From the airport to the city centre Dubai

You can get there either by metro or by cab. Either way the rates are reasonable.

The Metro: Red line Terminal 1 and 3. You can get a ticket at the ticket office of the metro station. The metro is automatic, very clean and runs at over 90 km/h. It is automatic and has air conditioning. Only one piece of luggage per person is allowed. When you get off the metro, cabs and buses will take you to your accommodation.

Cab: Taxis (all metered) are available in great numbers and from the airport exit. They do not drive tourists. They all speak English and are generally very friendly. There are even cabs with pink roofs, driven by women and intended for those who prefer them. A word of warning! Most cabs do not have GPS and unless it is a known hotel, you need to have clear directions to guide them in the cities: neighborhood, part of the city, proximity to a monument and we advise you to download your route on google maps in advance and keep the phone number of the accommodation for your cab to call them if they get lost.

Uber and Careem: If you prefer to use one of these applications, signs will tell you where to meet your driver as soon as you exit the terminal. Careem is the local version of Uber and also allows you to book metered cabs. The advantage is that they have a GPS. The prices are reasonable too.

Arrival by train Dubai

There is no train coming to Dubai yet, but it is under construction. It will take another four or five years.

Arrival by boat Dubai

All cruise ships arrive at the Rashid Port located not far from the city center. In the coming years, a new port will allow ships to dock near the Palm Jumeirah.

Public transport Dubai

Transportation in Dubai includes the metro, bus network, tramway, sea buses, Abras and the Palm Monorail. For all public transport except the Abras and the Palm Monorail, there is only one card to buy: the NOL Card. It can be purchased at all metro stations and at some bus shelters. By downloading the S'hail application, you can find all the fares, possible routes and different modes of transportation from one point to another, with even the possibility of carpooling.

The Metro: launched in 2009, it has since welcomed more than a billion passengers. Dubai's automatic aerial metro has two distinct lines, the red and the green, for a total of nearly 90 km, making it the longest driverless rail system in the world. The system was designed by Japan and the electronic control system by Thales. Each train carries a maximum of 642 seated and standing passengers at a top speed of 90 km/h, with three comfort categories, Silver Economy, Gold Première and Women & Children. Of course these ladies are allowed to ride in the "normal" cars. 2 lines are open for the moment which offer trains every 4 minutes in peak hours and every 7 minutes in off-peak hours. You can't eat or drink in the metro. Wifi is available.

Buses: they are modern, well equipped, all air-conditioned like the bus shelters, but often slow because of traffic jams. Wifi is also available.

Tramway: it was launched in late 2014 and serves 11 stations over 11 km. It is only available for now in the Marina district. It also provides a link between the metro and the Palm monorail.

Ferries : with a capacity of 98 people and no outside deck, they cover 6 routes that allow you to discover the historical sites, the canal, the Palm and to link the latter to the old Dubai.

Water buses : These operate exclusively in the Marina district. They allow in air-conditioned and very modern boats to make 4 stops for a very reasonable price. These 4 stops are located in the area of the skyscrapers and therefore offer beautiful panoramic views.

The Abras: these are small traditional wooden motorized boats that allow you to cross the Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira.

The monorail: it allows to see the Palm while taking a little height. It runs along the entire trunk and, after 4 stations, stops at the Atlantis Hotel. This means of transport is mainly used by tourists.

Bike, scooters & co Dubai

Self-servicescooters had been banned for two years. Recently, tours have been offered, especially on the bike path that starts at the Burj El Arab and goes to Jumeirah along the beaches. Be careful: these scooters must be used on specific routes and respecting the speed limits.

Bicycles: simply download the Careem Bike app to access the fleet of easily recognizable apple green electric bikes. While bike lanes in Dubai are in full development, it remains complicated to get from one neighborhood to another safely. In the meantime, be careful, because motorists are not used to two-wheelers and drive fast... so we really recommend you to limit yourself to the bike paths. If it's not too hot and you're brave, try one of the tracks in the middle of the Al Qudra desert.

With a driver Dubai

Uber and Careem: Careem is the local version of Uber, which was bought by the latter. It also allows to book cabs with meter, van. The advantage is that they have a GPS. The prices are reasonable too.

By car Dubai

Traffic: Dubai is a sprawling city with an excellent road network and multiple interchanges. The traffic can be very heavy, but it's finding your way around that can be a real challenge for first-time travelers. The car's GPS is not sufficient, as it often cannot reflect the latest changes. The best is to download applications such as 2GIS, Google Maps or Waze and therefore to have wifi. As cabs are cheap, we recommend not to drive in the city. Beware, it is forbidden to drink alcohol and drive afterwards. Zero tolerance and in case of an accident you will find yourself in police custody.

Parking: Parking is not free in Dubai. there are 4 ways to pay the parking meter: Either with the NOL card which can be bought in the metro stations and is rechargeable, or with coins or by downloading the RTA application and registering the car plate and providing a credit card number. At each outdoor parking lot, an orange sign indicates which terminal to select in the application to pay. The only drawback for this last option is that you need to have wifi to pay. Last option if you have a local sim card: you can send an SMS to 7275 and type in the license plate of your vehicle and the number of the pay station. You will receive an SMS confirming your payment.

Salik: toll booths straddle Sheikh Zayed Road in several places in the city. Each time you pass through, 4 AED is deducted from the Salik badge installed in your vehicle.

Accessibility Dubai

All public transportation is adapted for people with disabilities and for families with strollers. On the other hand, people don't walk much in Dubai, so the sidewalks are not always equipped and it is sometimes difficult to find a crosswalk.

Tourist traps Dubai

In Dubai, there are few or no tourist traps. Everything is regulated, controlled and severely punished if abuses are found. Just beware of fraudulent phone calls. Sometimes, small crooks try to pretend to be the local police and scare you to get your credit card numbers which must be kept confidential.