Dubai City Guide - Getting Around

The car is the most popular method of transport in Dubai. In addition, the major tourist hotels provide shuttle bus services for guests. However, Dubai Municipality (tel: (04) 221 5555 or 800 4848 (dedicated freephone information line); website: www.dm.gov.ae) operates a reasonable public bus service on over 50 routes, daily 0600-2300. Fares depend on destination and are paid to the driver upon boarding; it is useful for travellers to have the exact change ready.

‘Period Passes' are useful for those staying more than a week in Dubai, allowing cheaper bus travel on a smart card. Passes, timetables and bus maps are available from the bus stations in Deira and Bur Dubai. Routes and bus numbers are posted in both Arabic and English.

Basic wooden boats, locally referred to as abras, cross the creek from Bur Dubai to the Al-Sabkha Station. These are operated by Dubai Municipality daily 0600-2400 (journey time - 5 minutes) and are excellent value. They were joined in 2007 by the air-conditioned Dubai Waterbus (tel: 800 9090; website: www.rta.ae), which runs across the Creek charging four times as much for the same ride.

A hugely expensive 300km (186-mile) metro system is currently under construction, which will have four lines: the Red Line running from Rashidiya Station to Jebel Ali Station; the Green Line running from the Dubai Airport Free Zone to Dubai Health Care City; the Purple Line running between the existing airport and the new one near Jebel Ali; and the Blue Line which will stretch from Emirates Road to the airports. The metro is slated to partially open in 2009 or 2010.

Air-conditioned taxis can be hailed on the street or pre-booked by telephone. The Dubai Transport Corporation (tel: (04) 208 0808) operates metered taxis. Occasionally, drivers do not have detailed knowledge of the city and might ask passengers for directions.  Fixed fares are applied to journeys outside the city boundaries. It is also possible to hire a taxi for half a day or a full day for sightseeing. Tipping is not expected.

Dubai has an excellent and well-signposted road network and the majority of roads have two to four lanes. A massive expansion to the emirate's road network is currently underway which will see the number of lanes crossing the Creek increased to 100 by 2010.

Unfortunately, driving standards do not match the quality of the roads. Many local drivers travel at speed and change lanes with wild abandon. In addition, drivers are prone to make sudden and dangerous manoeuvres. Accidents occur frequently and visitors are advised to drive defensively. Outside the city centre a good road map is essential, to avoid heading aimlessly out into the desert.

Increasingly traffic congestion is also a problem, particularly in Deira and along Jumeirah Beach. Toll roads were introduced for the first time in 2007 to help alleviate the emirate's worsening traffic congestion problems, with plans to extend the toll network. Drivers should note that there is a tax to pay for driving out of the UAE.

Car parks are operated by Dubai Municipality (tel: 800 4848; website: www.dm.gov.ae). Two centrally located covered car parks are situated near the Spice Souk and Bani Yas Square in Deira.

A valid International Driving Permit, passport and credit card are required to hire a car in Dubai. Visitors from many European, North American and Asian countries can obtain a temporary local driving licence if they do not have an international licence. A valid national licence, passport and two passport-size photographs are required in order to do this. Fully comprehensive insurance is essential. In the event of an accident, the police must be informed and a written police report obtained, otherwise the hire company's insurance might not cover any damage. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have held a full licence for one year. The age limit is often raised to 25 years for more expensive models. Payment must be made by credit card. Collision damage waiver is sometimes additional.

Major providers include Avis (tel: (04) 224 5219; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (04) 224 5192; website: www.budget.com) and Fast Rent a Car (tel: (04) 224 5040; website: www.fastuae.com).

Considering the desert environment, Dubai is not a cyclist's paradise and bicycle hire is not a roaring trade in the city. Nevertheless, some hotels hire out bicycles. Whether or not they will hire them to non-guests varies.