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Trains, trams and automobiles: your ultimate Dubai transport guide
Tue, September 6, 2022
From riding the Metro to renting or buying a car, we’ve got you covered in this guide to getting around Dubai.
From riding the Metro to renting or buying a car, we’ve got you covered in this guide to getting around Dubai.
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Public transport
From ride hailing to catching a bus or jumping on the Metro, check out our guide to getting around Dubai using the city’s world-class public transportation network.
Affordability
Dubai’s public transportation services are extremely affordable compared to most other major cities worldwide.
According to World Atlas, the average fare for a bus, tram or Metro ride in Dubai is just US$1.10, compared to US$1.80 in Tel Aviv, US$2.80 in New York, US$3.80 in Zurich and US$4.00 in London. Concession rates are available to students and seniors, while children aged under 5 travel for free in Dubai.
Dubai’s NOL card enables users to seamlessly travel across all public transportation services in the city and can easily be topped up online. You can even use your NOL to pay for parking, or in 2,000 shops across the emirate. The NOL card is available via RTA’s Smart Apps, all metro stations and vending machines. To learn more about the cost of fares using NOL, click here.
Plan your journey
Dubai Metro
Dubai Taxi
This well-established service has been available for residents and visitors to enjoy for over a decade. You can either pre-book or flag down a Dubai Taxi on the go.
Dubai Bus
The Public Transport Agency operates Dubai’s public bus service, which covers over 80 per cent of the city’s urban areas transporting over 350,000 people daily.
Dubai Tram
One of the safest modes of transport in the world, the Dubai Tram runs along Al Sufouh Road in the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Road. It also links Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail.
Dubai Abra
Explore Dubai’s canals and creeks on a traditional Abra. The abra is a wooden open boat or dhow that can be accessed from any abra station in Bur Dubai or Deira. Inspired by the abra, the modern Dubai water-taxi provides waterfront views and faster access to more than 43 stations across the city.
Ride-hailing apps
Local success story Careem and US rival Uber both boast a significant presence in Dubai and have quickly become a popular alternative to public transport in the city. Both firms offer Economy, Business and MAX services, with the choice of vehicles and pricing reflecting the respective grades for each.
To learn more about Dubai’s public transport networks, rules and code of conduct, find route networks and more, take a look at this brief guide.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
Dubai’s RTA was formed in 2005 to manage the Emirate’s fast-growing public transportation and roads networks. It is responsible for building and maintaining the city’s transport infrastructure, ensuring the safety of its roads, and managing all registration and licensing requirements. For more information, visit the RTA website.
Buying or renting a car
Dubai is home to some of the world’s best roads. From multi-lane motorways to desert highways and everything in between, the city is renowned for the quality and density of its road network.
For a city seemingly built for driving, the cost of renting or owning a car is relatively cheap compared to most major cities worldwide.
According to Deutsche Bank, the average daily cost of renting a vehicle in Dubai is US$67, compared to US$100.50 in Singapore, US$135.70 in Zurich and US$172.40 in London. The analyst also revealed car prices are cheaper in Dubai than all of these cities, with a typical midsize sedan costing three times as much in Singapore compared to Dubai.
If you are purchasing your car, annual registration costs, insurance and fuel are also all cheaper than the city’s major international rivals. Taking the latter as an example, a litre of unleaded fuel in Dubai will today cost you US$0.75, compared to US$1.20 in Sydney, US$1.89 in Singapore or US$1.94 in London.
Car rental firms in Dubai
Car dealerships in Dubai
All the major international manufacturers have a significant presence in Dubai, while new car prices are generally cheaper than other international markets. Here is a useful overview of Dubai car dealerships and the brands they represent.
Second-hand vehicles
The used car market continues to boom in the UAE, with sales set to surge past one million annually by 2025, according to Frost & Sullivan. The firm also revealed that for every new car delivered in the country in 2019, 3.5 used cars were sold.
Authorised dealers and specialised independent firms dominate the second-hand car market, with the former providing the benefit of standard warranties on approved used vehicles.
Classified websites for used vehicles listings in Dubai
There are also several specialised classifieds websites that include listings of used vehicles for sale through dealers or on the private market including:
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