City, United Arab Emirates
Getting around Dubai
How to get around Dubai
Metro and tram cover the main corridor; taxis and apps fill the gaps. Summer heat makes walking hard outside climate-controlled routes.
Ways to get around Dubai
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Metro (Red and Green lines) | 3–8.5 AED | Nol card or tap-in; women-only cabin; closes around midnight |
| Taxi (RTA) | About 20–40 AED for 5 km | Metered, plentiful and safe; pink-roof women's taxis exist |
| Dubai Tram | 3–8.5 AED | Links Marina, JLT and the Metro |
| Water Taxi and Abra | 1–25 AED | Creek crossing abra costs 1 AED |
Ride-hailing apps in Dubai
A 5 km ride costs about Dh20–40 ($5.4–10.9).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Careem | Local app with metered taxis and cars |
| Uber | Cars and taxis; reliable airport pickups |
| Bolt | Often cheaper than Uber |
| Yango | Alternative with fixed fares |
- Official RTA taxis are metered and trustworthy. Skip unlicensed cars; apps remain the easiest way for pickups.
Arriving in Dubai
Dubai International (DXB)
Metro to city centre 5–8.5 AED, 20–40 min; taxi 40–120 AED depending on district, plus a 25 AED airport fee.
Al Maktoum International (DWC)
Limited flights; taxi to Dubai Marina about 150–200 AED, 40 min.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Scooter rental is rare; licensed riders need a licence. E-scooters are allowed in some zones only.
- Driving: on the right. Many licences (UK, EU, US, GCC and others) are accepted for rentals; other nationalities need an IDP.
- Onward travel in United Arab Emirates: Intercity buses link Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates; most people use taxis, ride-hailing or rental cars. Dubai Metro covers Dubai's main corridor.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Dubai?
Yes. Apps that work here: Careem, Uber, Bolt, Yango.
What's the best way to get around Dubai?
Metro and tram cover the main corridor; taxis and apps fill the gaps. Summer heat makes walking hard outside climate-controlled routes.
How do I get from the airport to Dubai?
Metro to city centre 5–8.5 AED, 20–40 min; taxi 40–120 AED depending on district, plus a 25 AED airport fee.
Is Dubai walkable?
You'll need transport.
More about Dubai
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.