From the airport to the city centre United Arab Emirates

You'll arrive via one of two major international airports, either in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Dubai airport:

Metro: red line Terminal 1 and 3. You can purchase a ticket at the metro station ticket office. Only 1 piece of luggage per person. Once off the metro, cabs and buses will take you to your accommodation.

Cabs: cabs (all metered) are available in large numbers as soon as you leave the airport. They all speak English and are generally very friendly. A word of warning! Most cabs don't have GPS, and unless you're staying at a well-known hotel, you'll need clear directions to guide you around town. Expect to pay between AED 50 and AED 85 to get to the heart of the city.

Uber and Careem: if you prefer to use the app, signs will tell you where to meet your driver as soon as you leave the terminal. Careem is the local version of Uber and also allows you to book metered cabs.

If you're going to another emirate: for Abu Dhabi, either take a cab or the Emirates Airlines shuttle, which is free if you've chosen this airline. To get to Abu Dhabi, expect to pay around AED 300 during the day, and to cross the health border with all your papers in hand. For other emirates, cabs are the best solution.

Abu Dhabi airport:

Cab: cabs (all metered) are available in large numbers as soon as you leave the airport. Expect to pay between AED 70 and AED 85 to get to the heart of the city. If you're heading for the Liwa desert, fares can rise to over AED 700.

Bus: there is a bus service to and from the airport, but journey times are long, around 1 hour with multiple stops. The buses are very safe, modern and air-conditioned.

If you're going to another emirate: to Dubai, either take a cab or the Etihad Airlines shuttle bus, which is free of charge if you choose this company. To get to Dubai, expect to pay around 380 AED during the day. If you're travelling to another emirate, it's best to use Dubai airport, which is much closer.

Public transport United Arab Emirates

Public transport is most developed in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

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's just one card to buy: the NOL card. It can be purchased at all metro stations and some bus shelters. By downloading the Shail app, you can find all the fares, routes and different modes of transport from one point to another.

In Abu Dhabi, the only public transport available is the bus: each journey costs around AED 2 to pay on the bus. You can buy a season ticket at the Abu Dhabi intercity bus station. The bus service also serves all regions of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Approx. AED 25 per journey. The DARBI app will help you plan all your trips.

In the other emirates, public transport is rarer and less frequent.

Bike, scooters & co United Arab Emirates

Whether for bicycles or scooters, we strongly recommend not using them between May and October, given the heat. Bicycles are mainly available for hire not for travel, but for exercise, and only in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They can be activated using the "Careem bike" application.

As for scooters, only a few districts allow their use, and only in Dubai. Helmets must be worn.

With a driver United Arab Emirates

The two main providers are Careem and Uber. Careem is the local version of the latter. Pricing is very clear and straightforward. Cars are generally sedans, but it is possible to order larger vehicles. For private drivers, the hotel concierge or your receptive will take care of it.

By car United Arab Emirates

A whole network of brand-new arteries serves the four corners of the emirates. Directions are clearly indicated in Arabic and English. Drive on the right. Beware of the many speed cameras, and rental agencies will not hesitate to deduct the fine from your credit card. Seatbelts are compulsory in both the front and rear seats, and children under 10 years of age are not allowed to sit in the front. Above all, it's forbidden to drive if you've had even a tiny glass of wine: Zero Tolerance. On the road, you need to be vigilant, as they don't hesitate to overtake on the right, so you need to use your mirrors ten times more than normal, and anticipate. The car is recommended for getting from one emirate to another, but for Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we recommend using cabs.

Parking is plentiful, especially in the major shopping malls, but in the city, parking meters are almost everywhere. For tourists, you'll need to carry some change, i.e. 1 AED coins.

In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you have terminals connected to a chip placed in a box and available in all rental cars. This is used to pay city entry taxes.

Accessibility United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates are very attentive to the needs of people with disabilities. All hotels have adapted rooms, and public transport, beaches and restaurants all have easy access for disabled guests.

Strollers are available at the airport and in most shopping centers