Dubai bus guide: fares, nol zones, rules and fines

Dubai's public buses are paid with a nol card or a nol red ticket, and the fare depends on how many of the city's 7 fare zones you cross. On a silver nol card a trip costs AED 3 within one zone, AED 5 across two neighbouring zones and AED 7.50 for more than two, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Change from the Metro to a bus within 30 minutes and the two trips are charged as one journey.

The network

The RTA's Public Transport Agency runs a fleet of 1,518 buses, including 935 standard, 339 articulated and 170 double-deck buses. Its 119 lines include 35 that link to Metro stations, 12 intercity lines to the other emirates, 62 internal lines and 8 fast lines. The RTA says the network covers 82% of Dubai's urban areas and carries about 369,248 passengers a day. There are 17 fully equipped bus stations and 2,185 bus stops, 554 of them with air-conditioned waiting areas.

Fares

Every journey is priced by the number of zones you pass through:

Children aged 5 and under travel free. On a personal nol card, students, Senior Emiratis, citizens on social affairs support and others in those groups pay half fare, and people of determination travel free.

Transfers

Tap out of the Metro and tap in on a bus within 30 minutes, and both trips count as one journey charged on the total zones crossed. A journey can last up to 180 minutes with up to 3 transfers, whether it stays in one zone or crosses several.

Travel passes

If you ride every day, a pass may cost less. On a silver card, a 7-day pass is AED 50 for one zone, AED 80 for two and AED 110 for all zones; 30 days is AED 140, AED 230 or AED 350; 90 days is AED 330, AED 550 or AED 830; and a year is AED 1,060, AED 1,770 or AED 2,670. Students and senior Emiratis and citizens pay half: AED 25, AED 40 or AED 55 for 7 days and AED 70, AED 115 or AED 175 for 30 days. Anonymous silver and gold cards can only take the 7-day pass; for longer passes the card must be registered.

On board

All buses are air-conditioned and have a separate section for women, children and families, and space for wheelchairs. Stops show bus times, and main stops have nol top-up machines. For blind and partially sighted riders there are tactile paths, and doors beep and flash when they open and close.

Board through the front door and get off at the back; women and children may get off at the front. Signal the bus to stop, press the bell before your stop and stay seated until the bus has stopped. Bulky luggage, hazardous materials and animals are not allowed, and bags must not block the aisle.

Children travelling alone

Under 8, a child may not ride without an adult. From 8 to 11, the RTA requires a permit issued by the parents, and lists intercity buses as an exception. From 12, children may travel alone.

Fines

The RTA lists these fines on public transport, among others: AED 200 for riding without paying, not showing your nol card when asked, or using an expired card or someone else's card; AED 500 for a fake card; AED 100 for eating or drinking where it is not allowed or for sitting in seats reserved for others; AED 200 for smoking, spitting or littering; AED 500 for carrying alcohol; AED 1,000 for carrying weapons, sharp tools or flammable materials; and AED 2,000 for damaging equipment.

Timetables and planning

The RTA does not publish one set of hours for the whole network: each route has its own timetable, which you can download by route number on rta.ae, and the S'hail app plans door-to-door journeys. Intercity tickets are booked through the RTA website; their fares are not listed on the bus pages.

Common questions

Can I pay cash on the bus? The RTA bus pages list nol cards and red tickets as the way to pay.

Is the bus cheaper than the Metro? The zone fares are the same for both on a silver card.

Can children ride free? Yes, up to age 5.