Getting around Dubai as a tourist: Metro, taxis and a chauffeur

What are the ways to get around Dubai as a tourist?

Dubai is a spread-out city. The old centre by the Creek, Downtown, the Marina and the beach strips sit along one long coastal corridor, so you rarely walk between them. Visitors usually choose from four options: the Metro, taxis and ride apps, a chauffeur-driven car, and the occasional bus or tram for a single district.

Most trips use a mix. The Metro covers the central stretch, a taxi fills the gaps, and a chauffeur covers the trips where time, luggage or comfort matter. The chauffeur versus taxi versus Uber guide sets the options side by side.

How do you get from the airport to your hotel?

Dubai International has two Metro stations on the Red Line, Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3. Each passenger may carry two suitcases on board, so a couple with four bags is within the rule. Taxis wait at ranks in each terminal, and the Dubai taxi fares guide explains what goes on the meter.

For a chauffeur, the driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a board showing your name and walks you to the car, which suits families, late flights and anyone carrying heavy bags. Our guide to Terminal 3 arrivals shows where that meeting happens, and the airport transfers page covers every UAE airport.

When is the Metro the best choice?

The Metro is the quick option along the central Red Line corridor, because it avoids rush-hour traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road. Check the timings and the stations near your hotel in our Dubai Metro guide before you plan a day around it.

The Metro does not reach the Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road or the desert, and the last stretch from a station to a hotel can be hot in summer. Hatta and the Lahbab desert need a road vehicle.

When does a chauffeur make more sense?

A chauffeur-driven car wins in four cases: a late-night flight, a day with several stops, a group going out for dinner, and any trip between emirates. Peak traffic matters too. A short cross-city hop at 6 pm can take far longer than the map suggests, and a driver who knows the lanes and the shortcuts keeps the day on time.

Assure runs a car with driver by the hour and a private driver for longer stays. For a one-off airport run or a city day, the chauffeur service page lists the cars. For the detail of what the driver takes off your hands, read what a chauffeur handles in Dubai.

How do Salik tolls and parking work for tourists?

Dubai’s tolls are 10 Salik gates. A pass costs AED 6 in the weekday peaks (6 to 10 am and 4 to 8 pm), AED 4 off-peak and on Sundays, and nothing from 1 am to 6 am, plus 5% VAT since 1 June 2026. The gate always charges the car. On a chauffeur booking, the toll is a cost of the trip, and your Assure quote says whether it is included. The full gate list is in our Salik guide.

Parking in Dubai is paid by zone, and malls, hotels and venues each have their own drop-off points. A chauffeur drops you at the door and finds the parking while you go in, which matters at busy places such as Dubai Mall and the airport. The Dubai parking guide covers the zones.

Which trips beyond Dubai work well with a chauffeur?

Trips to other emirates are where a chauffeur-driven car saves the most effort. Abu Dhabi is about 139 km by road, roughly 1 hour 30 minutes without heavy traffic, and the route adds Darb tolls at AED 4 per crossing, which the car’s quote can cover. Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Hatta and Ras Al Khaimah are all day trips by road.

Tell us the places you want to see and the time you want to be back, and Assure plans the route, the stops and the waiting time. See the intercity transfers for the main routes, and the Dubai travel guide for the wider picture.

How should you plan your transport for a week in Dubai?

A simple plan works for most visitors. Book a chauffeur for the airport arrival and departure, use the Metro or taxis for short central trips, and book a car with a driver by the hour for the day you leave Dubai or plan a long evening. Send the dates, hotel and flight numbers on WhatsApp, and Assure confirms the cars and the chauffeur before you travel.