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Taxi or Car Hire in the UAE – What Should Tourists Choose?
The United Arab Emirates is a country designed for road trips. The roads are perfectly smooth, gas stations are available in every district, and routes between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Fujairah allow you to see far more than standard tours offer. Many tourists ask the question: which is better and more cost-effective – renting a car or relying on taxis?
Taxis in the UAE are comfortable and safe, but the cost can rise significantly if you plan to travel frequently. For example, a one-way trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi costs around 250–300 AED. A few such trips during your vacation can easily exceed the cost of renting a car for an entire week. Additionally, taxis limit your freedom – you can’t stop spontaneously at a beach or take a detour along a scenic mountain road.
Car rental is the best choice for travelers who want to explore the UAE without restrictions. Modern rental services offer new vehicles with full insurance (CDW), and the daily rental price is often comparable to just a few short taxi rides. With a car, you can plan your own routes, visit smaller emirates, mountain villages, or secluded beaches.
There is one important point – foreign tourists need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car. Most rental companies, including Avis, Sixt, and Europcar, require both a national driver’s license and an IDP. Without these documents, renting is impossible, and police checks can result in fines. An IDP is only valid when presented alongside your national license.
It’s best to get your IDP in advance. The International Drivers Association (IDA) issues it in just 10–15 minutes, providing both a PDF version and a plastic card. The official website in the UAE is ida.ae. IDA is accredited by the International Federation of Autotourism (IFA), which guarantees the legitimacy of the document. Be cautious of fake websites offering counterfeit permits, as they are not recognized in the UAE.
Taxis in the UAE are comfortable and safe, but the cost can rise significantly if you plan to travel frequently. For example, a one-way trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi costs around 250–300 AED. A few such trips during your vacation can easily exceed the cost of renting a car for an entire week. Additionally, taxis limit your freedom – you can’t stop spontaneously at a beach or take a detour along a scenic mountain road.
Car rental is the best choice for travelers who want to explore the UAE without restrictions. Modern rental services offer new vehicles with full insurance (CDW), and the daily rental price is often comparable to just a few short taxi rides. With a car, you can plan your own routes, visit smaller emirates, mountain villages, or secluded beaches.
There is one important point – foreign tourists need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car. Most rental companies, including Avis, Sixt, and Europcar, require both a national driver’s license and an IDP. Without these documents, renting is impossible, and police checks can result in fines. An IDP is only valid when presented alongside your national license.
It’s best to get your IDP in advance. The International Drivers Association (IDA) issues it in just 10–15 minutes, providing both a PDF version and a plastic card. The official website in the UAE is ida.ae. IDA is accredited by the International Federation of Autotourism (IFA), which guarantees the legitimacy of the document. Be cautious of fake websites offering counterfeit permits, as they are not recognized in the UAE.
