Dubai Metro Fare Calculator: Check Your Fare in Seconds
Dubai Metro fares start at AED 3 on a Silver card for one zone, AED 5 for two zones and AED 7.50 for more than two zones. Your fare depends on the zones your route touches, not on distance or stops, so a short trip across the creek can cost more than a longer trip inside one zone.
Use the calculator below to price a trip between any two stations. It covers 53 distinct stations: 35 on the Red Line and 20 on the Green Line, with Union and BurJuman shared by both lines. It prices 7 card and ticket types: Silver, Gold, Blue concession, Red Ticket Regular, Red Ticket Gold, QR Regular and QR Gold. Fares checked 2026-11-10, verify on rta.ae.
Metro fare calculator
Pick your stations and card type. The fare is an estimate only. The gate display is final.
A return is two single fares. There is no verified return discount.
Choose your From and To stations, then tap Calculate fare.
Estimate only. The gate display is final. Verify on rta.ae. Fares checked 2026-11-10.
Minimum balance AED 7.50 (Silver/Gold), AED 3.50 (Blue). Children 5 and under travel free.
How to use the calculator
Pick your From station, pick your To station, choose your card or ticket type, choose one-way or return, then tap Calculate fare. The result shows your fare in AED, the zones touched, and the stops on the route.
- Choose your From station from the first dropdown.
- Choose your To station from the second dropdown.
- Choose your card or ticket type: Silver, Gold, Blue concession, Red Ticket Regular, Red Ticket Gold, QR Regular or QR Gold.
- Choose one-way or return, then tap Calculate fare.
Zones touched means the distinct zones your route passes through. A trip from Union (Zone 5) to BurJuman (Zone 6) is one stop but touches 2 zones, so it costs a 2 zone fare. Stops are counted from station order along the line and are labelled as an estimate. If you pick Danube or Jumeirah Golf Estates, the calculator shows a zone to confirm message and no fare.
Fare table by card type
Find your card type in the table below and read across to your zone tier. Silver costs AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50 for one zone, two zones and more than two zones, and every other card type uses the same three tiers.
| Card or ticket type | 1 zone | 2 zones | More than 2 zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | AED 3 | AED 5 | AED 7.50 |
| Gold | AED 6 | AED 10 | AED 15 |
| Blue concession | AED 1.50 | AED 2.50 | AED 3.75 |
| Red Ticket Regular | AED 4 | AED 6 | AED 8.50 |
| Red Ticket Gold | AED 8 | AED 12 | AED 17 |
| QR Regular | AED 6 | AED 8 | AED 10.50 |
| QR Gold | AED 10 | AED 14 | AED 19 |
Gold Class costs double Silver on metro and tram only. On buses a Gold card pays the Silver fare. Blue concession fares apply to approved students, seniors aged 60 and over, and Social Affairs beneficiaries on a Personal Blue card. A return is two single fares, with no verified return discount. Fares checked 2026-11-10, verify on rta.ae. The gate display is final.
How Dubai Metro zones work
Dubai has 7 fare zones, metro stations sit in zones 1, 2, 5 and 6 only, and your fare depends on how many distinct zones your route touches, not on distance or stops. Zones 3, 4 and 7 have no metro station fully inside them; they are served by buses.
Take a trip from Centrepoint (Zone 5) to Mall of the Emirates (Zone 2). The route passes through BurJuman (Zone 6), so it touches 3 distinct zones: 5, 6 and 2. On a Silver card that costs AED 7.50, the more than 2 zones fare. The calculator works the same way: it follows the stations on your route and counts the distinct zones among them.
- The creek is the boundary between Zone 5 (Deira side) and Zone 6 (Bur Dubai side). Union is in Zone 5 and BurJuman is in Zone 6, so one stop between them crosses a zone.
- The Zone 6 to Zone 2 boundary on the Red Line falls between Business Bay (Zone 6) and Garmin (Zone 2).
- The Zone 2 to Zone 1 boundary on the Red Line falls between Energy (Zone 2) and Life Pharmacy (Zone 1) on the trunk, and between Al Furjan (Zone 2) and Dubai Investment Park (Zone 1) on the Route 2020 branch.
- On the Green Line, Zone 5 runs from e& to Al Ras, and Zone 6 runs from Al Ghubaiba to Creek, with the creek crossing between Al Ras and Al Ghubaiba.
Zone to confirm: Danube sits on the Zone 1 and Zone 2 boundary, and Jumeirah Golf Estates sits where Zones 1, 2 and 3 meet. No single zone is verified for either station, so the calculator shows no fare for trips starting or ending there. Check the fare in the RTA app or on the gate display.
See the full station list and map on our Dubai Metro Map page. Fares checked 2026-11-10, verify on rta.ae.
QR tickets vs NOL card
QR tickets launched 9 Oct 2026, a QR single trip costs AED 2 more than the same Red Ticket trip because of a AED 2 service fee per transaction, and QR tickets work on metro, tram and RTA buses only. You buy them in the nol Pay or S’hail app. The code refreshes in the app, so screenshots do not work and you need internet at the gate. NOL cards remain valid.
| QR ticket | 1 zone | 2 zones | All zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR Regular single trip | AED 6 | AED 8 | AED 10.50 |
| QR Gold single trip | AED 10 | AED 14 | AED 19 |
| QR Regular one day pass | AED 22 | ||
| QR Gold one day pass | AED 42 | ||
Choose QR if you are visiting, have a phone, and have no NOL card. Choose Silver if you will travel more than once, because Silver is AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50 against QR Regular at AED 6, AED 8 and AED 10.50. Choose a Red Ticket for one trip without a card or an app.
- Unused QR tickets are valid for 90 days from purchase.
- A QR day pass is valid until the end of the day’s operating hours (midnight) on the day it is first used, not for 24 hours from activation.
- Up to 10 single trip tickets or 5 one day passes per transaction.
- QR tickets do not cover parking, taxis, ferries or Etihad Rail.
Read our guides to the Silver NOL Card, Gold NOL Card and Blue NOL Card to compare card types in full. Fares checked 2026-11-10, verify on rta.ae.
Day pass and travel passes
A 1 day Travel Pass on a Red Ticket costs AED 20 Regular and AED 40 Gold and is valid until midnight on the travel date, and a 1 day QR pass costs AED 22 Regular and AED 42 Gold. For longer stays, RTA sells 7, 30, 90 and 365 day NOL passes priced by zone.
| Pass | Silver: 1 zone / 2 zones / all zones | Gold: 1 zone / 2 zones / all zones |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | AED 50 / 80 / 110 | AED 100 / 160 / 220 |
| 30 days | AED 140 / 230 / 350 | AED 280 / 460 / 700 |
| 90 days | AED 330 / 550 / 830 | AED 660 / 1100 / 1660 |
| 365 days | AED 1060 / 1770 / 2670 | AED 2120 / 3540 / 5340 |
Anonymous Silver and Gold cards can only apply for the 7 day pass; registered cards can apply for 7, 30, 90 and 365 days. Student and Senior Emirati products cost half the Silver price. Divide the pass price by your usual single fare to find how many trips you need to break even. Fares checked 2026-11-10, verify on rta.ae.
First and last train (short)
First train is 5:00 am Monday to Saturday and 8:00 am on Sunday, service ends at midnight except Friday when it ends at 1:00 am. Service end is when the last trains finish, not when they leave, so check the last departure from your station before you travel late. Hours change on public holidays and for special events.
| Day | First train (both lines) | Service ends (both lines) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 5:00 am | Midnight (12:00 am) |
| Friday | 5:00 am | 1:00 am (next day) |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | Midnight (12:00 am) |
| Sunday | 8:00 am | Midnight (12:00 am) |
Last trains from the termini, Monday to Thursday and Saturday: Centrepoint 10:46 pm towards Expo 2020 and 10:50 pm towards Life Pharmacy; Expo 2020 10:44 pm towards Centrepoint; Life Pharmacy 10:52 pm towards Centrepoint; e& 11:23 pm towards Creek; Creek 11:25 pm towards e&. On Friday, add about one hour. See our Dubai Metro Timings guide for per station times.
Minimum balance and top-up
Minimum balance: AED 7.50 on a Silver, Gold or Travel card, and AED 3.50 on a Blue card. Below that, the Metro gates will not open. The same minimum applies when activating a pending balance at Metro gates.
Top up at Metro station machines, through the RTA app and website, or at retail top-up points, and check your balance before you travel using the guides linked in the next section. These figures were read directly on the RTA top-up service page. Checked 2026-11-10, verify on rta.ae.
How to check your NOL card balance
Check your balance online, in the RTA app, or at a Metro station machine. The two guides below show each method step by step, so check before you leave.
- NOL Card Balance Check Online: the online balance check, with the methods to check a card without visiting a station.
- How to Check NOL Card Balance: History (2026 Guide): how to check a balance and view trip and top-up history.
Which NOL card should you choose?
Choose Silver for regular pay as you go travel, Gold for Gold Class cabins, Blue for a registered personal card with concessions if you qualify, and a Red Ticket or QR ticket for a short visit.
- Regular commuter: Silver, at AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50 per trip. Add a pass on a registered card if you ride most days. See Silver NOL Card: Your Guide to Affordable and Smart Travel in Dubai.
- Gold Class rider: Gold, at double Silver on Metro and Tram, for the Gold Class cabin. See Gold NOL Card: Your Ultimate Guide to Luxurious Travel in Dubai.
- Registered resident or concession holder: Blue, the registered personal card, with concession fares of AED 1.50, AED 2.50 or AED 3.75 for approved students, seniors aged 60 and over, and Social Affairs beneficiaries. See Blue NOL Card: Complete Guide for 2026.
- Short visit tourist: a Red Ticket at AED 2, or a QR ticket from AED 6 Regular, with a QR day pass at AED 22 Regular or AED 42 Gold.
Still unsure? Price your usual trips with the Fare Calculator and compare with the pass table above.
NOL card guides on this site
These guides cover each card, each balance check, and Metro travel in general.
- NOL Card Balance Check Online: how to check a NOL balance online, away from a station.
- Dubai Nol Card Types & Benefits: The Ultimate Guide: the full comparison of NOL card types and benefits, for choosing a first card.
- How to Check NOL Card Balance: History (2026 Guide): how to check a balance and view trip and top-up history.
- Gold NOL Card: Your Ultimate Guide to Luxurious Travel in Dubai: the Gold card in full, including Gold Class travel.
- Silver NOL Card: Your Guide to Affordable and Smart Travel in Dubai: the Silver card in full, the standard pay as you go card.
- Blue NOL Card: Complete Guide for 2026: the Blue personal card in full, including registration and concession fares.
- Your Guide to Metro Travel in the UAE: Tips, Cost, Documents: the general Metro travel guide, with tips, costs, and documents for a first trip.
- Dubai Metro Timings: Your Ultimate Guide: first and last train times and service hours.
Tips to pay less
Use a Silver card instead of a Red Ticket or QR ticket for repeat trips, check your zones touched before you travel, and keep at least AED 7.50 on a Silver or Gold card and AED 3.50 on a Blue card so the gates open.
- Use Silver for repeat trips. Silver is AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50, against Red Ticket Regular at AED 4, AED 6 and AED 8.50 and QR Regular at AED 6, AED 8 and AED 10.50.
- Check zones touched first. A trip that touches 3 zones costs the top tier even if it is short, so check the route before you assume the cheapest fare.
- Use Blue concession if you are eligible. Approved students, seniors aged 60 and over, and Social Affairs beneficiaries pay half the Silver fare: AED 1.50, AED 2.50 and AED 3.75.
- Skip Gold unless you want Gold Class. Gold costs double Silver on metro and tram, AED 6, AED 10 and AED 15, so it never saves money on a standard trip.
- Count trips before buying a pass. Divide the pass price by your usual single fare. A 7 day all zones Silver pass at AED 110 needs 15 trips at AED 7.50 to break even.
- Top up before you travel. Keep at least AED 7.50 on a Silver or Gold card and AED 3.50 on a Blue card. Children 5 and under travel free and do not need a NOL card.
Frequently asked questions
The answers below use the same verified fares and zones as the calculator above, checked 2026-11-10, and the gate display is final.
How much is a Dubai Metro fare?
On a Silver card a Dubai Metro fare is AED 3 for one zone, AED 5 for two zones and AED 7.50 for more than two zones. Gold costs AED 6, AED 10 and AED 15. Red Ticket Regular costs AED 4, AED 6 and AED 8.50, and QR Regular costs AED 6, AED 8 and AED 10.50. Use the calculator above for your stations and card type, or read the fare table by card type.
How are Dubai Metro zones counted?
Your fare counts the distinct zones your route touches, so a trip from Centrepoint (Zone 5) to Mall of the Emirates (Zone 2) via BurJuman (Zone 6) touches 3 zones. That is why the fare uses the stations on the route, not the difference between the two zone numbers. Zones are numbered 1, 2, 5 and 6 for metro stations, so a zone difference on its own gives the wrong answer.
Why does the calculator show zone to confirm for Danube and Jumeirah Golf Estates?
Danube sits on the Zone 1 and Zone 2 boundary and Jumeirah Golf Estates sits where Zones 1, 2 and 3 meet, so no single zone is verified for either station and the calculator shows no fare for trips starting or ending there. Check the fare in the RTA app or on the gate display for those trips. The calculator still prices trips that pass through either station on the way to another station.
Is a QR ticket cheaper than a NOL card?
No, a QR single trip costs AED 2 more than the same Red Ticket trip, so QR Regular is AED 6, AED 8 and AED 10.50 against Red Ticket Regular AED 4, AED 6 and AED 8.50, while Silver is AED 3, AED 5 and AED 7.50. QR suits a visitor with a phone and no card who needs one or two trips. For repeat trips, a Silver card is cheaper per trip.
What is the minimum balance on a NOL card?
You need at least AED 7.50 on a Silver, Gold or Travel card and AED 3.50 on a Blue card, or the metro gates will not open. Top up before you travel if your balance is close to the limit. Check your balance on our NOL Card Balance Check Online page or in the RTA app.
Do children travel free on the Dubai Metro?
Yes, children aged 5 and under travel free on the Dubai Metro, tram and bus, and they do not need a NOL card. Older children need their own card or ticket and pay the fare for their card type and zones touched. If you are unsure, ask at the station before you tap through the gate.
Is there a return fare or a day pass?
There is no verified return discount, so a return is two single fares, and a 1 day Travel Pass on a Red Ticket costs AED 20 Regular and AED 40 Gold, valid until midnight on the travel date. A 1 day QR pass costs AED 22 Regular and AED 42 Gold. Compare the day pass with two single fares before you buy, because a single return may cost less than a day pass.
Fares and zones on this page were checked 2026-11-10 against the official RTA rail network map (published 2026.09.25) and the RTA Nol Fares page. Verify on rta.ae before you travel. The gate display is final. See also our Dubai Nol Card Types and Benefits guide and the Dubai Metro Map.
