Comparing the two transit apps to help you pick the right one for United Arab Emirates.
| NOL Card | RTA Dubai | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | The NOL card is the rechargeable smart card for Dubai's public transport system, covering the metro, buses, trams, and water buses. The S'hail app lets you plan routes and manage your NOL card digitally. | The official Roads and Transport Authority app for Dubai. Covers trip planning, real-time bus and metro schedules, parking payments, and NOL card balance checks. |
| Essential? | Yes | No |
| Pro Tip | Get a Red NOL card (paper ticket) from any metro station for short stays, or a Silver NOL card if you plan to use public transport frequently. You can top up at stations or via the S'hail app. | - |
| App Store | Download | Download |
| Play Store | Download | Download |
We recommend NOL Card for transit in United Arab Emirates. Get a Red NOL card (paper ticket) from any metro station for short stays, or a Silver NOL card if you plan to use public transport frequently. You can top up at stations or via the S'hail app.
