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Public transport in Dubai is represented by metro, buses and trams. The Underground is the fastest way to travel: two lines cover the main areas of the city. Buses complement the metro route network, allowing you to reach remote locations.
Dubai is a luxurious city, the capital of the emirate of the same name on the Persian Gulf coast. The cost of transport in Dubai depends on how many zones you travel through. There are seven in total. You can transfer to another type of transport free of charge within 30 minutes. If more time has passed, you will have to pay again.
For transport in Dubai, you can use many types of transport — metro, bus, tram, monorail train, water taxi, private or municipal taxi.
For transport in Dubai, a NOL card (a unified transport card) is used, which is very convenient. The card is sold at bus stops and metro ticket offices. It can be used to pay for trips on any transport operated by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, including municipal taxis.
In the metro, the card is activated upon entry and exit. It is necessary to top it up in time and ensure that there is always money on it (at least 7.5 dirhams). Otherwise, transport in Dubai will not be available to you.
Red, gold, silver and blue NOL cards are issued. How do they differ from each other?
The red NOL card is for single trips around the city. Gold, silver, and blue can be used for a certain period in all types of transport. The Moscow Troika card, for example, works in a similar way.
The gold card gives the right to travel in Dubai in premium comfort carriages (similar to European 1st class). Silver cardholders travel in regular carriages. The blue card is intended for Dubai locals and residents. This NOL card is personal, with the owner's photograph, and you will need a passport or other identification document to apply for it.
When planning a holiday in Dubai, if booking an economy class hotel, choose one that has a metro station nearby. The place where you will stay should correspond to your holiday plans.
You should select your accommodation area depending on what you plan to do — sunbathe on the beach, go shopping, visit museums and attractions, or visit children's entertainment centres. It's better if the places of interest are located nearby.
Image source: Sven Hansche / shutterstock.com
The most expensive hotels are located in upscale areas closer to the sea, on the first line by the beaches. The main attractions are also located in the expensive quarters of the city. If your holiday is more or less budget-friendly, your accommodation option should be a small cosy hotel on a quiet street in relative proximity to tourist attractions.
In any case, you won't be limited to the area where your hotel is located, and you'll have to use transport to see all the most interesting sights. So let's look into transport in Dubai.
The most expensive and comfortable metro carriage is the Gold one. The cost of transport in Dubai within a single transport zone is 6 dirhams ($1.63). Allow yourself the pleasure of riding in the Gold carriage around the city at least once and taking excellent photos. There are magnificent seats and panoramic windows; breathtaking views open up from the driver's cabin.
The Silver carriage is half the price (3 dirhams or $0.82), and there are more people there, but it is also convenient for travelling.
Where to buy and how to choose a transport card for travel in Dubai?
Just like in Russia, NOL cards are sold at metro ticket offices. Let's start with the red card. It costs 4 dirhams, of which 2 remain on the account. The red card is a regular ticket that can be used for up to ten trips. Choose it if you don't expect to use the metro frequently.
The number of trips and distance (within one zone or with transition to another) is stored in the card's memory when purchased. When topping up the card’s balance, the amount will depend on the number of zones you cross. If you paid for two but travelled through four, you won't be able to exit the metro — the turnstile won't let you through. The card is valid for 90 days.
Experienced tourists, seeking to save money on transport in Dubai, have found a simple solution. If you have a NOL card for 10 trips and have only used 4, you can sell the card with the remaining 6 trips to your hotel neighbours, getting your money back.
Another option for transport in Dubai is a one-day travel pass costing about 20 dirhams or $5.45 (2021 rate). But usually some trips will remain unused, so the purchase is not worth it.
The Silver card is suitable for those who frequently use the metro. Travel is allowed only in second class (a regular carriage). The Gold card is the most expensive one; with it, travel is permitted in first and second-class carriages. The Blue NOL card can only be used by local residents. These three cards are valid for 5 years.
The balance can be topped up as needed, but before doing this, study the city's transport zone scheme, which is available at any metro station. Its language can be switched from Arabic to English. Remember that the cost of transport in Dubai is not the same: it depends on which class you are travelling in and how many zones you plan to cross.
The NOL card is applied to the scanner at the turnstile upon entry and exit. It shows the card balance upon entry, and the remaining funds and trip cost upon exit. We remind you that the minimum amount on it should be 7.5 dirhams. This is explained by a simple calculation: transport in Dubai for 1–2 stations costs about 3 dirhams ($0.82), for two or more stations — 5 dirhams ($1.36), and for the maximum distance — 7.5 dirhams ($2.04).
You cannot use one card for two people. Each guest of the city must have their own NOL card.
This is a very popular transport for travel in Dubai: they are comfortable, safe, and very clean. Each vehicle and even the bus stops have air conditioning. The buses have special comfortable seats for women, children, and disabled people. In such conditions, it is very convenient and pleasant to travel from one emirate to another. Moreover, it is not expensive.
Image source: George Trumpeter / shutterstock.com
Almost the entire territory of the city (90 percent) is covered by bus service. One and a half thousand vehicles operate on 119 routes from 5:15 AM to 01:10 AM. Many of them have stops near metro stations. A night bus runs from the airport to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. There are 12 intercity routes and 8 express routes.
Bus transport in Dubai on dedicated lanes is provided only on two streets: Al Mina and Khalid bin Al Waleed. Passengers can only enter the vehicle through the front door. If you plan to get off at a stop, press the driver notification button in advance. Upon exit, the journey is paid for by applying the transport card to the scanner of a terminal.
When national or religious holidays are celebrated in the emirates, the city bus schedule may change. Detailed information about this is published on the city's transport authority (RTA) website. There is also an interesting and useful option there — a route planner, where you can find out the current schedule and accurately calculate the route and travel time.
The downsides of bus services in Dubai include slow movement due to heavy traffic. There are not yet enough dedicated lanes that solve this problem.
When you travel with friends, it's quite possible that transport in Dubai will be cheaper if you use a taxi, as the bill is split between everyone. Google Maps or 2GIS application will give you the exact cost. Enter the starting and ending points of the route and calculate the cost of the trip by different types of transport.
Image source: Khaled Aboun-Nasr / shutterstock.com
Which taxi is cheaper for transport in Dubai? The lowest rate is for city taxis (yellow Toyotas). Ordering a taxi through Uber, Careem, or Wow applications will cost you more. Taxi drivers who are on duty 24/7 near hotels will charge a high price. But if you walk along the street, you can choose a much cheaper car. All taxis in Dubai operate by meter.
Hail a taxi on the street — such boarding is the cheapest, only 5 dirhams ($1.36). When ordering a taxi by phone or through the internet, it costs 8 dirhams ($2.18), and during peak hours — 12 dirhams ($3.27).
This is the best option for a sightseeing trip around the city. The tram runs between Al Sufouh and Dubai Marina with 11 stops. During the 40 minutes of the trip, sitting by the window, you will be able to see the unforgettable beauty of the city. The tram in Dubai is not archaic, but on the contrary, very advanced in technical terms. It doesn't hook onto wires: electricity is supplied from below. The doors of the carriages and stops match exactly. The tram stops at the following metro stations:
The tram starts its route at 6 AM and operates until 1 AM. On Fridays, the service begins at 9 AM. Trains run at intervals of 6–12 minutes. Following local tradition, there are separate zones for women with children in the carriages. First-class passengers with Gold cards travel in the VIP zone. Travelling in Dubai by tram is paid for by applying the NOL card to the terminal scanner at entry and exit.
In 2009, a new type of city transport appeared — the Palm Monorail train to connect Palm Jumeirah island with the mainland. The waiting time is 15 minutes. The first train departs from Palm Gateway Station at 9 am, the last — at 09:45 PM. The train from Atlantis Station runs at 09:15 AM and 10:00 PM respectively.
In the near future the company owning this transport aims to connect the monorail with the metro system. The first monorail stop will be at the Dubai Internet City metro station.
Transport in Dubai on the monorail train is delightful. The entire Palm Jumeirah island can be seen from the elevated track — this is a great opportunity to take stunning panoramic photos.
Since the monorail train belongs to a private company, the journey cannot be paid for with a NOL transport card. But there's no need to worry, as train tickets are sold at kiosks and vending machines. Prices are stable, with a small increase noted in 2017.
How much does transport in Dubai cost on the monorail today:
Children whose height (regardless of age) is less than 110 centimetres travel for free. Rulers for measurement are installed next to the ticket kiosks. Tickets are sold only for the day of travel, advance sales are not provided. There are also no discounts for group and children's travel.
Water taxis were once in high demand among locals. Today, this type of transport in Dubai is mainly used by tourists. Routes run along the Dubai Canal and the coastal part of the Persian Gulf and have 44 stops. Both old wooden boats called abra and the latest generation mini-vessels with televisions and air conditioning can be seen these days. Abras mainly operate in Dubai Creek.
Image source: frantic00 / shutterstock.com
Surprisingly, water taxis can also be paid for with transport cards.
Transport in Dubai follows strict order. Indeed, the rest of life and daily routines in the country are also strictly regulated. Muslim traditions and rules of conduct are zealously observed and are also mandatory for visitors. The slightest liberties, which would go unnoticed in European countries, are punished with large fines, and it is the best way of persuasion.
The city transport authority RTA website warns about fines for violations in the metro:
This is far from a complete list. The fine can be paid at any metro station.
Fines on the bus:
The list is not complete.
No. In Dubai's public city transport, you can only pay by card.
Yes. Transport is free for children under 5 years old, as well as those under 90 cm in height (regardless of age).
Municipal transport uses a unified NOL transport card (for all types of transport). It can be bought at metro ticket offices. There are three types of cards: red, silver and gold, designed for different periods of use.
The cost of travel on the metro, bus or tram depends on the type of card and travel distance. The budget NOL Red Ticket costs just 2 dirhams. Travel with it within one transport zone costs 4 dirhams, across two zones — 6 dirhams, for longer distances — 8.5 dirhams. A 1-day ticket costs 14 dirhams.
Public transport in Dubai is not expensive. At the same time, it provides passengers with comfort and convenience. It is very pleasant to use and operates without interruption, avoiding delays and overloads.
Adopted rules of conduct are strictly observed on transport. However, restrictions unusual for some are compensated by cleanliness, order and safety when travelling in Dubai. If you have arrived in the city for a holiday, you will have to make many trips and they are likely to leave a good impression on you.
Article header image source: George Trumpeter / shutterstock.com
