At present, the system is only set up for payment with a physical Nol card or Nol card on your phone, not credit cards.

Our understanding is you need this when you start your last journey, so you do not exceed the maximum fare for that trip.

Hi Peter, each passenger over 5 years old needs their own Nol card to go through the gates at Metro stations, unfortunately there’s no card sharing.

We do not known the exact consequences, but given traveling on public transport without a valid ticket is against the law anywhere in the world, why would you do it? Even a tourist can be fined for breaking the law. If you have an outstanding fine on leaving the UAE you will be held by border police until payment is made – we understand cash and credit card payment are accepted. If you cannot pay, a travel ban can be applied. Simply put, don’t break any laws in Dubai as consequences can be severe.

I’m afraid we don’t know the exact answer to this. If you were fined in person and they took any form of ID from you then you could run into serious trouble when leaving the country, no matter how small the amount they take unpaid debts very seriously here in the UAE.