One of the world’s best cities for driving around with a rental car is Dubai. With the modern architecture of Downtown Dubai, beaches of Jumeirah, and the areas of Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay, and the desert roads surrounding the city; renting a car provides the traveler with a sense of freedom when exploring these locations.
When you visit Dubai as a tourist, travel there on business, stay there for weeks at a time, or need a car for an extended period, selecting the correct car rental service will help make your travels simpler and more pleasurable. Dubai has many options when it comes to rental vehicles, including budget-friendly economy cars; useful SUV’s; luxury sedans; fast sports cars; and high-end luxury vehicles.
Why Should You Hire A Car In Dubai?
The road system in Dubai is large and includes many new high-speed roadways that connect different parts of the city. While there are some options for public transportation, renting a car may offer a more efficient way to travel around to several places each day.
Rent a car and you will be able to make trips when it suits you; no need to rely upon public transport (taxi, bus, etc.) and even better, you will have flexibility in making stops along the way. If you are traveling as a group (family), carrying luggage, going to work-related events/business meetings, or wanting to visit sites/attractions that are outside of the reach of public transportation then renting a car would be an ideal solution.
The rental car may also provide an easy way to see some of the other popular locations within the city of Dubai; including: Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Deira, Mirdif, and Ras Al Khor.
Visitors who plan on taking single-day excursions from downtown Dubai have more options when they are using a vehicle.
Cars to Rent in Dubai
One great advantage to hiring a vehicle in Dubai is that you will find a large variety of cars to choose from. When choosing a vehicle for hire, consider how much money you want to spend; what type of trip you are taking; how many people will be travelling with you; and what kind of driving experience you would prefer.
Economy Cars
Economy cars are a great way to save money on your vacation. These types of vehicles are typically inexpensive, have high mileage, are easy to operate, and would be a good choice for people who plan on driving around town every day.
These vehicles can be of great benefit to individuals, couples, and people traveling on business, as they provide a cost-effective way to travel throughout Dubai.
SUVs
SUVs are well-suited for families, groups of people and those individuals that would like some extra space and comfort. SUVs also have more storage space for bags or other items as well as having a higher view when you sit in the driver’s seat than most smaller cars. Popular choices for an SUV may be models manufactured by Nissan, GMC, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and many more.
Luxury Cars
Dubai is known for its high-end quality of life; therefore, renting a luxury vehicle has become a very common option among travelers seeking to enjoy an extraordinary riding experience.
There are many different types of luxury vehicles available for rent; however, some of the most common include high-end cars and SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) produced by manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Range Rover and Cadillac.
Luxury vehicles are great for attending business meetings, special events, wedding ceremonies, other types of celebrations, or just making sure you have a fun time when you’re in Dubai.
Sports Cars
Dubai has many options for those who are interested in experiencing a thrilling ride, with a large variety of high-performance and sports cars available.
As long as there are some available, you could have access to cars like Porsches, Chevy Corvettes, Lamborghinis, etc., that can go really fast.
If you are looking for an exciting way to celebrate a major event or would like to have the opportunity to drive a high-performance vehicle in Dubai using the city’s state-of-the-art road network, renting a sports car may be your best option.
Car Rental Costs in Dubai – How Much Will It Cost You?
The cost of hiring a car in Dubai is dependent upon many variables; these variables include, but are not limited to: the type of vehicle you choose, the length of time that you rent the vehicle, the season when you wish to hire the vehicle, whether or not you obtain insurance for the vehicle, how much mileage you are allowed to put on the vehicle, and which rental company you select.
The lowest priced rentals on a per day basis for dubai rent a car are typically provided by economy size vehicles. On the other hand, the highest priced rentals on a per day basis will be provided by SUV’s, luxury sedans and sports cars.
Renting a car for a extended amount of time is likely to save money. There are several different rental options offered by most rental companies; they range from one day, to one week, to even one month.
When booking your car, don’t just focus on the cost of each day; find out exactly what you’ll be paying for in addition to the vehicle. You will want to know about your mileage limits, whether there’s a security deposit required, how much insurance coverage you have, if you’re going to pay extra for an additional driver, how much it will cost to get the car delivered to you, and any other costs that may apply.
To rent a car in Dubai, you will need the following documentation:
Depending on whether you’re a UAE resident or a tourist, the documentation needed will vary. Generally, UAE residents require a valid Emirates ID and a UAE Driver’s License. The requirements for tourists include having their passport, entry visa or other entry information for the UAE, their home country driver’s license, and possibly an International Driver’s License if they are traveling from a foreign country with a foreign driver’s license.
Requirements may differ depending on the company you are renting from and your nationality. It’s a good idea to check with the company you plan to rent from about what documentation they require prior to making a reservation. The driver needs to meet the rental company’s requirements for their minimum age and driving experience.
Can you drive your own car in Dubai?
Yes, tourists can rent cars in Dubai. There are many car rental companies located throughout the city, including at the airport, shopping malls, and other popular areas. You will need to provide a valid driver’s license from your home country, along with proof of insurance (which can be purchased through the car rental company). Your license will also need to be translated into Arabic if it is not written in English or Arabic. Once you have provided all of this information to the rental car company, you will be able to pick up your vehicle. After picking up the vehicle, you should familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws and regulations in Dubai. These include wearing seat belts while driving, keeping your eyes on the road, obeying speed limits, avoiding cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle, etc. Also, remember that Dubai is a left-hand side of the road city, so you should make sure that you are familiar with how to operate a vehicle on the left side of the road. If you do not feel comfortable doing this on your own, then you may want to consider hiring a private driver to take you around the city. Hiring a private driver will allow you to relax and enjoy the sights of Dubai without having to worry about navigating the busy streets of the city. Additionally, hiring a private driver will help you save money on gas and parking fees as well. If you choose to hire a private driver, you should contact a reputable transportation service provider in Dubai to arrange for a private driver to assist you during your stay. To find a reputable transportation service provider in Dubai, you can search online for reviews and recommendations from previous customers. Once you have found a reliable transportation service provider in Dubai, you can discuss with them the types of vehicles that they offer, as well as their rates for hiring a private driver. In addition to offering private drivers, some transportation service providers in Dubai also offer airport transfers, which is a convenient way to get to and from the airport.
Yes, tourists who meet all of the rental car requirements for driving and paperwork will be able to hire a vehicle in Dubai.
Renting a car is especially helpful for visitors to a city who plan to see many different sights during their trip. Rather than planning out how to get to each place individually, you may pick up your rental car and drive yourself around.
Before a tourist begins to drive in the UAE, he/she must ensure his/her driver’s license is valid for use within the UAE, as well as ensure that he/she has met all other requirements.
I’m going to rent a car from Dubai Airport.
If you arrive in Dubai by plane, then renting a car at the airport can be very helpful to you.
Arranging for a rental car ahead of time when arriving at Dubai International Airport will help save you money on transportation costs, and also gives you a head start on your journey as you won’t need to find a ride once you arrive.
Many of the rental car companies in Dubai provide their customers with the option of having their vehicles delivered and picked up from them. Depending upon which company you rent from and what type of reservation you make, the rental vehicle can be delivered directly to your hotel, home, business, etc., as well as being picked up at the same locations.
It is particularly beneficial for those who are either arriving very late in the evening or leaving very early in the morning.
Hotel and Valet Parking Service
Car rental companies in Dubai are selected based on convenience.
Most customers would like to be able to pick up their rental car at the hotel where they are staying as opposed to going to the rental car location.
Hotel deliveries may provide benefits to visitors to those parts of the city with high concentrations of hotels (i.e. Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Business Bay, Deira, etc.).
Before booking a delivery service, check to see if there are any additional fees associated with the delivery or pickup process. Also make sure the delivery service can accommodate your preferred delivery date/time.
Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Car Rental in Dubai
The length of time that you will be living in Dubai determines what the most appropriate length of time for your rental is.
Daily Car Rental
Daily rental can be used when you are on a short trip, having a business meeting, have plans for the weekend, or are visiting and will only require a car for a couple of days.
Weekly Car Rental
A weekly rental would be a better choice for tourists that plan to stay in Dubai for a week or two. Weekly rentals will allow you to have more flexibility with your schedule, and you may find that the daily rate is lower than if you were to rent on a short-term basis.
Monthly Car Rental
Many people who reside in Dubai, are on short-term business trips, work remotely from home or another location, or are visiting the city for a longer time frame choose to rent cars monthly.
A month long lease may be an alternative to purchasing a vehicle, yet will allow the user to have a car available for daily commuting.
Before you sign a contract for a long term car rental make sure to find out what your monthly mileage limit will be, what the insurance coverage will be, who is responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, how much you have to pay as a security deposit and under which circumstances can you cancel the rental.
Insurance included?
Insurance coverage should be a primary concern when you rent a car.
The insurance and liability protections included in a rental agreement depend upon the rental company as well as what type of vehicle is being rented. Protection against third-party liabilities (and potentially collisions) are common examples of how some of these protections function.
Customers need to read over the conditions of coverage, and make sure that they are aware of both what is included in the policy and what has been excluded.
Before you pick up your car, if you have any questions regarding the insurance terms of the rental, please contact the rental company for an explanation.
The security deposit on your car rental.
Most vehicle hire firms operating in Dubai will charge you a refundable damage deposit (or “pre-authorization”) on your credit card.
The deposit generally serves as a protection mechanism for the rental company from any possible extra fees that may arise from things like traffic violations, Salik (toll road) usage, parking fees, vehicle damage, etc. in accordance with the terms of the rental agreement.
The pricing of the product will depend on what type of car you are renting and from which rental car company you purchase the service.
Before making your reservation, make sure you know what the amount of the security deposit is, how that money will be held (i.e. credit card authorization, cash, etc.), and when the money will be returned to you once the vehicle has been returned.
Salik, Parking and Traffic Fines
The city of Dubai utilizes an electronic tolling method called Salik. Each time a rental vehicle travels across a Salik tolling station, the appropriate toll amount can be billed based upon the conditions outlined in the rental agreement.
In addition to being aware of the costs of parking, customers should also know what they will pay for any moving violations that occur while driving the vehicle.
It is crucial that you review your car hire contract so you know what is expected of you regarding Salik (toll), parking charges, any traffic violations you may commit, and any admin fees.
Driving in Dubai
While it may seem that driving around the city of Dubai is quite simple due to its many new and wide roads, excellent directional signage, and major highways, drivers should always adhere to the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) traffic regulations and all posted speed limits.
Popular roads and highways will experience high traffic volumes during the day (morning/afternoon/evening) as well as at night.
Using a dependable navigation system will assist drivers in determining the best route to take and avoiding unnecessary delays.
In addition to remembering that all traffic laws are strictly enforced in Dubai, drivers should also keep in mind that they must be followed at all times.
The top tips for selecting the right car rental company in Dubai.
When looking for a rental vehicle, do not look only at the prices being offered.
Before you rent a car, be sure to research the company’s reputation; the condition of their vehicles; the rental agreement terms; what type of insurance they provide; how many miles are included in your rental; whether or not there is a security deposit required; the quality of their customer service; and if they offer delivery service.
You may want to ask if the picture on the website is the actual car you will get, or if they have another one that looks just like it.
An open, clear, transparent lease agreement will allow for both parties to understand what is being charged, as well as the overall experience of living at that location.
Rent a car in Dubai
When you are on vacation in Dubai, having the proper rental vehicle will make your travels around the city much more convenient. Whether you want to rent a low-cost, fuel-efficient economy car, a luxurious, spacious SUV, or a powerful, fast sports car; there is a rental option available in Dubai for nearly every kind of traveler.
Consider the entire rental package when comparing rental companies, not just the company with the lowest advertised price. Review the vehicle, insurance, mileage, deposit, delivery methods, terms of lease, and other fees associated with the rental prior to making a reservation.
A car rental in Dubai allows you to travel throughout the city as you please when visiting Dubai.
Select a vehicle which fits your needs, review the rental terms, and make sure you reserve your car prior to arrival for a better driving experience in Dubai.
