Looking for a bus in Abu Dhabi? Learn how to register for the Hafilat Card

Do you plan to take the bus to Abu Dhabi? Whether you live in the emirate or aim for work or family reasons, you will need to make sure you have the Hafilat card with you. Hafilat, which means “buses” in Arabic, is the bus card you can use to take advantage of the bus network through the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

If you are a first-time user, here is everything you need to know about how to register for a personal Hafilat card and how to complete the online point of view.

How to register for a Hafilat card

1. Visit the website for hafilat cards – www.hafilat.darb.ae
2. To the right of the screen, you will see a green tab entitled, “Register here.”
3. Once clicking on the tab, you must complete a pre-registration form with the following personal details:

• Full name
• Birth date
• Emirates ID Number
• Address
• Street Number,
• Your address: Location, street name, and villa or apartment number.
• Zip code –type in 0000
• Town – type in your Emirate or district in Abu Dhabi
• Nationality
• Phone number
• Email address

4. Upload your personal photography.
5. Then you will be asked to create a password for your Hafilat account.
6. Then you will be asked to click on a link sent by email to your registered email address.
7. Once you have received the email, click on the verification link provided by the Integrated Transport Center (ITC) and log in to your account with your email and password address.

Confirm your details and upload your Emirates ID

1. After logging in, you will receive a general description of the details that you have entered in the registration form. Click the “Save” tab.
2. Then it will be transferred to the “Evidence” page. For this, you must choose the type of card you prefer:

• Senior citizen
• Personal card
• Student card

3. Choose the type of card that applies to you and upload your Emirates ID as verification.
4. Click “Confirm” and receive an impression of card details.
5. To receive the real card, you must go to the nearest bus terminal and present the printout. You will also be asked to pay the card before receiving it. The card costs between DH5 to DH10, depending on the type of card you choose.

Types of Hafilat card

There are six different types of Hafilat cards that you can choose from

1. Contactless Smart Ticket (CST) (Temporary Use): it is free of charge and is valid for 30 days from the date of purchase.
2. Contactless Smart Card (CSC) Anonymous: the cost is Dh10 and the card is valid for five years
3. Contactless Smart Card (CSC) Personalized: the cost is Dh10 and the card is valid for five years
4. Contactless Smart Card Senior Citizen CSC: the cost is Dh5 and the card is valid for five years
5. Contactless Smart Card for People of Determination: the cost is Dh5 the card is valid for five years
6. Contactless Smart Card Students: the cost is Dh5 and the card is valid for five years

How can one use the Hafilat card?

Once you have the card, you must recharge the card with some credit. To do so, just follow these steps:

1. Visit hafilat.darb.ae
2. Select “recharge card”.
3. Write the serial number at the bottom of your Hafilat card.
4. Select the amount you want to add to your balance.
5. Pay online using your credit card.

Once you have enough balance on your Hafilat card, using it is a simple process since buses are equipped with card readers, kept near the driver’s seat. You must slide your card at the time you get on board and when you leave the bus.

The card reader shows a green circle with a brand when check-in or check-out is successful. The bus rate is deducted from the card balance, according to your trip.

How much does a trip cost?

This trip is charged based on whether you are traveling in the city of Abu Dhabi, or from various suburbs, such as Madinat Zayed or Musaffah, to the main city area. The cost for inter-city trips is slightly higher.

• Local trips (within the city): Dh2
• Regional trips (suburbs): Dh2 + Dh0.05 per kilometre.
• Intercity trips (between emirates): Dh10 + Dh0.1 per kilometer.

Bus Routes

The Abu Dhabi public bus system is divided into two main networks: region and city.

• The bus number begins with ‘A’ only traveling to and from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
• The bus number begins with ‘x’ is an express bus.
• A minibus is represented by ‘M’.

How to find a public bus route

To find a public bus route between two locations, you can use Dari website – www.darbi.itc.Gov.Ae/Darbweb/Map-VIEWER.Html 

Just select the ‘Journey Planning’ option and enter the ‘and‘ to ‘location, over time where you want to take the bus. The website will then give you a possible route and the bus you need to take to achieve your destination.

ITC has also tied Google to provide a bus route updated on Google Maps. You can find the bus available in your area by selecting the bus icon on the map if you use the Google Maps application.