Dubai is a car city that happens to have an excellent metro. Knowing when to use which — and when to just walk — saves real money and, more importantly, real time. Here's how getting around actually works.
Last updated: September 2026.
The Metro: Fast, Cheap, Limited
The Dubai Metro's Red Line runs the length of the city's main artery, connecting the airport, Downtown/Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, Dubai Marina and JLT — which covers most of where visitors actually go. Trains are clean, air-conditioned, driverless and frequent. Buy a Nol card at any station (it works on metro, tram and buses) and note the Gold Class carriage costs roughly double for guaranteed seating, while the front carriages include a women-and-children-only section. The catch: the network is linear. If your journey isn't along the Red or Green Line, the metro alone won't get you there.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing: The Default for Everything Else
Street taxis (cream-coloured, metered) are plentiful and honest — meters are always used. Careem and Uber both operate everywhere, with Careem generally the local default. Prices are reasonable by global-city standards: a Marina-to-Downtown run is typically AED 45–70 depending on traffic. Peak-hour traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road is real — a 20-minute off-peak journey can become 50 at 6pm.
The Tram and the Palm Monorail
The Dubai Tram loops through the Marina and JBR and connects to the metro — genuinely useful if you're staying in the Marina area. The Palm Monorail runs the length of Palm Jumeirah and is more of a scenic ride than practical transport, but it's the easiest car-free way up the Palm.
Walking: Yes, Within Districts
Dubai isn't a walking city between districts, but it absolutely is within them — Marina Walk, JBR, Downtown's Boulevard, City Walk and Al Seef are all built for it. In winter, walking within your neighbourhood is one of the genuine pleasures of the city; in summer, plan around indoor and air-conditioned connections.
Should You Rent a Car?
For most visitors staying in Marina, Downtown or Business Bay: no. Parking is a hassle at malls and attractions, taxis are cheap enough, and the metro covers the main corridor. Rent a car only if you're planning day trips — Abu Dhabi, Hatta, the east coast — or staying somewhere residential and far from the metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Dubai Metro cost?
Fares are zone-based and cheap — most tourist journeys cost a few dirhams. A Nol card with credit is the only thing you need.
Is Uber available in Dubai?
Yes, alongside Careem. Both are licensed and reliable; street taxis are equally safe and metered.
Does the metro run 24 hours?
No — it runs from early morning until around midnight (later on weekends). After hours, taxis and ride-hailing are the option.
Where you stay determines how much transport you need at all — our area-by-area guide flags which neighbourhoods are metro-connected and which aren't.
All of our apartments sit in walkable, well-connected pockets of Marina and Business Bay — message us on WhatsApp and we'll tell you exactly how you'd get around from each one.
