How-To
How To Check Your Nol Card Balance In 3 Simple Steps
Public transport is the most common way to get around in Dubai. This guide shows you how to check your Nol card balance in 3 simple steps.
For many people living in Dubai, the Nol card is as essential as their government ID, allowing them to easily use all modes of public transport. If you’re a new user of the Nol card, then this article is just for you because it explains the card’s features and provides detailed instructions on how to check your Nol card balance online.
What Is A Nol Card?
The Nol card (the word Nol is an Arabic word نول for fare) is a stored-value smartcard that’s used for all types of public transport in Dubai. The card holds prepaid funds that must be added to it before you check in at a contactless terminal. When you complete your travel and check out at the gates of your metro station or bus entrance, the terminal automatically calculates the cost of your trip and deducts the appropriate amount of funds.
The Nol card was launched in August 2009, and it’s currently used for around 1.5 million transactions every day. Besides the main modes of public transport in Dubai (metro, tram, buses, and water taxis), the card can also be used to pay for taxi fares and to make small purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and other places.
Types Of Nol Cards
There are actually four different types of cards available:
- Red Ticket: Intended for tourists and visitors, the Red ticket is a disposable paper card that’s valid for 90 days from the of purchase. It can be used only for up to 10 bus, metro, or tram journeys.
- Silver: Dubbed as “the perfect starter card,” the Nol Silver card is great for all frequent travelers who would like to use all modes of transport in Dubai. The card is valid for 5 years from the date of purchase, and it can be loaded with up to AED 1000.
- Gold: The Nol Gold card is basically a premium version of the Silver card, allowing you to use Gold Class cabins on the metro and tram. Interestingly, this card can be loaded up with only AED 500.
- Blue: Finally, the Nol Blue card is required for concession fares, and it provides the ability to recover your balance if your card gets lost or stolen. You can top up your Nol Blue card with up to AED 5000, and there are great discounts for students, senior citizens, and people with disabilities to enjoy.
Regardless of which Nol card you choose, your fares will always be cheaper than the paper ticketed option, not to mention that Nol cards are far more convenient in just about every way.
How To Use A Nol Card
Using your Nol card to get around the city is easy.
To Check-In:
- Approach the terminal near your metro gate or bus entrance.
- Place your Nol card near the card reader.
- Wait for a confirmation beep and green light telling you that your check-in has been successful.
- Pass through the gate or entrance.
To Check-Out:
- Approach the terminal near your metro gate or bus entrance.
- Place your Nol card near the card reader.
- Wait for a confirmation beep and green light telling you that the check-out process has been successfully completed.
- Pass through the gate or entrance.
- Check your Nol card balance (optional).
As explained, the Nol card can also be used to pay for small purchases, such as breakfast or groceries, at over 2,000 outlets around metro stations and beyond. When used for this purpose, the card works basically just like a contactless debit card: you simply place it near the terminal and wait for the appropriate amount of money to be deducted from your balance.
How To Check Nol Card Balance
You should check your Nol card balance every time you check-in at a terminal, but what if you’re not near one? In that case, you can quickly and easily check it online:
- Go to the RTA website.
- Click the “Check Nol Balance” button.
- Enter the Nol card ID found on the backside of your card and click the “Search” button.
As you can see, learning how to check Nol card balance online is a matter of three simple steps, and all you need is a web browser and internet connection.
If you like to check your Nol card balance regularly, you should consider downloading the RTA Dubai app, which is available for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Huawei devices. After signing in with your RTA user ID and password, you can click the “Check Your Nol Balance” button and enter your card ID to view your balance.
How-To
How To Watch Arabic Channels In USA, Canada & Australia
Arab families living in the United States, Canada, and Australia now have several options on how to watch their favorite Arabic TV channels.
Some options for watching Arabic channels in the United States, Canada, and Australia are suitable for cord-cutters, whose goal it is to get rid of cable and satellite TV and save as much money as possible. Other options are ideal for those who prefer a more traditional satellite TV experience. Regardless of which two groups you belong to, you’ll be able to satisfy your craving for Arabic TV with the help of this article.
Here’s a quick overview of the various options for watching Arabic channels in the USA, Canada, and Australia:
| Solution: | Best For: | Hardware Required? |
| Direct Channel Streaming | Casual viewers | No |
| VPN Services | Tech-savvy users wanting access to geo-restricted content | No |
| MySat | Australian viewers, especially in remote areas | Yes (Dish & Receiver) |
| ArabCast | Viewers wanting flexible, affordable streaming | No |
| JadooTV | Those interested in South Asian and Arabic content | Optional (Set-Top Box) |
| Reelplay Arabic IPTV Box | Users wanting an easy-to-use, dedicated solution | Yes (IPTV Box) |
| DISH Arabic TV | Users preferring traditional satellite TV | Yes (Dish & Receiver) |
| Sling TV Arabic | Cord-cutters using multiple devices | No |
| FilmOn | Budget-conscious viewers | No |
Use A VPN To Watch Geo-Restricted Arabic Channels
Many Arabic websites that offer content over the internet are geo-restricted outside the Arab world for legal reasons. This means that if you’re living in the USA, Canada, or Australia, you might encounter frustrating “this content is not available in your region” messages.
Fortunately, such geo-restrictions are easy to circumvent using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to connect to servers in different countries, making it appear as if you’re browsing from that location. By connecting to a server in an Arab country, you can unlock access to geo-restricted Arabic content.
My favorite VPN services that works great when it comes to unlocking geo-restricted Arabic channels are:
- NordVPN: Known for its extensive server network (including servers in the UAE) and top-notch security features. NordVPN offers excellent performance and user-friendly apps for various devices.
- ExpressVPN: Renowned for its fast speeds and ability to unblock a wide range of streaming services. ExpressVPN has servers in almost 100 countries, so it should easily unlock any Arabic content.
- CyberGhost: User-friendly with specialized streaming servers. CyberGhost operates servers in Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other countries to provide ample options for accessing Arabic channels.
Recommended For: Tech-savvy users who want to access a wider range of Arabic content, including geo-restricted channels and streaming platforms.
MySat
MySat is an affordable satellite TV service that specializes in providing Arabic channels to viewers in Australia. With a wide selection of channels covering news, sports, entertainment, and religious programming, MySat can make it easy for you to stay connected to your cultural roots.
The Arabic package includes MTV, Al Jadeed, LBCI, Rotana, ART, MBC, DMC, and more channels. The starter kit costs just under $70, and it includes the physical satellite TV box and 3 months of TV subscription. After the first 3 months, TV subscription auto-renews at the regular subscription price, which is around $35.
For those living in more remote parts of Australia where high-speed internet might be inconsistent or unavailable, MySat can be an excellent solution. With the satellite service, you can enjoy your favorite Arabic channels without worrying about internet connectivity issues or buffering problems that often plague streaming services in rural areas.
Recommended For: Individuals seeking a satellite TV solution with a good variety of Arabic channels, especially those in remote locations.
ArabCast
With an impressive lineup of over 400 live Arabic channels, ArabCast offers a comprehensive selection of programming, including news, entertainment, sports, and more. One of ArabCast’s key attractions is its user-friendly approach. You can enjoy ArabCast on any device, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, with the added convenience of casting to your TV using Google Chromecast.
ArabCast offers a pay-as-you-go system with a generous trial period, and their subscriptions are among the most affordable in the market ($4.49 for 1 month, $24.99 for 6 months, or $44.99 for 12 months). There’s no long-term commitment required, giving you the freedom to adjust your viewing options as needed.
In addition to impressive content selection, ArabCast provides 24-hour support to assist you with any issues you might encounter, and there are over 15,000 happy customers who are ready to vouch for the service.
Recommended For: Arabic-speaking viewers who want a flexible, affordable streaming service with a wide range of channels and no need for special hardware.
JadooTV
For those who are interested in a broader range of international programming, particularly South Asian and Bollywood content alongside Arabic channels, JadooTV offers a compelling solution.
The flagship product is the Jadoo7 Android 9 Entertainment Hub, a set-top box priced at €199. This device transforms your TV into a smart entertainment center, offering access to apps, video-on-demand content, and TV series.
For those who prefer to use their existing smart TVs or connected devices, JadooTV offers smart TV apps. These apps are available for a wide range of platforms, including Samsung, Sony, Android TV, LG, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku devices. The smart TV app service is priced at €6.99 per month or €69.99 for an annual plan.
Lastly, for viewers on the go, JadooTV provides mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices. Priced at €5.99 per month or €59.99 per year (plus VAT), these apps offer access to live TV channels, a vast library of on-demand content, and a large selection of Bollywood movies.
Recommended For: Viewers who have a broad interest in international content, particularly those who enjoy South Asian programming and Bollywood movies alongside Arabic channels.
Reelplay Arabic IPTV Box
The Reelplay Arabic IPTV box is a compact device, measuring just 9cm x 9cm and 1.8cm, that provides access to a vast array of Arabic channels covering news, sports, entertainment, and more.
The box comes with impressive specifications, including a quad-core Cortex A53 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5.0GHz) and includes an Ethernet port for stable internet connectivity.
One of its standout features is the unique 7-day reeltime rewind function, which allows viewers to catch up on missed shows at their convenience. If you find the Reelplay Arabic IPTV box to be an attractive solution, then I recommend their special starter pack, which includes the box and 3 months of free Arabic service for new customers.
Recommended For: Arabic-speaking viewers who don’t have a smart TV capable of smoothly running modern streaming apps and are looking for a plug-and-play style solution that’s easy to set up and use.
DISH Arabic TV
DISH TV is one of the most popular providers of satellite TV in the United States, and the company has several packages with Arabic TV channels, including Arabic Elite Pack, Arabic Music Pack, Arabic IQRAA Pack, Arabic Noursat Pack, and Arabic Aghapy TV Pack. This is what’s included in each package.
We recommend Arabic Elite Pack because it includes a wide variety of TV channels, covering dramas, music, news, political updates, religious programming, and more. Arabic Elite Pack costs $34.99 a month with a two-year commitment. DISH TV users can customize their Arabic TV package with extra channels, including Willow Cricket HD, NDTV 24*7, France 24, and others.
New subscribers to DISH TV get professional installation for free, and it doesn’t matter how many TVs you want to connect to your satellite.
Recommended For: Those who are used to the satellite TV experience and are willing to pay a premium price for it.
Sling TV Arabic
Owned by Dish Network, Sling TV is a popular American over-the-top internet television service that you can watch using Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Amazon FireTV, Azulle, Windows, Google Chrome, AndroidTV, Chromecast, and AirTV.
With Sling TV, you can watch over 130 Arabic TV channels broadcasting from 15 Middle Eastern countries. Some of the most popular Arabic TV channels available on Sling TV include MBC, Aljazeera, ART, LBCI, Aljadeed, Rotana, CBC, DMC, and Melody. For more information on the Arabic TV channels offered by Sling TV, read this channel guide. For Lebanese abroad, you’ll even be able to watch MTV Lebanon online.
Sling TV Arabic costs either $25 a month or $150 a year. Regardless of if you choose the monthly or annual subscription, you always get a 7-day free trial that allows you to evaluate the service without forcing you to make a commitment.
Recommended For: Cord-cutters who want to watch Arabic TV on many different devices.
FilmOn
FilmOn is an internet-based television provider with multiple Arabic channels, including Rotana Aflam, Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic TV, Dubai TV, AYAAT, and others. The service costs $19.95 per month or $199 per year (you get two months of free service).
FilmOn launched in 2009 in the United Kingdom and a year later in the United States. At the time of writing, it licenses several hundred channels and nearly 100,000 video-on-demand titles. Being an internet-based television provider, you can watch FilmOn on just about any device.
Recommended For: Budget-minded individuals who are looking for a cost-effective way to watch Arabic TV on the go.
Watch Arabic TV Channels Directly
Some Arabic TV channels, such as Alsumaria or Nessma stream their live TV programming on the internet, so you can simply tune in from any country and start watching.
If you’re fine with watching Arabic TV in a web browser and can live without extra features, this method of watching Arabic TV channels in the United States, Canada, and Australia is certainly worth trying, especially considering that it doesn’t cost anything at all.
Recommended For: Casual viewers who don’t often watch Arabic TV.
Also Read: PayPal In Lebanon: Everything You Need To Know
Bonus: If you’re into watching Arabic movies (especially those good old classics), then you can also check out Cinemoz, the fastest growing premium video on demand platform in the Arab World.
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