RTA’s nol Card Overhaul: How Dubai’s Fares Are Going Digital by the End of 2026

The short version: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed that its Dh550 million upgrade of the nol fare system is 40% complete, with the switch to account-based ticketing due by the end of 2026. For visitors, that should eventually mean tapping a bank card or phone wallet for Metro, bus, tram and marine fares — but the nol card is still the only way to ride for now.

The nol card has been the key to Dubai’s public transport for years — Metro, bus, tram and water-bus rides all run through it. The RTA’s upgrade is the biggest change the system has seen: instead of storing your balance and tickets on the card itself, everything will live in a digital account. The authority says the new system is already 40% of the way there.

What’s changing in the new nol system

Today’s nol setup is card-based: the card holds your balance, pass and trip history. The new model is account-based ticketing (ABT) — your travel account sits in the cloud and the card, or your phone, is simply the key to it. It brings features the current system can’t offer:

  • A new generation of nol cards built on banking-card technology, matching modern contactless standards.
  • Link your nol card to a digital account, so your balance and travel history live online, not on a piece of plastic.
  • Add your nol card to a smartphone wallet — one less card to carry through the gates.
  • Buy tickets with a QR code instead of tapping a card — handy for one-off trips.
  • Link family members’ cards under one account, so one account manages a household’s travel spending.
  • Automatic top-ups from your bank, so the card never runs dry.
  • Daily transaction statements, with every trip and fare in one view.

For visitors, the direction is clear: fewer cards, more options, and a system that works like contactless payment already does across the city. Our nol card guide breaks down which card suits which trip length.

The change tourists are waiting for: bank cards and phone wallets at the gates

The headline feature for visitors: RTA’s stated plan to eventually accept bank cards and digital wallets for fares directly. In practice, that would mean tapping a Visa, Mastercard or phone wallet at a Metro gate with no nol card at all — the way many newer fare systems already work.

But be clear: RTA has not confirmed a go-live date for bank-card payments — it’s tied to the wider rollout, not available today. Until the authority says otherwise, every Metro, bus, tram and water-bus ride still needs a nol card or paper ticket. We’ll update our Dubai Metro guide when RTA confirms the switch.

Traveller holding a smartphone up to a ticket gate reader at a Dubai Metro station
RTA’s upgraded system will let passengers add nol cards to smartphone wallets — with bank cards and digital wallets planned for direct fare payment.

What to do on your next trip — until the upgrade lands

Nothing changes for your next visit yet. On arrival, buy a nol card or Red ticket at any Metro station and top up as you go. Public transport remains the cheapest way across the city: typical Dubai trip costs show the Metro and buses beating taxis on almost every common route, and paying for things in Dubai is overwhelmingly card-friendly already — the transport gates are simply the last holdout.

rta.ae remains the authoritative source for rollout dates as the end-of-2026 deadline approaches.

Dubai Metro train arriving at an elevated station platform with passengers waiting
The account-based system is designed to run Metro, bus, tram and marine fares from a single digital account by the end of 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Will my foreign bank card work on the Dubai Metro?

Not yet. RTA plans to accept bank cards and digital wallets under the upgraded system, but no live date is confirmed. Until then, you’ll need a nol card or Red ticket.

Do I still need a nol card as a tourist?

Yes. A Red ticket (pay-as-you-go) covers most short stays; for longer trips or heavy Metro use, a Silver card is usually the better buy. See our nol card guide for the full comparison.

What is account-based ticketing?

Your balance and travel rights live in an online account rather than on the card itself. Lose the card and your balance is safe; tap with a phone, QR code or bank card and the fare goes to the same account.

Will my existing nol balance transfer to the new system?

RTA hasn’t published migration details for existing cards and balances. Expect an announcement as the end-of-2026 date nears — and we’ll cover it here.