Here you will find several tips for travelers on how to get around in Dubai. The city may seem small, but due to the intense heat, it’s very difficult to get around on foot. Therefore, it is worth finding out about the main means of transport in Dubai before making your trip.
How to get around in Dubai?
Dubai has a very efficient public transport system. It’s easy to use and connects all the main points of the city. For tourists, the best and most economical means of transport is the subway. In addition to being cheap, it has air conditioning, is clean, and is easy to use. Check below all the transport options that the city offers.
TRANSPORTATION IN DUBAI VIA Metro:
Using the metro in Dubai is easy and comfortable. The city has two different lines that arrive close to the tourist attractions. The metro also connects to the tram and monorail. All public transport (with the exception of the monorail) is interconnected and you pay with the same card.
The Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Avenue, reaching the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach areas. Some of the attractions that you can access with this line are Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and the Mall of Emirates, as well as Dubai International Airport.
The Green Line of the metro runs through the oldest part of Dubai. Along the Dubai Creek, with access to the Souks. The tram connects the red line to Dubai Marina. In addition, with the Tram, you can reach the monorail station, which must be paid separately.
Monorail
The Monorail gives access to the island of Palm Jumeirah. The price of the trip is 20 AED one way and 30 AED round trip. If you are accompanied, it is worth sharing a taxi. The price will be cheaper than the monorail.
Transportation in Dubai by Private Car:
Dubai is made up of major highways. In addition, nearly all attractions have private parking. This makes it super easy for anyone who wants to use a private vehicle as a means of transport. I recommend renting a car for anyone who wants to get around various attractions or even just hop around Abu Dhabi.
Rent a car in Dubai
If you have an International Driving Permit, renting a car is affordable in the city. Dubai also requires the driver to obtain a temporary driver’s license, which can be carried out upon arrival in Dubai. For this, it’s necessary to take the passport, the international driver’s license, and two photographs.
Many agencies have pick-up points at the airport and you can drive your car. I recommend using Booking or other sites before your arrival in the city to compare prices between agencies. Most economy cars cost no more than 35 USD per day (no mileage limit).
Taxi or app
A taxi can be a good option if you are traveling with a group, as the fare can be split. To avoid surprises in the cost of the journey, I always prefer to call a vehicle through an app, such as Uber. However, in Dubai, as well as in other Arab countries, the Careem application is usually cheaper. Download it on your cell phone and compare prices before your trip.
tourist bus (hop-on hop-off):
For those who want practicality, the tourist double-deck buses cover all the important attractions in the city on a rotating basis. With a single ticket, you can make as many trips as you need between attractions. In addition, you get a map with the sights and an audio guide in several languages to learn more about the place.
The buses have air-conditioned cabins or open-air seats for a better view of the city. Dubai has a total of 20 boarding points at attractions. If you don’t mind paying a little extra for convenience, this is the ideal option for sightseeing in Dubai. At Get your Guide you can find tickets valid for 24 hours for AED 218.
Transportation in Dubai by Bus
Conventional buses may not be very intuitive to use. However, the advantage is the price and also the coverage of the lines. The same metro pass is used for buses in Dubai. So be aware that paying in cash is not allowed. I recommend using the Google Maps application to check which buses to use to get to your destination.
Check out other essential travel apps here.
How it works and how much it cost the transportation card in Dubai
The price of the metro is calculated according to the distance traveled. Every time you get on and off the metro or tram, you’ll find swiping machines. For a distance of 6 stations, you will pay around 5 AED. As for the tram, most of the time you pay an additional 3 AED. When you pass the card at the exit of the subway, the amount debited from the card already appears.
You can buy tickets for just one trip or buy a card with unlimited use. For purchasing your tickets, go to a vending machine or to the ticket office directly at one of the stations. The card costs 5 AED and you can load as much as you like and as many times as you like.
Was this post helpful to you? Check here for other important tips before traveling to Dubai.
FAQ How to get around in Dubai
To visit Dubai’s main attractions, stay in the downtown area. Around Sheik Zayed Avenue there are several hotels. In addition, there are several metro stations in the area. To learn more about accommodation in Dubai check out this post.
Although it is difficult to visit attractions on foot, it is easy to get around with public transport in Dubai. The stations are connected to several tourist spots. Check out how to use public transport in the city in this post.
The cost of the ticket to use the metro will depend on the distance you are going to travel. Therefore, you need to know the name of the station when buying the ticket. Check out how to use public transport in the city in this post.
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