RTA Official Guide
NOL Card Monthly Pass – Prices, Zones & How to Buy
Unlimited rides on Dubai Metro, RTA Bus & Dubai Tram — no tapping, no fare counting. Compare all zone pass prices and find out which NOL monthly pass saves you the most money.
What Is a NOL Card Monthly Pass?
A NOL card monthly pass — also called the RTA monthly pass or Dubai metro monthly pass — is an unlimited travel ticket loaded directly onto your NOL card. Once active, it lets you make unlimited trips on Dubai Metro, RTA buses, and Dubai Tram within your selected zone coverage for 30 consecutive days, without any per-trip fare deduction.
Instead of paying AED 3–8.50 every time you tap in, you pay a fixed monthly fee upfront. The pass is tied to a zone or zones, so travel within those zones is completely free after purchase. If you travel outside your pass zone, the additional segment is charged at the standard per-trip rate. The monthly NOL card price depends on how many zones you need — starting from AED 170 for a single zone up to AED 350 for unlimited access across all zones.
The NOL card monthly pass is a feature of the RTA dubai transit network and works across all transport modes — not just the metro. This means one pass covers your metro commute, your bus ride home, and the tram in JBR or Dubai Marina, all without an extra charge.
Monthly Pass Prices by Zone
All dubai metro monthly pass prices set by the RTA — no hidden fees
1 Zone Pass
nol card monthly pass for 1 zone
per month
Unlimited rides within a single fare zone on Metro, RTA Bus & Tram. Suits commuters who live and work within the same zone.
2 Zone Pass
nol card monthly pass price for 2 zones
per month
Covers two fare zones — the go-to choice for most Dubai commuters who cross a zone boundary daily (e.g. Deira to Business Bay).
2 Zone Pass Full Guide →All Zones Pass
nol card unlimited all zones price
per month
Travel anywhere across the entire RTA network — metro, bus & tram — with no zone restrictions. Best value for long-distance commuters.
All Zones Pass Full Guide →💡 Is the Monthly Pass Worth It?
A standard Dubai metro monthly pass price comparison: paying per trip at AED 5–8.50 per journey, a typical commuter making two trips daily on weekdays racks up roughly AED 330–550 per month. The All Zones pass at AED 350 breaks even at about 41–70 trips and saves up to AED 200/month for heavy users. For 1-zone commuters making 23+ trips monthly, the AED 170 pass pays for itself. The pass also removes the need to monitor your balance constantly — a genuine quality-of-life improvement.
What Does the NOL Monthly Pass Cover?
One nol monthly pass works across all these RTA transport modes
Dubai Metro
Red Line & Green Line — unlimited boarding within your selected zone(s). Silver class only; Gold Class requires a separate Gold pass.
RTA Bus
All RTA city bus routes across Dubai. Tap your card at the reader and board — no fare is deducted from your pass balance.
Dubai Tram
The Dubai Tram running between Dubai Marina and Al Sufouh is fully covered by the monthly pass.
Water Bus
RTA Water Bus routes are also included in the All Zones monthly pass, connecting creek-side transit points.
Not Included
RTA public parking fees, Dubai Taxi, Dubai Ferry premium routes, and Water Taxi are not covered by the monthly pass.
30-Day Validity
The pass activates on first use and remains valid for exactly 30 consecutive days. It does not roll over — purchase a new one before it expires.
Zone Pass Comparison
Compare features across all dubai nol card monthly pass options
| Feature | 1 Zone – AED 170 | 2 Zone – AED 220 | All Zones – AED 350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | AED 170 | AED 220 | AED 350 |
| Dubai Metro (Silver) | ✓ Within Zone | ✓ 2 Zones | ✓ All Zones |
| RTA Bus | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dubai Tram | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Bus | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zone Overage Charge | Yes (extra zones) | Yes (extra zones) | No |
| Validity Period | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Requires Registered Card | ✓ Emirates ID | ✓ Emirates ID | ✓ Emirates ID |
| Buy Online (nol.ae / App) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Which Zone Pass Is Right for You?
Choose the correct nol monthly pass online for your daily route
Live & Work in Same Zone
The 1 Zone pass at AED 170 covers your entire daily routine. Check your station zone in the Dubai Metro map to confirm.
Typical Resident Commuter
Most Dubai residents cross at least one zone boundary. The 2 Zone pass at AED 220 is the most popular option and covers the majority of daily commutes.
Long-Distance or Multi-Mode Traveller
If your commute spans Sharjah-side areas, far ends of the Red Line, or combines metro + bus + tram daily, the All Zones pass at AED 350 gives you the most freedom.
Students
Students with a Student NOL card are eligible for a discounted monthly pass with subsidised rates. Apply through your school or the RTA student portal.
How to Buy a NOL Monthly Pass
You can purchase the nol monthly pass online via nol.ae, the NOL Pay app, or at any metro TVM. Follow these steps:
Where to Buy the Monthly Pass
Multiple ways to buy your nol card recharge monthly pass
nol.ae Portal
The official RTA website. Log in, go to Monthly Pass, select your zone, and pay by card. Pass loads within 24 hours.
NOL Pay App
Download the NOL Pay app on iOS or Android. Log in with your nol.ae account and buy your monthly pass directly from the app.
Metro Station TVM
Any Dubai Metro ticket vending machine accepts monthly pass purchases. Insert your card, select Monthly Pass, choose zone, and pay.
RTA Customer Service
Walk-in service centres at major metro stations. Staff assist with zone selection, registration, and payment.
Detailed Monthly Pass Guides
Frequently Asked Questions – NOL Monthly Pass
How much does the NOL card monthly pass cost?
The NOL card monthly pass has three pricing tiers: 1 Zone: AED 170, 2 Zones: AED 220, and All Zones: AED 350. All prices are per month and set by the RTA. The monthly NOL card price you pay depends on the zones your commute covers. A separate Gold Class monthly pass is available for Gold NOL card holders at a higher rate.
What is the NOL card monthly pass price for 2 zones?
The nol card monthly pass price for 2 zones is AED 220 per month. This is the most popular option among Dubai residents as most daily commutes span two fare zones. It gives unlimited trips on Dubai Metro (Silver class), all RTA buses, and Dubai Tram within those two zones. See the full 2 zone monthly pass guide for more details.
Can I buy the monthly pass online?
Yes. You can buy the nol monthly pass online through the official nol.ae portal or the NOL Pay app. Log in with your registered account, go to "Monthly Pass," select your zone, and pay by Visa or Mastercard. The pass loads onto your card within 24 hours. You can also purchase it instantly at any metro station TVM or RTA customer service centre.
Do I need a registered NOL card for the monthly pass?
Yes — a registered Personal NOL card linked to your Emirates ID is required. An anonymous Silver card cannot be used to purchase a monthly pass. Registration is free and done in a few minutes at nol.ae or the NOL Pay app. Once registered, your card qualifies for monthly pass purchase immediately.
Does the monthly pass work on RTA buses and trams, or only metro?
The dubai metro monthly pass covers all RTA-operated transport — not just the metro. A single pass is valid on Dubai Metro (Red and Green Lines), all RTA buses, and the Dubai Tram. The All Zones pass additionally covers the RTA Water Bus. It does not cover RTA parking, taxis, or premium ferry services.
How long is the monthly pass valid for?
The nol card monthly pass is valid for 30 consecutive days starting from the first tap-in after activation. It does not renew automatically — you must purchase a new pass before or after it expires. You can check your current pass status and expiry date in the NOL Pay app or at nol.ae under My Services.
What happens if I travel outside my pass zone?
If your monthly pass covers 1 or 2 zones and you travel into additional zones, the standard per-trip fare for the extra zone segment is deducted from your NOL card balance. This means you need to maintain a minimum balance alongside your monthly pass for out-of-zone travel. Only the All Zones pass removes this concern entirely.
Is there a student discount on the monthly pass?
Yes. Students who hold a Student NOL card are eligible for a discounted monthly pass at subsidised rates. Apply for the student pass through your school, university, or the RTA student portal online. The student pass must be renewed each academic year. See the full student NOL card guide for eligibility and application details.
Can I recharge my NOL card and have a monthly pass at the same time?
Yes. Your NOL card can hold both a monthly pass and a regular cash balance simultaneously. The monthly pass handles all in-zone trips, and the cash balance is available for out-of-zone segments, parking fees, or any other NOL-accepted payment. You can top up your balance normally through nol.ae, the NOL Pay app, or any metro TVM.
