Lapped by the waters of the Persian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates, or UAE, has become a firm holiday favourite among Brits. Why? Well, you’ve got mile upon mile of glorious golden beaches, endless days of sunshine, traditional souks for serious bargains, and some of the best hotels in the world. And, while global superstars perform concerts and super-fast race cars whizz around tracks, the slow pace of life associated with the UAE of old is still in evidence. So, whether you choose to take a spin in a Ferrari or a leisurely desert tour atop a camel, the many and varied charms of the United Arab Emirates are sure to entice you back again and again.

Many visitors to the UAE land in Dubai, touching down at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Other popular entrance points to the sun-baked Emirates include Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), Fujairah International Airport (FJR), and Ras al-Khaimah International Airport (RKT). When it comes to collecting your car rental, United Arab Emirates airports such as these are ideal as you can simply touch down, collect your luggage and then pick up the keys to your car, often getting on the road within an hour of landing. Car collection at the airport also means you don’t have to bother paying for airport transfers or a taxi, as you can simply make your own way to your hotel. However, there are car-rental offices in downtown areas around the UAE too, if you’d rather arrange a local pick up.

Wherever you choose to collect your hire car, you should book it in advance to net the cheapest deals and to secure the vehicle that best suits your needs. Use the TravelSupermarket search tool to tell us when and where and we’ll compare the hottest car-hire deals on the market. Using our price-comparison service is also the best way to find cheap UAE flights and low prices on United Arab Emirates hotels. 

Glamorous, dazzling Dubai is an obvious draw for many holidaymakers, and its beautiful shores and buzzing souks are the perfect introduction to the country. As in many of the UAE’s urban areas, the central attractions of Dubai are spread out across a large area, making car travel a way of life for many residents. Tourist attractions worth taking the time to visit include Wild Wadi Water Park, Ski Dubai, the Dubai Mall and Meydan Racecourse. And while it takes 20 minutes to drive from the mall in the downtown area to the water park, by public transport the journey takes 90 minutes – so you can see how a car can come in handy. Visitors will soon get the hang of driving on the busy highways here, but it is wise to have an up-to-date satellite-navigation system to avoid getting lost.

In Abu Dhabi, a destination seemingly obsessed with fast cars, you must be vigilant while driving, although having a hire car will enable you to reach motoring attractions such as Yas Marina Formula 1 Circuit and Ferrari World.

It is also worth bearing in mind the charms of the other emirates (Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, and Umm al-Quwain). They are not as well known as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but you are sure to be astounded by their vibrant mix of old and new, as well as spectacular vistas of the natural and the urban variety.

With a rental car, the UAE can be seen at your leisure – whether that’s at a camel’s pace or in something a little sportier. Find great-value car hire in the UAE now with TravelSupermarket.