Transportation in Dubai (2025): Best Ways to Get Around for Tourists
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Visiting Dubai, UAE, and wondering about the best ways to get around the city as a tourist? In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about Dubai public transport – including the metro, tram, bus, taxi, rideshares, ferries, and more. We cover how each system works, what’s best for tourists, and share practical tips to help you move around the city easily and affordably.
Before our first trip to Dubai, I struggled to find one clear source with all the essential information for first-time visitors. There were so many different options and scattered details online. So, I decided to put together this guide based on our own experience using public transport in Dubai. It’s regularly updated and should save you a lot of time (and confusion!) when planning your visit.
GOOD TO KNOW: This isn’t a complete guide to Dubai public transport for locals, but it includes everything you need as a first-time visitor to get around Dubai smoothly.
PRO TIP: Besides figuring out transportation, it’s just as important to choose a convenient area to stay in. Check out our guide to the best areas to stay in Dubai, with clear pros and cons to help you decide what fits your trip best.
Dubai Taxi
The easiest way to get around Dubai is by taxi. Taxis are convenient, widely available, and still relatively affordable compared to ride-hailing apps like Uber.
We used taxis a lot, and especially when traveling with the whole family, it was often one of the most practical and cost-effective ways to get around. The only downside is the heavy traffic, which can add waiting-time charges (around AED 0.50 (0.12 euro) per minute) during long stops.
Here are some examples of recent taxi fares in Dubai (as of late 2025):
- From Dubai Airport to Downtown / Dubai Mall area: ~ 80 – 100 AED (20 – 25 EUR)
- From Dubai Mall area to Atlantis The Palm (Aquaventure Waterpark): ~ 60 – 80 AED (15 – 20 EUR)
- From Dubai Mall area to Old Town / Al Fahidi: ~ 40 – 50 AED (10 – 13 EUR)
GOOD TO KNOW: Many hotels offer their own “taxi” or private car service, but these are usually 25–40 % more expensive than regular metered taxis. Private airport transfers booked online are often cheaper than hotel transfers, especially if your hotel is far from the airport.
It’s usually also better to book guided tours online rather than through your hotel. Most tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, and booking in advance gives you more choice and better prices. See our guide to the best tours in Dubai for recommendations.
PRO TIP: Install the Careem app and select Hala Taxi for your rides. It’s the official RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) taxi service with metered fares and no surge pricing. If you choose “Rides” in Careem, it works like Uber and is usually a bit more expensive (though still sometimes cheaper than Uber itself). You can pay by card or cash to the driver and track your taxi in real time.
READ ALSO: How Expensive is Dubai
Dubai Metro
The fastest way to travel long distances in Dubai is the metro. It’s clean, efficient, and trains run every few minutes. The main disadvantages are that some stations can be quite far from where you’re staying and there can be queues at ticket machines during busy times.
Dubai Metro is also one of the cheapest ways to get around Dubai, especially if you’re traveling solo or as a couple and need to cover longer distances.
The first time you use the metro, you’ll need to buy a NOL card. The most practical option is the Red Ticket, which costs 2 AED and can be used for up to 10 single trips or 5 daily passes. You can load money onto it and reuse the same card, so you don’t have to buy a new one every time.
What does it cost? Red Ticket users pay 4 – 8.5 AED (about 1 – 2 EUR) per ride, depending on the number of zones traveled. Kids from the age of 5 pay the same rates. You can find more information on the official website.
For example, we paid 8.5 AED per person from Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) Station to Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa, and the same amount from JLT to Mall of the Emirates, even though the latter is closer – because the fare is the same for trips covering more than two zones.
GOOD TO KNOW: The Dubai Metro network offers free Wi-Fi, which is very handy for tourists who don’t have mobile data or are relying on Wi-Fi only. However, coverage can be spotty at times. If you want a more reliable connection for navigation and apps, consider getting an eSIM before your trip. I personally use eSIMFox, which works great and is easy to set up right on your phone.
Dubai Tram
Dubai Tram uses the same NOL card as the metro. In fact, you can use your metro ticket at no extra cost to continue your journey by tram.
The Dubai Tram line is quite short and mainly serves the coastal area around Dubai Marina, connecting places like Jumeirah Beach Residence (The Walk), Dubai Marina Mall, and Al Sufouh. It’s most useful if you’re staying in the Marina or JBR area, or if you want to connect to the Palm Monorail at the Palm Jumeirah Station.
At the moment, the tram is not very practical for most tourists, as it only covers a small part of the city. There are plans to extend the line toward Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates, but for now, it’s mainly convenient for short trips along the Marina area.
The Palm Monorail
The Palm Monorail connects with the Dubai Tram at Palm Jumeirah Station and is the fastest way to get around Palm Jumeirah. For example, if you’re heading to Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Pam.
The monorail is privately operated and has a separate ticket system from the metro and tram. Tickets cost 15 AED one way or 30 AED return (about 4–8 EUR). You can buy them at the stations or online.
GOOD TO KNOW: The monorail runs roughly from 9 AM to 10 PM and operates only along the main trunk of the Palm. It’s great for reaching Atlantis, but not ideal for exploring other areas.
Dubai Marina Water Bus
The Dubai Marina Water Bus is a scenic and comfortable way to travel across the Marina. It has just four stops along the route and is perfect for short rides between different parts of Dubai Marina, though it’s not the fastest way to get around.
The service runs roughly every 15–20 minutes, depending on the time of day. We – and especially the kids – really enjoyed it; it felt a bit like a mini sightseeing cruise of the Marina and saved us a 3-km walk from Marina Promenade to Marina Walk. We walked back later in the evening, as the Marina promenade is a lively and pleasant area to explore on foot.
Tickets cost 3, 5, 8, or 11 AED (about 1–3 EUR), depending on the number of stops. Children under 5 travel free. NOL cards are accepted on board, so you don’t need a separate ticket.
GOOD TO KNOW: The water bus operates daily, usually from 10 AM to around 10 PM, but schedules may vary by season. For a longer route with views beyond the Marina, you can also try the Dubai Ferry, which connects Marina Mall with other parts of the city – you can find more info below.
Dubai Ferry
The Dubai Ferry is one of the most scenic ways to see the city from the water. It’s also operated by the RTA and connects several key locations along the coast, including Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Canal, and Al Ghubaiba near the old town.
Unlike the smaller water bus, the ferry offers a longer route with great views of the skyline, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Al Arab. It’s also air-conditioned and comfortable, making it a cheaper alternative to sightseeing cruises (although a totally different experience).
Ticket prices start at 15 AED for shorter trips and go up to around 75 AED for the full route between Dubai Marina and Al Ghubaiba. You can buy tickets directly at the ferry terminals, and NOL cards are accepted on most routes.
GOOD TO KNOW: The ferry doesn’t run as frequently as the metro or tram – usually every 1–2 hours depending on the route and time of day. It’s best to check the latest schedule and routes on the official RTA website before you go.
Dubai Creek Water Taxi
Dubai Creek is one of the city’s most vibrant waterways, always buzzing with boats of all shapes and sizes.
You can cross the creek using a water taxi or a sightseeing water bus, but the traditional Abra (the small motorized wooden boat) is by far the most authentic – and the most fun. It’s a short ride, but it gives you a glimpse of old Dubai life and great views of the historic district.
A trip costs just 1 AED (about 0.25 EUR) per person. It’s one of the cheapest experiences in Dubai and something you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting the Dubai Creek or Old Town area – even if just for the experience.
GOOD TO KNOW: Abras run all day between Deira Old Souk and Bur Dubai stations, usually every few minutes. You can also book a private Abra ride for a longer, quieter cruise along the creek.
So, this is our guide to the most popular ways to get around Dubai for tourists. There are other options, such as local buses or the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, but since we didn’t use them ourselves, we can’t comment on how practical they are.
Don’t forget that trying different types of transport is part of the fun travel experience, especially if you’re visiting Dubai with kids. Our children loved riding the metro, the water bus, and the Abra water taxi across Dubai Creek.
Our Top Tips for Getting Around Dubai
- Book your airport transfer online in advance. It’s often cheaper than hotel shuttles, and you’ll have a driver waiting for you exactly when you need one.
- Use the metro for longer distances or when traveling during rush hours. Traffic in Dubai can be heavy, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
- Take taxis for shorter rides or when you’re staying farther from the metro network. They’re fast, affordable (often the cheapest option for 3–4 people), and very convenient. Taxis also work great for couples, and given how reasonably priced they are, it often doesn’t make sense to rely only on public transport.
- Avoid rush hours (roughly 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM) if you can – roads and even metro carriages get crowded.
- Plan by area. Dubai is a large, spread-out city. Group attractions by location (e.g., Downtown Dubai, Marina, Old Town) to save time and avoid unnecessary travel.
PRO TIP: Choosing the right area to stay in Dubai can make getting around much easier. Stay near Dubai Mall if you’re in the city for sightseeing or a short visit, or choose Dubai Marina / JBR if you want easy access to the beach, restaurants, and nightlife. See our guide to the three best areas to stay in Dubai for more detailed recommendations.
More Dubai Travel Guides:
- Interesting to know:
- Things to do:
- Itineraries:
TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.
Hello, I have a group of 20 people. Are there city buses like in Europe? If not, which transportation is the most convenient?
Hi Rose, depending on where you want to go, the metro is the easiest and the fastest option. But it won’t get you everywhere in Dubai, so you’ll have to research it route by route. Taxi can be quite cheap too and with that many people, maybe you can order bigger vans.
An easy way to find the best public transport options (anywhere in the world) is by using Google Maps. You insert your location and your destination and then click on the small ‘train’ icon to see what’s available. Where possible, it also shows you live data with bus/metro schedules, so you can immediately see the best way to get where you need to be.
Thank you so much for all the helpful I formation.I am planning a trip to Abu Dhabi and this info was extremely helpful in so many ways.
Glad to help. Have a great trip!
Hi, Did you carry children*s seats along for travel by taxi? Do you need these in Dubai?
Hi Anna, since we didn’t rent a car in Dubai, we didn’t take travel boosters with us on that trip. We took a taxi maybe 4-5 times and just used seat belts. I have no idea what the laws are in Dubai, so you’d have to research it. I guess, it also depends on your kids age and whether youy ourself feel comfortable having them in the car without appropriate car seats.
For all the trips where we rent a car, we always pack our own travel boosters (you can find more information about it in this article – best booster seats for travel). When our kids were younger and needed big car seats, we always rented them together with a car, instead of carrying our own.
How much is 1 AED in USD?
Did you try Google? Here you can calculate the current rates (at the moment 1AED is about 0,27USD).
Thanxx a lot … It will really help me as i am planning to visit next year .
Good to hear that, Swapnil. Have a nice trip!
Thanks much,