Check Balance ↗

Check Nol Card Balance Online

Skip the queues and forget the app. Enter your card number right here to see how much balance is left on your NOL card in just a few seconds — completely free.

Check Your Dubai Nol Card Balance

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

Check Balance

Your card details are never stored  ·  Redirects to the official nol portal

or use
NOL Pay App Metro Machine

Trusted by Dubai Commuters Daily

Residents, tourists, and students rely on this resource for accurate public transport information

SSL Encrypted
No Data Stored
Always Available
50K+
Monthly Visitors
1M+
Lookups Served
99.9%
Uptime
Zero
Data Breaches

How to Check Your Balance in 3 Steps

The whole process takes under 30 seconds using the tool above.

Find Your Tag ID

Flip your NOL card over and look for the 10-digit Tag ID printed below the barcode or chip area. This number is your card's unique identifier in the system.

Enter & Submit

Type the Tag ID in the field above and tap "Check Balance." The tool connects securely to the official nol portal and processes your request instantly.

View Your Balance

You'll see your current balance, pending credit, and card expiry date. From there you can also view your last 10 transactions or top up directly.

7 Ways to Check Your Nol Card Balance in Dubai

Dubai's transport authority provides multiple methods — online and offline — so you can check from anywhere.

Official Website (rta.ae)

Head to the transport authority's website, navigate to "Check nol Balance," enter your Tag ID, and get live balance and expiry details instantly.

Instant · 24/7

nol Pay App (NFC)

Open the nol Pay app, enable NFC on your phone, and tap your card against the back of the device. Your balance appears immediately — no Tag ID needed.

Fastest · No Delay

Dubai Transport App

Go to Public Transportation → Nol Card inside the app. Enter your Tag ID or scan via NFC to check your balance and recent trips.

iOS & Android

SMS to 511

Send "BAL" to 511 from any UAE mobile number after a one-time registration. You'll receive your balance by reply SMS within seconds — no internet needed.

Works Offline

Ticket Vending Machines

Tap your card on any TVM at a Dubai Metro or bus station. The machine shows your balance on screen and lets you top up on the spot.

Offline · Instant

Ticket Office Counters

Hand your card to staff at any metro or bus station counter. They'll scan it and give you your full balance along with recent transaction history.

Staff Assisted

Parking Meters

Insert your card into any public parking meter across Dubai. The meter displays your remaining balance and warns you if the card is expiring within 30 days.

Available Citywide

NOL Card Types & Balance Limits

All four card types support online balance lookup using the same 10-digit Tag ID.

*AED 1,000 limit for anonymous cards · AED 5,000 for cards registered with Emirates ID
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, people of determination (50% discount)
Red Ticket AED 2 AED 100 90 Days Tourists & occasional travelers

Minimum Balance Required to Travel

Make sure you have enough balance before boarding to avoid fines.

Single Trip (Silver)

AED 7.50

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

Round Trip (Silver)

AED 15.00

Recommended balance for a return journey on the Silver card

Round Trip (Gold)

AED 30.00

Recommended balance for a return journey in the Gold Class cabin

Insufficient Balance Fine

AED 200

Penalty for traveling without a valid card or with insufficient balance

Pending Credit: Top-ups made through the website or app may show as "pending" for 45 minutes to 4 hours. Tap your card at any metro gate or parking meter to activate the 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 in partnership with Hong Kong's Octopus Cards Limited and is now the mandatory payment method for all public transport in the city.

The card handles over 1.5 million daily transactions across Dubai's integrated transport network. With 747.1 million riders served in 2024 and over 2.18 million daily riders in the first half of 2025, the NOL card covers every mode of public transport:

  • 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 routes including intercity and feeder services
  • Water Bus, Abra & Ferry — Marine transport across Dubai Creek and beyond
  • Dubai Taxis — Government-operated and franchise taxi services
  • Parking Meters — All public parking zones across Dubai
  • 2,000+ Retail Outlets — Shops, supermarkets, and restaurants accepting NOL payments

Cash is not accepted on the metro or buses. Every passenger — whether a resident, tourist, or student — needs a valid NOL card with sufficient balance before boarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about managing and checking your NOL card in Dubai.

What is the NOL Tag ID and where do I find it?
The Tag ID is a unique 10-digit number printed on the back of every NOL card, just below the barcode or chip area. It's your card's unique identifier and is required for all online balance lookups.
How do I top up my NOL card in Dubai?
You can top up through eight channels: the nol Pay app (instant, min. AED 5), the official website (min. AED 20, 45 min–4 hr activation), ticket vending machines (min. AED 20), ticket offices (min. AED 50), the S'hail app, ZOOM/ENOC stores, and solar-powered machines at bus stops. The nol Pay app is the fastest option since there's no activation delay.
What are the Dubai Metro timings in 2026?
The Dubai Metro runs Saturday to Thursday from 5:00 AM to midnight, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM. During Ramadan and major events, operating hours are usually extended. Always check the official website or app for real-time schedule updates.
How do I check my balance without internet access?
Three offline options work: (1) SMS — send "BAL" to 511 from any UAE mobile after a 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 public parking meter across Dubai.
What is the Gold NOL card price?
The Gold NOL card costs AED 25, which includes AED 19 in pre-loaded credit. It gives you access to the Gold Class cabin on the Dubai Metro and tram at roughly double the standard fare. A single 1-zone Gold journey costs AED 6, while an all-zones monthly pass for Gold holders is AED 700.
What happens if my balance is too low to travel?
If your balance drops below AED 7.50, you won't be able to pass through metro fare gates or board a bus. Traveling without sufficient funds can result in an AED 200 fine. It's best to always keep at least AED 15 on your Silver card so you're covered for a return journey.
Can I view my NOL card transaction history?
Yes. Log in to the official website using UAE Pass, then go to NOL Services → Check Balance and History. You can view up to 12 months of transactions including fares, top-ups, retail purchases, and parking charges. A CSV export option is also available. For a quick summary, send "Nol HISTORY" to 5110 via SMS to see your last 10 transactions.
My balance is not updating after a top-up — what should I do?
Online top-ups need to be written to the card's physical chip before they become usable. Tap your card at a metro gate or parking meter within 45 minutes to 4 hours of completing the payment. If the balance still doesn't update after 24 hours, contact customer support on 800 90 90 for assistance.