Getting Around Dubai

Now that the Dubai Metro and water taxis have opened, Dubai finally has something of a public transport system. However the city is too far spread out (and far too hot!) to walk to the stations, so almost all local residents still own cars. Visitors tend to use taxis, rental cars and abras.

Taxis

Taxis really are the only way to go if you don’t have a car. If you’re staying in a hotel, you should be able to find a cab with no problem at all. Failing that, the hotel limo service will usually be available.

Things can become more difficult however, when you are at another location in the city and are trying to hail a taxi. Areas where this might be a problem can include Mall of the Emirates and Madinat Jumeirah, where taxi queues can easily become 30 minutes or longer at busy times. See the number below for Dubai Taxi – they could save your life one day!

Taxi/Limo firms

Dubai Taxi – 04 2080808

Rental Cars

Dubai is very well served by car rental companies, both at the airport and around town. Having a car during your trip will make it much more enjoyable. Be prepared for some serious traffic, although the congestion is admittedly not as bad as it once was at the peak of the boom.

The traffic jams tend to follow the workers who come in and out of the city – try to avoid driving West towards Abu Dhabi from 8-10am, and East towards Sharjah from 5-7pm.

Car Rental firms

Thrifty – 800 4694

Hertz – 04 2060206

Budget – 04 2956667

Abras

Lastly, a much more traditional and fun way to get around the city is on the Abras. These small boats carry anyone from shop assistants to chief executives up and down Dubai Creek. With the bridges often jammed up, these little boats can often turn a 30 minute journey into a 3 minute one.

Typically the boatman will charge you 1 Dhs to ride across the creek, but you can rent the whole boat for 20 Dhs if you want to feel like a rockstar.

Obviously this mode of transport is fairly limited, but it’s a great way to see some of the older parts of the city. Hire a boat for you and your friends and you can take a 30 minute ride up and down the creek for very little money.

Dubai Metro

You need to buy a Nol card to use the Dubai Metro. Just swipe it and hop right on. Each train has a VIP carriage, plus one for women and children. Make sure you get on the right carriage or you’ll pay a fine!

Visitors probably won’t find the Metro very practical. There are bus routes feeding into each of the stations but by the time you’ve done all that you may as well just catch a cab. It is worth a ride at least once though, if only for the fantastic view of the city that it offers. Much cheaper and more comfortable that the Big Red Bus tours! Try to sit in the front carriage where you’ll get the best view.