Getting Around Dubai | Transportation by Taxis, the Metro, Abras & Buses

Part of what makes Dubai such a great place to visit is the convenient and tourist-friendly transportation system, and getting around Dubai is easy once you are familiar with all the ways you can travel in the city. As soon as travelers touch down at Dubai International Airport, they have a number of options for getting downtown. Once in the city, there are many comfortable and affordable ways to see all of the top sightseeing spots, like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Gold Souk, and Dubai Frame.

Taking Taxis in Dubai

Taxis are generally considered to be the best way to get around Dubai. They are clean, comfortable, efficient, and affordable, and recognizable by their cream color. You can usually hail a taxi on the street fairly quickly, especially near busy public areas like metro stations and shopping malls. You can also reserve one in advance by calling 04 2080808. Taxi meters start at 5 AED from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 5.50 AED from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. All taxis come equipped with a point of sale device that allows for various forms of payment.

Dubai also has a dedicated fleet of airport taxis that can take you from Dubai International Airport to anywhere in the city. Airport taxis are available at all hours of the day from each of the three terminals. When leaving the airport, the taxi meter starts at 25 AED, and every additional kilometer costs 2.05 AED, for a total cost of around 54 AED to downtown.

Note that taxis with a pink roof are driven by female drivers and are intended exclusively for women and families.

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Ride-Hailing Services in Dubai

Both Uber and the popular Middle Eastern ride-hailing app Careem are available in Dubai. Simply download the app and request a ride through your smartphone whenever and wherever you need it. Ride-hailing tends to be the pricier option compared to hailing a taxi, but the cars are generally nicer and will often have amenities like phone chargers and water. It can also be quicker and more convenient to call an Uber or Careem depending on where you are in the city. You can choose to take either one to and from the airport as well.

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Dubai Metro

Dubai‘s rapid transit rail network, known as the Dubai Metro, is the most affordable way of getting around. It is usually a fantastic option for tourists because it stops at all of the main sightseeing spots. The fully automated and driverless trains are clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned, and the entire network has 47 stations. Most of the tracks are above ground, which means you get to take in the views of the city. Fares depend on distance and range from just 2 AED to 6.50 AED.

• There are currently two lines on the Dubai Metro, the Red Line and the Green Line, which cover a distance of 43 miles in total. The Red Line stops at both Terminal 1 and 3 of the Dubai International Airport. Disembarking at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station on the Red Line will also put you within walking distance of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. The Green Line travels through the old Dubai area and can take you to landmarks like the Dubai Gold Souk and the Dubai Museum.

• To ride the Dubai Metro, you must purchase a Nol Card from the ticket office at any metro station. A Nol Card is a prepaid card used for electronic ticketing on many modes of transport operated by the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai.

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Dubai Tram

The Dubai Tram connects to the Dubai Metro Red Line and runs a 9-mile long loop along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to Palm Jumeirah. It takes 42 minutes to ride from one end of the network to the other. Payment for the Dubai Tram must also be made using the Nol Card. It is a flat rate of only 4 AED on the Red Nol Card (which is the type used by most tourists), and 3 AED on Blue, Silver, and Gold cards.

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Palm Jumeirah Monorail

The Palm Jumeirah Monorail runs for 3 miles along the trunk of the famous Palm Jumeirah, a tree-shaped island that serves as one of Dubai‘s glitziest locales. When the Palm Jumeirah Monorail first opened in 2009, it became the very first monorail to operate in the Middle East. The monorail’s Gateway Station is connected via a footbridge to the Palm Jumeirah Tram Station of the Dubai Tram.

• A one-way ticket for the Palm Jumeirah Monorail costs 20 AED while a return ticket costs 30 AED. This is quite expensive when compared to the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, but a visit to Palm Jumeirah is worth it. Tickets must be paid for in cash as Nol Cards and credit cards are not accepted on the Palm Jumeirah Monorail.

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Rental Car

Renting a car during your visit to Dubai is an excellent idea. The city is made for driving, with high-quality highways and a road network that will take you anywhere you want to go. Road signs are clear and easy for most international tourists to understand. Best of all, the car rental market is highly competitive and very affordable. In fact, even though Dubai‘s public transportation system is affordable as well, you can save money by choosing to rent your own vehicle. There are several budget rental options, but travelers who are looking for something flashier will be spoiled for choice with a range of high-end cars as well.

• To drive in the United Arab Emirates, visitors must have a valid International Driving Permit. Make sure you obtain one in your home country before traveling. You will also require valid third-party insurance. Many credit cards offer rental car insurance benefits but, if yours does not, then the car rental providers will have many options for you as well. Unless you plan on using your smartphone to navigate, make sure you also opt to have a GPS device included with your rental.

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Taking the Bus in Dubai

Dubai has an extensive bus system with more than 100 routes that will take you all over the city for a very low cost. Buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, making for a pleasant journey. Bus shelters are air-conditioned as well: a necessity for the hot temperatures. Though the bus system is mostly used by locals, it is continually being improved for tourist use as well. Most routes connect to Dubai Metro stations, helping you get to landmarks and attractions around the city. You can now also get real-time bus updates via Google Maps, making it possible to plan a trip using public transport on-the-fly. Bus fare must be paid using the Nol Card.

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Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tours in Dubai

One of the best ways to get around Dubai for the purposes of sightseeing is by taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour. These flexible tours aboard open-top double-decker buses allow you to go at your own pace and disembark at landmarks and attractions that you want to see. There are various tours offered that will take you to all of the top sights throughout Dubai, including the Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, Dubai Creek, and many more!

• There are two main tour companies offering hop-on hop-off tours in Dubai: City Sightseeing and Big Bus. Both have an array of different tour options as well as tickets that include additional attractions and activities. The cost of City Sightseeing Tours ranges from 110 AED for a Single Route Same Day ticket up to 450 AED for a Premium 7 Day Pass. Big Bus tours start at around 210 AED for a 1-Day ticket and go up to 600 AED for a 7-Day ticket.

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Dubai Water Buses & Abras

When it comes to transportation on Dubai Creek, there are two main options depending on what you want to see and do. For a comfortable sightseeing experience, hop aboard the Dubai Water Bus. The air-conditioned vessel travels between four stops in the Dubai Marina: Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina Mall, Marina Walk, and Marina Terrace. You can hop on and off between each stop to further explore the area. Fares start at just 3 AED and are paid with a Nol Card.

• If you need to cross from one side of Dubai Creek to the other, then the best way is to take a traditional boat known as an abra. The abras depart from Bur Dubai Abra Station and Dubai Old Souk Station on the Bur Dubai side of Dubai Creek and Deira Old Souk Abra Station and Al Sabkha Abra Station on the Deira side. The fare is only 1 AED, to be paid in cash.

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Bicycle Rentals & Bike Paths in Dubai

Cycling has grown considerably in popularity in Dubai over the last several years, thanks in large part to the government building numerous dedicated cycling paths throughout the city. Taking a bike ride through Dubai is an easy way to do some sightseeing, and you’ll find public bike rentals in all of the most popular tourist areas. Cycling is a more common activity during the cooler months of the year, as the summer months from June through September can get too hot for physical exertion outside.

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Backpacking & Traveling by Foot in Dubai

Last but not least, chances are you will do at least a bit of traveling around Dubai on foot. While during some parts of the year you don’t want to spend too much time outside, the months of November to April offer enjoyable daytime weather. Sidewalks in Dubai are clean and spacious, and there are numerous pedestrian bridges that allow for safe crossing over the city’s highways.

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