- The usual rules of the road apply, with seatbelts mandatory and mobile phone use forbidden, unless hands-free. Local driving can be erratic, to put it mildly.
- In Dubai, car rental vehicles are mostly automatic rather than manual, with air-conditioning as standard.
- If you return your car rental to Dubai Airport, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to deal with paperwork and toll fees before making your way to departures.
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Search for the best car hire deals in Dubai
Car hire in Dubai in 2018 is a logical choice if you plan to do lots of travel around the city, or even embark on a wider journey around the UAE.
The road network can be extremely congested at peak hours, but it can still be economical to rent a car in Dubai in 2018 if you need the independence of your own vehicle.
Don’t forget that cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in Dubai and the UAE. Speed limits range from 60 to 80 kilometres per hour (37-50 miles per hour) and road signage tends to be clear and easily readable, written in both English and Arabic.
The road network can be extremely congested at peak hours, but it can still be economical to rent a car in Dubai in 2018 if you need the independence of your own vehicle.
Don’t forget that cars drive on the right-hand side of the road in Dubai and the UAE. Speed limits range from 60 to 80 kilometres per hour (37-50 miles per hour) and road signage tends to be clear and easily readable, written in both English and Arabic.
Travel Information
Language: Arabic | Currency: Dirham (د.إ) | Local time: UTC | Avg. Flight time: 9 hrs
Car hire at Dubai Airport
Car rental at Dubai Airport (DXB) is simple, with the usual global brands such as Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt and Thrifty present alongside a handful of local firms.
Other car hire locations
Many Dubai car hire firms have offices in the city too, and you can also rent a car in Dubai in 2018 at some of the larger hotels.
Car hire tips
As ever with car hire, booking online as far in advance as possible is generally advisable to get yourself the best rate. This is particularly true if your trip is likely to coincide with major public holidays.
Visitors from the UK are allowed to drive in the UAE if they present a valid national driving license. You’ll need to show your original passport too.
Parking in Dubai
Parking is straightforward at the bigger malls, while most of the bigger hotels and resorts offer valet parking.
Elsewhere in Dubai, look out for orange ‘paid parking’ signs, where fees are charged by the hour and can be paid either in coins or via your phone. They are often free on Fridays and on public holidays.
Dubai has seven automatic toll gates, which charge AED 4 each time your vehicle passes through. The sum will need to be settled when you return your vehicle.
On the plus side, petrol is far cheaper in Dubai than in the UK; a local newspaper story recently pointed out that fruit juice, Pepsi, mineral water and even milk are more expensive than petrol.
Explore the Emirates
One of the biggest advantages of car rental in Dubai is the freedom it grants you to drive to close-at-hand visitor attractions such as Dubai Mall (home to the famous fountain show) and the Mall of the Emirates (home to the equally famous indoor ski slope).
It also gives you the option of heading across to Abu Dhabi, a journey that generally takes less than two hours. If you plan to take more time to explore the wider UAE, long-term car rental is also a cost-effective option.
Top tips for car hire in
Dubai
To discover more about transport in the city, visit our getting around Dubai page.