Dubai is a dazzling emirate on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, renowned for its ultramodern skyline, luxury shopping, and world-record-breaking landmarks. From the iconic Burj Khalifa piercing the clouds to pristine beaches along the Arabian Gulf, Dubai seamlessly blends Bedouin heritage with 21st-century ambition. It is one of the world's most visited cities, attracting tens of millions of tourists each year with its unrivalled mix of culture, adventure, and opulence.
- Public
- World-class metro and bus network covering all major tourist areas. Nol Card is essential.
- Taxi
- Plentiful and metered. Careem and Uber are easier alternatives with app-based booking.
- Rental
- Good for day trips to Hatta, Al Ain, or the desert. Not needed for city centre exploration.
- Walking
- City centre neighbourhoods like Al Fahidi and JBR are walkable. Most of Dubai requires transport due to scale and summer heat.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $19-27, 20-30 min to Downtown
- Taxi Info
- Cream RTA taxis available 24/7 at the airport. Fixed flagfall of AED 25 from DXB airport.
- Shuttle
- $8 (metro)
- Shuttle Info
- Dubai Metro Red Line runs directly from DXB Terminals 1 & 3 to city centre. Operates 5 AM – midnight (1 AM Thu-Sat).
- Bus
- $4 (RTA bus from Terminal 2)
- Bus Info
- Several RTA bus routes from Terminal 2. Less convenient than metro but covers more areas.
- Private
- $55-110 (pre-booked private transfer)
- Private Info
- Book a private car via your hotel or services like MyDriverDubai for a meet-and-greet experience.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
193 routes across the emirate, all air-conditioned. AED 2-4 per journey. Frequency varies — downtown routes every 5-10 min.
Alternatives
Metro, tram, abra water taxis, Nol-enabled feeder buses, Palm Monorail, Dubai Ferry
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- AED 12 base fare + AED 1.97/km (day), AED 14 flagfall at night
- Apps
- Careem, Uber, Dubai Taxi (RTA)
- App Names
- Careem (preferred locally), Uber, RTA Dubai Taxi App
- Typical Fare
- $5-12 for average city ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
E-class buses from Dubai to Abu Dhabi from AED 25 (2 hrs), Sharjah from AED 7 (45 min)
Shared
Shared taxis to Northern Emirates from Al Sabkha bus station in Deira
Flights
No domestic flights needed — distances are short
Private
Private car hire with driver from AED 200/day
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Dubai has world-class public transport anchored by a modern metro system, supplemented by buses, trams, water taxis, and ride-hailing apps. The Nol Card is a single reloadable smart card that works across all RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) services.
Airports
Dubai International Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Careem
Preferred local ride-hailing app with car, bike, and grocery delivery
Uber
International ride-hailing alternative, widely used in Dubai
RTA Dubai
Official Roads and Transport Authority app for Nol Card top-up and journey planning
S'hail
RTA app for multimodal journey planning across metro, bus, tram, and taxi
Dubai Now
Official Dubai government app with transport, permits, and city services
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Get a Nol Silver Card at any metro station for AED 25 — it works on all RTA transport
Download the Careem app before arrival for reliable ride-hailing
Metro Gold Class (front carriage) is air-conditioned first-class for AED 1 extra
Women and children have dedicated carriages on the metro
Avoid taxis during rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) as traffic is severe
Salik toll charges apply to major roads — factor this into rental car costs
The Dubai Ferry connects Marina, JBR, and Al Seef — a scenic and cheap way to travel
Use Google Maps for real-time metro and bus route planning