a smart card, it is a practical choice.
Cost: The cost of a NOL Red Ticket in Dubai varies based on the zone and mode of transportation. Prices typically range from AED 2 to AED 6 for a single journey on the Dubai Metro, buses, and water taxis.
Maximum balance: The maximum balance for a NOL Red Ticket in Dubai is equivalent to the fare for a single journey, which varies based on the zone and mode of transportation. Typically, the maximum balance is capped at AED 20.
5 NOL Salik Card
The NOL Salik Card combines Salik, Dubai’s electronic toll collecting system, with the features of a NOL card. On specific highways and bridges in Dubai, a personalised smart card can be registered and used to pay for tolls.
Salik Card users can also pay for their fares on buses, trams, water taxis, and the Dubai Metro, ensuring a smooth and easy ride.
Cost: The cost of an NOL Salik Card in Dubai is AED 26, inclusive of AED 16 as e-purse credit for transportation and AED 10 as a non-refundable card fee. This card combines the functionality of NOL with Dubai’s electronic toll collection system, Salik.
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
For VIP clients and regular travelers, there is a premium option called the NOL Platinum Card, which comes with additional benefits and privileges. It’s a customized smart card that grants priority boarding, special access to VIP lounges, and extra savings on transportation services. High net worth individuals, business travelers, and vacationers looking for luxury and comfort in their travels are the target market for the Platinum Card.
Cost: The NOL Platinum card cost in Dubai varies depending on the specific privileges and benefits included. As a premium option, pricing is determined based on personalized services and exclusive access.
Maximum balance: The maximum balance for a NOL platinum card in Dubai varies based on the mode of transportation and travel distance. In most cases, the maximum balance is equivalent to the cost of the highest-priced single-journey ticket available.
7 NOL VIP Card
For VIPs who are staying in Dubai or are visiting the country, the NOL VIP Card is a special alternative designed for them. It’s a customized smart card with exclusive benefits including free upgrades, first-class services, and attentive customer care. The VIP Card is made to meet the specific requirements and tastes of VIP clients, guaranteeing a smooth and opulent travel experience.
Cost: The cost of a NOL VIP card in Dubai varies depending on the specific privileges and services included. As a premium option tailored for government officials, diplomats, and VIPs, the cost typically encompasses personalized services, priority benefits, and exclusive access, with pricing determined on a case-by-case basis.
Maximum balance: The maximum balance for a NOL VIP card in Dubai is typically determined based on the specific privileges and services included in the card. As a premium option offering personalized services and exclusive access, the maximum balance may vary accordingly.
Conclusion
The range of NOL cards that Dubai offers satisfies the various requirements of commuters, locals, and tourists. The NOL card system offers a complete and efficient payment solution for using Dubai’s public transportation network. Basic alternatives like the Silver card are ideal for infrequent passengers, while premium versions like the Platinum card give unique advantages are ideal for frequent visitors.
Therefore, it’s important that you comprehend the various NOL card kinds so that you may choose the one that best suits your travel needs and preferences.
