Most of the large car hire firms are represented at airports and hotels. Some local firms also operate car hire services. Rates can vary so it is best to shop around. The services of the larger reputable firms can be very useful in case of emergency, but the smaller local firms also give good deals. Telephone numbers for local agencies can be found in the Yellow Pages.
Abu Dhabi Avis (02 6218400) The main office is on the corner of Al Nasr St. and Khalid bin Al Waleed St. (near the British Embassy). Avis have branch offices at the airport (02 5757180) and the major hotels. Budget (02 6334200, fax 6331498) Al Nasr St and the airport. Thrifty ( 02 6345 663, fax 6340234) Al Nasr St., the airport and the Radisson SAS.
Dubai Avis Dubai International Airport (04 2245219, fax 2244150) 24-hour service; main office (04 2957121) Clock Tower Roundabout, Al Maktoum Rd., Deira.
Europcar (04 3394433) Inter-Continental, Hilton, Hyatt Regency and Al Bustan Rotana hotels
Sharjah Avis King Faisal Rd. (06 5595925). Avis at Sharjah International Airport (06 5581075)
Ra’s al-Khaimah Major hotels have rental car services. Local agencies can be found on Oman St.. in Al-Nakheel.
Al-Nakheel (07 2288183)
Ajman Avis can be contacted at Ajman Kempinski Hotel (06 7448616)
Fujairah Dubai Renat-A-Car/Europcar (09 2221318) opposite the Hilton Hotel Diamond Rent-A-Car (09 2241321) adjacent to Ritz Plaza Hotel Autobahn (09 2232226) adjacent to Ritz Plaza Hotel Avis is situated at Fujairah Hilton (09 2222021)
DRIVING
There is an extensive high quality road network throughout the Emirates and unleaded petrol is cheap. Driving is on the right.
The rules relating to driving licences differ from emirate to emirate. However, once you have been issued with a temporary driving permit from one emirate you can drive throughout the UAE.
If you wish to hire a car in the UAE you will be issued with a UAE temporary driving permit by car hire companies on presentation of valid national or international driving licences (the latter is required in Abu Dhabi), two photographs and a passport.
Traffic regulations are strictly enforced. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without police permission. Under no circumstances can you drink and drive. Even a small amount of alcohol will put you over the legal limit. Seat belts are compulsory. Children under 12 are prohibited from travelling in front seats of vehicles.
>Contact The Arabian Automobile Association (800 4900; 04 2669989) www.cyberwebz.com/aaa for additional information.
Traffic regulations are strict, with radar and cameras in use by the police. In any case, you need to drive carefully. The speed limit in urban areas is 60– 80 kph and 100–120 kph for cars on the open road. Hired cars are equipped with an insistent alarm that is set off when the speed limit is exceeded. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without police permission, except in Dubai where it is not necessary to call the police if you have the correct forms and no one has been injured in the accident. Check with your hired car company for the requiredt procedure. Use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited. Under no circumstances can you drink and drive. Even a small amount of alchohol will put you over the legal limit. Seat belts are compulsory. Children under 12 are prohibited from travelling in front seats of vehicles.
Try to avoid traffic congestion in Dubai and Abu Dhabi between 7 a.m.–9 a.m., 1 p.m.–2 p.m. and from 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
The Arabian Automobile Association (04 2669989 www.cyberwebz.com/aaa) will provide more information.
Emergency breakdown service Your best bet is to contact your car hire company. Arabian Automobile Association (800 4900 free phone no.) can also assist.
Parking
As in most major cities, parking in the city centres is restricted but it is generally possible to find parking in bays or in multi-storey car parks. All the new shopping malls have extensive multi-storey parking lots.
Dubai operates paid parking costing approximately Dh2 per hour. Tickets can be purchased from a machine in the car parks and must be displayed on windscreens. There is a four-hour limit. There are two centrally located covered car parks near the Spice Souq and Bani Yas Square in Deira.
Off-road
There are many kilometres of perfect road surfaces in the UAE, but it is always tempting to venture beyond the tarred surfaces. Most of the local tour companies organize off-road trips – probably the best way to explore if you are not familiar with off-road driving in desert conditions. Some tour operators also run courses in desert driving, a must if you are a novice.
In any case you will need to hire a 4wheel drive if you intend to travel independently off the beaten track. Please keep to the tracks to avoid damaging the desert. Make sure that you have a tow rope and shovel, as well as plenty of water. If you get stuck, let some air out of your tyres, clear the sand from in front of the wheels and replace with mats, cardboard or dead branches. Rev the car slowly and get your passengers to push. It is advisable to travel with at least one other vehicle and a GPS and or mobile phone is always handy.
UAE Off-Road Explorer published by Explorer Publishing has satellite maps, GPS waypoints, safety hints etc which should make your trip a safe one.
Taxis are readily available, offer an efficient, relatively inexpensive service and are really the best way to get around. They can be flagged down on the street, pre-booked by telephone or picked up outside your hotel. Taxi drivers are usually familiar with the main souqs, shopping centres, hotels and major landmarks. Most are metered in the major cities. The more upmarket Al Ghazal taxis must be pre-booked or picked-up outside one of the five-star hotels.
If your hotel is located outside the city, or you wish to take a taxi from your hotel to a destination outside the city, the concierge or doorman will give you an idea of average fares. But be aware of the expensive fixed-price taxis that operate from some of the larger hotels.
Taxi Service
Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
Al Arabia Taxi
+971 2 558 8099
-
Al Ghazal Express
+971 2 444 5885
+971 3 766 2020
Al Ghazal Taxis
+971 2 444 7787
+971 3 751 6565
Cars Taxi
+971 2 551 6164
-
National Taxi
971 2 555 2212
-
National Transport Company (NTC)
+971 2 622 3300
Dubai Transport
04 2080808
Cars Taxi
04 2693344
Dubai Metro
In Dubai, the Metro has revolutionised access along the Red Line route from Rashadiya beyond the Airport to Jebel Ali. Streamlined air-conditioned stations are dotted along the way with covered access bridges spanning Sheikh Zayed Road, the main artery to the city centre. The driverless trains are modern and efficient and tickets are ridiculously cheap. Fares range from Dh 1.80 for a short trip (< 3km) to Dh14 per day.The first car, which costs a little more, is designated Gold Class and features a section for women and children.
The Road Transport Authority’s rechargeable Nol farecards and single fare tickets can be used on the metro, buses and water taxis.
The metro runs approximately every 8 minutes from 6am –midnight
on Saturday through Thursday and 2pm to midnight on Fridays, but the timing of the last train varies from station to station and should be checked before departure.
There is a network of feeder buses in operation and work is nearing completion on the Green Line, which runs around the Creek. These lines intersect at Khalid bin Al Waleed and Union Square.
For more information on the metro and other forms of transport in Dubai visit the RTA website
BUSES
Intercity buses are available only within Abu Dhabi emirate. The main bus station is on East Rd. Buses to Oman depart from Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre (East Road on the corner of Zayed the Second St)
Although most tourists travel long-distance by taxi, buses are air-conditioned, clean and efficient. Minibuses (located beside the main bus station) with a seating capacity of 14 also travel to the same places as the large buses.
Buses travel from Al Ain toAbu Dhabi approximately once every hour from the bus station behind Al Ain souq. Tickets cost about Dh10.
Dubai Municipality (04 2859401) operates a reasonable public bus service, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adult fares are Dh1–3.50 depending on destination and these are paid to the driver on boarding. Three types of bus pass are available. Smart Cards costing Dh20 cover Dh22 worth of transport and monthly passes (taufee) are available at a cost of Dh75 for journeys on one side of the creek, or Dh120 for unlimited travel within the whole city. Routes and bus numbers are posted in both Arabic and English. Passes, timetables and bus maps are available from the main bus stations at Bur Dubai on Al Ghubaiba Rd and in Deira near the Gold Souq.
Intercity buses only operate within Dubai emirate. Air-conditioned buses depart every hour for Hatta and twice a day for Muscat, Oman (5-6 hours). Interemirate travel is run by Dubai Transport minibuses, however you can only pick these up in Dubai. Telephone 04 2273840, for services to the Northern Emirates, or 04 3937014, for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
There are no bus services in the other emirates.
WATER TAXIS
In Dubai, make sure that you take an abra ride across the Creek. These are small diesel-powered wooden boats that chug relentlessly from shore to shore, carrying commuters as well as tourists to their destinations along the bustling wharf. Seagulls whirl overhead and wooden dhows laden with goods steam to port. This is the very soul of the city.
The main abra dock on the Deira side of the Creek is at the intersection of Al Sabkha and Bani Yas Roads. Bur Dubai dock is located at the end of the souq, near the waterfront houses. Abras depart when full, which does not take long. Just hop on and the driver will take the fare of Dh1 as you cross.
You can also hire a private abra for a cruise along the creek. This will cost you approximately Dh35 to Dh50 for 30 minutes.
The RTA have also introduced futuristic-looking air-conditioned water taxis to take you across the Creek.
Home
