Table of contents
Quick answer
Dubai has a cheap driverless Metro along Sheikh Zayed Road, metered taxis and Careem and Uber everywhere, plus buses, a tram and easy car rental. For a central, city-only stay the Metro and taxis are cheapest; for day trips, families and areas off the Metro, a rental car is usually better value and far more flexible.
1The Dubai Metro
The Metro is the backbone of getting around Dubai: clean, driverless, air-conditioned and cheap. The Red Line runs the length of Sheikh Zayed Road through Downtown and the Marina and to both DXB and DWC; the Green Line loops Old Dubai. Fares are a few dirhams a trip, paid with a Nol card.
What it doesn't reach matters too — it runs along the main spine, so Palm Jumeirah, the Jumeirah beach strip and many residential areas need a taxi or tram at the end.
2Taxis in Dubai
- Metered, plentiful and cheap by international standards; the cream RTA taxis are everywhere.
- Book through the app or hail one; there is a small airport surcharge and a higher night flag-fall.
- A short city trip is roughly AED 20–40, a longer cross-city ride AED 50–90 at the time of writing.
- Cards are accepted in most taxis, but carry some cash as a backup.
3Careem and Uber
Both ride-hailing apps work across Dubai, with everything from economy cars to larger vehicles. Careem is the home-grown one and often has the widest coverage; Uber sits alongside it. Prices are usually close, so it is worth checking both, especially at busy times when surge pricing applies.
4Buses, the tram and the abra
- The tram links the Marina, JBR and Palm Jumeirah's monorail, useful where the Metro stops short.
- Public buses are cheap and cover areas the Metro misses, all on the same Nol card.
- An abra (wooden water taxi) crosses Dubai Creek for about a dirham — cheap, and one of the best things to do in Old Dubai.
A Nol card covers the Metro, tram, buses and public parking — buy one at any station and top it up as you go.
5Renting a car
A rental comes into its own for day trips, for families with luggage, and for staying somewhere off the Metro. Budget the daily rate plus fuel (cheap here), Salik tolls at AED 4 a crossing and paid parking Monday to Saturday.
For a central, city-only stay it usually costs more than taxis once you add parking and tolls — so match the choice to your trip rather than defaulting either way.
| Option | Rough cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | Rough costA few AED per trip | Best forThe SZR spine, airports, budget city travel |
| Taxi / Careem / Uber | Rough costAED 20–90 per trip | Best forDoor-to-door, groups, late nights |
| Rental car | Rough costAED 80–150/day + extras | Best forDay trips, families, areas off the Metro |
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get around Dubai?
The Metro, by a wide margin, for anywhere along Sheikh Zayed Road and to the airports. Buses and the abra are cheaper still for the routes they cover.
Is the Dubai Metro good for tourists?
Yes — it is cheap, clean and easy, and it reaches Downtown, the Marina and both airports. Its limit is that it follows the main spine, so you'll still need a taxi for the beach strip and the Palm.
Is Careem or Uber cheaper in Dubai?
Prices are usually close. Check both apps for your trip, especially at busy times when surge pricing kicks in.
Does the Dubai Metro go to Palm Jumeirah?
Not directly. Take the Metro to the Marina area, then the tram and the Palm monorail, or a short taxi.
Do you need a car to get around Dubai?
Not in the central areas, where the Metro and taxis do the job. A car pays off for day trips, families and areas the Metro doesn't reach.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 29 September 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
