United Arab Emirates Transport

Getting to UAE
Most of the world’s leading airlines fly into the UAE’s six international airports.
Most passengers fly into Dubai Airport. Other international airports are located at Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah.

The national airlines, Emirates Airlines operate international flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Gulf Air flies to all six airports.

Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) is situated on the mainland, 35km east of the city. The journey to the city centre takes around 45 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Many hotels run an airport shuttle service. Limousines and Al Ghazal taxis (purple and white luxury sedans) run on a fixed rate (Dh70) and can be pre-booked or picked-up at the airport. Orange and white airport taxis charge approximately Dh40 to the city centre. Bus services run from the airport to the bus station on East Rd approximately every 20 minutes. The fare is Dh3.

Airport facilities include duty free shop, bank, restaurants, bar, currency exchange, hotel, 18-hole sand golf course, car hire, post office, special needs facilities and assistance, and VIP lounges. Note that there is no left luggage facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Al Ain Airport (AAN) is 20km northwest of Al Ain, taking around 20 minutes travel time by taxi. Al Ghazal taxis operate a fixed-rate service to the city centre. Public buses serve the airport and run every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, taking about 40 minutes travel time. There is a bank, currency exchange, ATM, restaurants, duty free complex, children's garden playground, medical centre, wheel chair access, and VIP lounges.

Dubai Airport (DXB) is 4km southeast of the city, taking around 10 minutes travel time, depending on traffic. Many hotels run an airport shuttle service. Taxis and buses are available at the airport. Prepaid airport taxis must be booked in the arrival hall and charge a fixed rate of Dh30 for destinations in the city centre. The metered taxi rate is Dh16 plus 50 fils for every 500 metres. Airport buses take around 20 minutes to the city centre for Dh1 and operate every ten minutes between 6am and 10pm.

Airport facilities include ATM, currency exchange, bank, duty free complex, health club, business/conference centres, hotel, special needs facilities and assistance, post office, medical centre, pharmacy, restaurants, bars, executive lounges, left-luggage, tourist information, car hire, children’s play area, internet access, and VIP lounges.

Airport facilities include duty free shop, bank, restaurants, bar, currency exchange, hotel, 18-hole sand golf course, car hire, post office, special needs facilities and assistance, and VIP lounges. Note that there is no left luggage facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Al Ain Airport (AAN) is 20km northwest of Al Ain, taking around 20 minutes travel time by taxi. Al Ghazal taxis operate a fixed-rate service to the city centre. Public buses serve the airport and run every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, taking about 40 minutes travel time. There is a bank, currency exchange, ATM, restaurants, duty free complex, children's garden playground, medical centre, wheel chair access, and VIP lounges.

Dubai Airport (DXB) is 4km southeast of the city, taking around 10 minutes travel time, depending on traffic. Many hotels run an airport shuttle service. Taxis and buses are available at the airport. Prepaid airport taxis must be booked in the arrival hall and charge a fixed rate of Dh30 for destinations in the city centre. The metered taxi rate is Dh16 plus 50 fils for every 500 metres. Airport buses take around 20 minutes to the city centre for Dh1 and operate every ten minutes between 6am and 10pm.

Airport facilities include ATM, currency exchange, bank, duty free complex, health club, business/conference centres, hotel, special needs facilities and assistance, post office, medical centre, pharmacy, restaurants, bars, executive lounges, left-luggage, tourist information, car hire, children’s play area, internet access, and VIP lounges.

Fujairah Airport (FJR) is 1km from the city centre. You can pick up a taxi outside the airport and the fare to your hotel will not cost more than a few dirhams. There are no buses. Airport facilities include restaurant, 24-hour duty free shops, medical centre and VIP lounges.

Ras al-Khaimah (RKT) is 20km from the city. Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include a duty free shop and restaurant.

Sharjah Airport (SHJ) is 10km from the city. Taxis are available at the airport. Fares to the centre of Sharjah are approximately Dh40. Airport facilities include a 24-hour duty free shop, car hire, restaurant, snack bar, bank (open restricted hours), special needs facilities and assistance, and VIP lounges.

The airports of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah offer convenient "Meet & Assist Services" for reasonable rates, which help make your arrival and departure smooth, fast and easy.

Abu Dhabi Airport is serviced by Golden Class Service (Phone: (+971) 02 575 7466). Services include personal assistance with arrival and departure formalities and use of the VIP Lounge.

Dubai Airport is serviced by Marhaba Services (Phone: (+971) 04 216 2630 / 04 224 5780). Services include personal assistance with arrival and departure formalities and use of the VIP Lounge. If you book within a minimum of 24-hours in advance of your flight time, you will receive immediate confirmation. www.marhabaservices.com.

Sharjah Airport is serviced is operated by SATA (Phone: (+971) 06 508 4080/4081. Email: sata@sharjahairport.ae). Services include personal assistance with arrival and departure formalities and limousine transfer.

Road access to the UAE from Saudi Arabia and Oman is excellent. Connections can be made with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe.

A daily service runs between Muscat and Abu Dhabi via Al Ain. There is a twice daily bus service between Oman and Dubai via Hatta. There are also bus services between Abu Dhabi and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

The main international ports are Jebel Ali (30km from Dubai city) and Port Rashid in Dubai, Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi, Port Khalid and Khor Fakkan in Sharjah, Port Saqr in Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah Port in Fujairah. These are all commercial ports and are not designed to cater for tourists. Some companies operate ferry services to Iran. Again, these are not designed for tourists but they can be booked through travel agents.

A daily flight connects Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Gulf Air serves all six UAE airports. Flights can also be chartered and there are small landing fields throughout the country.

Although road conditions are excellent, the quality of drivers varies greatly. Big, powerful cars, young inexperienced drivers and many nationalities all combine for a hair-raising driving experience. Outside the main cities, roads remain smooth and less congested. People tend to drive very fast on both urban and rural roads.

Most of the large car hire firms are represented at airports and hotels. Some local firms also provide car hire services. Rates can vary so it is best to shop around. The services of the larger reputable firms can be very useful in case of emergency, but the smaller local firms also give good deals.

If you wish to hire a car in the UAE, bring a valid international driving licence or national driving licence from your home country. In Dubai you will be issued with a UAE temporary driving permit by car hire companies on presentation of valid national or international driving licences, two photographs and a passport. In Abu Dhabi you will need an international driving licence to obtain a temporary permit.

Most foreign driving licences are accepted providing you are a citizen or resident of the country issuing the licence. If not, you will need an international driving licence.

The rules relating to driving licences differ from emirate to emirate. However once you have been issued with a temporary driving permit from one emirate you can drive throughout the UAE.

Traffic regulations are strict, with radar and cameras in use by the police. In any case, you need to drive carefully. Traffic drives on the right. The speed limit in urban areas is 80 kph and 120 kph outside the cities. Seat belts are compulsory. Use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited. Children under 12 are prohibited from travelling in front seats of vehicles.

It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without police permission, except in Dubai where it is not necessary to call the police if you have the correct forms and no one has been injured in the accident. Check with your hired car company for the required procedure.

Under no circumstances should you drink and drive. The blood alcohol limit is zero (0.0). Any amount over that will earn jail time and a hefty fine. Police may require a mandatory blood alcohol test at the scene of an accident, whether there were injuries or not. Keep in mind that traces of alcohol will show up in your blood 12 hours later (i.e. the morning after). If you find yourself in an accident, even if it is not your fault, it is best to remain calm and polite.

Try to avoid rush hour traffic congestion in Dubai and Abu Dhabi between 7 am–9 am, 1pm–2 pm and from 6 pm–8 pm. Also try to avoid driving just before dusk during the month of Ramadan as many hungry drivers hurry home to break their fast, accidents are quite common.

Bus
Most hotels run their own scheduled bus services to the airport, city centre and beach resorts. Limited public bus services link most towns.

Taxi
Taxis are available in all towns and are the most convenient mode of transport. Generally urban journey fares are metered, whilst fares for longer journeys should be agreed in advance.

Sea
Commercial and passenger lines serve all coastal ports. Water taxis travel across Dubai Creek between Dubai and Deira. It is possible to charter sailing and motor yachts and traditional wooden dhows.

Walking
Be very careful crossing the streets in the UAE. Drivers tend to run red lights and not be aware of pedestrian crossing lines or pedestrians for that matter. Be especially careful at dusk during the month of Ramadan as many hungry drivers hurry home to break their fast, accidents are quite common.