What you should know before hiring a car in Dubai
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Distance from Dubai city centre |
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| 6 km | ||
| 44 km | ||
Practical information
Where to rent a car in Dubai?
Located in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is known for its extremes: think ultra-tall buildings, large shopping malls and luxurious hotels. Dubai International Airport is the city's primary airport, and one of the world's busiest international air hubs. From Dubai International Airport, a number of car rental companies offer visitors the chance to hire a car and explore Dubai on four wheels. These include Avis, Hertz, Budget and National Car Rental. From Dubai airport, travelers can take the Dubai Metro, taxi or shuttle bus to reach the city center. The Dubai Metro operates two lines (one from Terminal 1, and one from Terminal 3), and allows travelers to reach centrally located stations such as the Financial Center station and the Mall of the Emirates station.
Driving in Dubai: parking and other tips
As a part of the United Arab Emirates, drivers in Dubai must follow the road rules of the UAE. These include driving on the right-hand side of the road; heeding the speed limit (which is 50 km/h in urban areas); and adhering to the country's strict no alcohol rule while driving. It is also a legal requirement to wear a seat belt.
In Dubai, parking is split into three categories across the city: commercial, non-commercial and special areas. The rate of parking will depend on the zone in which drivers leave their car, and each category comes with its own "zones". It may seem confusing, but get to grips with Dubai's parking system and you'll have no problems! Parking tariffs vary, with those in commercial areas being the most expensive (around AED 4 per hour for on-street parking, and AED 3 per hour in parking lots).
Road trips from Dubai
Discover the surrounding areas of Dubai by rental car, and visit beautiful beaches, interesting museums and cultural destinations in the United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
The capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is just an 87 mile drive from Dubai. Taking around one and a half hours to reach, the city is a great day trip from Dubai, but offers enough to keep visitors entertained for much longer. Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, visit landmarks such as the stunning Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and the Qasr Al Hosn palace. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the Yas Marina Circuit are musts for car enthusiasts, while Dalma Mall is the place to go for a little retail therapy.
Sharjah
A short 30-minute drive from Dubai, the city of Sharjah is a cultural metropolis filled with interesting museums and historic sites. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is set in an impressive, waterfront building and offers an insight into Islamic culture; the Sharjah Heritage Museum is another museum not to miss, and focuses on Emirati culture. Thrill seekers can enjoy the rides at the Adventureland theme park, while those wishing to relax can do so on one of the city's beaches – such as the beautiful Al Mamzar Beach Park.
Ajman
A scenic drive over a distance of around 27 miles takes visitors from bustling Dubai to the more peaceful city of Ajman. As well as being home to the fascinating Ajman Museum, the city also plays host to a number of beautiful beaches. Many of these are private beaches located at hotels around the city, such as at the Kempinski Hotel Ajman, however there are also public beaches to be enjoyed.
