How do you pay for public transport in Dubai (transport cards) and where can you get a paper map of the city?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 21 days ago
TL;DR
Dubai's public transport (metro, buses, tram) runs on the Nol card, not Hafilat (which is Sharjah's card) — Nol cards cost around AED 25 including deposit and are sold at metro stations. Printed static maps are available at tourist info desks in Dubai International Airport and Dubai Mall.
What the community said
The Hafilat bus card works in Sharjah, not Dubai — in Dubai you need the Nol card for metro, buses, tram and monorail. It's sold at ticket counters and vending machines in metro stations, starting from AED 25 (includes deposit plus starting balance).
25 days ago Nol Card, ~AED 25
If rotating smartphone maps are confusing, look for a printed static map with fixed North-South-East-West orientation — these are handed out at tourist information desks in Dubai International Airport (DXB) and at Dubai Mall.
39 days ago Info desks at DXB and Dubai Mall
Budget travelers sometimes reach Dubai or Sharjah via connecting flights through Almaty, Bishkek, Tashkent or Tbilisi when a direct flight from their home city is too expensive or unavailable.
54 days ago