How much does the Dubai Metro actually cost? It depends on two things: how many zones you cross and which Nol card you hold. A short hop costs AED 3; a cross-city trip caps at AED 7.50 — and thanks to daily caps and passes, heavy travel days can cost far less than you think. Here is the complete 2026 fare table, the zone system explained, and the maths on which pass pays off.
Dubai Metro Fare Table 2026 (Per Trip)
| Zones crossed | Silver / Personal | Gold | Red Ticket | Concession (Blue) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 zone | AED 3.00 | AED 6.00 | AED 4.00 | AED 1.50 |
| 2 adjacent zones | AED 5.00 | AED 10.00 | AED 6.00 | AED 2.50 |
| 3+ zones | AED 7.50 | AED 15.00 | AED 8.50 | AED 3.75 |
You never calculate this yourself: tap in at your starting station, tap out at your destination, and the system deducts the correct fare automatically. Gold fares are exactly double Silver — you are paying for the premium Gold Class cabin at the front of the train.
The 7 Fare Zones Explained
Dubai’s transport network is divided into 7 fare zones. Your fare depends on how many zones you cross — not the number of stations or the distance in kilometres:
- Zones 1–2: outer southwest — Expo City, DIP, Ibn Battuta, Discovery Gardens, JLT
- Zone 3: Jumeirah Golf Estates and the Route 2020 branch
- Zone 4: mid-city — Dubai Internet City, Al Barsha, Mall of the Emirates
- Zone 5: Dubai Marina, JBR, DMCC
- Zone 6: central hub — Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Business Bay, Financial Centre, BurJuman
- Zone 7: border areas near Sharjah, Academic City
Example: Dubai Marina (Zone 5) → Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall (Zone 6) crosses 2 zones = AED 5 on Silver.
Daily Caps: Ride Free After AED 14
Once your spending hits the daily cap, all further journeys until midnight are free.
| Card type | Daily cap |
|---|---|
| Silver / Personal (Blue) | AED 14 |
| Gold | AED 20 |
The 30-Minute Transfer Rule
Switching transport modes? If you transfer between metro, bus, tram or water bus within 30 minutes, it counts as one journey — charged for the total zones crossed, not per leg. RTA allows up to 3 transfers within 180 minutes.
Nol Passes: One-Day, Weekly & Monthly Prices
| Pass | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Regular one-day pass | AED 22 | Unlimited metro, tram & RTA bus for one calendar day |
| Gold one-day pass | AED 42 | Same + Gold Class cabin |
| 7-day pass (all zones) | AED 110 | Unlimited travel for 7 days |
| Monthly pass (all zones) | AED 350 | Unlimited travel for 30 days |
Which Pass Actually Pays Off? (Break-Even Maths)
- One-day pass (AED 22): pays off at 4+ trips in a day. Note it expires at midnight, not 24 hours after activation.
- 7-day pass (AED 110): beats pay-as-you-go if you spend more than ~AED 15.70/day.
- Monthly pass (AED 350): because of the AED 14 daily cap, pay-as-you-go on Silver is surprisingly hard to beat for a standard two-trip commute. Passes make sense for genuinely heavy multi-trip days.
Concession Fares: Students, Seniors & Kids
- Students & senior citizens (personal Blue Nol card): 50% off — AED 1.50 / 2.50 / 3.75 by zone. See our Student Nol card guide.
- Children under 5: travel free on all modes.
- People of Determination: free travel with a personal Blue Nol card.
Watch: Dubai Metro Fares & Zones in Action
Video: Dubai Metro ride with fare and zone details (YouTube).
New to the system? Start with our Nol card balance check guide and how to top up your Nol card — and keep at least AED 7.50 on the card so the gate always lets you through.
Last updated: October 2026. Fares follow RTA’s published 2026 tariff — confirm current prices on rta.ae, as fares can change.
Dubai Metro Fares & Nol Passes — FAQs
How much is a Dubai Metro ticket in 2026?
With a Silver Nol card: AED 3 (1 zone), AED 5 (2 zones), AED 7.50 (3+ zones). Gold costs double (AED 6/10/15). A Red paper ticket costs AED 4/6/8.50 per trip.
What is the daily cap on a Nol card?
AED 14 per day on Silver/Personal (Blue) cards and AED 20 on Gold. Once you hit the cap, all further journeys until midnight are free.
How much is the Nol card monthly pass?
The all-zones monthly pass costs AED 350 for 30 days of unlimited travel. A 7-day all-zones pass is AED 110.
How much is the Gold one-day pass?
AED 42 (regular one-day pass: AED 22). Both cover unlimited metro, tram and RTA bus, and expire at midnight on the activation day.
How does the 30-minute transfer rule work?
If you switch between metro, bus, tram or water bus within 30 minutes, the legs count as one journey charged on total zones crossed. Up to 3 transfers allowed within 180 minutes.
How many zones does Dubai Metro have?
Seven fare zones. Fares are charged by zones crossed (1, 2, or 3+), not by stations or distance.
Do students get cheaper metro fares?
Yes — students with a personal Blue Nol card pay 50% fares: AED 1.50/2.50/3.75 by zone. See our Student Nol card guide.
What is the minimum balance needed on a Nol card?
AED 7.50 for Silver/Gold (AED 3.50 for Blue Personal). Keep AED 15+ for a comfortable round-trip buffer.
Is the monthly pass worth it for tourists?
Rarely. The AED 350 monthly pass only pays off with 3+ trip days sustained over weeks. Tourists are better served by pay-as-you-go on Silver or a one-day pass. See Nol card for tourists.
Do children travel free on Dubai Metro?
Children under 5 travel free on all RTA transport and do not need a Nol card. People of Determination travel free with a personal Blue Nol card.
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