Dubai Metro - The Budget Traveler's Best Friend
Dubai Metro is one of the world's most modern metro systems - fully automated, spotlessly clean, and incredibly affordable. If your destinations align with metro routes, this should be your primary transport option.
Metro Lines & Coverage
- Red Line: Runs from Rashidiya to UAE Exchange. Covers Airport, Deira, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, DIFC, Mall of Emirates, Marina, JBR
- Green Line: Runs from Etisalat to Creek. Covers Deira, Bur Dubai, Healthcare City, Dubai Festival City
- Operating hours: Saturday-Thursday 5am-midnight, Friday 5am-1am, extended to 1am on special events
- Frequency: Trains every 3-4 minutes during peak, 7-10 minutes off-peak
Nol Card - Your Metro Ticket
- What it is: Rechargeable smart card for metro, buses, trams, and some water taxis
- Where to buy: Metro stations, kiosks, supermarkets
- Red Nol Card: AED 2 card + credit. Best for tourists. Valid 5 years.
- Silver Nol Card: AED 25 (AED 6 deposit + AED 19 credit). Can be refunded at end of trip.
- How to use: Tap at entry gate, tap at exit gate. Fare calculated automatically.
Metro Fares (Depends on Zones Traveled)
- 1 zone: AED 3 (regular) / AED 6 (Gold Class)
- 2 zones: AED 5 (regular) / AED 10 (Gold Class)
- 3+ zones: AED 7.50 (regular) / AED 15 (Gold Class)
- Day pass: AED 20 (unlimited travel for 24 hours)
Gold Class vs Regular
- Gold Class: Front car, less crowded, plusher seats, costs 2x regular fare
- Regular Class: Middle cars, can get crowded during rush hour (7-9am, 5-8pm)
- Women & Children car: First section of each regular car reserved for women, children under 12, and disabled persons
Pro Tip: If you're doing 4+ metro trips in a day, buy the AED 20 day pass. Also, download the "Dubai Metro" app to check routes and timings in real-time. Metro stations have excellent AC - a welcome relief from the heat!
Major Tourist Destinations on Metro
- Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station (Red Line)
- Dubai Marina: DMCC or Dubai Marina station (Red Line)
- JBR Beach: DMCC station + 10 min walk or tram (Red Line)
- Mall of Emirates: Mall of Emirates station (Red Line)
- Gold Souk/Old Dubai: Al Ras station (Green Line)
- Dubai Airport T1/T3: Airport Terminal 1 & 3 stations (Red Line)
Taxis & Ride Apps - Convenient & Affordable
Taxis in Dubai and UAE are safe, metered, and reasonably priced. Combined with ride-hailing apps, you'll never be stranded.
Official Dubai Taxis (Beige/Cream Colored)
- Base fare: AED 5 (day) / AED 5.50 (night 10pm-6am)
- Per km: AED 1.96 (day) / AED 1.96 (night)
- Minimum fare: AED 12
- Airport pickup: AED 25 base fare (instead of AED 5)
- Wait time: AED 0.50 per minute if speed below 10 km/h
Ride-Hailing Apps
- Uber: Most popular internationally, works great in UAE. Pricing similar to taxis, sometimes cheaper with promos.
- Careem: Regional app (owned by Uber), very popular, slightly cheaper than Uber usually. Accepts cash!
- Hala (RTA): Official Dubai taxi app. Books regular taxis through app. No surge pricing.
- Payment: All apps accept card. Careem also accepts cash. Uber UAE now accepts cash too.
Typical Taxi/Ride App Costs
- Dubai Airport → Downtown Dubai: AED 50-70 (20-30 mins)
- Dubai Marina → Downtown Dubai: AED 40-55 (25-35 mins)
- JBR → Mall of Emirates: AED 25-35 (15-20 mins)
- Dubai → Abu Dhabi: AED 250-300 (1.5 hours, flat rate usually)
- Dubai → Sharjah: AED 70-100 (30-45 mins depending on traffic)
Tipping
- Not expected but appreciated: Round up to nearest AED 5 or 10
- Example: Fare is AED 47, give AED 50 and say "keep the change"
- Exceptional service: 10% is generous
Pro Tip: Download both Uber and Careem. Compare prices before booking - sometimes one is significantly cheaper due to promotions. During peak hours (rush hour, rain, events), Uber has surge pricing but Hala taxi app doesn't.
Renting a Car - Freedom to Explore
Renting a car in UAE is easy, affordable, and gives you freedom to explore at your own pace. Roads are excellent and driving is straightforward.
Requirements & Process
- Age requirement: Minimum 21 years old (25+ for luxury cars)
- License: International Driving Permit (IDP) + home country license. Some countries' licenses accepted directly (US, UK, most EU).
- Credit card: Required for security deposit (AED 1,500-5,000 held)
- Passport: Must present original passport
- Insurance: Basic insurance usually included, CDW (collision damage waiver) recommended
Rental Costs
- Economy car: AED 80-120/day (monthly: AED 1,500-2,000)
- Mid-size sedan: AED 120-180/day (monthly: AED 2,500-3,500)
- SUV: AED 200-350/day (monthly: AED 4,000-6,000)
- Luxury cars: AED 500-2,000+/day
- Fuel: Not included. Petrol is cheap (AED 2.5-3 per liter / ~$0.70 per liter)
Where to Rent
- Airport: All major brands at arrivals (Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Europcar, etc.)
- Local companies: Often cheaper (Diamondlease, Thrifty UAE, Budget UAE)
- Hotel concierge: Can arrange but usually more expensive
- Book in advance: Online booking usually 20-30% cheaper than walk-in
Driving in UAE
- Drive on the right: Same as US/Europe (opposite of UK)
- Speed limits: 60-80 km/h in cities, 100-140 km/h on highways
- Speeding fines: Automatic cameras everywhere. Fines deducted from rental deposit.
- Parking: Mostly free in malls, paid parking in city centers (AED 2-4/hour)
- Salik (toll): Automatic toll gates on highways (AED 4-5 per crossing), charged to rental
- Fuel stations: Everywhere. Full-service attendants pump for you (tip AED 5)
Important: Zero tolerance for drunk driving (covered in our Alcohol Laws guide). Speeding fines can be hefty - 20 km/h over = AED 300, 30 km/h over = AED 600. Multiple cameras will catch you if you speed consistently.
Pro Tip: If renting for 7+ days, negotiate monthly rate even for short-term. Many companies offer 1-week = 1-month rate during low season. Always inspect car for damage and photograph before driving off. Return with same fuel level you received it.
Buses - Cheap but Requires Planning
Dubai and other emirates have extensive bus networks. Super cheap but can be time-consuming due to routes and traffic.
Dubai Bus System
- Coverage: Over 100 routes covering all of Dubai
- Payment: Nol card (same as metro)
- Cost: AED 3-7.50 depending on zones (same pricing as metro)
- Operating hours: Most routes 5am-midnight, some 24-hour routes
- Frequency: 10-30 minutes depending on route and time
Useful Tourist Bus Routes
- Route 8: Deira - Bur Dubai - Al Ghubaiba (covers old Dubai, Gold Souk area)
- Route F55: Ibn Battuta - Marina - JBR - Mall of Emirates
- Route 81: Al Ghubaiba - Jumeirah Beach - Burj Al Arab
Big Bus Tours (Tourist Buses)
- Hop-on-hop-off: Tourist bus service covering major attractions
- Cost: AED 250-400 for 24-48 hour pass
- Routes: Red route (Marina, JBR, Palm), Blue route (Old Dubai, Creek), Beach route
- Convenience: Commentary in multiple languages, frequent stops at tourist spots
Pro Tip: Download "RTA Dubai" app for bus routes and real-time tracking. Bus stops have QR codes you can scan for next arrival times. In summer heat, buses are heavily air-conditioned - bring a light jacket!
Traveling Between Emirates
UAE consists of 7 emirates. Most tourists focus on Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with occasional trips to Sharjah, Fujairah, or Ras Al Khaimah.
Dubai ↔ Abu Dhabi (Most Common Route)
- Distance: 150 km, about 1.5-2 hours drive
- By bus: E100 or E101 buses from Al Ghubaiba (Dubai) to Abu Dhabi. AED 25, every 20-40 mins, 2-2.5 hours.
- By taxi: AED 250-300 one-way, flat rates usually negotiable
- By rental car: Easy drive on excellent highway (E11). Fuel about AED 30 each way.
- By private transfer: AED 400-600 for private car service
Dubai ↔ Sharjah
- Distance: 30 km, 30-60 mins (traffic dependent)
- By bus: E303, E307 routes. AED 10, every 15-20 mins
- By taxi: AED 70-100 depending on traffic
- Note: Border traffic can be brutal during rush hours. Plan accordingly.
Dubai ↔ Fujairah (East Coast)
- Distance: 130 km, 1.5-2 hours
- By bus: E700 from Al Ghubaiba. AED 25, several times daily
- By rental car: Scenic mountain drive, toll-free route
- Best for: Beach day trips, diving, snorkeling
Dubai ↔ Ras Al Khaimah (Northern Emirates)
- Distance: 110 km, 1-1.5 hours
- By bus: E102 from Al Ghubaiba. AED 25
- By rental car: Easy drive, less traffic than Sharjah route
- Popular for: Desert activities, mountain resorts, adventure tourism
Pro Tip: If planning multiple inter-emirate trips, renting a car for a few days is more economical and flexible than taxis or buses. The highways are excellent and driving between emirates is straightforward.
Airport Transfers
Getting to/from airports efficiently sets the tone for your trip. Here are your options:
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Metro: Red Line connects Terminal 1 & 3. AED 5-7 to most destinations. Best value!
- RTA Taxi: AED 25 base fare + distance. To Marina: AED 70-90, to Downtown: AED 50-60
- Uber/Careem: Similar to taxi prices, pickup from designated rideshare areas
- Hotel shuttle: Many 4-5 star hotels offer free/paid shuttle. Check when booking.
- Pre-booked transfer: AED 100-150 for private car, good if arriving late night
Al Maktoum Airport (DWC)
- Location: Near Jebel Ali, far from city center (60 km to Dubai Marina)
- Taxi only option: No metro. Taxi to Marina AED 100-130, to Downtown AED 120-150
- Less convenient: Factor in extra travel time and cost
Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)
- Bus to city: A1 bus to downtown Abu Dhabi. AED 4, 30-45 mins
- Taxi within Abu Dhabi: AED 60-100 to most hotels
- Taxi to Dubai: AED 300-350, negotiate before departure
- Bus to Dubai: Must get to Abu Dhabi bus station first, then take E100/E101. Total 3+ hours.
Sharjah Airport (SHJ)
- Smaller airport: Used by budget airlines, closer to Dubai than you'd think
- Taxi to Dubai: AED 90-120 depending on destination
- Bus to Sharjah center: Then connect to Dubai bus
Pro Tip: If arriving at DXB with lots of luggage or traveling with family, metro might not be ideal despite being cheap. A taxi or Uber for AED 50-70 is worth the comfort. If solo and traveling light, metro is unbeatable value.
Money-Saving Transportation Tips
Combine Methods Strategically
- Metro + short taxi: Take metro to nearest station, then AED 15-20 taxi to final destination
- Walk when possible: Dubai Marina, JBR, Downtown Dubai are walkable areas (early morning/evening)
- Share rides: Uber/Careem allow shared rides (UberX Share, Careem GO Share) for 20-30% savings
Timing Matters
- Avoid rush hours: 7-9 AM and 5-8 PM traffic can double journey times
- Book taxis in advance: Hala app allows booking without surge pricing
- Metro during sales/events: When roads are gridlocked during Dubai Shopping Festival, metro is king
Weekly/Monthly Passes
- Staying 7+ days: Consider Nol monthly pass if using metro daily
- Day pass: AED 20 unlimited metro/bus for day trips
Budget Breakdown: Average tourist transportation costs per day: Budget (metro + occasional taxi) = AED 30-50. Mid-range (mix of metro/taxis/Uber) = AED 60-100. Comfort (mostly Uber/taxis) = AED 120-200. Rental car = AED 100-150/day including fuel.