Roads and Transport Authority · Dubai, UAE
RTA Dubai – Complete Transport Guide
Everything about the RTA Dubai — NOL card, Dubai Metro, bus routes, tram, water bus, online services, and the official apps. Your complete reference for public transport in Dubai.
What Is RTA Dubai?
The RTA Dubai — formally known as the Roads and Transport Authority — is the government body responsible for planning, building, and operating all public transport infrastructure across Dubai, UAE. Established in 2005, the RTA oversees the Dubai Metro, public buses, the Dubai Tram, water buses, taxis, ride-hailing licences, road infrastructure, and the official NOL smart card payment system.
Every commuter who uses public transport in Dubai interacts with the RTA UAE system, whether they realise it or not. The NOL card — the smart transit card used to pay for metro, bus, tram, and even parking — is issued directly by the RTA. The official RTA website at rta.ae serves as the central portal for all public transport services, card management, road licensing, vehicle registration, and online payments.
The RTA's remit extends beyond transit: it also manages toll roads (including Salik), vehicle licensing and registration, Dubai's cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian crossing networks. For expats, residents, and tourists in Dubai, the RTA Dubai is the single authority governing almost everything related to how people move around the city.
Established
RTA was founded in 2005 as a government authority under the Dubai government.
Official Website
rta.ae — portal for all transport services, card management, and licensing.
RTA Number
Call 800-9090 for customer service, NOL card support, and transport enquiries.
Official Apps
S'hail app for journey planning; NOL Pay app for card management and recharge.
RTA Dubai Services
All major services operated or regulated by the Roads and Transport Authority
NOL Card
Dubai's official smart transit card. Used for metro, bus, tram, water bus, and parking. Issued in Silver, Gold, Blue, and Red types.
Dubai Metro
Two active lines (Red & Green), 53 stations, 74.6 km network. Fully automated, driverless, and NOL card-powered.
RTA Bus
Extensive city bus network with air-conditioned buses and stops across all districts. NOL card required for boarding.
Dubai Tram
Tram line serving Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and JBR. Connects to Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail.
RTA Dubai App
S'hail app for real-time journey planning across metro, bus, and tram. Download free on iOS and Android.
NOL Card Services
Balance check, card recharge, expiry check, registration, renewal, and monthly pass — all via rta.ae or NOL Pay app.
Public Transport Modes in Dubai
All RTA-operated transport options — all accepting NOL card payment
Dubai Metro
Red Line & Green Line. 53 stations. First metro 5:00 AM, last metro 12:00–1:00 AM daily.
View Metro Map →RTA Bus
City buses, express buses, and airport routes. Covers areas not reached by metro.
Bus Routes Guide →Dubai Tram
11 stations from Dubai Media City to Dubai Marina. Connects to Red Line metro at two stations.
Tram Timings →Water Bus & Abra
Water transport crossing Dubai Creek and connecting Marina, Deira, and Bur Dubai waterfront areas.
More Info →RTA Taxis & Ride-Hail
Licensed taxis, DTC, and app-based services (Careem, Uber) all regulated by RTA Dubai.
More on rta.ae →Cycling & Pedestrian
RTA manages cycling tracks along JBR, Al Qudra, and key districts. Shared scooters also regulated.
More on rta.ae →The RTA NOL Card – Dubai's Smart Transit Card
The RTA NOL card is the primary payment method for all RTA public transport in Dubai
💳 Everything You Need to Know About the NOL Card
The RTA NOL card is a contactless smart card issued by the Roads and Transport Authority. It is the only accepted payment method on Dubai Metro, RTA buses, the Dubai Tram, and RTA water buses. The card stores credit which is deducted automatically when you tap in and tap out at each journey. You can also use it for paid parking at RTA-managed parking zones.
The NOL card comes in four types: Silver (standard), Gold (premium metro cabin access), Blue (stored value for short stays), and Red (single-trip paper card). Registered Personal NOL cards linked to an Emirates ID unlock online services including balance check, recharge, expiry management, and monthly pass purchasing via nol.ae.
| NOL Card Type | Who It's For | Key Feature | Registerable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver NOL Card | Residents & regular commuters | Standard fare, reloadable | Yes — with Emirates ID |
| Gold NOL Card | Gold Class metro travellers | Access to Gold Class cabin | Yes |
| Blue NOL Card | Tourists & short-term visitors | Pre-loaded, limited journeys | No |
| Red NOL Card | Occasional / single-trip users | Single-trip or short-use card | No |
| Personal NOL Card | Registered Emirates ID holders | Online balance, monthly pass, renewal | Yes — required |
RTA Website & Online Services
What you can do on rta.ae and through official RTA apps
💳 NOL Card Management
Check NOL card balance, recharge online, check expiry date, register or renew your card, and purchase a monthly pass.
NOL Card Balance Check →🗺️ Journey Planning
Plan door-to-door routes using metro, bus, and tram via the S'hail app or the journey planner on rta.ae.
RTA App Guide →🚗 Vehicle & Licensing
Renew vehicle registration, pay traffic fines, check Salik toll balance, and manage driving licence — all via rta.ae.
Go to rta.ae →🅿️ RTA Parking
Pay for RTA-managed parking zones using NOL card or Dubai Pay. View zone maps and rates on rta.ae.
More on rta.ae →🚕 Taxi & Ride Services
Book RTA taxis, view taxi fare estimates, and access ride-hailing service information through the official portal.
More on rta.ae →📞 Customer Service
Call 800-9090, use live chat on rta.ae, or visit any RTA Customer Happiness Centre for in-person assistance.
Contact RTA →Official RTA Dubai Apps
The RTA Dubai operates two primary apps for public transport users. The S'hail app is the all-in-one journey planner and live transit guide, covering metro, bus, tram, and water transport with real-time next-departure information at every station. It also includes a multimodal trip planner that combines different transport modes for door-to-door navigation.
The NOL Pay app is the dedicated card management tool. It lets you check your NOL card balance, top up online, view transaction history, link your card to a registered account, and check your card's expiry date. Both apps are free and available on Android and iOS. For daily commuters, having both installed covers everything needed for seamless travel on the RTA UAE network.
A third app — the RTA Dubai app — covers the broader range of RTA services beyond transit, including vehicle registration renewal, Salik toll top-up, taxi booking, and parking payment. Together, these three apps reduce the need to visit any physical RTA website or customer centre for routine tasks.
Complete RTA Dubai Guides
Frequently Asked Questions – RTA Dubai
What does RTA Dubai stand for?
RTA Dubai stands for Roads and Transport Authority. It is the government body responsible for all transport infrastructure, road networks, and public transit services in Dubai, UAE. The RTA UAE was established in 2005 and operates the Dubai Metro, bus network, tram, water buses, and manages road, licensing, and parking services.
What is the RTA website and what can I do there?
The official RTA website is rta.ae. From there you can manage your NOL card (balance check, recharge, registration, monthly pass), plan transit journeys, pay traffic fines, renew vehicle registration, top up Salik toll balance, book taxis, and contact customer support. The website is available in Arabic and English.
What is the RTA Dubai phone number?
The RTA number for customer service is 800-9090 (toll-free in the UAE). You can call for NOL card support, transit enquiries, licensing questions, and complaints. Live chat is also available directly on rta.ae, and the RTA also offers WhatsApp-based support for common queries.
What is the RTA NOL card and how do I get one?
The RTA NOL card is the contactless smart card used to pay for public transport in Dubai — metro, bus, tram, and water bus. It comes in four types: Silver, Gold, Blue, and Red. Silver and Gold cards are available at metro station TVMs, RTA customer service centres, and select retail outlets. See the full NOL card guide for pricing, types, and how to get one.
How do I check my RTA NOL card balance?
You can check your NOL card balance in several ways: (1) Log in to nol.ae and go to My Cards, (2) Open the NOL Pay app and select your card, (3) Place your card on any metro station TVM and select "Card Information", or (4) Use NFC on a compatible smartphone with the NOL Pay app. All methods are free.
What is the S'hail app and who makes it?
The S'hail app is the official journey planning app developed by RTA Dubai. It provides real-time next-train and bus information, multi-modal route planning (combining metro, bus, and tram), live service status, and stop/station maps. It is free to download on both Android and iOS. See the RTA Dubai app guide for full details.
Does RTA Dubai manage Salik and vehicle registration?
Yes — RTA Dubai manages the Salik electronic toll system on key Dubai roads, vehicle registration and renewal, driving licence issuance, and traffic fine payments. These services are all accessible via rta.ae or the RTA Dubai app. They are separate from the transit/NOL card services but managed by the same authority.
Is there a difference between RTA and nol.ae?
RTA Dubai (rta.ae) is the full government authority covering all transport services. nol.ae is a dedicated portal run by the RTA specifically for NOL card management — balance checks, top-ups, card registration, monthly pass purchases, and expiry checking. Think of nol.ae as the NOL-specific sub-portal within the broader RTA website ecosystem.
