Transport Guides
Getting Around the UAE
Metro, taxi, bus, car rental, and intercity travel — everything you need to navigate Dubai and the UAE without overpaying or getting lost.
Metro, taxi, bus, car rental, and intercity travel — everything you need to navigate Dubai and the UAE without overpaying or getting lost.
The Dubai Metro is the backbone of public transport — air-conditioned, reliable, punctual, and cheap. Two lines cover most tourist areas.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Red Line | Airport Terminal 1 & 3 to Jebel Ali. Stops include Deira City Centre, Union, BurJuman, World Trade Centre, DIFC, Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina, JBR, Palm Jumeirah (Nakheel). |
| Green Line | Creek (Al Jadaf) to Etisalat (Al Qusais). Covers Old Dubai — Gold Souk, Deira, Union, BurJuman, Oud Metha, Healthcare City. |
| Operating Hours | Saturday-Thursday: 5:30am to midnight. Friday: 10am to 1am. |
| Fare – Zone 1 | AED 2.00 per journey (Nol Card). Short hops within one zone. |
| Fare – Zone 2 | AED 3.00 per journey (Nol Card). |
| Fare – All Zones | AED 8.50 per journey (Nol Card). Airport to Downtown, for example. |
| Day Pass | AED 22 for unlimited rides in one day. Worthwhile if making 3+ journeys. |
| Gold Class | AED 2x standard fare. Dedicated quieter, less crowded carriages. Optional upgrade. |
| Women & Children | Dedicated pink carriages on every train — Women and Children Only, strictly enforced. |
The Nol Card is a rechargeable contactless smart card used across Dubai's Metro, bus, tram, Palm Monorail, and water bus networks. It is mandatory for Metro travel — cash is not accepted at fare gates.
Official Dubai taxis are metered, air-conditioned, and generally reliable. Drivers are licensed and routes are not negotiable (meter only).
Careem (owned by Uber) is the dominant ride-hailing app in the UAE. Download before you arrive. Accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, and Careem credits.
Uber operates in the UAE and is interchangeable with Careem for most purposes. Worth having both apps installed and comparing prices before booking.
The E-series express buses connect Dubai to other emirates and are excellent value. They depart from main bus stations and are run by RTA and Emirates Transport.
| Route | Fare | Journey Time | Key Stops |
|---|---|---|---|
| E101 – Dubai to Abu Dhabi | AED 25 one-way | ~1h 45min | Al Ghubaiba, Ibn Battuta, Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station |
| E102 – Dubai to Abu Dhabi | AED 25 one-way | ~2h | Al Ghubaiba via different Abu Dhabi route |
| E303 – Dubai to Sharjah | AED 10 one-way | ~45min-1h 30min | Al Ghubaiba, Sharjah Central Bus Station (traffic-dependent) |
| E400 – Dubai to Al Ain | AED 20 one-way | ~2h | Union Square, Al Ain Bus Station |
| E700 – Dubai to RAK | AED 25 one-way | ~1h 45min | Al Ghubaiba, RAK Bus Station |
| E16 – Dubai to Fujairah | AED 25 one-way | ~2h 30min | Union Square, Fujairah Bus Station |
| Careem Bus – Dubai-AUH | AED 35-45 | ~2h | Door-to-door pickup zones, more comfortable |
Renting a car opens up day trips to Hatta, Fujairah's coastline, Ras Al Khaimah mountains, and Al Ain. Roads are excellent and well-signposted in English.
| Option | Cost | Journey to Downtown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Metro (Red Line) | AED 8.50 (Nol Card) | ~30 min | Terminals 1 and 3 have Metro stations. Easiest option with luggage racks available. |
| RTA Taxi | AED 45-65 | ~20-35 min | Metered, AED 5.50 airport flagfall. Official taxi queue outside arrivals. |
| Careem / Uber | AED 40-55 | ~20-35 min | Meet driver in designated app ride-hailing zone, not the main taxi rank. |
| Hotel Shuttle | Free (5-star hotels) | Varies | Pre-arrange with hotel. Available from most 4-5 star properties. |
| Bus (C1, C2 routes) | AED 3-4 | ~45-60 min | Slowest option. Useful if budget is very tight. Departs from Terminal 1 and 3. |
Etihad Rail is the UAE's national freight railway, with plans for a passenger network connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the northern emirates. Phase 2 of the freight network (Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and Khalifa Port) is operational. Passenger services are in planning/development stages as of 2026, with no confirmed operational date for public use.
A Nol Card costs AED 6 to purchase (the card itself, refundable). Metro fares range from AED 2 (Zone 1 short hop) to AED 8.50 (all zones, such as airport to city centre) per journey. Single paper tickets from machines cost AED 2-10 depending on zones. A day pass costs AED 22 and is worthwhile for 3 or more journeys in a day.
Yes — Dubai taxis are among the most affordable in the world for a major international city. The flagfall is AED 5 (AED 5.50 from the airport). A typical 10km journey costs AED 20-30. Careem and Uber operate in Dubai and are usually AED 2-5 cheaper than standard taxis for the same route, though both surge during rain and peak hours.
The E101 and E102 intercity buses connect Dubai to Abu Dhabi for AED 25 per person one-way. Buses depart from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai and run frequently throughout the day. Journey time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Careem Bus is a more comfortable option for around AED 35-45.
Car rental is most worthwhile for day trips outside Dubai — to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Hatta, Fujairah, or Ras Al Khaimah. For travel within Dubai, the Metro and taxis are more convenient and avoid parking fees. Budget rental cars start from AED 80-120 per day. You will need a valid driving licence — check with the rental company whether an International Driving Permit is required for your nationality.
The Nol Card is a rechargeable smart card used on the Dubai Metro, buses, tram, and water buses. It costs AED 6 to purchase (card only — no starting credit included) and can be loaded at any Metro station ticket machine. Using a Nol Card is mandatory on the Metro — cash is not accepted at fare gates. Buy one at any Metro station, or at many supermarkets and convenience stores throughout Dubai.
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