Dubai Metro QR Ticket (2026): How to Buy, Prices & Rules
Updated 17 October 2026. Dubai now offers digital nol QR tickets that visitors can buy on a phone, so you may not need to purchase a physical Red Ticket for a single Metro journey. You can buy a QR ticket through the official nol Pay or S’hail app, then scan it at the transport reader. This guide explains how to buy one, what it costs, where it works and the mistakes tourists should avoid.
Quick answer: open nol Pay or S’hail, choose a QR ticket, select a single trip or 1-Day Pass, choose your zones or destination and travel class, then pay. Your digital ticket is issued in the app. You need an internet connection to access it, and an activated 1-Day Pass expires at midnight—not 24 hours after first use.
What Is Dubai’s Digital nol QR Ticket?
A digital nol QR ticket is a phone-based public transport ticket introduced by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). It gives visitors another option alongside existing Silver, Gold and personal nol cards. It is especially useful if you are visiting for a short time or only need a few journeys and would rather not buy a physical Red Ticket.
The QR ticket can be used on Dubai Metro, public buses and Dubai Tram. It is not a general payment QR code and cannot be used to pay for taxis, parking or Dubai Ferry journeys. Existing nol cards remain valid, so you do not need to replace a card you already use.
Check the latest instructions on the official RTA nol QR ticket guide before travelling, as ticket rules and prices can change.
How to Buy a Dubai Metro QR Ticket on Your Phone
- Install or open nol Pay or S’hail. Use the official app listing for your device and avoid unofficial ticket sellers.
- Choose the QR ticket option. Select either a single-trip QR ticket or a 1-Day Pass.
- Enter your journey. Choose the travel zones or enter your starting point and destination. The app can help identify the correct zones.
- Select the number of tickets and class. Choose Regular or Gold where offered. Buy a separate ticket for each passenger who needs one.
- Review the price and pay. Follow the app’s payment steps. Check the final amount before confirming because the official RTA service page lists an additional AED 2 service fee for the displayed ticket options.
- Open the ticket in the app. After successful payment, the QR ticket should be issued instantly. Keep the app and ticket accessible during your journey.
You can also ask at an approved ticket office machine or use a supported ticket vending machine for a static paper QR ticket, where available. If you want to use a physical nol card instead, see our Dubai nol card guide for tourists.
Dubai QR Ticket Prices: What Should You Budget?
RTA lists the following base fares for digital QR tickets. An AED 2 service fee applies per transaction, not per ticket, so the final cost per passenger depends on how many tickets you buy in the same transaction. The totals in the last column show the example cost when just one ticket is purchased in a transaction. Confirm the amount displayed in the app or machine before paying.
| Ticket type | Base fare | Example total if bought alone |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip, 1 zone | AED 4 | AED 6 |
| Single trip, 2 adjacent zones | AED 6 | AED 8 |
| Single trip, 3 or more zones | AED 8.50 | AED 10.50 |
| 1-Day Pass, Regular | AED 20 | AED 22 |
| 1-Day Pass, Gold | AED 40 | AED 42 |
Gold Class single-trip base fares are AED 8, AED 12 and AED 17 across the same zone bands; with the AED 2 transaction fee, buying one ticket alone would total AED 10, AED 14 or AED 19. RTA says a 1-Day Pass allows up to five trips and covers all zones by default. The final charge depends on the tickets in your transaction, so use the amount shown at checkout. For standard Metro fares, operating times and routes, read our Dubai Metro guide.
Is the 1-Day QR Pass Valid for 24 Hours?
No. According to RTA, the 1-Day Pass is valid for one calendar day and expires at midnight on the day it is activated. If you first use it at 10:30 pm, it does not stay valid until 10:30 pm the following day. The ticket can be purchased in advance, and RTA says an unused digital QR ticket can remain valid for up to 90 days from purchase before its first use.
For this reason, do not activate a day pass early if you plan to use it on a different date. Check the ticket’s validity details in the app before travelling.
How to Scan the QR Ticket at a Metro Gate
- Open your digital ticket in nol Pay or S’hail before reaching the gate.
- Show the QR code to the reader at the entry gate and hold the phone steady until the gate validates it.
- Keep the ticket accessible throughout your journey, including any transfers.
- Follow the instructions at the exit reader when leaving the Metro.
The reader position can differ by transport mode. On buses, RTA instructs passengers to show the QR code to the red reader near the entrance with the phone screen facing up. At Metro gates, follow the reader markings and the latest instructions in the app or at the station.
Important Rules Tourists Should Know
- Internet is required: RTA says you need an internet connection to access the digital QR ticket stored in the app. The QR code refreshes automatically, so a screenshot is not a reliable substitute. Station Wi-Fi may be available, but do not rely on it as your only plan.
- Do not share or screenshot tickets for others: digital QR tickets are personal and single-use where applicable. Follow the app’s display and RTA’s ticket conditions.
- Single-trip and day-pass rules differ: a single-trip QR ticket is for one journey; a 1-Day Pass can be used for eligible journeys until 11:59 pm on its activation day.
- Choose zones carefully: if you are unsure, enter your origin and destination in the app instead of guessing the number of zones.
- Keep existing nol cards in mind: regular Silver or Gold nol cards may be more convenient if you expect frequent travel or want a reusable payment method for other eligible transport services.
QR Ticket or Silver nol Card: Which Is Better for Tourists?
| Your situation | Practical choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One or two Metro journeys | Compare a QR single trip with a Red Ticket | Choose the option with the clearest final price and easiest access. |
| A busy sightseeing day | Compare the QR 1-Day Pass with individual fares | A pass may suit several journeys, but remember it expires at midnight. |
| Several days of Metro, bus or tram use | Consider a Silver nol card or relevant travel pass | A reusable card may be more practical across a longer stay. |
| You may not have mobile data | Consider a physical nol product | Digital QR tickets require internet access to display. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tourists buy Dubai Metro QR tickets?
Yes. RTA lists visitors among the eligible users for QR tickets. Follow the official app steps and confirm your ticket is issued before entering the transport system.
Do I still need a nol card?
No, not for every journey: a QR ticket is an additional option for Metro, bus and tram. A nol card remains useful for people who prefer a reusable card or need transport modes not covered by QR tickets.
Can I use a QR ticket on Dubai Taxi or Ferry?
No. RTA says QR tickets are valid on Dubai Metro, bus and tram, not Dubai Taxi or Dubai Ferry.
What if my QR ticket does not scan?
Check that you have opened the correct active ticket, that your phone can access the app and that the QR code is clearly visible. Do not repeatedly enter if the gate has not validated the ticket; ask station staff for help before continuing.
Where can I check the latest official rules?
Use the RTA QR ticket service page and the official Dubai Metro visitor guide for the latest details. We reviewed the available official guidance on 17 October 2026; recheck before travel because fares and procedures can change.
Plan the Rest of Your Dubai Journey
Digital QR tickets can make an occasional Metro journey simpler, but the best choice depends on how often you will travel and whether you need buses or trams too. Start with our Dubai Metro guide, compare your options in the nol card guide, and use our Dubai airport-to-city guide to plan the first leg after landing. Arriving in Dubai by train instead? Read our Etihad Rail and Dubai Metro combined-ticket guide.
