Dubai is a city of indulgence, invention, and ease, drawing in numerous travelers from all around the globe every year. Whether you’re here to admire the majesty of the Burj Khalifa, browse through the heritage marketplaces, laze around in a coastline hotel, or find wonder in the deserts, one of the most basic travel choices you’ll make is how you’re going to navigate the city. For many people, the simplest and most convenient solution is by cab or by using an application like Uber, which they imagine to be the most effortless approach. Tourists should go with the opposite—opting to rent a car is more beneficial for tourists.

Why you should consider renting a car in Dubai

With a rental, you get total freedom and ease, something which you can’t with taxicabs. Though there are taxicabs available everywhere in Dubai, you may face a wait time during rush hours, events, or outside the city’s core. Having a rental car is more or less at your disposal—determining when you leave, what direction you head, and how to go around.

Imagine being able to depart your hotel before dawn, avoid the crowds at the Dubai Mall, and cruise down Sheikh Zayed Road in your own good time, or even stop for an on-the-spot photo in the desert. These kinds of opportunities are much more likely to happen with the car keys in your hands than if you’re waiting for someone else’s plans to line up.

But how does renting a car in Dubai compare in terms of price? How does the price of using a rental compare to using taxicabs?

In general, taxicabs seem cheap, especially for short-distance trips. A 2-person round-trip to a destination within the city center is approximately AED 20 (USD 5.40). However, to calculate prices, let’s say you will be travelling from Dubai’s Airport to your hotel, going to see a number of destinations every day, spending a day in another emirate, and travelling back to the airport at the end of your trip.

Your price for hiring a taxi would likely be:

Airport to hotel: AED 100

AED 60-80 per day x 4 rides = AED 300-400

Day trip to Abu Dhabi or Hatta: AED 250-500

Hotel to airport: AED 100

Total price of using a taxi: AED 750-1,100 (about USD 200-300)

Now let’s look at the cost of renting a car in Dubai for 5 days:

A rental for 5 days costs anywhere between AED 350 to AED 700, depending on the type of vehicle you choose and the type of deal you’re in. Even with fuel and parking charges, the price difference will be in favor of renting a car, especially for groups and families.

In addition to the low price, renting a car in Dubai provides a more comfortable, convenient, and luxurious experience.

When you rent a car, you are renting the car; you are renting the luxury of it. There is no luxury experience as good as being in your own space. You have the freedom to turn the air conditioner on full blast or lower it to a comfortable temperature, play your playlist instead of just listening to a blaring radio, and take a snooze in the back seat between places. Especially for travelers traveling with kids, seniors, or in groups, renting a car in Dubai can be much more beneficial to you.

Now let’s say you’re an international traveler who has traveled to Dubai and wants to rent a car. Do you think renting a car in Dubai is complicated? Think again! Most international tourists can drive using their national license or an International Driving License, and car rentals are available at the airport, shopping malls, and on online booking websites.

Here’s how the process works:

You give your passport, entry stamp, and your valid driving license.

You choose the type of car and the duration of the rental.

You sign the contract and pay the deposit.

You take the keys and go on your own way!

You can even rent a car with GPS installed, car seats for kids, and 24-hour customer service if needed.

Use the rental to explore the rest of the UAE

Dubai is just one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. Many travelers come to Dubai and want to visit the other six. There is no public transport connecting Dubai to other emirates, and hiring a taxi for a long trip would cost you a lot of money.

But with a rental, you have a much larger scope of options. You can:

Drive along the beautiful Hajar Mountains

Spend a weekend in the beach resorts in Fujairah

Visit the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi at your own time

Go sand bashing in the desert or have a BBQ in the night sky

Tavelling to other emirates by taxi is not only expensive but also an option that you wouldn’t even think of. With your own car, you can go anywhere you want.

What about time?

Dubai’s attractions are spread out. You may be walking around the souks in Deira, or be standing at a beach in JBR. Depending on where you stay, the distance from one place to another can be 20-45 minutes. Especially in places where many tourists frequent, you would have to wait for your ride to show up.

When every second of your trip matters, a rental car is the best way to ensure you’re maximizing your time. Starting your day at the break of dawn at Global Village? You can do that easily. Don’t want to deal with the city’s traffic after the fountain show at Burj Khalifa? Drive your own car and go.

Driving in Dubai as a tourist is safe. The laws of the city are enforced with such strictness, to keep the streets free from chaos. Furthermore, most of the cars available for rent are new models and feature amenities like back-up cameras, cruise control, and automated braking systems.

Cultural preferences and considerations

Besides comfort and freedom, a rented car also makes it easy for tourists to have a culturally sound trip. Many travelers do not like to be with others in close spaces, while some may have different dietary, religious, or medical reasons to travel with their own boundaries. When you’re renting a car, you can accommodate your own customs. You can stop to pray, travel in silence, or make your food between places.

Does Dubai have free parking?

Many tourists are scared of renting a car in Dubai due to the possibility of finding a spot. Dubai has made it very easy to park. Almost all hotels, malls, and major attractions have parking spaces available for visitors. In most cases, the parking is free or at a minimal price. The parking in Dubai is digitized, and you can even pay through SMS or apps in just a few seconds.

How is the fuel in Dubai?

In Dubai, the cost of fuel is relatively low compared to many Western and Asian countries, making road trips and visiting around the city much more cost-effective than many travelers think.

Dubai in real life: How to choose a rental car

Family Vacation

A family of five is coming to Dubai for a 7-day trip. They want to visit Legoland, Dubai Marina, the desert, and Yas Island. Getting around in a cab would be quite expensive and you would have to split into two cars. An SUV would be the best bet to save money, bring extra luggage space, and even be able to bring snacks, toys, and child seats for the trip.

Couple’s Getaway

A couple wants the feeling of a romantic drive along the beach in the middle of the night and catch the sun at sunrise. Taxis might not be available at that time, and spontaneity isn’t possible. With a rental, they can chase their dreams and get there as soon as they wish to.

Solo Traveler

Even a single traveler benefits from having the independence of a rental. How about going to the top of Jebel Jais early in the morning, or taking a drive to Al Ain during your stay? Don’t have to haggle with a cab driver or even wait for a ride to show up. Just drive and enjoy.

Why renting a car in Dubai is a better choice

When it comes to tourists, a rental car is a better choice. You get more than independence, comfort, and convenience—you get it all.

You get to see the city at your own will. You get to see the city and the rest of the emirates at your own will. You get to see the sights, sounds, and lights at your own will. If you are visiting Dubai, then rent a car.