What is a Gold NOL card?
The RTA in Dubai provides the Gold Nol Card as its smart card system for transport among residents. Dubai residents primarily use this card when they need comfort and luxury while riding public transportation. The plastic-based card holds a chip that stores information about the holder, with elements such as their name, photo, and NOL account balance.
How the Gold NOL Card Works
The Gold Nol Card functions identically to standard Nol Cards yet serves public transportation payments across Dubai metro systems, tramlines and bus network, together with water bus routes. The payment functionality of this card extends to parking spot fees, making it accepted by select retail stores for transactions.
One beneficial aspect of the Gold Nol Card is its ability to provide access to the Gold Class cabins within the metro and tram lines. Gold Class cabins present passengers with additional room and enhanced comfort, together with increased privacy compared to regular cabins. The Gold Nol Card extends users to a longer 180-minute travel period as opposed to the 90-minute standard availability on student Nol Cards.
Using the Gold Nol Card results in automatic fare computation, which subtracts the funds from the e-purse balance of the card. Users enjoy the convenience of automatic fare calculation on their trips since they do not need to perform manual calculations for fares. The Gold Nol Card provides unrestricted transportation benefits that support the use of all transit modes, including exclusive seating options on the metro and tram lines.
Metal Nol Cards come with price details which include a purchase amount of AED 25 with an attached e-purse worth AED 19. The 30-day pass for the AED 350 offer and the 90-day pass sold for AED 900 are available for purchase. The reusable Gold Nol Card enables users to increase their credit at any time they desire.
The Gold NOL Card represents a valid expense for urban commuters because it provides useful features at affordable rates.
How and Where to Buy or Purchase a NOL Gold Card?
To buy the Nol gold card, you have several handy options to buy. Visit different places such as Bus ticket outlets, Nol ticket vending machines, RTA customer service points, or licensed sales agents to start the buying process or buy the Nol gold card.
The cost of the Nol Gold Card is AED 25, and it comes with an initial credit of AED 19 when bought. For users who will be using an Anonymous card, the recharge limit is AED 1000, while Registered card members can have up to AED 5000 as their recharge limit. The card has a 5-year validity.
The registered cardholders get extra perks, including the flexibility of getting a 1-day pass, a 7-day pass, a 30-day pass, a 90-day pass, and a 365-day pass, enabling unlimited travel for the respective periods. Upgrade your travel experience by easily buying or purchasing the Nol Gold Card, opening doors to easy and hassle-free transportation means in Dubai.
Gold NOL Card Price
The Gold Nol Card is a great choice for those who prefer to travel in comfort and style. The card has an initial cost of AED 25, inclusive of AED 19 e-purse value. The fare of the Gold Nol Card depends on the zones you ride. The following table indicates the cost of the Gold Nol Card depending on the zones:
| Travel Type | Gold Card Fares |
|---|
| Within 1 Zone | 6 AED |
| 2 Adjacent Zones | 10 AED |
| More than 2 Zones | 15 AED |
Additional Gold NOL Card Charges
Apart from the initial cost of the Gold Nol Card, there are a few extra fees to note. For instance, in case you misplace your Gold Nol Card, there is a replacement fee of AED 70. If you wish to top up your e-purse balance, you can top up at any ticket vending machine or RTA Customer Service Centre. There is a minimum top-up of AED 20.
Gold Card Fares and Usage
Fare Structure
The Gold Nol Card substitutes the standard Nol Card by enabling its users to access the luxurious Gold Class seating available on the Dubai Metro and Tram. Most commuters find the extra cost of Gold Card fares to be reasonable because these rates provide added comfort along with special benefits.
Users of Gold Card tickets pay AED 20 for each trip in the Dubai Metro or Tram service, but the standard fare stands at AED 10. Travel pass products for public transport under the Gold Card category are offered for different time durations, including 7 days, 30 days, 90 days and 365 days. The initial price for a Gold Card 7-day travel pass equals AED 140, whereas the standard Nol Card fare stands at AED 70.
Comparing Prices with Other NOL Cards
The prices associated with the Gold Card transcend those of other Nol Cards. A one-way Dubai Metro or Tram trip with the base Silver Nol Card starts from AED 2.5, whereas the base Blue Nol Card fares for a Dubai Bus ride start at AED 2. Customers can obtain travel pass products through the Silver and Blue Nol Cards that cover 7, 30 and 90 days in duration at prices starting from AED 20 for seven days on the Silver Card and AED 40 for thirty days on the Blue Card.
It should be noted that the Gold Card fares are only used for travel by the Dubai Metro and Tram. For the Dubai Bus, Water Bus, and Dubai Ferry, the normal Silver and Blue Nol Cards are adequate.
Gold Nol Card rates are more expensive than the base Nol Card rates but give special access to the Gold Class cabins on the Dubai Metro MAP and Tram. For others who value the comfort and ease, the additional cost of the Gold Card might be justified. Nonetheless, for anyone seeking a lesser cost, then the base Silver and Blue Nol Cards provide a better solution.
How to Recharge a NOL Gold Card?
There are many easy ways to recharge your Gold Nol Card.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you recharge your Gold Nol Card:
Recharge NOL Gold Card through Ticket Vending Machines
You can get these machines at all Dubai Metro stations and some bus stops.
- Insert your Gold Nol Card in the machine.
- Press the “Top Up” option on the screen.
- Select the value you want to add to your card.
- Insert money or use your debit/credit card to make the payment.
- Take your receipt and pull out your Gold Nol Card.
Following these steps, you can recharge your NOL Gold card using ticket vending machines.
Online via the RTA Website
You can also recharge your Gold Nol Card online using the RTA’s official website.
- Go to the RTA website and click on the NOL Card area.
- Log in to your account or register if you don’t have one.
- Choose the “Recharge Nol Card” option.
- Enter your Gold Nol Card number and the desired recharge amount.
- Make the payment via your credit/debit card.
- Your card will be recharged within a few minutes.
RTA Smart Apps
You can use the RTA Dubai app or the Nol Pay app, which is downloadable on ios and Android.
- Download and launch the RTA Dubai or Nol Pay app.
- Log in to your account.
- Choose the “Top Up” or “Recharge Nol Card” option.
- Enter your Gold Nol Card number and choose the amount.
- Proceed to pay using your credit/debit card.
- Your card will be recharged within a few moments.
Gold NOL Card Benefits and Advantages
The Gold NOL card has numerous benefits and advantages for its users. Some of the most apparent ones are:
Access to Gold Class cabins on the Metro and Tram
Gold Nol Card holders can access Metro and Tram gold class cabins as a major advantage of their membership. Those who use the Gold Nol Card will enjoy a relaxed travel experience with spacious seats and lots of legroom inside quiet cabins. The Gold Nol Card provides a perfect solution for people who want to enjoy relaxed and convenient travel by Metro and Tram.
Maximum 180 minutes travelling time
The other benefit of the Gold NOL Card is that it supports a maximum travel period of 180 minutes. Users can, therefore, make longer trips without fear of exhausting their credit or having to recharge their card often.
Calculates your trip cost automatically
The Gold Nol Card also automatically computes the fare of each trip and charges it against the card’s e-purse balance. The user can thus monitor his or her expenditures and not pay more than what he or she should for each trip.
Accepted on all transport modes
An individual with a Gold Nol Card receives unrestricted access to all public transit systems operating in Dubai, including the Metro, Tram, Bus, and Water Bus. The Gold Nol Card functions as an efficient travelling option because users can access all public transportation networks in Dubai.
Special discounts and offers
Lastly, the Gold Card rewards its customers with numerous special deals and reductions, among which are reduced charges for meals and beverages spent at specific retail stores in Dubai. This means it is an ideal option for anyone looking to make savings from enjoying a higher-level travel experience.
Summary
Dubai public transportation users obtain an excellent discount with the Gold Nol Card to secure elevated and elite travel advantages. One can access luxury Gold Class seating on the Dubai Metro through the Gold Nol Card, which runs without hassle across every Dubai transportation system. The higher price of the Gold Nol card stands in contrast to base Nol Cards but provides superior waiting times and a more peaceful environment with elevated seating options that enhance daily transit convenience.
