RTA Lost and Found Guide: Recover Items on Dubai Metro & Taxi
Quick Action Checklist
- Direct Hotline: Call 800 90 90 (Press 1 for English, then follow Lost Property prompts).
- Metro: Approach the Station Supervisor / Police desk at the station where you disembarked immediately.
- Taxi: Locate your printed receipt to provide the Taxi Side Number for instant vehicle contact.
- App Support: File a digital lost item ticket on the official RTA Dubai app or Careem app.
- Security: Unclaimed items are held for 7 days before transfer to Dubai Police.
Immediate Steps: First 30 Minutes
The likelihood of retrieving misplaced property is highest during the first 30 to 60 minutes before the train or vehicle rotates through multiple subsequent passenger cycles.
Do not panic. Dubai has extraordinarily strict laws regarding honesty and lost property; keeping found items without reporting them constitutes a severe legal violation. Transit cleaners, drivers, and fellow commuters regularly hand misplaced items directly to station supervisors.
Recovering Items Lost on the Dubai Metro
Step-by-Step Metro Recovery:
- Speak to Station Staff Immediately: Walk directly to the Customer Service ticket counter or Station Master office at the station where you got off the train.
- Provide Train Coordinates: Tell the supervisor the approximate time you got off, the direction of travel (e.g. "Southbound towards Expo 2020"), which car you sat in (Gold, Women's, or Standard), and detailed item descriptions.
- Inter-Station Radio Dispatch: The Station Master will immediately radio the terminus cleaning depot (Centrepoint or Expo) to inspect the specific train carriage upon its arrival at the end of the line.
- Police Transit Desk: Dual interchange stations (Union and BurJuman) maintain on-site Dubai Police transit offices where recovered valuables (laptops, phones, jewelry, wallets) are logged and secured in locked safes.
Recovering Items Left in a Dubai Taxi
Retrieving items left on the back seat or in the trunk of a taxi depends heavily on how you hailed the cab:
If Booked via Careem (Hala Taxi)
Open your Careem app, go to Activities > Past Rides, select your trip, and tap "I lost an item". The app connects you directly to your driver's phone number for up to 24 hours while masking your personal numbers.
If Hailed on the Street
Look at your printed receipt for the Taxi Side Number (a 3- or 4-digit code, e.g. "DTC 1245"). Call 800 90 90 and give the agent this number. RTA operations sends an electronic notification to that specific vehicle's meter console, alerting the driver to pull over and check the vehicle interior.
Recovering Items Lost on an RTA Bus
At the conclusion of every bus route run, drivers conduct an inspection of all seats and overhead luggage racks before parking at the terminus bus terminal (e.g., Al Ghubaiba, Gold Souq, or Union).
Items found aboard buses are logged at the specific route's terminus dispatch office. If you misplaced an item on Route F13 or Route 27, visit the terminal control room at that route's terminus or file a report with 800 90 90.
RTA Central Lost Property Office & Claim Process
When an item is recovered and logged into RTA's inventory:
- You will receive an official SMS notification with an Inquiry Reference Number and the collection location.
- Bring your original Emirates ID or original Passport when collecting.
- For phones and laptops, you will be asked to unlock the device with your passcode in front of the officer to verify ownership.
Crucial Advice for Lost Passports & Wallets
If you have lost your passport or critical national identity papers:
Every fare, schedule, and rule in this guide is referenced against direct primary source documents published by Dubai transit authorities:
- RTA Dubai Lost Property Policy & Reporting Guide— Verified 800 90 90 hotline and 7-day retention timeframe.
- Dubai Police Lost and Found General Inquiries— Confirmed 901 non-emergency police protocol for passports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official phone number for Dubai transport lost and found?
You can reach the RTA 24/7 Lost and Found department by calling toll-free 800 90 90 from any UAE phone, or dialing +971 4 605 1414 from an international SIM.
How long does RTA hold unclaimed lost property?
Unclaimed items found on public transit are safely held at the station or depot for up to 7 days, after which they are officially cataloged and transferred to Dubai Police Lost and Found headquarters.
What information do I need to find something left in a taxi?
The single most helpful piece of information is the Taxi Side Number (printed on your receipt). If you do not have a receipt, provide the pickup and drop-off times, locations, and your payment method (card or cash).
Do I have to pay a fee to reclaim lost items?
No. Claiming verified lost property from RTA stations or customer centers is completely free of charge. You will simply need to show valid photographic identification.