You won’t have to worry about leaving home without your nol card when travelling in Dubai
If you use public transportation in Dubai, you can’t leave home without your nol card. But soon, all you will need is your phone.
Dubai’s Road and Transportation Authority (RTA) is working on upgrading your physical nol cards, making travelling a lot easier. This October, RTA implemented Phase 1: QR code ticketing, which passengers can purchase and use with just their phones.
A social media post shared by RTA stated, ‘Getting around Dubai is now easier and more flexible.’
*Sheikh Hamdan announces RTA as the first winner of the Dubai-it Awards 2026*
It added that your ticket is now available as a QR code available on your phone. It explained that the QR code can be purchased directly through nol Pay or the S’hail app, and it can be used across the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and bus. It also confirmed you don’t need a paper ticket and all you need to do is, ‘Get your code, scan it through the blue gates, and go.’
More changes, incoming
The QR-code system is just 1 of three phases to be rolled out.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, made the announcement about the upgrades in July 2026.
Phase 2 will introduce a new generation of nol cards complete with advanced technology. It will link digitally to customers’ accounts to allow better management.
Over the final phase, commuters will be able to pay directly using their bank cards and digital wallets.
The upgrades will soon also allow passengers to create personal accounts, link multiple nol cards – including those of family members – and manage balances from a single platform. Other additional tasks will also be made simpler, such as automatic top-ups.
We will be keeping our eyes open for the upgrade announcement and will let you know when it is being rolled out.
Images: RTA Instagram stills
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in