Transportation in Dubai
Taxi
Get around in an air-conditioned taxi. Hail metered taxis on the street or pre-book. Fixed fares apply to journeys outside the city boundaries. Tipping is discretionary.
Coach
Few tourists use buses, although timetables and bus maps are available from the bus stations in Deira and Bur Dubai, with routes and bus numbers usually posted in both Arabic and English.
Underground
The Dubai Metro runs along two routes: the Green Line circulates the city around the Creek while the Red Line follows Sheikh Zayeed Road. With 42 stations, the lines cover 75km. The Metro is open Saturday-Thursday 5.50am-12/1am, and on Friday opens from 1pm-1am. There are car and bicycle parks at most stations and all will eventually have bus connections and taxi pick-ups. Tickets are purchased at stations and are also valid on buses and water buses.
Foot
Deira and Bur Dubai are easily negotiable on foot as they are flat and there are numerous places to stop for a cooling drink, but it is too hot to walk around between mid May and late September. There is no walkway along busy Sheik Zayed Road. However, you can stroll all the parallel Beach Road in Jumeirah.
Rent your car
With wide avenues, cheap fuel and plenty of parking, you’d think Dubai was made for cars. The downside is the heavy peak-time traffic. There are parking meters on the street and large shopping centre car parks, but make sure your ticket is always valid to avoid high fines.
Transportation tips
There is now a two-line Metro in Dubai city centre. Hiring a car can be a good option to explore outside the city as public transport is not tourist-friendly and taxis are expensive. Rent a car at the airport, in Deira or through the hotels.
