The city offers standard, ladies and premium taxis, available through apps and at taxi stands.

Taxi system in Dubai

In Dubai, taxis are a popular and convenient way to travel for both locals and tourists. All official taxis have a cream-colored body, and the color of the roof indicates the carrier company:

• Red Roof: Taxis operated by Dubai Taxi Corporation, the largest operator in the city.
• Yellow roof: National Taxi taxi, providing standard services.
• Blue roof: A taxi from Cars Taxi, a company known for its green initiatives, including the use of hybrid vehicles since 2008.
• Green Roof: Al Arabia Taxi, a taxi company popular with locals and expats for its customer focus and punctuality.
• Orange roof: A taxi from Metro Taxi, which partners with Dubai Metro to provide integrated transport solutions.
• Pink Roof: Taxi for women and families, where drivers are women; they serve exclusively women, families and children, providing comfort and safety.

There are different types of taxis, including standard sedans, SUVs, and specialized vehicles for people with disabilities, equipped with wheelchair ramps and other necessary equipment.

Taxi fares are regulated by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and may vary depending on the time of day and pick-up location. Pick-up in the city costs AED 5 (around US$1.36) during the day and AED 5.50 (around US$1.50) at night. Pick-up at the airport is subject to a higher fare of AED 20 (around US$5.45) on top of the fare. Each kilometre travelled costs AED 2.09 (around US$0.57).

To call a taxi, you can use mobile applications such as Uber and Careem, which allow you to order a car to a specific place and time, as well as provide information on the cost of the trip and the ability to track the car. You can pay for the trip in cash, by credit card or using the NOL transport card.

There is also a pink-roofed "lady" taxi service, where the drivers are women and passengers are limited to women and children under 10. These cars are equipped with video cameras, speed sensors and a panic button to ensure safety.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions were introduced on the number of passengers in taxis: a regular taxi is allowed to carry no more than two adults and one child under 14 years old, and a minivan - up to four people. All passengers are required to wear masks.

Thus, the Dubai taxi system offers a variety of options to meet the needs of different categories of passengers, ensuring comfort and safety while moving around the city.