Dubai transport 2026: metro, Careem, Uber, taxis, car rental

The short version

Three workable options for tourists: metro (cheap, limited reach), Careem (the local default), RTA taxis (faster to flag, more expensive). Uber works but almost always dispatches the same vehicle as Careem (same company). Car rental only if you plan 3+ long-distance trips.

Dubai Metro

Two lines: Red Line (the main artery, DXB Terminal 1/3 → Expo City) and Green Line (Old Dubai and Deira). Interchange at Union or BurJuman.

• Ticket 3-7.5 AED depending on zones (Nol)
• Operates 05:00-24:00, weekends to 01:00
• On-time, AC, women's carriage (first), Gold class (premium)
• Downside: doesn't reach Palm, La Mer, or the west end of JBR beach

Nol card: Silver (prepaid) — 25 AED deposit + 19 AED min balance. Buy at any station kiosk. Same card pays for buses, water bus, Palm monorail.

Careem

The Middle East's Uber, bought by Uber in 2019 but kept as a brand. The local default. Install the app, link a card, go.

• Marina → Downtown: 35-55 AED
• DXB airport → Downtown hotel: 60-90 AED
• Tiers: Economy (Camry/Sonata), Business (E-class), Lux (S-class)
• Tipping optional

Upside: app, comfort, safety (verified drivers), fixed price.

Uber

Works fine, dispatches the same Careem vehicle. Use it if Uber's already on your phone — Careem is slightly more popular locally.

RTA taxi

Classic yellow or pink (female-only drivers). Hail one or call 800-9090.

• Day flag 12 AED, night flag 14 AED
• 1.82 AED/km
• Marina → Downtown by meter 50-70 AED
• Cards and Apple Pay accepted

Car rental

Economy from 100-150 AED a day + insurance 30-50 AED + Salik (electronic tolls, 4 AED per gate). Petrol 3 AED a litre. International road rules, seatbelts mandatory, speeding fines aggressive (cameras everywhere).

• Licence: IDP with EU/RU original is usually fine
• Min age 21 (25 for luxury)
• Speed limits 60-80 km/h in town, 120 motorways (+20 tolerated, 21+ fined)

When it's worth it: 3+ days outside the centre, a Hatta/Abu Dhabi/Northern Emirates trip.

Abra on Dubai Creek

The folk creek boat, 1 AED, pay the boatman directly. Between Bur Dubai and Deira souks. A tourist must — old Dubai's culture.

What tourists should pick

• 3-5 days, Downtown + Marina → Careem + metro
• With kids → Careem-Family with child seats
• Palm resort, rare outings → Careem, metro doesn't reach
• 3+ far trips → economy rental
• Late night in old town → flag a taxi on the street

Tip: load 20 AED on a Nol card before flying out. Same card gets you from Terminal 3 to Downtown by metro for 7.5 AED — saves 80 AED versus Careem.

If you'd like a Russian-speaking driver for a day or the whole trip, message us.