You can recharge your Hafilat card (the Abu Dhabi bus smart card) online via hafilat.darb.ae, the Darb app, or the Payit wallet — or offline at ticket vending machines, recharge machines, MBME kiosks, or a Customer Happiness Centre. The maximum balance you can hold is AED 150, valid for 3 months from your last recharge. Machine and counter recharges reflect immediately; online and MBME top-ups can take up to 2 hours to show on your card. Support: 800555 (Abu Dhabi Mobility, formerly ITC).
Hafilat Online Recharge
Enter your 16-digit card number to proceed
Please enter a valid 16-digit Hafilat card number.
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Hafilat recharge: online methods
1. Recharge via the official website (hafilat.darb.ae)
This is the most straightforward online method and works on desktop or mobile.
- Go to hafilat.darb.ae (HTTPS only).
- Click Recharge Card.
- Enter your 16-digit card serial number exactly as printed on the back of your card (watch for 0 vs O).
- Click Check / OK to view your current balance.
- Choose your top-up amount — your final balance can’t exceed the AED 150 maximum.
- Pay by debit or credit card (Visa/Mastercard, UAE-issued cards supported).
- Save your confirmation. The new balance typically reflects on your card within 2 hours.
2. Recharge via the Darb app
- Download Darb from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS).
- Register or log in to your account.
- Open My Cards, select your Hafilat card (or add it using the serial number).
- Tap Recharge / Top up, choose an amount, and pay by card or supported digital wallet.
- As with the website, allow up to 2 hours for the balance to sync — a single validator tap on your next ride can help confirm it’s posted.
See our full Hafilat app guide for setup and troubleshooting.
3. Recharge via the Payit wallet
Payit (the e-wallet from First Abu Dhabi Bank) supports Hafilat top-ups directly:
- Open the Payit app and go to UAE Bills & Recharge.
- Select Hafilat from the list of service providers.
- Enter your 16-digit Hafilat card serial number.
- Give the card a nickname for easy access next time.
- Choose your recharge amount and complete payment from your Payit wallet or a linked card.
Hafilat recharge: offline methods
Ticket Vending Machines (TVM) and Recharge Machines
Found at bus stations, bus stops, and shopping centres. Tap your card on the reader, select Recharge, choose cash or a supported bank card, and confirm. The new balance reflects immediately — no waiting.
Customer Happiness Centres
Located at major bus stations. Staff can recharge your card on the spot, and the balance updates immediately. This is also the place to go for card replacement, reactivation, or anything a machine can’t resolve.
MBME recharge machines
Found in commercial buildings and centres — convenient if you’re recharging during a workday. Balance reflects after 2 hours, similar to online top-ups.
Authorized retailers and service points
A number of authorized retail partners and service counters across Abu Dhabi can also process Hafilat top-ups. For your nearest option — machine, counter, or retail point — use the official DARBI machine locator map, or see our Hafilat machine locations guide.
All recharge methods compared
| Method | Reflection time | Payment options | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official website (hafilat.darb.ae) | Up to 2 hours | Debit/credit card | Home or office, no app needed |
| Darb app | Up to 2 hours | Card, digital wallet | Everyday use, balance alerts |
| Payit wallet | Up to 2 hours | Payit balance, linked card | Existing Payit users |
| Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) | Immediate | Cash, bank card | Need credit right now |
| Recharge machine | Immediate | Cash, bank card | At the station already |
| Customer Happiness Centre | Immediate | Cash, card | Card issues + recharge together |
| MBME machine | After 2 hours | Cash, card | Office workers, commercial centres |
Hafilat card limits and validity
- Maximum balance: AED 150 per card.
- Validity: Stored balance is valid for 3 months from your last recharge date.
- Keeping your balance active: Use the card for travel, or tap it on a sales/recharge machine, before the 3-month window ends.
- If your card has been inactive for a long time, visit a Customer Happiness Centre with valid ID to check its status or reactivate it.
Source: Abu Dhabi Mobility (admobility.gov.ae)
Hafilat passes — quick reference
If you travel often, a pass can be cheaper than topping up per ride:
- 7-Day Pass: AED 35 — unlimited trips within Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs (Al Ain, Al Dhafra included), 7 days from purchase.
- 30-Day Pass: AED 95 — same unlimited coverage, 30 days from purchase. A subsidized rate of AED 80 applies for verified beneficiaries of the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority or Ministry of Community Development (Emirates ID required at a Customer Happiness Centre for first-time setup).
Passes are purchased at TVMs, recharge machines, or Customer Happiness Centres — not online. For student, senior, and People of Determination annual passes, see the pass types section on our homepage.
Troubleshooting your Hafilat recharge
Recharge done online but balance hasn’t changed: Online and MBME top-ups can take up to 2 hours to reflect. Wait, then check again via the Darb app, hafilat.darb.ae, or a station machine. A single validator tap on your next trip can also help sync the new balance.
Still not showing after 2+ hours: Contact Abu Dhabi Mobility support on 800555 with your transaction reference/confirmation ready.
Card not reading at a machine or validator: Double-check the serial number (0 vs O), try a different reader, and make sure the card surface is clean. Persistent failures may mean the chip is damaged — visit a Customer Happiness Centre.
Hit the AED 150 limit: You can’t add more credit until you’ve used some of the balance — this cap exists to limit losses if the card is lost or stolen.
FAQs
How do I recharge my Hafilat card?
Online via hafilat.darb.ae, the Darb app, or Payit wallet — or offline at a ticket vending machine, recharge machine, MBME kiosk, or Customer Happiness Centre.
How do I recharge my Hafilat card online?
Go to hafilat.darb.ae or open the Darb/Payit app, enter your 16-digit card serial number, choose an amount up to the AED 150 limit, and pay by card. Allow up to 2 hours for the balance to reflect.
How long does a Hafilat online recharge take to reflect?
Up to 2 hours for website, app, and MBME top-ups. Machine and counter recharges are immediate.
What is the maximum balance for a Hafilat card?
AED 150, valid for 3 months from your last recharge.
What is the minimum recharge amount?
Top-up amounts are set in fixed increments up to the AED 150 cap; the exact minimum can vary slightly by channel — the app/website will show the available options when you select your card.
Where can I recharge my Hafilat card?
Online (hafilat.darb.ae, Darb app, Payit), or offline at any TVM, recharge machine, MBME kiosk, or Customer Happiness Centre. Use the DARBI locator to find your nearest option.
Is there an SMS code to recharge or check my Hafilat balance?
No. There’s no SMS-based recharge or balance service — use the official app, website, or a station machine instead.
Who do I contact if my recharge doesn’t go through?
Abu Dhabi Mobility support: 800555.