Hafilat Balance Check and Recharge card online in 2025

Whether you’re a daily traveller, student, tourist, or a new resident in the United Arab Emirates, understanding how to recharge your Hafilat card can save you time, money, and stress. This is a comprehensive guide that covers everything: hafilat check balance, how to recharge, how to buy a card, monthly pass prices, fines, expiry, customer service, and much more.

Abu Dhabi’s public transport system has improved rapidly over the last few years, and at the centre of it all is the Hafilat Card, a smart travel card used across the Abu Dhabi bus network, operated under the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and linked with the Darb system.

What Is a Hafilat Card?

The Hafilat Card is a contactless smart card used to pay for bus tickets or fares in Abu Dhabi. It uses AFC (Automated Fare Collection) technology to store credit and monthly passes, similar to Dubai’s NOL card or Qatar’s Karwa Smart Card.

Where You Can Use the Hafilat Card

Hafilat card, which is also known as a bus card, can be used on:

  • Abu Dhabi city buses
  • Intercity buses between Abu Dhabi–Al Ain and Abu Dhabi–Western Region
  • Specific regional bus routes operated by ITC
  • Airport buses (AUH airport)
  • Some suburban and community buses

The card makes traveling across the emirate simple, with no paper tickets and no cash required.

How to Recharge Your Hafilat Card

If you are using Abu Dhabi buses for travelling, recharging your card is crucial to avoid fines, bus delays, and deboarding. Below is a step-by-step recharge guide.

Recharge Hafilat Card Online

This is the easiest and fastest way to recharge your bus card balance online. It can be recharged via the Darb website and the Darb app, which are official and operated by the Abu Dhabi Transport Authority.

How to recharge online via the website:

The card recharge is an easy process that can be done via the Darb portal, built explicitly for recharge and bus card balance check online. Follow the steps below to recharge your card.

  1. Go to the official portal (Darb).
  2. Log in using your UAE PASS or Darb account.
  3. Click Public Transport Services.
  4. Select Hafilat Card.
  5. Enter your card number.
  6. Choose Recharge / Top Up.
  7. Select amount (AED 10 – AED 150).
  8. Pay using debit/credit card, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay.
  9. Your balance will sync automatically.

Note
If you don’t have an account, first create your Hafilat account by clicking “Register here” and providing your accurate details.

Recharge Time:

Once you provide all the prompted details, the card recharges instantly, but it may take up to 5 minutes if the system is busy.

Recharge at Hafilat Machines 

The Hafilat recharge can also be done via Kiosks & Vending Machines. This is useful if you don’t have online access or are in a bus station where the internet doesn’t work.

Where to find Hafilat recharge machines:

The machines are available at

  • Abu Dhabi bus stations
  • Main bus terminals (Al Shahama, Mussafah, Al Ain)
  • Malls (Abu Dhabi Mall, Dalma Mall, Al Wahda Mall)
  • Hospitals
  • AUH Airport terminals
  • Government service centers

How to recharge via a machine:

If you have found the machine and now don’t know how to use it, follow the steps below.

  1. First, insert your card.
  2. Click on Top Up.
  3. Select an amount.
  4. Choose any, Pay via cash or card.
  5. Collect the card and receipt.

Recharge Through Retail Stores

Many convenience stores also offer bus card recharge using ITC terminals, such as

  • ADNOC stations
  • Carrefour
  • Lulu Hypermarket
  • Zoom Stores

Simply go to any nearest store and ask them about hafilat recharge. They will ask for a card and details; provide them, and they will recharge your card. Also, if vending machines are available, do it yourself

Monthly Pass Recharge

If you are a daily traveller, Hafilat also supports monthly passes, and it can be recharged the same way we explained above.

Types of Passes:

  • AED 95 monthly pass
    • This is a standard pass.
  • AED 30 concession pass 
    • The concession pass for students, seniors, or people with disability.
  • AED 60 intercity add-on
    • The intercity add-on is for those people who cover long distances.

Also Read: Hafilat Card Machine Near Me

How to Check Your Hafilat Balance Online.

The hafilat balance check is essential to stay updated on your current balance: whether you have enough to travel on a bus or need to recharge before boarding. Follow the steps carefully to check your hafilat balance.

Hafilat Balance Check via website

You can check your Hafilat balance online on the official Darb website.

Steps:

  1. Visit the official Darb portal.
  2. Go to Public Transport → Hafilat Services.
  3. Enter your Emirates ID or card number.
  4. Once you enter the details, your remaining balance, expiry date, and monthly pass status will appear instantly.

Check Via Hafilat Machine

Go to the nearest available vending machine.

  • Insert your card into the reader and select any one that you want to enquire:
    • Check Balance
    • Check Expiry
    • Check Monthly Pass Status
  • Once you choose a hafilat balance check, your available balance will pop up on the screen.

Note

Don’t forget to extract your card once you do an inquiry./

Hafilat Balance Check Through the Darb App

The mobile app is the Tolling Management System used for the Hafilat balance check.

  1. First, download the Darb app
  2. For android users click on, play.google.com/, and IOS users apple.com
  3. After downloading, if you don’t have an account, click Register to create one.
  4. Log in with your UAE Pass or card number.
  5. Choose “Balance check” to view your total amount.
  6. Or, select “Recharge,” enter the amount, then pay securely.
  7. If you want to recharge, don’t forget to tap your card on a bus reader to activate.

Note

Always use the official app and site to avoid scams. If you want unlimited rides, consider 7-day (AED 25) or 30-day (AED 80) passes via Darb. If you lost or damaged your card, link it to your Emirates ID to transfer your balance.

Why Is My Balance Not Updating?

If you have recharged your card and the balance has still not updated, it can be due to the following reasons:

  • Server sync delay
  • The card has not been tapped recently.
  • Top-up pending on the backend
  • Expired card
  • Monthly pass starting next cycle

Where to Buy a Hafilat Card & Price in the UAE

The hafilat card is easy to purchase with various options, including a standard card, a temporary card, and more. Follow the steps below.

Where to Buy a Hafilat Card

The card is available at various spots to buy:

  • All Abu Dhabi bus stations
  • AUH Airport counters
  • Abu Dhabi’s main bus terminal
  • ITC customer service centers
  • Malls with Hafilat vending machines
  • Selected ADNOC and retail stores

Hafilat Card Price 2025

The card prices are different according to the available options

Type

Price

Validity

Standard Hafilat Card

AED 10

5 years

Temporary Card (CST)

AED 5

30 days

Personalized Card

AED 10

5 years

Students/Senior/POD cards

AED 5

5 years

Personalized Hafilat Cards

These cards have the benefit that they can be linked to your Emirates ID and also offer:

  • Theft protection
  • Balance recovery
  • Access to concession discounts
  • Monthly pass eligibility

Benefits of the Hafilat Card

The Card offers several advantages to its beneficiaries, making travel easier, faster, and more affordable.

  • Easy, Cashless Travel
  • Fast Recharge Options
  • Affordable Monthly Passes
  • Works Across the Entire Abu Dhabi Bus Network
  • Track Balance Easily
  • Discounts for Students & Seniors
  • Reduces Waiting Time & Queues

Hafilat Monthly Pass Prices in Abu Dhabi

The monthly pass prices for the bus card vary, depending on the benefits.

Standard Monthly Pass

This pass offers Unlimited travel on all Abu Dhabi city buses. It cost AED 35.

Special Monthly Pass

The special pass is priced at AED 30, and for:

  • Students
  • Senior citizens
  • People of Determination (POD)

Benefits of the Monthly Pass

The pass offers various benefits, such as

  • Unlimited travel
  • Best value for daily commuters
  • Protects against fare increases
  • Auto-renewal option via Darb

Hafilat Fines in Abu Dhabi

If you are an Hafilat cardholder, you should be aware of the fines. The fines are issued in case of:

Common Hafilat Bus Fines (2025 ITC Rules)

ViolationFine Amount
Traveling without a valid ticket/cardAED 200
Insufficient balance while travelingAED 200
Using an expired Hafilat cardAED 200
Misuse of a concession cardAED 500

How to Check Hafilat Fines Online

The fines can be checked the same way as we did the hafilat recharge and hafilat balance check.

  1. First, Go to Darb.
  2. Open Public Transport Fines.
  3. Enter Emirates ID or serial card number.
  4. View fine details and status.

Note

Remember to pay your fines before the Hafilat balance check and Hafilat recharge.

How to Pay Hafilat Fines

If there is any fine, pay it on time; if you delay, you will receive additional fines. You can pay through:

  • Darb portal
  • Darb app
  • Integrated Transport Centre customer service centres
  • Abu Dhabi Police payment systems

How Long Is a Hafilat Card Valid For?

Validity depends on the type of card, but most are valid for 5 years.

How to Check Hafilat Card Expiry

Before boarding or scanning your card at the reader, you must check the expiry date to avoid fines. You can check the expiry via

  • Darb website and app. Simply go to any and enter your Emirates ID or Card number, and you will see your card details, including expiry.
  • Also, you can check through the vending machine, insert your card, and there will be the option to check card validity.
  • At the bus station kiosks.

How to Renew an Expired Hafilat Card

If your card has expired, renewal on time is necessary; otherwise, you can’t travel on an expired card. Follow the steps to renew it:

  1. Go to an ITC service center or vending machine.
  2. Request renewal.
  3. Pay AED 10 for a new card.
  4. Once you pay the renewal charge, the old balance will be transferred automatically.

Hafilat Customer Service Contact

Hafilat also provides customer support to resolve customer issues. You can contact them via

  • ITC Toll-Free Number: 800850 or 800 88888
  • Support Email: contact via email
  • Service Centers: Abu Dhabi Main Terminal, Al Ain, Mussafah, Shahama

Can You Get a Refund on a Hafilat Card?

Yes, but allowed in cases of:

  • Card damaged
  • Lost card (personalized only)
  • Duplicate recharge error
  • Wrong monthly pass purchase

Refund is issued through the ITC customer service.

Transfer Hafilat Balance to Another Card

The hafilat also provides balance transfers. You can transfer balance only between:

  • Personalized → Personalized
  • If both cards belong to the same person

And the transfer is not allowed between:

  • Anonymous → Personalized
  • Personalized → Anonymous

Hafilat vs NOL Card

The significant difference between the Hafilat and NOL cards is that the NOL is primarily for public transport and services within Dubai, while the Hafilat is mainly for public transport and services within Abu Dhabi.

Key Differences:

  • Hafilat is mainly for public transport and services within Abu Dhabi.
  • The NOL Card is used for the Dubai Metro, Trams, Buses, and Marine Transport.
  • NOL cannot be used in Abu Dhabi, and Hafilat cannot be used in Dubai.

Note that you can’t recharge a Hafilat or check your Hafilat Balance at Dubai public bus stations or stores.

FAQs About Hafilat Recharge and Balance check

To charge the Hafilat card, visit the Darb platform, enter your account details, provide your  Emirates ID or Card number, and click on Hafilat recharge.

The hafilat balance check can be done online through Darb or through vending machines. Visit any nearby machine, insert your card, and click Balance Check to view your current balance.

The hafilat monthly pass for regular adults is AED 95.

The card can be purchased at Bus stations, airports, malls, and ADNOC outlets.

If you use an expired card on the bus, you will be fined. You must renew it, and your balance will transfer. 

No, you can’t use the NOL card in Abu Dhabi buses; it is only valid in the Dubai metro and public buses.

If you travel without a balance on buses, you are liable to a fine of AED 200 under ITC regulations. That’s why you must check your balance and do a hafilat recharge if it’s low before using a bus.

No, you cannot check your Hafilat balance via SMS. Balance can be checked online on the official website, in the DARB app, or by calling customer service. 

Yes, you can check your card balance. Go to the DARB website. Look for the “Public Transport” section, then click “Balance check.” Enter Emirate ID or card serial number. Click “Search,” and your available balance will appear on the screen.

Conclusion

The Hafilat card makes traveling around Abu Dhabi affordable and straightforward. As long as you know how to do a Hafilat Balance check or Hafilat recharge, use monthly passes, and keep your card valid, you’ll enjoy smooth, stress-free trips across the emirate. Whether you’re a resident, student, or visitor, the Hafilat system remains one of the easiest ways to move around the UAE.