Dubai public transport is an extensive and high-tech network that continues to evolve today. Dubai has a modern metro system, a unique tram line, several ports and airports. Dubai’s ground transport remains the most popular: metro, buses and taxis.
Passenger transportation in Dubai is managed by the state-owned company RTA – Roads and Transport Authority * , which was founded in 2005. RTA provides transportation not only within the city, but also connects it with other emirates, neighboring countries, thereby ensuring the efficiency and integration of the UAE transport system.
Dubai’s public transport system is not just “in step with the times”, but far ahead of it. In 2018, a unique type of public transport was tested in Dubai – autonomous capsules designed for 10 people. The capsules are designed to carry passengers over short distances along specially dedicated tracks and are equipped with heavy-duty protection systems against accidents and malfunctions. It is planned that by 2030, 20% of Dubai’s public transport will become autonomous, but for now, it remains to study the existing public transport of the “city of the future”.
- Tickets
- Red card Nol
- Nol Silver Card
- Nol golden card
- Check in – in Dubai Public Transport
- Mandatory check out
- Peculiarities
- fines
- Underground
- Buses
- Tourist buses
- Tram
- Monorail
- Water transport
- Water taxis
- Water buses
- Abra
- Boats Yellow Boats
- Ferry
- cable car
- Taxi
- Rent a Car
- Traffic rules
- Penalties for traffic violations
- Parking
- Fines for violation of parking rules
- Hitch-hiking
- From the airport to Dubai
- How to get there
- How to get there
Driving in Dubai: transport zones, rules and tickets
The city is divided into 7 transport zones, which are completely covered by the surface transport network. The fare will directly depend on the number of zones crossed. Children under 5 years old or up to 90 centimeters tall are entitled to free travel. Subway cars come in standard and premium “Gold Class” (fare will vary).
Cash payments are not accepted on public transport in Dubai. The travel ticket is the Nol card.
Red card Nol
Paper non-personal card for infrequent trips. You can buy a card at ticket sales points or special machines. The card is replenished in ticket machines. Online replenishment on the official website for this type of cards is not available. The red card is valid for 90 days or 10 trips.
The cost of the red card in 2022 is 2 AED (+ minimum balance must be 1 trip). The card can be topped up for up to 10 trips at once. The downside is that the red card can only be used on one mode of transport at a time (metro only or bus only). You cannot pay for parking with this card.
Red card fares in 2022:
- Within 1 zone – 4 AED ;
- Within two consecutive zones – 6 AED ;
- More than two zones – 8.5 AED ;
- Unlimited per day (for travel in ordinary class cars) – 20 AED .
If you want to transfer with a red card to the “Gold Class” luxury lounge, then the cost of any of the above tariffs is exactly doubled.
Nol Silver Card
Plastic non-personal card for frequent trips. You can buy and replenish the card balance at ticket sales points, RTA offices, certified points of sale (from partners) or special machines. Online recharge is also available. The silver card is valid for 5 years.
The cost of the card in 2022 is 25 AED ( 19 AED remain on the balance sheet). The card can be topped up with a maximum of 1000 AED and can be used on all types of public transport. This card can also be used to pay for parking. A video on how to top up the card can be viewed here .
Silver card fares in 2022:
- Within 1 zone – 3 AED ;
- Within two consecutive zones – 5 AED ;
- More than two zones – 7.5 AED .
Nol golden card
A plastic non-personal card that gives the right to access the “Gold Class” luxury lounges. In fact, the gold card is a complete analogue of the silver one, and the main difference lies only in admission to the Gold Class wagons in public transport, where available. If you travel on buses where the “Gold Class” is simply not available, then you will not be charged an increased fare for using the premium class.
The cost of the card in 2022 is 25 AED ( 19 AED remain on the balance sheet). The Gold Card is valid for 5 years. You can buy a gold card at metro ticket offices, and top up at ticket sales points, RTA offices, certified points of sale (from partners), special machines or online. This card can also be used to pay for parking. The card can be used in all types of public transport.
Gold card fares in 2022:
- Within 1 zone – 6 AED ;
- Within two consecutive zones – 10 AED ;
- More than two zones – 15 AED .
Also on sale is a plastic personal blue Nol card , which is available to local residents, since an ID card is required to purchase it. More information about tickets can be found on the official Nol* website.
Check in – in Dubai Public Transport
After you have approached the turnstiles in the subway, you need to swipe your Nol card to the reader at the entrance. In buses and other modes of transport, readers are located in the passenger compartment at the entrance. Before using the card, make sure that it has at least 7.50 AED on its balance . This amount is needed in case you forget to go through the check out procedure, which is described below. After a successful card swiping procedure, you should wait for a sound or green light signal and only then go through the metro turnstile / into the bus cabin.
According to the advice of experienced travelers, in most cases, the Nol card for reading can not even be taken out of the wallet: other cards will not be affected. However, if there are several cards in your wallet, then it is best to get one of them to pass through the turnstile, otherwise the reading will not work. Also, you should not remove the card from the reader too quickly, as this may lead to an interruption of the transaction.
Mandatory check out
After completing the trip, be sure to go through the check-out procedure. It is absolutely identical to the one that the passenger goes through when boarding: you just need to bring your card to the reader before leaving the bus or exiting the metro. This must be done without fail, otherwise the system will deduct a much larger fare from your card.
It works like this: before boarding a transport, you present your card to the reader (check in), the system automatically “freezes” on your card the maximum amount for a ride within the city, which is 7.50 AED (even if the fare costs only 3 AED ). If, when exiting the transport, you DO NOT forget to swipe your card to the reader and thus go through check out, then your trip will cost you 3 AED as originally planned. If you just get out of the transport, for some reason forgetting or not having time to attach a card for check out, then 7.50 AED will “disappear” from your card .
If there is less than 7.50 AED left on the card balance , then payment for the fare becomes impossible, even if you need to travel for 3 AED.
Peculiarities
In order to get to the destination (only in one direction), you can make transfers, however, the time period that is given to the passenger to change transport should not exceed 30 minutes. For example, you pass a section of the path on the subway, then you need to change to a bus in order to get to your destination. If you manage to do it in less than 30 minutes, then your trip on the metro and bus will be counted as one. This rule only applies to a one-way ticket. If you check out and then check in at the same station, it will count as a new trip, not a transfer.
| Short trip (up to 3 km) | Within 1 zone | 2 consecutive zones | More than 2 zones | |
| Max trip duration | 90 minutes | 180 minutes | 180 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Max number of transfers | one | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Another feature that you should be prepared for: you can replenish the card balance only in an amount that is a multiple of 5 AED . If you have very little time left to spend in Dubai, then you should not replenish the card for a large amount.
Fines in Dubai public transport and rules of conduct
In Dubai, it is customary to observe a strict order. Public transport is no exception to this. It is worth remembering that Dubai is a city of a Muslim country with its own order and way of life, which require unquestioning respect. The system of fines is quite extensive and strict, so armed with knowledge, you can not “run into” unpleasant extra expenses.
Subway fines , according to the RTA* official website:
- Travel without payment / with the wrong card / expired, etc. – 200 AED. The same amount of the fine awaits those who leave behind any garbage or smoke in the subway;
- Travel on a fake card – 500 AED;
- Staying at stations in areas not provided for waiting for transport (fenced, prohibited areas, etc.) – 100 AED;
- It is forbidden to put your feet on the seats, stand or sit in transport in places not provided for this. It is forbidden to sit in seats for the disabled (if the passenger is not one). It is forbidden to make noise and cause inconvenience to passengers by incorrect behavior. It is forbidden to eat and drink outside specially designated areas. It is forbidden to transport animals (except guide dogs). Fine – 100 AED;
- It is forbidden to sleep on the shoulder of another passenger. Fine – 300 AED;
- Damage to property or use of emergency equipment without the need – 2000 AED;
- If you were seen on the subway with an alcoholic drink – 500 AED;
- Transportation of weapons / flammable substances / piercing and cutting objects – 1000 AED , etc.
The fine can be paid at any metro station.
The fines on the bus are slightly less:
- Smoking in the bus or at the bus stop; using inappropriate language when communicating with a driver, conductor or inspector; use of emergency equipment unnecessarily; drinking food or water on the bus; transportation of animals (except guide dogs); damage to property; quarrels between passengers; if you have taken seats for women or disabled people; an attempt to get out of the bus through the front door or an attempt to enter the bus through the middle door (except for women, children and the disabled) – 50 AED;
- An attempt to argue with the driver, conductor or inspector; transportation of weapons or dangerous items; if you leave trash behind you; refusal to leave the bus cabin at the request of the driver or inspector when the cabin is overloaded or the passenger’s actions violate public order – 100 AED;
- Travel without paying, on the wrong card, on an expired card or if you did not save the ticket until the end of the trip – 200 AED , etc.
Metro in Dubai
The Dubai Metro is one of the most advanced and fully automated transportation systems in the pipeline and is under expansion. Cabins are divided into 3 types: premium class with wide leather seats and a panoramic view (“Gold Class”), for women and children (indicated by pink signs) and shared cars. Premium cabins and women’s cabins are at the start of the lineup. It is fundamentally important not to neglect the established rules and to occupy the wagons in accordance with the instructions.
Wi-Fi is available in the Dubai Metro. Trains run at intervals of approximately 10 minutes. The metro consists of only three lines, one of which is a branch from the Jabal Ali station, and covers the central part of the city, the most important objects and shopping centers. In addition to the name, each station has a code.
According to the official website of the RTA, the operating hours of the Dubai Metro are:
- Red line UAE Exchange – Rashidiya: Saturday to Wednesday from 05:00 to 00:00, Thursdays from 05:00 to 01:00, Fridays from 10:00 to 01:00.
- Etisalat – Creek Green Line: Saturday to Wednesday from 05:30 to 00:00, Thursdays from 05:30 to 01:00, Fridays from 10:00 to 01:00.
A feature of the Dubai Metro is that the platforms are located on the side, and not in the center, as in any metro in Russia, so if you miss the right station, you will have to cross the platform through the transitions, paying for the fare again.
As you know, in 2020 Dubai was supposed to host the world exhibition EXPO, which had to be postponed due to the epidemiological situation to 2021. However, the postponement of the event did not prevent the completion of the new metro line “Route 2020”, the construction of which was originally timed to coincide with an important world event. The line entered service on 1 January 2021 with only 4 stations (Jebel Ali, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan) in operation initially. Two more stations (Dubai Investment Park and Expo 2020) were opened on June 1, 2021. Travel time from the iconic Dubai Marina to the exhibition venue has been reduced to 16 minutes. In the future, the “Route 2020” branch is planned to be extended to Al Maktoum Airport .
For the convenience of travelers, the official carrier RTA has developed several mobile applications with which you can plan your journey around the city by public transport in advance and view detailed instructions on how to get from one point of the city to another.
Mobile maps, public transit search, route planning and many more features are also available on the official RTA Dubai ( iOS , Android and Microsoft ) and S’hail ( iOS and Android ) apps. To search for public transport and build a route, you can also use the Russian-language application 2GIS (for iOS and Android ).
Dubai buses
Dubai bus service is regulated by RTA. The “fleet” has more than 1500 cars plying on 119 lines (throughout the Emirate). The bus network covers almost 90% of the city. Buses and stops are air conditioned.
You need to enter the bus through the front door, and to exit, you must press the driver notification button. As a rule, the first three rows are only for women with children, so you should not occupy them. Fare is paid with Nol cards. Night bus N55 connects Al Maktoum Airport with Al Ghubaiba Bus Station.
Dubai Bus Schedule:
- Buses from Gold Souk, Al Ghubaibah stations – from 05:00 to 00:00;
- Al Satwa, Al Qusais, Al Quoz Industrial – from 05:00 to 23:00;
- Jebel Ali – from 06:00 to 22:10;
- Al Rashidiya, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta, Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa, Abu Hail, Etisalat – from 05:15 to 01:10.
In Ramadan, the bus schedule changes, which can be found on the official website of the carrier or directly at the bus stop, each of which is equipped with an information stand.
You can find the right bus, find out the current schedule, change in schedule and route, and plan your route using the route planner from RTA* . It is worth noting that a significant number of Dubai hotels have their own buses that take hotel guests to the city center and public beaches.
Tourist buses
Exactly like in any other tourist city, sightseeing buses run around Dubai, offering to see the most important sights at a time using the hop on / hop off system. This system compares favorably with the fact that along the route you can get off at any station, explore the sights in more detail, take memorable photos and take another bus following the same route.
In Dubai, you can ride the famous double-deckers both day and night. All buses are equipped with air conditioning and audio guides in 12 languages (including Russian). There are a lot of companies-operators in the market of excursion services. One of the largest can be called Big Bus Tours . There are 3 routes at the disposal of the guests of the city:
- Red City tour: 9 stops, 1 hour 50 minutes;
- Blue Blue Marina Tour: 9 stops, 1 hour 30 minutes;
- Green Beach Tour: 6 stops, 1 hour 10 minutes.
Tickets can be used within 6 months from the date of purchase. A child ticket is purchased for travelers from 5 to 15 years old. Children under 5 ride for free. When ordering online, there is a 20% discount. The cost of the bus tour in 2022 will be:
- Adult ticket when buying on the bus – $ 76.20
- Adult ticket when buying online – 68.60 $
- Children’s ticket when buying on the bus – $ 51.50
- Child ticket when buying online – $ 46.30
All excursion offers can be found on the official website of the company or in the Big Bus Tours mobile application, which is available for iOS and Android .
This kind of excursion services is provided by City Sightseeing Dubai . This company offers 6 excursion routes. Tours are available for 1, 2, 3 and 7 days. The cost of a tour on one route starts from 180 AED for an adult ticket, children from 6 to 11 years old are given a discount.
Dubai Tram
The Dubai Tram line is quite small and consists of only 10.6 km of tracks and 11 stops. In fact, the Dubai Tram is the first line outside of Europe to operate from an underground cable electrical network. The tram is one of the safest modes of transport in the world and connects the subway, monorail and Jumeirah Beach Road.
The Dubai Tram line is also the world’s first platform sliding door network, which has been designed for the highest levels of safety and maintaining the temperature of the air-conditioned air. The trams have Wi-Fi. Fines and rules of conduct in the Dubai tram are exactly the same as in the subway.
The carriages are divided into several types: “Gold Class” with leather seats and panoramic views, carriages for women and children, and general carriages.
Trams run around the city:
- On weekdays – from 06:00 to 01:00;
- Fridays – from 09:00 to 01:00.
Dubai monorail
The Palm Monorail launched on April 30, 2009. The route connects Palm Jumeirah with the mainland. The train runs daily every 15 minutes. The first train from Palm Gateway Station leaves exactly at 09:00, and the last one at 21:45. From Atlantis Station, the first morning train departs at 09:15, and the last evening train leaves the station at 22:00.
At present, the monorail does not yet have a direct connection to the metro system, but it is planned to connect to the Dubai Internet City station soon.
Tourists use the monorail to take scenic photos and see Palm Jumeirah from above. It is worth remembering that the monorail is not part of the state public transport system and is privately owned, so Nol cards for fares are not valid here. A one-way or round-trip ticket can be bought at any of the stations at a ticket machine or at a kiosk from the operator. For many years, fares have not changed, but since 2017 there has been a slight increase.
In 2022, fares are:
- From Gateway station to Atlantis (and vice versa) one way ticket – 20 AED , round trip ticket – 30 AED ;
- From Gateway station to Al Ittihad Park (and vice versa) one way ticket – 10 AED , round trip ticket – 15 AED ;
- From Atlantis station to Al Ittihad Park (and vice versa) one way ticket – 15 AED , round trip ticket – 20 AED .
A ticket is purchased only for the day of the trip, it will not be possible to buy it in advance. At the moment, there are no group discounts for travel, just like children’s tickets. Children up to 110 cm ride for free (free travel does not depend on the age of the child). Next to the ticket kiosks, there is a height ruler that you can walk up to to find out if you need to purchase a ticket for your child.
Water transport
Dubai’s public transport network consists of both land and water transport. Water taxis and buses are operated by RTA.
Water taxis
In order to “beautifully” avoid city traffic jams and see the skyscrapers and sights of Dubai from the side, you can use water taxis. There are 43 taxi stations conveniently located along the coastline of the city. 1 boat holds 10 passengers. Each unit of water transport is equipped with air conditioners and LCD monitors.
Water taxis run daily from 10:00 to 22:00. You can also book an hour boat trip, which will cost 400 AED . For routes, boarding stations, a map and information about the opening of traffic, please click here *.
Water buses
Water buses differ from water taxis in the number of seats, there are 20 of them in the bus. Hourly rental of water transport is also possible.
Abra
Abra is not only a sought-after mode of transport, but also an attraction, the roots of which go back to past centuries. Over time, abras have become a symbol of Dubai and part of the cultural heritage. Nowadays, for the convenience of passengers, abras have been modified and put on various types of engines.
Traditional self-propelled abras run on two routes :
- From Bur Dubai Station to Deira Old Souk from 05:00 to 00:00;
- From Dubai Old Souk station to Al Sabhkha around the clock;
The fare for this type of boat in 2022 is 1 AED per passenger. For 120 AED per hour you can order a personal tour.
Air-conditioned abras are a combination style of traditional boats and the latest technology. Air-conditioned Abras operate on the Al Jaddaf Marine – Dubai Festival City route daily (except Friday) from 07:00 to midnight and on Fridays from 09:00 to midnight. Boats depart from the stations every 10 minutes. The fare in one direction is 2 AED .
Modified air-conditioned abras also run closer to the Dubai Marina area on the following routes :
- Dubai Marina Walk – Marina Terrace. Fare: 3 AED ;
- Dubai Marina Mall – Marina Promenade. Fare: 3 AED ;
- Dubai Marina Walk – Dubai Marina Mall. Fare: 5 AED ;
- Marina Promenade – Marine Terrace. Fare: 11 AED .
In the Dubai Marina area, abras run every 30 minutes from Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 to 23:00, on Fridays and holidays from midnight to noon. During peak hours (16:00 to 19:00), additional abras run between Dubai Marina Mall and Dubai Marina Walk every 15 minutes.
Motor abras with a capacity of up to 20 people serve the routes of the historic district:
- Al Ghubaiba – Al Sabkha (CR4), from Saturday to Thursday from 07:00 to 22:00 every 30 minutes, on Fridays and public holidays from 10:00 to 01:00 every 30 minutes;
- Al Sabkha – Al Fahidi (CR5), from Saturday to Thursday from 07:00 to 22:00 every 25 minutes, on Fridays and public holidays from 10:00 to 23:00 every 15 minutes;
- Dubai Old Souq – Baniyas (CR3), Saturday to Thursday from 07:00 to 11:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00 every 15 minutes, from 11:00 to 17:00 and from 19:00 to 22: 00 every 30 minutes, on Fridays and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00 and from 22:00 to 01:00 every 30 minutes, from 17:00 to 22:00 every 15 minutes;
- Al Seef – Beniyas (CR6), Sunday to Wednesday from 07:00 to 16:00 every 20 minutes and from 16:00 to 22:00 every 10 minutes, Thursdays and Saturdays from 07:00 to 16:00 every 20 minutes and from 16:00 to 23:00 every 10 minutes, on Fridays and holidays from 07:00 to 16:00 and from 23:00 to 01:00 every 15 minutes, from 16:00 to 23:00 every 5 minutes.
The fare on all routes is 2 AED.
A motor abra runs along the picturesque Dubai Canal, taking a ride on which you will see iconic sights, skyscrapers and waterfalls. The Dubai Canal journey takes 45 minutes. Boats run daily from 16:00 to 23:30. The fare in 2022 is AED 25 per person (children under 2 ride for free). You can also rent an abra along this route, which will cost 300 AED per hour.
One of the most favorite types of abr among tourists is a small and comfortable eight-seater electric boat. Such abras run on the following routes:
- Dubai Mall – Burj Plaza – The Palace, on the tourist route from 18:00 to 23:30 for 68.25 AED for 25 minutes, on the regular public route from noon to 23:30 for 20 AED ;
- Global Village, on a regular route from 16.00 to midnight for 52.50 AED (when renting the entire boat);
- Al Seef, Sunday to Wednesday from 16:00 to 22:00, Thursday to Saturday from 16:00 to 23:30 for 60 AED per trip (30 minutes). You can also rent abra for an hour for 120 AED .
Departure times may vary depending on traffic. Up-to-date information and changes are available on the official RTA* website.
Boats Yellow Boats
Tourist motor yellow boats take tourists around the Dubai Marina. The duration of water walks is different, as are the routes.
Ferry
A stunning coastal panorama opens from the board of one of the Dubai ferries. The fleet consists of 5 air-conditioned vessels with a capacity of 100 seats. The passenger cabin is equipped with LCD screens, and snack bars with souvenirs will soon appear on board. In total, ferries run on 5 routes:
- Route 1 (FR1): Al Ghubaiba Station – Dubai Water Canal Station – Dubai Marina Mall. Travel time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Ferry departure times from the starting station: 11:00, 13:00 and 18:30. If you board the ferry at Dubai Water Canal Station, departure times are 11:50, 13:50 and 19:20. One way fare in regular class is AED 50 (Nol Silver Card) and AED 70 in Superior Cabin (Nol Gold Card holders). Children under 5 ride for free. If you do not drive all the way, but only between two stations, then the cost of a ticket for a silver card will be 25 AED , and for a gold card – 35 AED.
- Lines 2 and 3 (FR3): Al Ghubaiba Station – Jumeirah Beach and Lines 4 and 5 (FR4): Dubai Marina Mall – Palm Jumeirah – Atlantis The Palm. Circular routes take 1 hour. Departure times: 15:00 and 17:00. A Nol Gold Card in a luxury cabin will cost AED 75 per person and AED 210 per family (2 adults + 2 children). In a common cabin with a silver card, the fare will cost 50 AED per person and 140 AED per family. Babies under 2 years old travel free of charge, and for children from 2 to 10 years old there is a 50% discount when buying a single ticket.
Departure times may vary depending on traffic. Up-to-date information and changes are available on the official RTA* website .
Cable car
Dubai Creek Park has a 2.3 km cable car. From a height of 30 meters above sea level, there is an excellent view of the park and the city as a whole. Entrance ticket to the park costs 5 AED . The fare in 2022 is AED 25 for an adult ticket and AED 10 for a child. You can buy tickets only at the ticket offices at the stations. Creek Park is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 08:00 to 23:00, and on Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays from 08:00 to 00:00.
Taxi
As in other metropolitan areas of the world, Dubai has a public and many private taxi services that operate around the clock. Officially registered taxi cars have a corresponding light “hood” with the inscription TAXI. Cars can be found at special parking lots, which are located near large shopping centers, train stations, airports, etc. You can also call a taxi by phone or through mobile applications that are available from many major taxi companies. Using the services of “private cabs” is strongly discouraged.
Also be aware that taxis parked near hotels and airports usually have higher fares. Smoking in cars is strictly prohibited. It is customary for women to sit only in the back seat. On the streets of Dubai, you can also see special taxis only for women, whose drivers are also the fair sex. As a general rule, women’s taxis are all or partly painted pink, with drivers wearing matching pink uniforms.
The Dubai State Taxi fleet consists of more than 5,000 taxis plying around the city around the clock including weekends and religious holidays. The management of the RTA company focuses on the safety of transportation and the highest level of service. The state-owned taxi company is called DTC (Dubai Taxi Corporation) and is managed by the RTA.
How to call a public taxi:
- Through the official DTC website ;
- Through the DTC mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android ;
- By phone 04–2080808;
- By sending an SMS with the code of the taxi rank where you are to number 4774. As a rule, the code is written on the information board, signboard or road signs.
DTC has its fixed rates. The rate of a regular taxi from 06:00 to 22:00 will be from 5 AED , and at night from 22:00 to 06:00 – from 5.50 AED (this amount will already be on the counter for landing); from 10 to 12 AED for pre-order. The taxi rate from the airports is 1.96 AED /km for a total of 25 AED per landing. In order to calculate the cost of a trip, use a special calculator from DTC:
Non-state taxi companies include:
- Arabia Taxi
- Oneroad Taxi
- Car Taxi and many others.
Rent a car in Dubai
The most popular rental tourist transport in most countries is a bicycle. Riding around Dubai at +50 °C under the scorching sun does not seem like such a tempting idea. An excellent option in this case would be renting a car with air conditioning. Renting a car in Dubai is not at all difficult, both global and local companies such as Al Wefaq or Vipcarrental do this . To conquer the excellent routes of the UAE is the dream of every motorist. To pick up a car, you will need a passport, national driving license and an international driving licence.
Car rental conditions vary depending on the company. As a rule, when receiving a car, you will be required to provide an insurance deposit / deductible in the amount of several thousand AED, depending on the class of the car. Most companies only accept credit cards (named and not debit). In case of damages/penalties, the deposit will be withheld, and in the absence of such, it will be unlocked within 10-14 days after the return of the car. If the car is damaged, the maximum amount that you will be required to pay for its repair is equal to the deductible amount. This rule is valid only if the terms of the lease agreement are fully observed.
When you pick up your car, the fuel tank is almost always full. In some cases, firms are asked to leave a deposit to cover the cost of fuel. Before returning the vehicle, you must fill the fuel tank completely. Small local companies tend to set a limit on daily mileage (200 – 250 km). In some large global firms, such a limit is not set.
In 2022, the cost of renting a budget small car starts from 105 AED per day. It is also worth noting that almost all rental cars have automatic transmissions.
Approximate cost of fuel in Dubai in 2022 per liter:
- AI-95 – from 2.14 to 2.42 AED ;
- AI-98 – from 2.25 to 2.53 AED ;
- DT – from 2.53 to 2.56 AED .
Traffic rules
- In the UAE, right-hand traffic, it is customary to give way to pedestrians and move along the central lanes, leaving the outer lanes for special cases.
- At intersections, traffic is often taken along the rings, each of which has its own name, they are guided in the same way as by street names. The advantage when driving at the roundabout is the one who is already on it.
- Entry to the intersection, if it is occupied by the vehicle ahead, is prohibited even with a permissive traffic light signal and is considered as a gross violation.
- You can not transport alcohol in a car without a permit (a license issued to residents). Driving while intoxicated entails the deprivation of the driving license for a period of 1 year. A very large fine/imprisonment will follow immediately after the decision of the local court.
- A mandatory rule is to wear seat belts for everyone in the car. Talking on a cell phone while driving is also prohibited.
- Speed limits in the city and on some individual roads can be found on the official Dubai Police portal . Radars are installed on the roads, and fines are issued and sent directly to the company where you rented a car. The size of the fine depends on speeding.
- For violating traffic rules, your license can be withdrawn, and for offering a bribe to a policeman, you can be prosecuted.
- The interference rule on the left applies.
- You cannot carry a child under 10 years old and up to 145 cm tall in the front seat of a car (based on Decree No. 178 of 2017).
- In the event of an accident, you must call the police on 999 and get an accident report, without which you will not be able to get insurance and permission to repair the car.
The heaviest traffic occurs on Friday, when the UAE has a holiday and many go to the beaches or for shopping. Road signs are similar to domestic ones, the inscriptions are made in English and Arabic. Drivers are required to be constantly vigilant and carefully read road signs.
Dubai also has toll roads, which can be recognized by signs with the word “Salik” on a red background. In 2022, the toll road fare is 4 AED . The Government of Dubai has developed a convenient mobile application “Salik” for iOS and Android , with which the map of toll roads will always be at hand.
Penalties for traffic violations
According to the Dubai Police official portal , as of 2022, fines for traffic violations are:
- Placement of a child under 10 years old in the front seat / child under 4 years old without a child seat / unfastened driver or passenger seat belt – 400 AED ;
- If you forgot to turn on the turn signal during the maneuver – 400 AED ;
- Driving a car without an insurance policy – 500 AED ;
- Stop at a pedestrian crossing – 500 AED ;
- Stop in the “yellow zone” – 500 AED (only if you do not turn right). “Yellow Zone” – an area (usually at intersections) marked with a yellow grid that warns drivers that they should not enter this zone until traffic at the intersection resumes;
- Talking on a mobile phone while driving – 800 AED ;
- Abrupt change of trajectory – 1000 AED ;
- Completion of the maneuver at a red traffic light – 1000 AED (with deprivation of the VU for 30 days);
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 20 km / h – 300 AED ;
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 30 km / h – 600 AED ;
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 40 km / h – 700 AED ;
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 50 km / h – 1000 AED ;
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 60 km / h – 1500 AED (with deprivation of the driving license for 15 days);
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 70 km / h – 2000 AED (with deprivation of the driving license for 30 days);
- Exceeding the speed limit by no more than 80 km / h – 3000 AED (with deprivation of the driving license for 60 days), etc.
If you receive a fine, you must pay it. Trying to “forget” about him is a big mistake. If information about non-payment gets to the police department, then when leaving the country, trouble is likely to arise.
It is not uncommon for cases when fines for traffic violations come after the car is returned to the rental office and upon arrival home. As a rule, the rental office sends a printout with the place, time, a photo of the offense committed, as well as full supporting documentation and an invoice for payment. First of all, you should visit the official portal of the Dubai Police and check the authenticity of the fine. If the fine is in the database, then it should certainly be paid, otherwise, serious problems may arise with future trips to the UAE.
Parking
Paid parking in Dubai are located throughout the city, the price is indicated per hour. The whole city is divided into zones and tariff classes. You will need a special ticket to pay for parking. The parking ticket must be placed on the windshield from the inside so that it can be seen. Non-payment for parking is punishable by a fine, a notice of this will be put under the “janitor” or come to the rental office. If you did not find your car where you left it, it could be towed to the traffic police station for non-compliance with parking rules. In this case, you should call the police department on 999.
When entering a paid parking lot, you must press the button on the automatic barrier panel. If there are free seats, the barrier will open and you will receive a control ticket from the slot next to the button. According to the time stamped on it, a calculation will be made at the exit. If you used the parking lot with a machine, you must first insert a coin into the machine, and then take a parking ticket.
Parking rates are divided into zones and categories. The first category includes:
- In Deira: Abu Hail, Hor Al Anz, Al Baraha, Al Muteena, Al Khabaisi, Al Muraqqabat, Riqqa Al Buteen, Port Saeed, Al Riqqa, Naif, Ayal Nasir, Deira Fish Market, Al Ras and Al Buteen.
- At Bur Dubai: Al Shindagha, Al Souq Al Kabeer, Al Hamriya, Umm Hurair 1 and 2, Oud Metha, Al Karama, Al Mankhool, Al Raffa, Al Hudaiba, Al Kifaf, 2nd December Street and the sector between Dubai World Trade Center and Interchange One on Shaikh Zayed Road.
- Zones at Jumeirah Beach Residence and JBR Walk, 308th Street, Al Saada Street.
The rest of the city belongs to the second tariff category.
ayment methods for parking in Dubai:
- Cash. You can buy a ticket at the parking machine (small coins should be prepared);
- Nol card. The cost of the coupon will be deducted from the balance of the Nol card, which must be inserted into the parking machine;
- Prepaid card. A special parking card with a face value of 30 or 100 AED can be bought at any supermarket. The cost of the coupon will be deducted from the balance of the card, which must be inserted into the parking machine;
- Seasonal parking card. Beneficial only if you are in Dubai for more than 3 months;
- mParking system (only from a local SIM card). Mobile payment for parking is made by sending sms to number 7275 in the format: emirate code – car number – place – area code – number of hours.
- RTA Dubai mobile application for IOS and Android , which will also allow you to find parking lots with free spaces in real time.
- ApplePay, SamsungPay or just NFC services on your smartphone.
- Bank card with RFID.
Fines for violation of parking rules
According to the Dubai Police official portal , as of 2022, fines for parking violations are:
- Parking in front of a fire hydrant / in places for the disabled / on the left side of the road under a prohibition sign – 1000 AED ;
- If you parked the car in such a way that it blocked the exit of other cars – 500 AED ;
- Parking on the sidewalk – 400 AED , etc.
Hitch-hiking
An interesting feature of the country is the almost complete ban on hitchhiking within the city limits and suburbs. Standing on the side of the road in order to stop a passing car is not only prohibited by traffic rules, but is also an administrative violation. If an accident occurs due to the fault of a passenger, especially on a freeway, he faces a prison sentence of several months. At the same time, you have to pay for the local hitchhiking, if it, of course, was a success – local drivers practically don’t give a ride to anyone for free.
How to get from the airport to Dubai
If your tour does not include a transfer, then you will have to get from one of the airports to the city on your own. The cheapest ways are metro and buses. In the terminals, it is also possible to rent a car or order a taxi.
How to get from Dubai International Airport
Near Terminals 1 and 3 there are stations of the red metro line. There is a green line station near Terminal 2 .
Bus stops are located in front of each of the three terminals. From Terminal 1 from the Airport Terminal 1, Arrival stop, buses number C1 , 11A , 24 go to the city .
From Terminal 2 the city can be reached by buses No. C26 , C43 , 13B , 20 , 25 , 31 . Bus number 313 runs to Sharjah .
Buses No. C1 , 11A , 24 , 32C , 33 , 44 , 64A , F08 depart from Terminal 3 . A comfortable bus E700 runs from Dubai to Sharjah and Fujairah .
How to get from Al Maktoum Airport to Dubai
Al Maktoum International Airport and the city center are currently only bus services. Bus number F55 runs during the day. Travel time to Dubai is just under an hour. The final bus station is Ibn Battuta, the transfer point for the metro. Then you can get to anywhere in the city.
At night, you can only get from the airport to Dubai on your own by bus number N55 . Travel time to Dubai will be about an hour and a half.
Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.
