Maps Most hotel shops, bookshops and supermarkets sell city street and road maps for Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as the UAE as a whole. As in all travel, a well-chosen map is an essential starting point for exploration.
The Geographical Information System Centre of Dubai Municipality has developed an e-guide which should be of great assistance in guiding residents and tourists around Dubai. Work is currently underway throughout the Middle East to survey the road systems to enable GIS teams to transfer GPS data to user-friendly maps. In a short space of time handheld GPS will be as common as a mobile phone.
However, a word of caution should be mentioned in connection with an over reliance on digital maps and use of GPS for vehicle navigation. The writer of this report drives a 2011 model car whose built-in GPS frequently records passage across what is either open desert (minus road) or open sea (minus bridge). Given the fast pace of development, GPS map-makers have failed to keep pace with changes to the UAE's cityscapes and many new bridges and new roads. They will eventually catch up but in the meantime GPS maps are probably most useful as a general indication of direction and route, rather than a rigid plan.
Street Names
Almost all street and road signs are written in English and Arabic. However, as already remarked, the transliteration of Arabic can lead to some confusion over spelling. We have tried to use spellings that are in common usage as opposed to those that may or may not be technically correct. Nevertheless, you will come across common street names with a variety of spellings. In addition, although many streets are officially named on street signs, others also have unofficial or older names. Still others are named and numbered. Taxi drivers frequently do not know either the offical or unofficial street names! But all is not lost– most taxi drivers will know the names and locations of major hotels, attractions, souqs and shopping centres. In general, directions are given by reference to landmarks, particularly roundabouts, such as the clock tower roundabout, fountain roundabout etc, or indeed landmark buildings, of which there are many.
Abu Dhabi The city of Abu Dhabi takes up much of the island on which it is located but the city centre is compact and close to amenities. The main business district is in the area between Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Istiglal St to the north, Zayed the Second St to the south, Khalid bin Al Walid St to the west and As-Salam St to the east. Many five-star hotel and restaurants are located along the Corniche.
Sheikh Zayed Bridge, a wonderful soaring structure, along with Maqta and Mussafah bridges connects the island to the mainland, whilst new bridges link Abu Dhabi city centre through the newly-developed Saadiyat and Yas Islands to the main road to Dubai.
To find your way around Abu Dhabi, you will need to be aware of the following name changes:
Official name
Common name
Al-Falah St
Old Passport St
East Rd
Muroor Rd
Haza bin Zayed St
Defence St
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed St
Hamdan St
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum St
Airport Rd or Old Airport Rd
Sheikh Zayed the Second St
Electra St
East Rd & Lulu St.
Fourth St.
Al-Nasr St.
Fifth St.
Umm al-Nar & Bani Yas St
Sixth St.
Liwa St.
Tenth St.
Al Ain Al Ain is a sprawling city, but if you find the clock
tower and coffeepot roundabouts in Al Ain and Buraimi roundabout in Buraimi
you are on the main road.
Dubai Deira to the east and Bur Dubai to the west are separated by the winding Creek which can be crossed by car through Shindagha Tunnel to the north, over a series of bridges to the south or, alternatively for foot passengers by abra (water taxi) in the city centre.
Bani Yas Rd running along the Creek, Bani Yas Square, Al Maktoum Rd, Al Maktoum Hospital Rd, and Naif Rd are the main areas of activity in Deira. In Bur Dubai, the main business area is on Sheikh Zayed Rd, the souq area runs along Al-Ghubaiba Rd, (the site of the bus station) to the Ruler’s Office and inland as far as Khalid bin Al Waleed Rd.
Alternative street names are as follows:
Official name
Common name
Al-Jumeira Rd
Jumeria Rd., Jumeira Beach Rd or Beach Rd
Al-Wasl Rd
Iranian Hospital Rd
Bani Yas Square
Al-Nasr Square
Khalid bin Al Waleed Rd
Bank St.
Sheikh Zayed Rd.
Abu Dhabi Rd.
Sharjah Al-Arouba Rd. is the main street in Sharjah
Al-Soor Rd is also known as Al-Mina St., Port or Harbour Rd.
Ajman Ajman has a Central Square which is within walking distance
of shops, hotels, restaurants and coast.
Ra’s al-Khaimah There are two distinct districts in Ra’s al-Khaimah city, the old town on a sandy peninsula along the coast, which is linked by a bridge to Al-Nakheel, a newer business district. Most hotels, shops, restaurants etc are in Al-Nakheel, many on Oman St.
Fujairah The main business centre is along Hamad bin Abdullah Rd where you will find post office, banks and souq.
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