🇦🇪 Official RTA Dubai Method · Free · Instant

NOL Card Balance Check
Online in Dubai (2026)

Check your NOL card balance in seconds using your 10-digit Tag ID. Works for Silver, Gold, Blue & Red cards — free, fast, and secure.

Check Your NOL Card Balance

Enter the 10-digit NOL Tag ID printed on the back of your card

🔍 Check Balance Now
🔒 Your card details are never stored · Redirects to official RTA portal
2.18M+ Daily Dubai Riders
1.5M+ Daily NOL Transactions
7 Zones Dubai Metro Fare Zones
100% Free Balance Check Service
24/7 Available Online

How to Check Your NOL Card Balance

Follow this simple 3-step process to check your remaining balance in under 30 seconds.

1

Find Your NOL Tag ID

Locate the 10-digit Tag ID on the back of your NOL card. It is printed below the barcode or magnetic strip. This number is your unique card identifier in the RTA system.

2

Enter & Submit

Type your 10-digit NOL Tag ID in the field above and click "Check Balance Now." The system securely connects to the official RTA portal and processes your request instantly.

3

View Your Balance

See your current balance, pending credit, and card expiry date displayed on the RTA page. You can also view your last 10 transactions and top up directly from the portal.

7 Ways to Check NOL Card Balance in Dubai

RTA provides multiple methods so you can check your balance anytime, anywhere — online or offline.

🌐

RTA Official Website

Visit rta.ae, go to "Check nol Balance," enter your Tag ID, and click Search to see live balance and expiry details.

✓ Instant · 24/7
📱

nol Pay App (NFC)

Open the official nol Pay app, enable NFC on your phone, and tap your card to the back of the device for instant balance display.

✓ Fastest · No Delays
🚇

RTA Dubai App

Download the RTA Dubai app, go to Public Transportation → Nol Card Balance. Enter Tag ID or scan via NFC to check instantly.

✓ iOS & Android
💬

SMS to 511

No internet? Send "BAL" to 511 from any UAE mobile number after a one-time registration. Receive your balance by reply SMS within seconds.

✓ Works Offline
🏧

Ticket Vending Machines

Tap your NOL card on any TVM at Dubai Metro or bus stations. The machine displays your balance and offers an instant top-up option.

✓ Offline · Instant
🎫

Ticket Office Counters

Visit any metro or bus station ticket office and hand your card to RTA staff. They scan the card and provide full balance and history details.

✓ Staff Assisted
🅿️

RTA Parking Meters

Insert your NOL card into any RTA parking meter. The meter displays your remaining balance and will alert you if the card expires within 30 days.

✓ Available Citywide

NOL Card Types & Balance Limits

All four NOL card types support online balance checking via the same 10-digit Tag ID method.

Card Type Card Cost Max Balance Validity Best For
Silver AED 25 (incl. AED 19 credit) AED 1,000 / AED 5,000* 5 Years Daily commuters
Gold AED 25 (incl. AED 19 credit) AED 1,000 / AED 5,000* 5 Years Gold Class cabin access
Blue AED 70 (incl. AED 20 credit) AED 5,000 5 Years Students, seniors, POD (50% discount)
Red Ticket AED 2 AED 100 90 Days Tourists & occasional travelers

*AED 1,000 for anonymous cards · AED 5,000 for registered cards linked to Emirates ID

Minimum Balance Required to Travel

Always maintain sufficient balance before boarding Dubai Metro, buses, or trams to avoid fines.

Single Trip (Silver)

AED 7.50

Minimum required for any single journey — Metro, Bus, Tram or Water Bus

Round Trip (Silver)

AED 15.00

Minimum recommended balance for a return journey on the Silver card

Round Trip (Gold)

AED 30.00

Minimum recommended balance for a return journey in Gold Class cabin

Fine for No/Low Balance

AED 200

Penalty for traveling without a valid NOL card or with insufficient balance

⚠️

Pending Credit Warning: If you topped up online via the RTA website or app, your balance may show as "pending" for 45 minutes to 4 hours. Tap your card at any metro gate or parking meter to activate the pending credit before traveling.

What Is a NOL Card?

The NOL card (Arabic: نول, meaning "fares") is an electronic prepaid contactless smartcard issued by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Launched in August 2009 alongside the Dubai Metro, it was developed by Hong Kong-based Octopus Cards Limited and has since become the mandatory payment method for all public transport in Dubai.

The card processes over 1.5 million daily transactions across Dubai's integrated transport network. Dubai's public transport system served 747.1 million riders in 2024, with over 2.18 million riders daily in the first half of 2025. A NOL card is required for travel on all of the following:

  • Dubai Metro — Red Line (35 stations) and Green Line (20 stations) across 7 fare zones
  • Dubai Tram — 11 stations along Jumeirah Beach Residence
  • Public Buses — All RTA routes including intercity and feeder buses
  • Water Bus, Abra & Ferry — Marine transport services across Dubai Creek and beyond
  • Dubai Taxis — RTA-operated and franchise taxi services
  • RTA Parking Meters — All RTA-operated parking zones across Dubai
  • 2,000+ Retail Outlets — Shops, supermarkets, and restaurants accepting NOL card payments

Cash is not accepted on Dubai's metro or buses. Every passenger — resident, tourist, or student — must have a valid NOL card with sufficient balance before boarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about checking and managing your NOL card balance in Dubai.

What is the NOL Tag ID and where do I find it?
The NOL Tag ID is a unique 10-digit number printed on the back of every NOL card. It serves as your card's unique identifier in the RTA system. Locate it below the barcode or chip area on the reverse side of the card and enter it when checking your balance online.
How do I top up my NOL card in Dubai?
You can top up your NOL card through eight methods: nol Pay app (instant, minimum AED 5), RTA website (minimum AED 20, 45 min–4 hr activation), ticket vending machines (minimum AED 20), ticket offices (minimum AED 50), S'hail app, ZOOM/ENOC stores, and solar machines at bus stops. The nol Pay app is the fastest with no activation delay.
What are the Dubai Metro timings in 2026?
Dubai Metro operates Saturday to Thursday from 5:00 AM to midnight, and on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM (next day). During Ramadan and special events, timings are extended. Always check the RTA official website or RTA Dubai app for real-time service updates.
How do I check my NOL card balance without internet?
Three offline methods are available: (1) SMS — send "BAL" to 511 from any UAE mobile after one-time registration; (2) Ticket Vending Machine — tap your card at any metro or bus station TVM; (3) Parking Meter — insert your card into any RTA parking meter to display the balance.
What is the current Gold NOL card price in Dubai?
The Gold NOL card costs AED 25, which includes AED 19 in pre-loaded credit. It provides access to the Gold Class cabin on Dubai Metro and tram at double the standard fare. For a 1-zone journey, the Gold fare is AED 6 (versus AED 3 for Silver). An unlimited all-zones monthly pass for Gold card holders costs AED 700.
What happens if my balance is too low to travel?
If your NOL card balance falls below AED 7.50, you will be unable to enter the metro fare gates or board buses. Attempting to travel without sufficient balance may result in an AED 200 fine. Always check your balance before traveling and maintain at least AED 15 for a return trip on the Silver card.
Can I check my NOL card balance history and transactions?
Yes. Registered users can view up to 12 months of transaction history via the RTA website (log in with UAE Pass → NOL Services → Check NOL Balance and History). The history includes metro fares, top-ups, retail payments, and parking fees. You can also export a CSV report. Via SMS, send "Nol HISTORY" to 5110 for the last 10 transactions.
My NOL card balance is not updating after top-up — what should I do?
Online top-ups via the RTA website or mobile apps require physical card activation. Tap your card at a metro gate (not a bus) within 45 minutes to 4 hours of completing the payment. If the balance still doesn't reflect after 24 hours, contact RTA customer service at 800 90 90.

Ready to Check Your NOL Card Balance?

Free, instant, and secure — no registration required. Works for all card types.

⬆ Check Balance Now