To recharge your Hafilat card online, visit hafilat.darb.ae or use the Darbi app, enter your 16-digit card number, choose AED 10–150 and pay by card or mobile wallet. Online top-ups take about 2 hours to appear; ticket vending machines and counters add credit instantly.
New to the card? Check your current credit first with our Hafilat card balance check guide — and if you also travel in Dubai, the process is very similar to recharging a Nol card.
Key limits to know before you recharge
- Minimum top-up: AED 10 • Maximum per transaction: AED 150 • Maximum stored balance: AED 150
- Online top-ups take ~2 hours to appear on the card (website, Darbi app, TAMM, Payit, MBME kiosks). Machine and counter top-ups are instant.
- New credit must be activated within 3 months — tap the card on a validator or travel once, or it lapses along with the balance validity.
Method 1: Recharge online at hafilat.darb.ae
The official Hafilat portal works without an account:
- Go to hafilat.darb.ae.
- Click “Select Recharge Option”.
- Choose your amount (AED 10–150) and click Add to Basket.
- Click View Basket / Payment, tick “I accept”, and enter your email.
- Click Payment, choose Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, fill in the details and Pay.
Your balance reflects on the card about 2 hours after payment. Tapping the card on any bus validator usually syncs it immediately.
Method 2: Recharge via the Darbi app (recommended for commuters)
Darbi is Abu Dhabi Mobility’s official public transport app — recharge plus real-time bus tracking, journey planning, and trip history in one place.
- Download Darbi from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Register or log in (UAE PASS supported).
- Open the Public Transport section on the home screen.
- Tap the + icon (bottom right) and select Recharge Hafilat.
- Enter your 16-digit Hafilat card serial number (on the back of the card) — or scan it with the camera.
- Choose your amount (AED 10–150) and pay by credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
- Tap your card on any validator or card reader to sync the new balance.
Pro tip: turn on low-balance alerts in the app so you get a reminder before credit runs out — and check whether auto top-up is available in your app version to remove low-balance surprises entirely.
Method 3: Recharge via TAMM
- Log in to TAMM (website or app) with your UAE PASS.
- Select “Recharge of the Hafilat card”.
- Enter your Hafilat card number and choose an amount up to AED 150.
- Complete the secure electronic payment.
Same 2-hour reflection time as the other online channels.
Method 4: Recharge via the Payit wallet app
- Download the Payit app (by FAB) and log in.
- Go to UAE Bills & Recharge and select Hafilat.
- Enter your card serial number and create a nickname for quick future access.
- Choose an amount (AED 10–100 in Payit) and pay from your wallet or a linked card.
Method 5: Ticket vending machines (TVMs) — instant
For immediate credit, nothing beats a machine:
- Find a sales & recharge TVM at any major bus station, mall, or busy stop.
- Insert/tap your Hafilat card and select Recharge.
- Choose your amount and pay by cash or card.
- Take your card and receipt — the balance is available instantly.
Method 6: Customer Happiness Centres — instant
Visit an ITC Customer Happiness Centre (Electra Street, Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station, Mussafah, Al Ain). Staff recharge the card on the spot and can also sort out card errors, replacements, and pass loading. Balance reflects immediately.
Method 7: MBME Smart Kiosks
MBME recharge machines sit in malls, hospitals, and commercial buildings across the emirate. They accept cash and cards — but like online channels, the balance shows after about 2 hours.
Method 8: Authorised retailers
Top up over the counter at Lulu Hypermarket, Lulu Exchange, ADNOC stations, SPAR, and Abu Dhabi / Al Ain Co-op outlets. Convenient if you’re already shopping — staff process the top-up while you pay.
Recharge methods — comparison
| Method | Payment | Balance appears | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| hafilat.darb.ae website | Card / Apple / Samsung Pay | ~2 hours | No app needed |
| Darbi app | Card / Apple / Google Pay | ~2 hours | Daily commuters |
| TAMM | Online payment | ~2 hours | UAE PASS users |
| Payit wallet | Wallet / linked card | ~2 hours | FAB customers |
| TVM (station machine) | Cash / card | Instant | Urgent top-up |
| Happiness Centre | Cash / card | Instant | In-person help |
| MBME kiosk | Cash / card | ~2 hours | Malls & offices |
| Retailers (Lulu, ADNOC…) | Cash / card | Instant | While shopping |
Passes vs pay-as-you-go: which is cheaper?
If you ride daily, a pass can beat repeated top-ups:
| Pass | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Day Pass | AED 35 | Unlimited rides, 7 days |
| 30-Day Pass | AED 95 (AED 80 for seniors 55+ & People of Determination) | Unlimited rides, 30 days |
Passes cover Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, load the same way as a cash recharge, and sit separately from your card’s regular e-purse balance. For occasional riders, pay-as-you-go (from AED 2 per city trip) is the better deal.
Common recharge problems & fixes
- Money left my account but no balance appeared: wait the full 2 hours, then tap the card on a validator. Still missing? Call 800 482 with your card number and payment reference.
- New anonymous card won’t work: cards bought at retail sometimes need a first tap on a TVM to activate. Tap once at any machine before boarding.
- Validator beeps red: low balance, expired card, or damaged chip. Check the balance by SMS to 3009 first.
- Expired anonymous card: it can’t be topped up — visit a Customer Happiness Centre for a replacement. Personalised cards keep their balance on record.
- Portal down: use the Darbi app or a nearby TVM instead, and stick to official channels — avoid third-party sites claiming to recharge Hafilat.
Watch: Hafilat recharge step-by-step (video)
This 2026 walkthrough shows the full online recharge flow — balance check, amounts, payment, and confirmation: