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Dubai Metro Zones are divided into 7 fare areas, which are called zones or grade corridors. The zones get to know how much the passengers should pay for their travels. Thus, knowing the zones helps with trip planning and seeing the ticket prices of the city. Each train station of the metro system is in one of those zones. Everyone gets a travel card based on the number of zones to be covered.
Dubai Metro Zones 1 and 2
Dubai, Zones 1 and 2 are crowded due to the airport’s close proximity. Zones 3, 4, and 5 are downtown Dubai. Zone 6 has the bustling Downtown Dubai and the famous Burj Khalifa. Zone 7 is ‘loved so much so it is also included in the list of folks out there who preferred Dubai Marina and JLT.
How Much Does the Metro Cost?
The ticket price of the Dubai Metro Zones depends on how many zones you travel through during your trip
- Running a single zone = Only 3 AED with a Silver card.
- Traversing 2 zones = 5 AED with a Silver card.
- Using a Silver card for trips of 3 or more zones = 7.50 AED.
At the start and finish of single and multi-travel, you don’t have to tell the system to charge you for the zones. Rather, it is all going to be computerized: just by tapping in and tapping out the system by passengers makes a quick count of the covered zones.
Different Types of Nol Cards
Silver Nol Card
The Silver Nol Card is one of the best Nol card options. You buy it at 25 dirhams, but it will be credited to the customer with 19 dirhams. This card is expected to be valid for 5 years, although not so long as many of its users use it daily to travel around the city.
Gold Nol Card
Among these two cards, the Silver one is only fancy while the Gold card offers a complimentary luxury experience as you will need to pay more to get your ticket. A total of AED 6 is charged for one zone. The costs are AED 10 and AED 15 for two zones and three zones, respectively.
Blue Personal Nol Card
Blue cards are the most common ones among groups like students, older people, and disabled persons, at AED 70, but they will get a 50% discount. As for the others, disabled people are not required to pay any traffic fees.
Red Nol Ticket
Tourist Red Nol Ticket costs AED 2 for traveling within 1 zone and this is starting from 4 AED for a one-way journey. The costs are AED 4 and AED 6 for a two-way and three-way up to a maximum of AED 8.50, and the ticket is valid for 90 days.
Red Line Stations
The Red Line is a Metro train that passes through different Dubai Metro zones. It goes from Rashidiya to the Expo City Dubai. Stations situated in particular zones are Zone 1, Rashidiya, Zone 2, Airport Terminals, and Zone 7, Dubai Marina.
Green Line Stations
The Green Line travels from Etisalat to the Creek region. Stops that must not be missed include Zone 3: Etisalat and Zone 5: The Creek
Adding Money to Nol Cards
Nol Cards can be topped up with credits using a number of methods: via by mobile applications, at the RTA website, at supermarkets, and certain machines on bus stations. The least amount of the card should always be 7.50 AED.
Daily Caps and Passes
Daily Cap
For a Silver card, you can only go up to AED 14 a day and 20 for a Gold card. When you hit the daily spending limit, you will no longer have to pay extra for the rides.
Weekly and Monthly Passes
Weekly passes can be purchased for AED 50. Also, monthly passes are available through AED 140 and AED 230 for one and two zones, respectively.
Switching Transport
To be specific, the one who switches from Metro to bus to tram, it is not recognized as multiple trips, it is counted as one trip for up to 30 minutes. The two major hubs in the city are Union and BurJuman.
Special Discounts and Free Travel
Airport Travel
Only the regular fare without any additional costs shall be taken whether going to or leaving from the airport.
Tourist and Student Discounts
Around the clock, tourists can get a ticket for 24 hours at AED 20. Students and elderly people have Blue cards with 50% discount on them.
Free Pass
Kids who are 5 years old or younger do not have to pay for their public transport, while those who are beyond this age level are provided special discount card.
Important Metro Rules
- Every single trip requires the action of tapping when entering and tapping out when leaving the stations in order to avoid fines starting at AED 200.
- All the time, you maintain the designated amount of money on the card to keep it functional( the minimum top-up is AED 7.50).
- The greatest amount you can deposit in regular cards is AED 1,000, while it’s AED 5,000 for Blue cards. You can use it for 90 days.
Tips for Saving Money
The silver card is the most cost-effective as it has the least amount of fees.
- When you need to ride the metro a lot, it’s better to buy passes as you can save more after taking 8 rides.
- You should be cautious when it comes to loss of cards. Therefore it’s the best to link them to your account for security. In addition, the Government’s Transportation Authority has information on the services they offer.
- Instead, you should try the shortest routes possible.
- Mark the next multiple transfer points for buses within a 30-minute span so that which will allow you to change transport modes.
- It’s not a good idea to get stuck at gates, so make sure your card is fully charged.
Help and Information
Support and help can also be obtained from RTA service offices located at the top Metro stations. Check out the RTA website for current news. The staff would kindly provide you with any information regarding cards and travel schedules. Both Arabic and English information is given at the stations, and the maps are easy to understand.
Conclusion
Dubai Metro Zones and Nol Cards are easy and convenient to use. It is really a treat to have such a life that gives us the freedom to move and to go and discover new places. This means that the user saves time and money whenever using the services of the metro and exploring the city. To be the most efficient traveler, one should pick the right card and be familiar with the zones.
Dubai Metro — FAQ
Zones & Fares
Nol Cards
Passes & Daily Caps
Discounts & Free Travel
Rules & Tips
