1 Day Pass Dubai – Red Nol Card Unlimited Metro, Bus & Tram Travel (2026)
Need to explore Dubai for a day without overspending on transport? The 1 day pass in Dubai is a daily public transport ticket issued on a Red Nol Card, allowing unlimited travel on Dubai Metro, tram, and RTA buses for one service day. The regular-class 1 day pass costs AED 20, with a one-time AED 2 fee for the Red Nol Card and it lets you hop on and off as many times as you want.
It’s loaded onto a Red Nol Card (also called a Red Ticket), which you can grab at any metro station in under 5 minutes. Perfect if you’re planning to visit Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Marina, and a few other spots in one day
What is a 1 Day Pass in Dubai? (Red Nol Card Explained)
The 1 day pass is a fixed-price daily travel pass issued by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for use on public transport services. You load it onto a Red Nol Card, which is a simple paper ticket that costs AED 2.
Here’s where people get confused: the card itself is AED 2, and the 1 day pass costs AED 20 (regular) or AED 40 (gold class). So you’re paying AED 22 or AED 42 total. If you already have a Red Card from before, you just pay for the pass (AED 20 or 40).
The same card can hold up to 10 single trips or 5 daily passes if you’re staying multiple days. RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) made this specifically for tourists and short-term visitors.
Types of 1 Day Pass – Zones & Travel Class Options
The 1 day pass is sold based on travel class (Regular or Gold). Zone limits apply during travel, but the price of the pass itself is determined by the class you choose, not by zones. There are two ways to buy the 1 day pass: by zone coverage or by travel class.
Zone Coverage
Dubai’s transport is split into zones. Most tourists only need 2 zones since major attractions are close. Zone limits are enforced at exit gates, and exceeding the allowed zones may temporarily block the card until the fare difference is paid.
Two Zones (AED 20): Covers any 2 adjacent zones. Works for most tourist trips like Downtown to Marina, or Deira to Bur Dubai.
All Zones (AED 40): Covers the entire city. Get this if you’re going to Global Village, Deira, and the Palm all in one day.
Quick zone guide:
- Downtown Dubai + Dubai Mall + Burj Khalifa = Zone 1-2
- Dubai Marina + JBR + Palm = Zone 3-4
- Deira + Gold Souk + Old Dubai = Zone 5-6
If you buy a 2-zone pass but accidentally go into a 3rd zone, your card gets blocked at the exit gate. You’ll need to visit the ticket office to pay the difference.
Travel Class
Regular Class (AED 20): Standard metro cabins and buses. Gets you everywhere but can be crowded during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM).
Gold Class (AED 40): Front metro cabins with AC, more space, and way fewer people. Automatically covers ALL zones, not just 2.
Each person needs their own card. You can’t share one pass between family members.
1 Day Pass Price in Dubai – AED 20 vs AED 40
Here’s the full breakdown:
| Item | Price |
| Red Nol Card (physical card) | AED 2 |
| Regular Pass (2 zones) | AED 20 |
| Gold Pass (all zones) | AED 40 |
| Total – Regular | AED 22 |
| Total – Gold | AED 42 |
The AED 2 card fee is one-time. Keep your card and you only pay for the pass next time. Prices are based on current RTA public fares and may change without notice.
Kids under 5 ride free. Kids 5 and above pay full price (no discount, unfortunately).
Benefits of Buying Red Nol Day Pass
The card holds a lot of benefits including :
Unlimited Rides
Take as many trips as you want within your zones. No need to count rides or worry about running out of credit.
Saves Money
A typical single metro trip on a Red Nol Card costs around AED 6 for travel across two adjacent zones. Therefore, if you take 4 or more such trips in one day, the AED 20 1 day pass pays off compared with paying per ride.
Super Convenient
Just tap and go. No calculating fares, no topping up, no stress.
Works Across Most RTA Public Transport Services
Metro (Red & Green lines), Dubai Tram, all RTA buses, and water buses on the Creek and Marina.
Perfect for Tourists
Visit Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Marina, and the Palm all in one day without buying separate tickets.
Who Should Buy the Nol Red Card in Dubai?
Get the 1 day pass if you’re:
- A tourist visiting 3+ attractions in different areas
- A family exploring Dubai together (everyone needs their own card though)
- Someone with back-to-back meetings or appointments across the city
- Making 5+ trips in one day
Skip it if you’re:
- A Dubai resident who commutes daily (get a Silver or Blue Nol Card instead)
- Only making 1-2 trips (paying per ride is cheaper)
- Staying in Dubai for a week or more (7-day or 30-day passes make more sense)
Validity
Your pass starts the second you tap it for the first time, not when you buy it. So you can buy it the night before if you want.
The pass remains valid until the final scheduled public transport service of the day, which varies by weekday and service type.
- Sunday to Wednesday: Around midnight
- Thursday & Friday: Around 1 AM (late night service)
- Saturday: Around midnight
If you buy the card but never use it, it expires 90 days later.
Is the 1 Day Pass Worth It? Cost Breakdown
Whether the 1 day pass is worth it depends on how many trips you’re taking.
When It’s Worth It
| Trips | Pay-Per-Ride | 1 Day Pass | You Save |
| 3 trips | AED 13.50 | AED 22 | Still paying more |
| 5 trips | AED 22.50 | AED 22 | Break even |
| 7 trips | AED 31.50 | AED 22 | Save AED 9.50 |
| 10 trips | AED 45 | AED 22 | Save AED 23 |
The magic number is 5 trips. After that, you’re saving money.
Real Example:
You want to:
- Start at Burj Khalifa (9 AM)
- Walk Dubai Mall (11 AM)
- Metro to Marina for lunch (1 PM)
- Tram to JBR Beach (3 PM)
- Metro back to hotel (7 PM)
That’s 4 metro/tram rides = AED 18 with single tickets. With this pass, you pay AED 22 but can make unlimited extra trips if plans change.
Where to Buy Red Nol Day Pass – 3 Easy Ways
the nol card can be purchased from following
Nol Pay App (Fastest)
Download the Nol Pay app, log in with UAE Pass, and select “1-Day Pass.” You can buy a 1-day pass digitally and use your phone to tap if it has NFC.
Costs the same (AED 20 or 40), no card fee if you go virtual.
Ticket Vending Machines (TVM)
Every metro station has these. Tap the screen, select “Red Ticket” then “1-Day Pass,” choose Regular or Gold, and pay. The Machine prints your card instantly.
Ticket Office
Any metro station ticket office sells them. Just ask for “1-Day Pass, Regular” or “Gold.” Takes 2-3 minutes. Pay AED 22 (regular) or AED 42 (gold).
Some Carrefour and Waitrose stores sell Red Cards too, but metro stations are more reliable. Can’t buy it at the airport. Go to Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 metro station first.
How to Use Red Nol Card on Dubai Metro & Buses
Super simple: tap in, ride, tap out.
On the Metro
Walk to the entry gate, tap your card on the yellow or pink reader. Green light + beep = you’re good. Red light = problem (wrong zone, card error).
After your ride, tap again at the exit gate. Always tap out or you’ll get charged a penalty.
On Buses and Trams
Tap when you get on, tap when you get off. Readers are near the doors.
Common Tap Mistakes
- Not tapping out at exits (card gets blocked)
- Tapping too fast (hold it for 1-2 seconds)
- Bending the card (breaks the chip inside)
Which Transportation Services Are Covered?
Works on:
- Dubai Metro: Red Line (52 stations) and Green Line (20 stations)
- Dubai Tram: Al Sufouh route (Marina, JBR, Mall of Emirates)
- RTA Buses: All public bus routesWater Bus: Dubai Creek and Marina routes only
Some special or seasonal bus routes (such as buses to event venues or seasonal attractions) may not accept the 1 Day Pass. Always check route eligibility before boarding.
Does NOT work on:
- Taxis or Uber/Careem
- Dubai Ferry (premium service)
- Abras (those AED 1 wooden boats)
- Intercity buses to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah
- Private tour buses
Limitations You Should Know
FAQs
Conclusion
The 1 day pass is hands down the easiest way to explore Dubai if you’re hitting multiple spots. For AED 22, this pass gives you unlimited metro, tram, bus, and water bus rides until midnight.
Grab it at any metro station, tap it when you travel, and you’re set. Just make sure you’re planning at least 5 trips to actually save money. If you’re a tourist with a packed itinerary, this is your best bet.
