Dubai is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and renting a car allows you to make it your own. You can explore Dubai by renting a car and also travel to other parts of the UAE. Taxis will be significantly reduced.
These are our top tips for renting a car in Dubai
15 Tips to Rent a Car in Dubai
We have been to Dubai several times, and we always rent a car even for a short time.
Why rent a car in Dubai?
Dubai is a driving city. Having your own car can help you make the most out of your trip and save money on transport and taxis. Dubai has many rental car companies so the prices are reasonable compared to international standards. The cars are also very high quality.
We have rented several cars in Dubai and they are great for exploring the city. A rental car can help you make the most out of your time in Dubai, whether it’s afternoon tea at Burj Al Arab or shopping at Dubai Mall and visiting Burj Khalifa.
You can also rent a car in Dubai to visit Abu Dhabi and its Grand Mosque, or the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site Al Ain Oasis.
Booking your rental car
It is often very affordable to rent a car in Dubai. To get the best rates, book your car in advance. Dubai’s size and infrastructure make it the most popular destination for cars. You will need to drive to the city and can save money on taxis and private cars. for more information click here https://www.worldentertainmentonline.com/.
We love road trips and have rented cars in over 50 countries. RentalCars.com is our recommendation to rent a car. They have a wide range of providers and very affordable rates.
Dubai car rental tip
The greatest benefit to renting a car is freedom. You can travel wherever you want and when you want. You can also save money on airport transfers and taxis, and you have many more options for accommodation.
What type of car should you choose?
Dubai’s roads are excellent so any rental car will work well.
Your party size and the amount of luggage you have will determine how big your car should be. A smaller economy car is best if you plan to drive around Dubai in a light vehicle. However, you might find that you have to travel longer than expected due to the traffic.
We have rented a variety of cars in Dubai from small saloons to larger 4×4 jeeps. We found the larger cars more comfortable. Dubai is a relatively affordable place to rent a car. The larger premium cars that we rented had more air conditioning and were much more comfortable than the cheaper models. Because they are slightly more costly, we tend to rent larger vehicles because it is more comfortable in Dubai’s climate.
Renting a car in Dubai
You should ensure that your car has good air conditioning. Dubai’s summer temperatures average 41°C/100°F, while winter temperatures can reach the high 20s. Good AC will make renting a car much more comfortable.
Insurance, Excesses and CDW
You can rent a car in Dubai, but third-party damage will not be covered by default. To reduce your liability for damage to your car, you might consider purchasing additional coverage. To remove excess liability in the event of an accident, or accidental damage, this usually comes as a daily charge for a CDW (collision damages waiver).
We always ensure that you have adequate insurance. This is reflected in the total cost of your rental. If you have travel benefits on your credit card, you might also be eligible for optional rental insurance. Full coverage is recommended for anyone renting a car. It removes any worries about extra charges and makes it easier to return the car.
When you reserve your car through RentalCars.com, you can add full insurance to the rental car. This is a great option as it prevents you from being shocked by the price of your rental car when you pick it up.
Renting a Car In Dubai tip
The CDW may be covered by your credit card provider. It’s worth asking before you go. Check with your credit card provider to ensure that Dubai rentals are covered.
Drive on the right-hand side of the road
Dubai is similar to the USA and Europe in that driving is done on the right side of the road.
Renting Eligibility: Can foreigners rent cars in Dubai
International visitors can rent cars in Dubai. Anyone over the age of 18 can drive a car in Dubai. However, international visitors must be 21 years old to rent a car here.
Navigation
Although the roads in Dubai are of excellent quality and there are clear directions in Arabic and English, it can be confusing to get where you need to go. When driving in Dubai, we recommend using a navigational app.
It can be hard to find malls or sights due to road layouts that have multiple lanes. It can be difficult to follow roadsigns as you may not see where you are going, but the road will take you in another direction. It’s easy to use a navigation app such as Google Maps.
Is Driving in Dubai easy and safe?
We have driven to Dubai several times, and each time we had a pleasant experience. Driving is very safe. Visitors should be careful at intersections and follow the rules.
Dubai drivers are just like any other country. They have their own driving style and habits, which can be surprising at first, but you’ll soon get used to them.
As in other Middle-Eastern countries, you should move lanes to let them pass if you see a car approaching you from behind. Traffic can be heavy in central Dubai Driving in Dubai can be difficult because of the heavy traffic at peak times. This is especially true along the Sheikh Zayed Road, which runs through Dubai. This area can become very congested at peak times, making it difficult to drive. Driving is easy if you don’t visit the area during peak hours.
Dubai tip – Renting a car
No matter what you see or experience while driving, we recommend that you keep your cool and chew your tongue. Avoid making obscene gestures or engaging in verbal arguments. These can get you into trouble with the authorities.
Speed limits and cameras
The speed limits for motorways in Dubai and UAE range from 100 to 120 km/h, although some areas are slower. Urban speed limits range from 40-60 km/h. The police enforce speed limits across the UAE.
Dubai tip – Renting a car
Dubai police have a famous collection of supercars, ranging from Ferraris and Audi R8s, which you might spot on the roads around Dubai
Parking
We get many questions about parking costs when renting a car in Dubai. Valet parking is available at most hotels. When we collected our cars, we often tip the valets.
Parking at Dubai Mall is free. There is also a paid valet service. The free parking was easy to use. You can’t park overnight and face fines. Mall of the Emirates, another popular mall, is also free for the first four hours and then around AED20 an hour.
The Roads and Transportation Authority in Dubai offers a pay-as-you-go system for on-street parking. Parking prices vary depending on where you live. There are ticket machines, but the RTA app makes it much simpler to park. For more information, visit the official website.
Driving within the UAE
It’s easy to drive between Emirates and the UAE as most rentals allow you to drive within the UAE. It’s easy to drive between the Emirates and most rentals allow you to drive within the UAE. We have enjoyed day trips to Abu Dhabi before to see the Grand Mosque, Louvre, and Yas Island’s theme parks.
Fuel Prices in Dubai
The best thing about renting a car in Dubai is the low cost of fuel. Late 2021 saw petrol (Gas), which is approximately AED 2.70 ($0.70 US), per litre. Diesel, however, is slightly more expensive at AED 2.08 ($0.79 US per litre). It is likely that you will rent a petrol car in Dubai.
Dubai has many fuel stations, but it is important to fill up before you leave the city.
Dubai tip – Renting a car
There are attendants at every fuel station who fill up your car with fuel so that you don’t have to get out. Cash is accepted, but credit cards are accepted wherever we have fueled up.
Tolls
Dubai’s toll system is an electronic system known as ‘Salik’ that applies to many roads around Dubai. Automatic (i.e. There are no toll booths and your rental car will be equipped with an RFID tag on its windshield. The system will register your rental car license plate every time you pass through the toll booth.
The rental company will give you a summary of all tolls, which is added to the rental price when you return your vehicle. The tolls cost 4 AED, or approximately $1 US per day, and there is no limit on the daily usage. If you make frequent trips through the toll plazas, this can add up. It’s worth finding out where they are. The official site has a list of all toll locations.
13 | Road Quality
The road quality in Dubai is excellent. The UAE has a very high-quality motorway system so and we found the secondary roads to be good quality too.
14 | Driving licences and International Drivers Permit (IDP)
Citizens with driving licences from certain countries can use their foreign licences when renting a car in Dubai. These visitors do not require an IDP to rent a car. The countries included on this list (at the time of writing) are as follows
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Quebec State in Canada, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Republic of Montenegro, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Renting a car in Dubai tip
An International Drivers Permit (IDP) is an official document separate from your driving licence that is a translation of your actual driver’s licence to a number of different languages. This allows authorities in the country you are visiting to understand your actual driving licence.
If your driver’s licence is not from a country on the above list then you’ll need to get an IDP in your home country before you travel to the UAE.
15 | Taking a rental car to Oman
It is possible to take a Dubai rental car to Oman and the drive time between Dubai and Muscat is 4.5 hours plus the time spent at the border crossing. Most of the rental companies, including Avis and Hertz, require an advance request and incur a mandatory Oman insurance fee (around 30 euro/35 USD per day). Rental vehicles are generally restricted to the Hatta border crossing but you should cross-check this with your rental company if you do plan to drive to Oman.
Conclusion
If you’re travelling to Dubai in 2022, you may have the option of picking up a self-driving car to explore the city. We look at what this new rental car experience might entail, and how it could impact your trip. I hope this helps you with your future trip to Dubai.
