Visitors to Dubai can choose between street taxis, app rides and pre-booked cars. The apps are familiar to many travellers, but they work a little differently here than in London or other cities: for example, you can book an official Dubai taxi through Careem. This guide explains the main options and when each makes sense. For fare structure, see our separate Dubai taxi fare guide.
The main options at a glance
| Option | How you book | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Street taxi | Hail on the road or at a rank | Metered; regulated by the RTA |
| Hala taxi via Careem | Careem app, Hala option | RTA taxi e-hailing service; driver details and live tracking |
| Careem ride options | Careem app | Several vehicle types alongside Hala |
| Uber | Uber app | Operates in Dubai |
| Private transfer | Booked in advance by email | Price agreed before travel; pickup planned around your flight |
Hala taxis through Careem
Hala is the RTA’s taxi e-hailing service, available in the Careem app. According to Hala and Careem, you open the app, choose Hala Taxi, enter your pickup and destination, and confirm. The apps show the driver’s details and live tracking, and accept several payment methods. The car is a regular Dubai taxi, so RTA taxi fares apply, as explained on the RTA taxi fare page.
Uber in Dubai
Uber operates in Dubai, as noted on the UAE government’s public transport page. Visitors with an existing Uber account can usually use it as they would at home. Check the vehicle options and price in the app before confirming, as they can vary with demand and time of day.
App rides at the airport
At Dubai International, the official airport taxi rank is signposted from the arrivals hall, and airport taxis have a higher starting fare than street taxis. App pickups use designated areas, which can be a walk from the exit. After a long flight with luggage, finding the right pickup area and the right car can take time. Our airport taxi or private transfer comparison sets out the options.
Trips to other emirates
Rules for inter-emirate trips matter. The RTA states that Dubai Taxi can take you from Dubai to another emirate, but does not cover trips that start in another emirate. For journeys from Abu Dhabi or Sharjah into Dubai, see our Abu Dhabi to Dubai and Sharjah airport to Dubai pages.
When a pre-booked transfer makes more sense
- You land late at night or early in the morning and want the car waiting.
- You are travelling with children, several bags or bulky items.
- You want a larger vehicle for a group, such as an MPV.
- You want one agreed price before you travel.
- You need several stops or a driver for a few hours: see car with driver.
Paying for rides
App rides are usually paid through the app, by card or with the app’s own wallet. Street taxis in Dubai accept cash and, in many cases, card payments. Hala taxis booked through Careem accept several payment methods, as listed by Hala. If you rely on a card from home, check foreign transaction fees with your bank before you travel.
Safety and comfort tips
- Check that the car and driver match the details in the app before getting in.
- Share your trip with a friend using the app’s sharing feature, especially late at night.
- Sit in the back seat if you are travelling alone.
- Keep your phone charged and save your hotel address in the app.
- For children, ask in advance whether a child seat is available; many app rides do not provide one.
Short trips versus longer journeys
For a short hop between a hotel and a mall, a street taxi or an app ride is usually the quickest choice. For longer journeys, such as an airport arrival with luggage, a day of meetings or a trip to another emirate, a pre-booked car often works better. You know the vehicle, the pickup time and the price before you travel. Our hourly chauffeur option keeps a driver with you for several hours.
Getting around without a car
Dubai also has the Metro, trams and buses. The Red Line Metro serves Dubai International Terminals 1 and 3, and many areas of the city. Public transport is a good option for light travellers. With luggage, children or a tight schedule, most visitors prefer a car. Our terminals guide lists which terminals have Metro stations.
Which option should you choose?
| Situation | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Short trip in the city, travelling light | Street taxi or app ride |
| You want an official taxi booked by app | Hala via Careem |
| Airport arrival with luggage or children | Pre-booked transfer |
| Several stops in one day | Car with driver or hourly chauffeur |
| Trip from another emirate into Dubai | Local taxi or pre-booked transfer |
| Group of six or more | Pre-booked larger vehicle |
There is no single right answer. Many visitors use a mix: a pre-booked car for the airport and day trips, and taxis or apps for short hops in between.
Checklist for a smooth app ride
- App installed and payment set up before you travel
- Hotel address saved in the app
- Check driver and car details before getting in
- Allow for walking to the app pickup area at the airport
Related guide: Safety tips for taxis and night travel.
Related guides
Our Salik guide explains the road tolls added to taxi and app fares, and the airport arrival guide shows where the taxi rank and pickup areas are in the process. If you are deciding between a taxi and a pre-booked car for your airport arrival, the airport transfer cost guide explains what goes into a private quote. All guides are on the transfer guides hub.
Whichever option you choose, keep your hotel’s address written down in English and, if possible, in Arabic. Most drivers know the major hotels, but residential addresses and new buildings can be harder to find. A building name, a nearby landmark and the entrance you want make the drop-off much easier, whether you are in a taxi, an app ride or a pre-booked car.
Fares and app features change over time, so treat this guide as a starting point and check the apps and the RTA website for current details before you travel.
Safety is generally good across all of these options. Licensed taxis and app rides are regulated, and drivers are identifiable through the meter display or the app. As anywhere, check that the car and driver match the details in the app before you get in, and share your trip with someone if you are travelling alone late at night.
Book a private transfer
Use our quote request form, or email info@belgraviatransfers.com, with your route, date, time, passengers and bags. We reply with availability and a quote. Start from our Dubai airport transfer page for arrivals.
Frequently asked questions
Does Uber work in Dubai?
Yes, Uber operates in Dubai. Check vehicle options and prices in the app.
What is Hala taxi?
Hala is the RTA’s taxi e-hailing service, booked through the Careem app. It sends a regular Dubai taxi.
Can I book a Dubai taxi through an app?
Yes. Choose Hala Taxi in the Careem app.
Can I take an app ride from Dubai Airport?
Yes. App pickups use designated areas; airport taxis queue at the official rank.
Can a Dubai taxi bring me back from Abu Dhabi?
The RTA states that Dubai Taxi does not cover trips starting in another emirate. Use a local taxi or a pre-booked transfer.
Do app rides provide child seats?
Often not. If you need child seats, ask in advance or pre-book a transfer and request them.
Facts on this page were checked against the sources linked above on 17 October 2026. Dates, prices and opening hours can change, so confirm them with the official source before you travel.
