Getting around United Arab Emirates: transport and apps

In Dubai

• The Metro is clean, cheap and driverless, with two lines covering most of what visitors want. Fares are by zone and a single ride is a few dirhams.
• One Nol card can pay for several people on the Metro, tram and bus.
• There is a women and children only carriage at the front of each train, and a Gold Class carriage that costs double and is usually empty.
• Abras, the wooden boats across Dubai Creek, cost AED 1 and are the best value in the country.
• The tram serves Dubai Marina and JBR and connects to the Metro.
• Taxis are cheap by international standards, metered and safe. Careem is the local ride-hailing app, and Uber owns it.

Between the emirates

• Intercity buses run frequently from Al Ghubaiba and Ibn Battuta to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates, and cost very little. 12Go covers the main routes if you want to book ahead.
• The Etihad Rail passenger service is opening in stages, and will eventually link the emirates. Check whether it is running for your route rather than assuming.
• A taxi between emirates is expensive and metered differently once it crosses the border.

Driving

• You need an International Driving Permit alongside your licence for most nationalities; some, including UK, US, EU and GCC licences, are accepted directly for short visits. Rental firms will tell you which applies.
• Roads are excellent, wide and fast. Driving is on the right.
• Speed cameras are everywhere and the fines are large, and they follow the rental company to your credit card weeks later.
• Tailgating and lane-weaving are normal and the accident rate reflects it. Keep left only to overtake.
• Any road accident, however minor, needs a police report before an insurer or rental company will do anything. Do not move the cars if anyone is hurt.
• Salik is the automatic road toll and is charged through the rental.
• Drink driving is zero tolerance and carries jail. There is no acceptable amount.

Apps

• Careem for taxis, food and payments.
• RTA Dubai for metro and bus times, and S'hail for journey planning.
• Google Maps works well, and addressing by landmark works better.
• Botim or C'Me if you need to make internet calls.