Skip paper tickets using your phone's Dubai Metro QR code
Those blue gates at Dubai Metro stations finally have a digital companion. If you are rushing through the turnstiles today, you do not need to fumble for a paper ticket or queue up at the machine.
Ditching Paper Red Tickets at the Turnstile
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) rolled out a digital alternative on Friday, October 9, 2026, letting commuters use phone-based QR codes across the Dubai Metro, buses, and trams. Instead of relying on a physical red Nol ticket for single trips, occasional riders and visitors can now generate a code directly through the Nol Pay or S’hail apps.
Once you have the code pulled up on your screen, you simply scan it right at the blue entry gates to start your journey. The update targets the red Nol ticket designed for single and occasional rides, with fares still calculated based on the specific zones you travel through. It cuts out the paper trail for anyone who doesn’t keep a permanent card topped up, streamlining the commute for weekend riders and visitors navigating the city.
The new app-based transit access is live across the network.
