How to get around in Dubai: We are lucky to be frequent European travellers. Especially now the boys are older we have reintroduced city breaks to our bucket list. Envitably a city break means lots of walking. So when we visited Dubai last weekend we thought we may walk a little. It was hot somewhere between 37-40 degrees for our visit so we weren’t naive enough to think we would do too much. Being our first visit to the Middle East we were not prepared for the vastness of the city!
Walking from one place to another is just not conceivable even when we chose a centrally located hotel. So the question is how do you get around Dubai. Well, thankfully it’s really easy.
4 Easy Ways to get around Dubai
Dubai has a great public transport network which is easy to navigate for international travellers. With various modes of transport that will allow you to explore the vibrant city of Dubai at your own pace.
Tourist Buses
There are so many things to do in Dubai and the hop-on hop-off buses are a great way to see all the popular attractions. We opted to buy a two-day ticket It’s probably one of the more expensive ways to get around the city. When we visited it cost around £73 for a two-day ticket.
There are several different companies operating and depending on who you opt for you may also find that certain attraction tickets and boat trips are also included. For example, the Aquarium, Under Water Zoo and a Dhow Cruise all came as part of the package. These alone would have cost more than the bus ticket and since we were there to sight see this was the best option for us. Plus with Dubai being so vast it sitting high up gives you the opportunity to get a sense of the place and identify key destinations that you want to go back to and spend some more time.
Many of the buses have an air con section at the top so it is the perfect way to explore in the heat too. Plus there was free water available. As well as the tourist buses there is an extensive bus network of public buses that can be used to reach places that the metro lines do not reach.
Dubai Metro
Dubai’s metro system was not a method we had planned to use. However, we discovered one right outside the hotel and it turned out to be the best way we travelled. The air conditioning is everywhere including the platforms and there is free wi-fi throughout. Making it a very comfortable way to travel.
It is a very affordable way to travel with a single ticket costing just 6 AED which is around £1.50. The metro network is vast to which means you can get from one side of the city to another with a travel card. There is also a Dubai tram system which will take you onto The Palm and Dubai Marina.
It is used a lot by Dubai residents and so although it is an easy way to get around. I would suggest avoiding peak times and rush hour for a more pleasant experience on the metro stations. There are two main lines:
- Red Line: Runs from Rashidiya to UAE Exchange, covering key areas like the airport, Deira, and Jebel Ali.
- Green Line: Connects Etisalat to Creek, passing through the old city and business districts.
If you would like to find out more about the public transportation system visit the RTA – Road & Transport Authority website.
Abra
Used to get from one side of the Dubai Creek to the other Abras are small traditional wooden boats with canvas stretched across the top. Each traditional boat will take around sixteen people seated on each side of a central bench. Each side of the creek near the souks is lined with them, waiting to take people across.
The fee is only 1 AED which is the equivalent of 25p. Probably not one suitable for little ones since there are no bars or anything so wriggly toddlers could be a challenge. Instead, you may want to catch water taxis which are better set up for families.
Dubai Taxi
I was a little apprehensive about using taxis but if you go for the tan cars with different coloured roofs then they are government-owned. If you look out for the pink roofs then these are the taxis with female drivers. Because they are all government owned it means the fares are strictly controlled and actually pretty reasonable for the Dubai taxi corporation. There is even a little announcement when you get in telling you to put your seatbelt on.
Travelling from one side of Dubai to the other came in at 62 AED which works out at around £15. Much cheaper than the equivalent in the UK and they take credit card which is really convenient.
Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports we have visited. A tax is a great option when you first arrive to travel from Dubai airport to the city center. Unless your hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service, which many do. So its worth double checking this. Uber is now also available and you can book via the app as you would expect therefore avoiding the taxi ranks.
We had a great time in Dubai, even going up the Burj Khalifa, enjoying the Dubai Mall and taking a cruise on Dubai Creek in the evening. 
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34 Responses
Oh wow it sounds seriously hot in Dubai! I would love to visit one day, but I’m be needing air conditioning permanently, so probably opt for a taxi 🙂
the abra sounds like a unique and fun way to get around
I’ve never been to Dubai so found this post super useful. It’s good to be aware of things before you visit a place as it makes planning trips etc much easier.
On my bucket list ! One day I’ll be travelling in style
When I went we used taxis a lot. I wish I’d stayed a little longer to be able to try some other ways of getting around!
I lived in Dubai for over 9 years, such an amazing city and yes it is so accessible. Great post.
This are really amazing ways of getting around. Thanks for sharing. Great article
Thanks for the tip. Sounds like I can do a quick stop over in Dubai on the way to Asia.
Wow, so many different ways. I have many friends who have been to Dubai and they race about it!
Dubai is somewhere we’d like to visit in the future. I’m glad to see that it is easy to get around and explore!
When I visited last year for my birthday I was surprised how hard it is to talk in Dubai specifically the heat was something else.
Somewhere I’ve never been looks exciting
Abra looks like a cool a way to travel. Definitely have to try it when I visit Dubai!
Excellent tip about the government owned tan colored taxis with the different colored roofs, I never would have known that!!
Dubai is such a beautiful city! I wish I could visit there!
The boas sound like a fun way to get around. We usually like to go places where you can do things on foot, as my youngest suffers from serious headaches as soon as he gets on a bus or in a car or taxi.
Boats! Not boas. Lol. Though riding around on snakes would definitely be unique.
I love exploring the places we go too. The Abra sounds like a great way to explore though. I have not been to Dubai yet but hope to go soon.
Thank you for giving us the information and how to get around in Dubai it is very helpful. Dubai is on my bucket list so I hope to go one day.
Dubai is on my bucketlist and this post made me even more excited to visit. I am saving this to bookmark when i decide to go. Super helpful
Dubai is one place which has been on my bucket list for long-time, but have not been able to make it….quite interesting pointers about Dubai. Thanks
Have always dreamed of reaching Dubai as I’ve heard it’s one of the most advanced and richest countries in the world!
I’ve read a few travel posts about Dubai. I find this country fascinating. Learning their culture and traditions, laws and how different infrastructure pieces work are really amazing.
What a great trip and an interesting adventure. I loved reading it and had a feeling of engagement as if I was there at the moment.
Dubai is one of the places I dream of exploring for a week or two. I have read a lot of great things about it and yours is another eye opener.
I would love to visit Dubai! The Abra sounds like an interesting way to get around! So cool!
We’ve never been to Dubai so I’ll keep this in mind for future use. That Abra sounds interesting though I’m skeptical since I have kids with me.
Lovely pics, always wanted to go to Dubai
Excellent post. I think it’s great to get first hand advice from other visitors on what they found to be the best ways to get around a new city. Can’t believe how cheap the prices are, if only it were the same at home.
#BloggerClubUK
You do get about – quietly envious but then i don’t have much confidence these days for new adventures #BloggerClubUK
I was in Dubai 26 years ago and it has grown so much. Thanks for sharing this. #bloggerclubuk
We’ve only been to Dubai once and it was crazy hot! We took air conditioned taxis all the time as it was such a relief to get out of the heat! #BloggerClubUK
We used taxis to get around Dubai, I didn’t know about the government owned ones so I can’t even say which ones we used, scary thought now! Anyway, we lived to tell the tale hahaha x x
The abra sounds real fun to travel around dubai . I will save this up for my future travel.