Car Rental in the United Arab Emirates

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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Downtown
Mini
Mitsubishi Attrage or similar
Mitsubishi Attrage
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Autostrad Rent A Car
$12.29 / per day
Dubai Int. Airport
Compact
Nissan Versa or similar
Nissan Versa
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
AMEX
$13.64 / per day
Dubai Int. Airport
Economy
Mitsubishi Attrage or similar
Mitsubishi Attrage
  • 4
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Autounion
$14.21 / per day
Dubai Al Quoz
Intermediate Crossover
JAC Refine S3 or similar
JAC Refine S3
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Quick Drive
$14.76 / per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Dubai Deira City Centre
Standard
Kia Optima or similar
Kia Optima
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
DRIVUS
$15.77 / per day
Dubai Business Bay
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
Toyota Camry
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Blitz Car Rentals
$24.01 / per day
Dubai Downtown
Standard Elite
Volkswagen Jetta or similar
Volkswagen Jetta
  • 5
  • 3
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Ace Rent a car
$33.80 / per day
Abu Dhabi Airport
Economy Elite
Toyota Yaris or similar
Toyota Yaris
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Europcar
$34.77 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 01:29 on 2024-03-27. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.

Travel Information

Languages
Arabic, English, Hindi
Currency
AED
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+971
Average car rental price
$20 per day
Average car rental length
7 days
Speed limit within town
25 - 80 km/h or 16 - 50 mph
Speed limit out of town
100 - 140 km/h or 62 - 87 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.00%
Rating
9.1 / 10
Average gasoline price
$0.92 per liter or $3.49 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
$0.71 per liter or $2.68 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
$1.23 per liter or $4.65 / 1 gallon

Why rent a car in the United Arab Emirates?

From grand metropolises like Dubai and Abu Dhabi to traces of Bedouin culture, endless desert to golden beaches and green oases, the United Arab Emirates is a surprisingly diverse country. While most visitors stick to one of the two large cities, getting a rental car will let you explore everything the UAE has to offer, including desert escapes and mountain villages.

United Arab Emirates

Top ways to enter United Arab Emirates

  • Dubai Airport: One of the busiest in the world, Dubai International Airport (DXB) serves over 60 million passengers every year. It is the hub airport for Emirates and dozens of international carriers, as well as discount airline flydubai.
  • Abu Dhabi Airport: A hub to Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is also served by two dozen other airlines.
  • Sharjah Airport: The UAE’s third largest airport, Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)  has flights to and from destinations in the Middle East, Europe, South Asia, and Africa.

Top cities and places to visit

  • Dubai. The trading and finance center of the country, Dubai is one of the most opulent destinations in the Gulf states, if not the world. While there are plenty of futuristic attractions like man-made islands and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world, traces of the old Arab culture can also be found in this metropolitan city if you scratch beneath the surface. 
  • Abu Dhabi. Not far behind Dubai in terms of skyscrapers and status symbols, the capital of the UAE is also a sophisticated destination. Some of the highest quality museums, galleries, and cultural centers of the Arab world can be found in it, as well as the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Presidential Palace Qasr al Watan and the scenic waterfront of Corniche.
  • Sharjah. The third-largest city in the UAE, Sharjah has a beautiful skyline and plenty of modernity but is also known as the place of the best-preserved classical architecture in the country. Most of the landmarks, including the Al Hisn Fort and many museums, are located in the Heart of Sharjah. Other interesting parts to explore include the Blue Souq (or fish market).
  • Al Ain. Also referred to as the Garden City, the green oases of this border city in Abu Dhabi emirate are home to the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient civilizations can be dated back 4,500 years, and the city is home to many historic forts, museums, and archaeological parks.
  • Jebel Jais. Found in the Northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Jebel Jais is the tallest peak in the Hajar Mountains, which run along the country’s eastern coast. Home to adventure sports and lush wadis, this is an outdoor-lovers dream in the winter months. 

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in UAE is the Chevrolet Spark. Travelers also pick the Hyundai Accent and the Mitsubishi Pajero a lot. 

Driver's license requirements

  • The United Arab Emirates recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses from around the world if you are visiting as a tourist. If you’re living in the UAE permanently, you need to obtain a local license.
  • If your driver’s license is printed in neither Arabic nor the Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Chinese, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • Important: There are reports that despite Arabic being the official language of the UAE, some rental car companies do not permit picking up a rental with a license printed in the Arabic alphabet (e.g., licenses from Egypt or Tunisia). If your driver’s license is printed in Arabic, get in touch with your rental car company in advance to find out their policy.
  • Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
  • Even if you have an IDP, you need to also carry your original driver’s license as you might be asked to show both.
  • You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
  • You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
  • Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
  • There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing Borders

You can cross the borders within the emirates of the  United Arab Emirates without any sort of border crossing checkpoint. There was a temporary border placed between Dubai and Abu Dhabi emirates during COVID times, however, this has now been suspended.

The UAE has land borders with two countries, Oman and Saudi Arabia. With a rental car, the former is significantly easier to visit than the latter.

You should obtain and pay for a tourist e-Visa online in advance before crossing into Oman, though technically you can still be issued an Oman Visa at the land border crossing. You will have to pay an exit fee of 35 AED when leaving the United Arab Emirates.

You will need permission from your rental car company before crossing the Oman border with a vehicle. Not all car rental companies will allow this — check the Geographical Restrictions section of the Rental conditions. You will need to be able to show a NOC (No Objection Certificate) and have the vehicle's original registration card.

The final step is to have valid car insurance for Oman. Some car rental companies can provide this for you; otherwise,  you can purchase it from a broker at the border.

There are several border crossings from the UAE into Oman, just make sure you choose one which is open to non-GCC residents if you are an international tourist. The Hatta - Al Ajajah border is the closest to Dubai. If coming from Abu Dhabi, use the Meyzad-Hafeet or Khatm Al Shikla border crossings in Al Ain

Visiting Saudi Arabia with a rental car is more difficult. Although the country made itself significantly easier to access in 2019 by introducing an eVisa for citizens of 49 (mainly Western) countries, there are only a couple of rental car companies that permit cross-border trips (entry is easier for the citizens of the UAE and some other Gulf states like Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait who do not need a visa).

You can find the companies that permit cross-border travel by entering your car pickup and dropoff dates on our website’s search. Do keep in mind that even if your entry documentation is in order, you still have to ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you to cross the border.

Most popular types of rental car

The most popular rental car types in the United Arab Emirates are fullsize, mini, and an economy. Getting a fullsize or a similarly powerful car is a must if you plan to travel away from the main highways and into the desert.

Top driving routes

  • Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The most popular driving route in the UAE is between the two largest cities. Although public transportation and tours are regularly available, having your own car will increase your flexibility. Parking is easy to come by at popular tourist spots. We’d recommend going on a day trip to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Presidential Palace Qasr al Watan, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.
  • Al-Ain. Located in the southeast of the country practically on the border with Oman, Al Ain is a beautiful oasis town. Much more relaxed than the coastal area of the country, it is notable for attractions like Jebel Hafeet mountain, the Hili Archaeological Park, and the Camel Market, a fascinating place to visit even if you’re not planning to buy one. The drive from Dubai takes about an hour and 35 minutes. Allow 30 minutes longer to drive to the peak of Jebel Hafeet for spectacular views over to Oman.
  • Ras al Khaimah. Also simply called RAK, the northernmost emirate in the country is an adventure lover’s mecca. Characterized by its rugged mountains, wild beaches, and nature reserves, the area is the best place in the country for outdoor activities. Driving to the peak of Jebel Jais is a popular route,  Don’t miss out on the emirate’s historical sites either, chiefly the ancient settlement of Shimal.
  • Fujairah. A popular weekend getaway for locals and foreign visitors alike, cozy Fujairah has everything for a hassle-free holiday. Situated on the Gulf of Oman, this emirate is best known for its scenic coastline, but also boasts historic forts, a heritage village, and easy access to neighboring Oman (if your rental car provider permits it and if you have a visa). With newly opened highways, the drive from Dubai to Fujairah takes only about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Hatta. The mountainous Dubai exclave of Hatta sits in the Hajar Mountains, you will need to cross through the emirate of Sharjah to get to this popular outdoor adventure destination. Make a stop en route at the ghost town of Madam before hitting Wadi Hub, home to a great range of adventure sports from kayaking to mountain biking and home to several luxury glamping destinations. You should also stop in at the Heritage Village, and learn more about the exclave's history, changing hands between Oman, Sharjah, and Dubai. 

Car Rental Prices

  • Convertibles - from $101 per day
  • Station wagons - from $29 per day
  • Large cars - from $14 per day
  • Medium cars - from $14 per day
  • Vans - from $29 per day
  • Premium cars - from $41 per day
  • Small cars - from $12 per day
  • SUVs - from $15 per day

How can I save money on my rental car?

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in the United Arab Emirates:

  • Compare rates of different rental car providers
  • Book your rental car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting UAE is the cheapest in September when renting a car is about 33% cheaper than the yearly average and about 50% cheaper than renting in February.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Dubai Travel Planner
This article was reviewed by Dubai Travel Planner whose team of expat writers have lived in the United Arab Emirates and been exploring the treasurers below the glitzy exterior of the Middle East megacity of Dubai for over a decade. With insider knowledge and practical pointers, we help independent travellers to self-plan their dream trip to Dubai and the UAE.

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in the United Arab Emirates?

The cost of renting a car in the United Arab Emirates varies by season. This graph compares prices from month to month in order to help you find the best time of year.
Average rental costs per day in the United Arab Emirates
$30.92
January
$31.16
February
$27.30
March
$39.75
April
$39.94
May
$33.44
June
$27.67
July
$27.31
August
$29.73
September
$32.85
October
$34.03
November
$34.87
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in the United Arab Emirates is March — when rental costs average $27.30 per day. This is 16% cheaper than the yearly average and 32% cheaper than renting a car in May (when prices average $39.94 per day).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the average rental length in the United Arab Emirates?

How long renters typically keep their vehicle sometimes varies depending on the time of year. Travelers tend to keep their rental cars longer in July — an average of 8 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in January — an average of 7 days.
Average number of rental days in the United Arab Emirates
7
January
7
February
7
March
7
April
7
May
7
June
8
July
8
August
7
September
7
October
7
November
8
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in the United Arab Emirates?

Based on how many customers search for a car in the United Arab Emirates, the most popular month is February, while the least popular is June.
Monthly searches in the United Arab Emirates by pick-up date relative to the average
138%
January
172%
February
108%
March
77%
April
64%
May
53%
June
67%
July
78%
August
70%
September
110%
October
114%
November
148%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 103
Airport locations 6
Popular suppliers DRIVUS, Hertz, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar
Popular car categories SUVs, Small cars, Large cars, Medium cars
Lowest price $12 per day
Cheapest supplier Autostrad Rent A Car

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Alamo Ford Figo 3 2 Small cars
Hertz Toyota Corolla Cross 5 2 SUVs
DRIVUS Mitsubishi ASX 5 2 SUVs
Thrifty Kia Picanto 4 1 Small cars
Hertz Toyota Yaris 5 1 Small cars
DRIVUS JAC Refine S3 5 3 SUVs
Quick Drive Mitsubishi ASX 5 2 SUVs
Thrifty Nissan Kicks 5 2 SUVs
Hertz Toyota Camry 4 2 Large cars
GreenMotion Kia Picanto 5 1 Small cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

Belgium
Toyota Corolla
March 20, 2024
Two weeks of business. So driving to various areas of Dubai
United States of America (USA)
Mitsubishi ASX
March 19, 2024
We were able to make trips to the desert, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. Having a car is essential and I’m glad it was with Autoestrada.
United Arab Emirates
MG ZS
March 16, 2024
It was business trip, you guys made my life easier
Ireland
Toyota Yaris
March 3, 2024
Miracle Garden, Afternoon Tea, helicopter trip & Motoventure!
United Arab Emirates
Mitsubishi Attrage
February 27, 2024
used it as my car was in service
Kuwait
Toyota Camry
February 26, 2024
Lego Land, malls and Dubai eye
United Arab Emirates
Nissan Micra
February 9, 2024
amazing trip
United Arab Emirates
Mazda 3
February 4, 2024
They gave me brand new car.
Malaysia
Ford Explorer
January 31, 2024
Enjoyed visit to 5 out 7 emirates of UAE
United Arab Emirates
Hyundai Grand i10
January 13, 2024
Great Experience
Romania
Mitsubishi Attrage
January 8, 2024
I have travelled through Abu Dabi with ease because of the automatic gearbox.
United Arab Emirates
Mazda 3
December 31, 2023
All perfect
Canada
Hyundai Tucson
December 6, 2023
City was great ...lots to see .
Jordan
Ford EcoSport
November 25, 2023
Touring the UAE , Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
Saudi Arabia
Toyota Innova
November 23, 2023
I said thanks for everything
Indonesia
Mazda 3
November 12, 2023
Dubai and Sharjah full of crazy traffic jam permanently.
Saudi Arabia
Ford Figo
November 7, 2023
Dubai cool place
Bahrain
Toyota Corolla Cross
November 2, 2023
Nice family place , abu dhabi yas island is amazing for for families with small kids
Israel
Mitsubishi ASX
October 12, 2023
Dubai is just a must go destination if you love extravaganza
Israel
Nissan Sunny
September 23, 2023
For two and a half days, we covered quite a lot
United Arab Emirates
MG ZS
September 2, 2023
Definitely will choose Blitz again.
Saudi Arabia
Ford Expedition
August 17, 2023
Much better to rent a car in Abudhabi to commute to Dubai and reach parks, especially with family.
Saudi Arabia
Mazda CX-9
August 14, 2023
Dubai is nice place
Qatar
Mitsubishi Attrage
August 5, 2023
Overall all was good and memorable trip .
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Kicks
June 5, 2023
Drove to Sharjah, JBR and downtown Dubai.
Israel
Nissan Micra
May 16, 2023
Clubs and show in abu dhabi at eitihad arena
Bahrain
Hyundai i20
May 10, 2023
The trip was fine. i have visited Abu Dhabi several times.
Saudi Arabia
Nissan Micra
May 5, 2023
They best thing if you have convince you can enjoy more than metro or taxi
Luxembourg
Kia Optima
April 13, 2023
atlantis is greate
United States of America (USA)
Renault Duster
March 19, 2023
The Desert Safari was nice and Burj Khalifa is a must at night.
Poland
Mitsubishi Pajero
March 9, 2023
We spent time in UAE in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and 1 night at bedouin camp. Perfect combination!
Pakistan
Nissan Micra
March 1, 2023
Very good
France
Mitsubishi ASX
February 19, 2023
We went to oman it was very beautiful .
United States of America (USA)
Hyundai Creta
December 30, 2022
Went on a trip to Oman to visit friends. Thrifty is one of the very few car rentals that let us drive to Oman
Romania
Nissan Micra
December 6, 2022
Good comunication. Prompt response. Good price. Great car.
New Zealand
Nissan Micra
December 1, 2022
Easy to book with. Cheapest rental prices for this location. Friendly staff. Pick up and drop off. Hassle free
Belgium
Nissan Sunny
October 27, 2022
Was a great vacation
Denmark
Ford Expedition
October 1, 2022
Very nice
Kuwait
Honda CR-V
September 15, 2022
Take care of the speed cameras especially in low speed bridges and exists , I received a speeding ticket for going 50 KM/H ( 30 MPH ) on one particularly low speed exist with speed limit of 40 km/H ( 25 MPH )speed limit
France
Kia Picanto
September 7, 2022
Very good car and cheap and good personnel
Philippines
Renault Duster
July 27, 2022
dubai is a great place to drive in
Qatar
Mitsubishi Attrage
May 31, 2022
Fairly business trip, all went smoothly. Thanks
Israel
Hyundai Accent
February 10, 2022
Only in Dubai. I used Waze navigation with option of "no toll". It works very well.
Russian Federation
Mazda CX-9
September 5, 2021
Flamingo lagoon, TopGolf, One and Only, Atlantis, Green Planet, Fujarah coast.
Canada
Kia Rio
July 22, 2021
Great experience with Redcar I really recommend it’s perfect in everything.
Israel
Kia Picanto
May 25, 2021
We was visiting all over Dubai , really recommended to jurmaia place with the beaches and the restaurants are the best overall you will spend many time on the Dubai malls they are epic with many attractions on them

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
AMEX
8.8 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Avis
6.2 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
95
Total rental companies
28
Average daily price
$20.40
Lowest daily price
$12.29
Total cars available
9932

Top 28 Suppliers in the United Arab Emirates in 2024

AMEX
AMEX
Very good 8.8 / 181 reviews
11 locations
$14 - $104
KTC GULF Rent A Car
KTC GULF Rent A Car
Very good 8.5 / 153 reviews
1 location
$28 - $585
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.4 / 374 reviews
3 locations
$14 - $184
Dollar
Dollar
Very good 8.3 / 527 reviews
26 locations
$15 - $509
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.3 / 437 reviews
9 locations
$19 - $148
Thrifty
Thrifty
Very good 8.1 / 638 reviews
42 locations
$15 - $515
DRIVUS
DRIVUS
Good 7.9 / 560 reviews
19 locations
$16 - $91
Quick Drive
Quick Drive
Good 7.9 / 115 reviews
12 locations
$15 - $239
Europcar
Europcar
Good 7.7 / 136 reviews
20 locations
$21 - $164
Enterprise
Enterprise
Good 7.7 / 129 reviews
7 locations
$15 - $206
National
National
Good 7.6 / 19 reviews
3 locations
$16 - $206
Cargets rent a car
Cargets rent a car
Good 7.6 / 8 reviews
23 locations
$205 - $2104
Byroad
Byroad
Good 7.6 / 2 reviews
3 locations
$22 - $637
AddCar
AddCar
Good 7.5 / 290 reviews
4 locations
$14 - $1018
Autounion
Autounion
Good 7.5 / 18 reviews
9 locations
$14 - $2539
SIXT
SIXT
Good 7.5 / 13 reviews
1 location
$32 - $1068
ACARENT
ACARENT
Good 7.5
3 locations
$29 - $69
Goldcar
Goldcar
Good 7.5
8 locations
$16 - $65
Ace Rent a car
Ace Rent a car
Good 7.4 / 14 reviews
3 locations
$17 - $144
Interrent
Interrent
Good 7.4
4 locations
Autostrad Rent A Car
Autostrad Rent A Car
Good 7.3 / 441 reviews
18 locations
$12 - $134
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Good 7.3 / 263 reviews
4 locations
$17 - $41
Golden Key Car Rental
Golden Key Car Rental
Good 7.3 / 90 reviews
38 locations
$28 - $2224
Keddy
Keddy
Good 7.1 / 268 reviews
14 locations
$17 - $110
Budget
Budget
Satisfactory 6.8 / 136 reviews
5 locations
$32 - $161
Legend Rent A Car
Legend Rent A Car
Satisfactory 6.7 / 20 reviews
5 locations
$28 - $90
Blitz Car Rentals
Blitz Car Rentals
Satisfactory 6.6 / 49 reviews
17 locations
$16 - $64
Avis
Avis
Satisfactory 6.2 / 59 reviews
9 locations
$21 - $228
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