Getting Around

TAXIS

Taxis are the most common way of getting around. Metered cabs from Dubai Transport Corporation, recognized by their cream color, are efficient and have well-trained and courteous drivers. The fare is Dhs3.00 for pick-up (Dhs3.50 from 10.00pm to 6.00am), followed by Dhs1.17 per kilometer. It is also possible to hire a taxi for a 12-hour period for a fixed fee of Dhs500. Alternatively, Dubai Transport Corporation operates a fixed-fare minibus service to and from the other emirates. The fares of non-metered taxis are negotiated between driver and passenger, starting at a minimum of around Dhs5 for short local journeys, while Dhs10 to Dhs15 is the rule of thumb if you cross the Creek from one side of the city to the other.

Dubai Transport taxis also operate a service from the airport. The pick-up fee is Dhs16 and the fare then accrues at Dhs1.17 per kilometer. Most hotels operate transport for their guests. There are also several radio taxi companies which have cars on call and whose numbers are available at all hotels. Website: www.dubaitransport.gov.ae

CAR-HIRE

Self-drive cars are available from car rental companies for visitors who have an international driving license. Renters must produce their passport along with the valid license. Visitors without an international driving license may obtain a temporary local permit as long as they hold a valid national license from one of the following countries: Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, UK, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The passport, valid national license and two photographs are also required.

Driving in the UAE is on the right-hand side.

Public Transport

The car is the most popular method of transport in Dubai. In addition, the major tourist hotels provide shuttle bus services for guests. However, Dubai Municipality (tel: (04) 285 9401 or 221 5555 or (800) 4848 (dedicated freephone information line); website: www.dm.gov.ae) operates a reasonable public bus service on 62 routes, daily 0600–2300. Adult fares are Dh1.50-4.50 depending on destination and are paid to the driver upon boarding; it is useful for travellers to have the exact change ready.

‘Period Passes’ are useful for those staying more than a week in Dubai, allowing cheaper bus travel on a smart card. Passes, timetables and bus maps are available from the bus stations in Deira and Bur Dubai. Routes and bus numbers are posted in both Arabic and English.

Basic wooden boats, locally referred to as abras, cross the creek from Bur Dubai to the Al-Sabkha Station (since October 2005 they no longer cross to the Textile Souk area in Deira). These are operated by Dubai Municipality daily 0600-2400 (journey time – 5 minutes) and are excellent value at Dh0.50. New rowing abras have been recently brought in as part of a conservation programme, running from Creek Park Station to the Public Library Station, with a one way fare of Dh1.

There are plans for a metro system in Dubai, which were given the go-ahead in May 2005. The Dubai Metro will initially have two lines with the Red Line running from Rashidiya Station to Jebel Ali Station and the Green Line running from the Dubai Airport Free Zone to Dubai Health Care City.