The RTA card balance check is something every Dubai commuter needs to do regularly. The RTA card officially called the NOL card is the only accepted payment method on Dubai’s public transport network, so knowing your balance before boarding prevents declined taps, blocked exit gates, and unexpected delays.
The Roads and Transport Authority provides five different methods to check your RTA card balance, ranging from the nol.ae website and the NOL Pay app to metro station ticket machines and the entry gate itself. This guide covers every method with exact steps, explains what each one works best for, and answers the most common questions about RTA card balance checks for both Dubai residents and visitors.
For the broadest overview of all NOL card management features, see the NOL Card Balance Check – Complete Guide
What Is an RTA Card?
When people search for RTA card balance check, they are referring to the NOL card Dubai’s smart contactless transit card issued and managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The two terms are used interchangeably by Dubai residents, though the card’s official name is the NOL card.
The NOL card works across all RTA-operated transport modes:
- Dubai Metro Red Line and Green Line, all 53 stations
- RTA Buses all city, express, and feeder bus routes
- Dubai Tram all 11 stations from Dubai Media City to Dubai Marina
- Dubai Water Bus creek and canal crossings
- RTA Paid Parking selected public parking zones across Dubai
For everything about card types, costs, and how the system works, see the RTA NOL Card – Everything to Know guide.
5 Methods to Check Your RTA Card Balance
Method 1: Check RTA Card Balance Online at nol.ae
Who this works for: Registered Personal NOL card holders only.
Steps:
- Open any browser and go to
- www.nol.ae
- Click “Sign In” at the top-right corner
- Enter your registered email address and password
- Click “My Cards” in the left navigation menu
- Your current RTA card balance, card number, and expiry date appear immediately
- Click “Statement” to view your full travel and transaction history
For a full step-by-step walkthrough of the nol.ae portal: Check NOL Balance Online.
Method 2: Check RTA Card Balance on the NOL Pay App
Steps:
- Download NOL Pay from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Open the app and tap “Sign In” or “Create Account”
- Register with your Emirates ID and phone number
- Tap “Link Card” and enter your 16-digit NOL card number
- Your balance appears on the home screen immediately after linking
- Tap the card tile to see transaction history, expiry date, and balance statement
NFC feature: On Android phones with NFC enabled, tap your physical NOL card to the back of your phone inside the NOL Pay app to read the balance instantly works for unregistered cards too.
Method 3: Check Balance at a Metro Station TVM
Steps:
- Walk to any Dubai Metro station
- Approach the blue Ticket Vending Machine on the concourse level
- Tap “Card Services” or “Check Balance” on the main menu
- Place your NOL card flat on the card reader pad
- Your current balance, last transaction, and card expiry date display within seconds
Works for all card types no login, no app, no internet required.
Method 4: Check Balance by Tapping the Metro Entry Gate
- Approach any Dubai Metro entry gate
- Tap your NOL card on the yellow card reader pad
- Your current balance flashes on the gate display screen for 2–3 seconds before the gate opens
The balance shown is your balance before the current journey fare is deducted. If balance is too low to board, the gate will decline and prompt you to top up.
Method 5: RTA Customer Service Centre
Visit any RTA Customer Happiness Centre in Dubai (Al Barsha, Deira, Oud Metha, Al Twar, Dubai Internet City) for in-person balance check, transaction history, and card issue resolution. You can also call 800-9090 (toll-free) for phone-based balance enquiries.
Full RTA services guide: RTA Dubai Official Guide.
RTA Card Balance – Key Numbers to Know
| Detail | Value |
| Minimum balance to board metro | AED 7.50 |
| Maximum stored value (Silver card) | AED 1,000 |
| Maximum stored value (Gold card) | AED 2,000 |
| Fare deduction timing | At exit tap (metro) / At entry tap (bus, tram) |
| Pending balance sync | Requires one physical tap on any RTA reader |
| Balance expiry after card expiry | 2 years to claim/redeem |
| Minimum top-up amount | AED 10 |
How to Check RTA Card Balance Without Registration
Even if your card is not registered, you can still perform a full RTA balance check using:
- Guest balance check on nol.ae enter your 16-digit card number on the homepage without signing in
- Metro station TVM place card on reader, balance shows instantly, no account needed
- Metro entry gate tap balance shows briefly on the gate screen
- NFC tap via NOL Pay app (Android) tap card to phone, balance reads from chip directly
Full guide: NOL Card Balance Check with Card Number.
Why Your RTA Card Balance May Not Match What You Expect
After an online top-up: Credit is held as “pending” in RTA’s system until you tap your physical card on any metro gate, bus reader, or TVM. The nol.ae dashboard shows the pending amount separately.
After a long gap between trips: The balance shown in the app may be the cached value from your last tap. Tap on a TVM or gate to confirm the real-time card balance.
If balance shows AED 0 unexpectedly: The card has likely expired. Check expiry date at any TVM or on nol.ae. See the NOL Card Expiry Check guide for renewal steps.
Method Comparison
| Method | Account Required | Works Offline | Shows Full History | Best For |
| nol.ae portal | Yes | No | Yes | Registered card holders |
| NOL Pay app | Yes (Emirates ID) | No | Yes | Daily commuters |
| Metro TVM | No | Yes | No (last transaction) | All card types |
| Metro entry gate | No | Yes | No | Quick daily check |
| NFC tap (Android) | No | No (app needed) | No | Visitors, unregistered cards |
| RTA service centre | No | Yes | Yes | Complex issues |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my RTA card balance online?
Log in to nol.ae, go to “My Cards,” and your balance appears immediately. If unregistered, use the guest “Check Balance” option on the nol.ae homepage with your 16-digit card number. Full guide: Check NOL Balance Online.
What is the minimum RTA card balance needed to travel?
AED 7.50 is the minimum balance required to pass through a metro entry gate. If your balance falls below this, the gate will decline the tap.
Can I check my RTA card balance without internet?
Yes. Visit any metro station TVM no login or internet required. The metro entry gate also briefly shows your balance when you tap.
How do I check RTA card balance without registering my card?
Use the guest balance check on nol.ae (card number only), tap your card on a metro TVM, or use NFC on Android with the NOL Pay app.
How do I check Dubai RTA card balance from outside the UAE?
Log in to nol.ae or open the NOL Pay app from any internet connection globally. Any top-up made from abroad will still need to be synced by tapping your card on a Dubai RTA reader when you arrive.
What is the RTA customer service number for balance issues?
Call 800-9090 (toll-free in UAE) for all NOL card balance queries, top-up problems, and card issues.
Can I check RTA card balance using a card number?
Yes use the guest “Check Balance” on nol.ae homepage. Full guide:
NOL Card Balance Check with Card Number.
