How to Use a Hafilat card in Abu Dhabi

9 min read

As a globally renowned tourist destination and one of the best cities to live in, Abu Dhabi continues to develop efficient and seamless ways of making everyday living easy for its citizens and tourists. One of these methods is the Hafilat card developed by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport(DOT) and it has been in the spotlight since 2015.

Transportation is a crucial element of daily human interactions, however, it can become a tedious task to navigate. With a highly sophisticated and modernized transport network already in place, the Hafilat card is surely the icing on the cake to make commuting stress-free for both residents and tourists in Abu Dhabi.

The Hafilat Card: Registration and How it Works

Phase 1:

Go to the official Hafilat website
Select “Register here” close to the right of your device’s screen
Your full name and date of birth
Your Emirates ID number
Your address information, including the street number, location, street name, villa or apartment number, and zip code.
Your town (enter your Emirate or district in Abu Dhabi)
Your Nationality, phone number and Email address

Proceed to Upload a personal photograph and create a strong password for your Hafilat account. Getting a Hafilat card is as easy as clicking your fingers. A set of guidelines to follow will be shown to you.

Phase 2:

A verification link will be sent to the registered email you provided at the point of verification of your account. Clicking on the link will verify and re-route you to the official website.

Check if the details supplied are correct, then proceed to “Upload Emirates ID”.
Continue to the next page where you will be required to select the type of card you want between Senior citizen, Personal, and Student card.
For verification of your earlier card selection, select Emirates ID. You can look up the options for tourists on the DARB website if you’re one.
Click “confirm” on the final page to end the process and get a digital printout of your card details.
If you want the tangible copy instead, proceed to the nearest bus terminal and display the printout you possess. This will cost between AED 5 to 10 depending on the card you select.

Hafilat in itself is a smart prepaid card that is intended to be used predominantly while commuting within Abu Dhabi via bus. Essentially, it’s an “Abu Dhabi Bus Recharge Card.”

hafilat recharge online

Ticket inspectors also do their due diligence in making sure that the card is tapped when getting in or out of the bus. It should also be noted that Hafilat can only be used in Abu Dhabi and no other place in the UAE. Other countries in the UAE have their own system in place for bus travel.

Hafilat Balance Check

The Hafilat card can be recharged online or using a mobile. To carry out a Hafilat card recharge online, follow these steps:

Mobile(Android or iOS)

Visit the App Store for iOS or the Play Store for Android to download the Darb App.
Register or create an account.
Navigate to the Hafilat services section, under the “Services” or “Public Transport” subsection. Choose Hafilat cards.
Pick between managing or recharging your Hafilat card. At this point, you will also need to enter your card details.
Ensure your card details are right, then select between the regular recharge amount and the month pass.
Input the amount to top up the card balance.
Specify your preferred payment method.
Follow the on-screen prompts to finalize your payment.

You will get a pop-up from within the app for a successful payment, an email/sms will also be sent for additional confirmation. You can also walk into any Hafilat kiosks to confirm the successful top-up.

Online

On your web browser, search for Hafilat's official website.
Click on “Recharge card.’
Enter personal details to customize the card.
Do a Hafilat balance check to determine the exact amount you want to top up.
Choose the top-up option you see with the respective amount you want. Your selection is from AED10 and AED100. It will reflect on your balance when you have picked an option.
Proceed to the payment section.
Enter your correct card information to ensure a successful checkout.
After the payment is processed successfully, you will receive an order number, an email confirmation, and a text message on your device.
Wait 48 hours if your Hafilat card recharge balance has not been reflected. If you need an immediate top-up, go to any physical Hafilat kiosk by booking a cheap rent a car.

If the Hafilat online recharge fails, card credit can be obtained from various convenience stores and recharging stations in the city. Hafilat vending machines can also be used in case of emergencies.

As a user, you also have a variety of choices when it comes to both Hafilat cards and passes. Let’s have a quick look into some of the options available.

Types of Hafilat Cards

Contactless smart ticket (CST): This type of card is provided to you free of charge and lasts for 30 days only. However, users must add credit to their accounts in order to access public transport services. Also, don’t forget to always do a Hafilat balance check before boarding the bus.
Personalized Hafilat card: This smart card is tailored for users of Abu Dhabi's bus system who wish to have a customized Hafilat card. When passengers get on or off a bus, a scanner validates their card, automatically deducting the appropriate fare from the card’s balance. The card is valid for a period of five years and requires an initial fee of AED 10.
Personalized cards for students and special needs citizens: Available for just AED 5, this card is effective for five years starting from the date of acquisition. It grants reduced fare options for individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria.

abu dhabi bus card recharge

Hafilat Card Monthly Passes

T-purse: Similar to the way blockchain is for crypto, t-purse also acts as a storage for all your commute digitally. Apart from being able to top-up your Hafilat card anytime you want, this pass system charges a boarding fee of AED 2, plus an extra 5 miles per kilometer for all regional services. For express or intercity routes, there is an initial charge of AED 2 along with an extra 10 fils per kilometer.
Weekly Pass: For those who travel often within Abu Dhabi, the weekly pass is an excellent option. It provides unlimited bus rides for seven days and includes a wallet balance of AED 30.
Monthly Pass: The monthly pass allows for unlimited bus rides within Abu Dhabi for a duration of 30 days, offering greater validity than the weekly pass. It includes a wallet balance of AED 80.

Users can register on the Hafilat website to acquire the T-Purse, as well as weekly or Hafilat monthly passes online.

Finally, Hafilat continues to be a revolutionary card system that’s delivering on its promise of transforming commute within Abu Dhabi. Everyone should get a Hafilat card and always remember to do a “Hafilat balance check” before boarding a bus.