Can a Child Travel Alone on Dubai Public Transport?
Check when a child aged 8 to 11 needs a parent-issued permit to travel alone on Dubai public transport and where exceptions apply.
The practical answer
For a child to travel alone on Dubai public transport, age matters. RTA’s current service says a parent must issue a permit for a child aged 8 to 11 to travel unaccompanied, with an exception for intercity buses. Younger children should not be treated as covered by the same permit.
How to handle it
1. Check the exact journey and mode
Identify whether the trip uses Dubai Metro, tram, local bus or an intercity service. The permit’s coverage and the intercity exception must be understood before the child travels.
2. Have a parent submit the request
Use the parent or guardian account and the official RTA process. Enter the child’s identity and relationship details exactly as shown in government records.
3. Prepare the child for the route
Practise the stations, transfer points, safe waiting areas and who to approach for help. Give the child a charged phone and emergency contacts without displaying private information publicly.
4. Carry the right travel proof
Ensure the child has the required nol product and the issued permit or digital record. Confirm the trip is within paid zones and service hours.
Important: A permit does not provide supervision and does not make every journey suitable. Crowding, late travel, complex transfers and a child’s confidence still require a parent’s judgment.
Before you act
RTA also states that children under five use Dubai Metro, tram and buses free, but that fare rule is not permission to travel alone. Recheck the live age and permit conditions before the first trip.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 11 October 2026 against RTA — Public transport permit for a child travelling alone ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.