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Car rental in the UAE is the easiest way to actually see the country. Distances between emirates are short, motorways are wide and modern, fuel costs around $0.82 per litre, and the fleet stays fresh: by local law, hire cars can't be older than five years, and many guests collect a vehicle with under 1,000 km on the clock.
We run about 200 cars in the UAE through a small circle of local partners we've worked with for years. Not a faceless call centre — real people on the ground who hand you the keys. Every car carries reviews collected after each rental, published unedited.
A couple from Manchester landed at DXB last December and met our host by flight number. Contract signed at the terminal kerb in five minutes, on their way to the hotel before the queue for the rental shuttle had even moved.
Most guests are families with young children, business travellers on short trips and couples on honeymoon. There's a fitting car for every scenario: economy hatchbacks, seven-seat people carriers, convertibles, and SUVs for those Burj Khalifa photos.
We deliberately don't work with everyone here — only with partners who either skip the deposit altogether or refund it quickly and without surprises.
European cards, contactless payments and cash all work, deposit-free options are available, and your TakeCars manager stays in touch through the whole trip.
Where to collect the car
Four airports handle almost all of our incoming traffic. Dubai has two — Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC) in the south. The capital has Abu Dhabi (AUH). Up north, Sharjah (SHJ) is Air Arabia's home base. We have direct partners at DXB and DWC, so the car comes to the terminal exit — no shuttle buses, no walking around remote car parks.
When a guest lands at DXB, we're usually in touch before the plane taxies to the gate. By the time they walk out of arrivals, the car is at the right door.
For AUH and SHJ the car is usually driven down from Dubai. The journey takes around two and a half hours, and delivery costs roughly $95 one way. On longer rentals this saves time: returning the vehicle in Dubai is more flexible than tying yourself to office hours in another emirate.
If you only plan to drive within one city, browse the local listings: Car hire in Dubai, Rent a car in Abu Dhabi, Car rental in Sharjah or Hire a car in Ras Al Khaimah — each lists cars handed over locally.
In high season a guest booked a 9pm collection. Their flight slid to 11pm and the office had shut. Now we set buffers — if the booking is 11:00, set 10:00.
Delivery is also possible outside the airports — to your hotel or apartment. That works well for late-night arrivals when the last thing you want is paperwork at a desk.
Most tourists in the UAE start their trip here
Prices, seasons and mileage
The UAE has a clear seasonal pattern, and prices move with it. Low season runs April to August: temperatures often above 40 °C, fewer tourists, cheaper rentals. High season is September to March, with the real peak in December–February and during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
In low season an economy car (Nissan Sunny, Mitsubishi Attrage, Hyundai i10) starts from $8 a day, mid-size (Hyundai Creta, Elantra) from $20, seven-seat people carriers from $33, and proper luxury (Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes G63) from $165. In high season the same economy cars start at $20, mid-size at $33, seven-seaters at $45 and luxury at $220–250.
For a short trip — airport, hotel, shopping mall — an economy car does the job perfectly. New, air-conditioned, automatic, no surprises.
One UAE-specific point — the daily mileage limit. Most partners include 250 km per day, which covers typical trips with room to spare. Anything beyond costs around $0.55–0.80 per kilometre. Mileage adds up: a ten-day booking gives you 2,500 km.
A guest collected a white Creta in March with 412 km on the clock and asked if we'd just driven it off the showroom floor. Yes, that happens often.
In high season, book one to two months ahead, especially around Christmas and New Year. In low season, last-minute deals are common — the fleet often sits idle.
Kia Seltos in the UAE
The rental went well. The car was in good condition. It took very little time, we paid in cash and the rental company did not have change. So we paid more than the required amount. We were told that from this amount will be deducted salik. We met all the conditions for handing over, so everything was quick enough. I can recommend this organization.
Toyota Camry in the UAE
All good, I will take more next time
Mitsubishi Xpander in the UAE
Everything was fine. If it wasn't for the fine, which could have been easily avoided. Your colleagues told me about the speed limit, but they didn't tell me about the phone! It's a shame I didn't use my phone. It was like a navigator! I ended up with a fine. Put a phone holder and a list of fines in your cars! In the end both customers and you will have less problems and more positive feedback. Other than that, the rest of the car and the pickup and return is SUPER.
Nissan Sunny in the UAE
I rented without any problems. Everything is clear and understandable. Also did not pass with the return of the car. The car was clean in the cabin. In general, I am satisfied with the price and the car.
Toyota Camry in the UAE
They did not return the deposit in full, the car was in bad condition, I had to ask for a replacement. When leaving the airport, an Arab woman drove into me, no help. I had to deal with everything myself. Lots of questions, no answers.
Geely Coolray in the UAE
I have been renting cars in Dubai for a number of years, but I have been renting from TakeCars for 2 months now. I like it very much. They picked up the car quickly, new, bright, and favorably priced. The manager is always in touch, convenient payment by card online. Very satisfied!
Hyundai Santa Fe in the UAE
Everything is ok, except guides about the place at the airport, where we could meet with the company representative and drop off the car.
Nissan X-Trail in the UAE
Great car, I have been using it for over a month now. I am very satisfied with the service of the company. I will recommend to everyone
Nissan Sunny in the UAE
Everything went well. The car was delivered an hour early, no complaints, all the paperwork was done electronically, and the existing damage had already been noted there. We could pay in cash, but also managed to pay with Gazprombank Union Pay card. We did not arrive on time to pick up the car, knowing about it I suggested leaving the keys at the hotel reception, it was fine with everyone
Hyundai Tucson in the UAE
1. We booked a car at the airport, but in fact we took a cab from the airport to our office. It is inconvenient with children and suitcases constantly overloaded. 2. The car was different, but not worse. 3. The rental itself was fine. 4. Then different people contacted me and asked the same questions about the return time, etc. 5. Then when I ordered a cab for 16.00 from the rental office to the airport, the drivers started calling me at 4.00 am, mixing up the morning with the evening. 6. Further when I arrived at their office, I had to go up to their office and had to deal with the cab for a long time. 7. Further every 10 minutes I was told that in 5 minutes will be a cab to the airport, was late for 35 min car in the end. 8. In general, the service is lame, to put it mildly. 9. In exchange for the inconvenience of nothing offered, even took extra money for not getting gasoline in double the amount.
Nissan Sunny in the UAE
I monitored various sites, and chose this one because other aggregators do not accept Russian cards. The price here was a little more expensive, but there was no deposit. The car was delivered to the airport as I had ordered. Upon arrival we called and met at once. The car is new, the mileage was 6,5 thousand kilometers. The engine felt quite weak, but it is economical and the trunk is big. When returning the renter was half an hour late, so I advise you to return with time to spare. I also advise you to change money into dirhams before getting the car, so that the necessary amount was without change. I recommend Localcarhires and this rental company.
Nissan Sunny in the UAE
Having arrived on vacation in the UAE at the end of February 2023, I decided to rent a car and travel around the neighboring emirates and Dubai itself. Before that I read the forums on how and through what company to rent a car (the difficulty was mainly in the absence of a credit card working in the UAE to make a deposit and the search for companies working with Russian cards). I had a choice between two car rental companies but after comparing prices I settled on LocalCarHires.com. I booked a car with the delivery to the hotel the next day, receiving and returning the car after 1.5 weeks passed without any problems (upon receipt and delivery, I and a representative of the local rental company, each on his phone took the car inside and outside checked the mileage and the amount of gasoline and I paid the passage of the UAE toll roads in the end). But since I didn't have a valid credit card, I paid the deposit in cash in the amount of 1500 dirhams. The local rental company had promised a refund in 3 weeks to my bank account or via money transfer. When I returned home and waited for my deposit to be refunded, I wrote to the local rental company representative about the deadline to send me my deposit. I gave them my bank account number (Raiffeisenbank accepts SWIFT transfers from UAE) and the second way through a money transfer system CONTACT (there are also points of acceptance in the UAE). But then the local company in the chat messaging on messaging that send via SWIFT to Russia will not work, and the system KONTAKT they do not know and can only offer Western Union (which does not accept remittances to Russia). In my correspondence with them passed 10 days and finally my annual question "When will I get my deposit refund?" and the answer of the local rental company "We are dealing with this problem. The dialogue for a refund came to a standstill. So I decided to seek help from LocalCarHires.com, the company through which I had booked my car from a local. After my explanation of the problem with the refund of the deposit, the support service contacted the local rental company and within three days, the local company returned the deposit to me (via money transfer system CONTACT, there are many money transfer offices in the UAE, including the popular Al Ansari Exchange network available in almost all malls). In my situation, the fact that I booked a car through a major rental company did not allow the locals to wash out my deposit.
Mitsubishi ASX in the UAE
Yes, everything went well! Except that the security deposit was not 2000 aed but 2500 aed. The car is brand new with 12,000 miles. By the way ! I completely forgot .... A gps signal jammer is installed on the car !!!!!! in order to rent a navigator from them. I had my own navigator with all the points where I usually go .... I was offered a navigator for 200 dirhams. I refused. My sat nav couldn't pick up satellites in the car and I had to go outside, pick up satellites and drive to the hotel with my hand out the window... which is not safe. At the hotel, I wrote an angry message to the manager that if they did not turn off the jammer, I would report the intrusive service to the police! I was furious at such disrespect for customers, which looked like revenge for refusing to rent a navigator ... .. In the morning, the jammer was already turned off. I always take a car when I travel to different countries, but I have never seen anything like this, especially in the UAE, and it was the 15th trip. Previously, when I ordered a car through Emirates, I did not need to move from terminal to terminal by taxi to pick up or return the car.
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Deposit-free or low-deposit options
Some partners don't block any money at all; others accept a small deposit in cash on arrival.
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Real reviews under every car
Feedback is collected after every rental and published unedited, so the rating is visible at the booking stage.
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Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
What you see in the breakdown is what you pay — no surprise charges added at the desk.
Documents, payment and deposit
UAE rental rules are strict but transparent. Sort documents and payment in advance and handover is smooth.
Documents you need
Your passport, your domestic driving licence and, in most cases, an International Driving Permit (IDP). EU/UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand licences are accepted by some partners, but an IDP removes any doubt. UAE residents also need an Emirates ID.
A guest from Edinburgh swore he'd hired a car here ten times without an IDP. Rules tighten — today most partners won't hand over keys without it.
How to pay
Visa, Mastercard and American Express all work, along with contactless payments and cash in US dollars or dirhams. Paying the rental in cash on arrival is often the cleanest option — clearer rate, no card-decline risk.
Pick a deposit-free tariff and pay in dirhams at handover. Simplest setup for visitors from anywhere in Europe.
Deposit
Three options: no deposit at all, a flat sum from around $190 in cash or by transfer, or a card pre-authorisation. Card holds are released within ~25 days of return.
Age and experience
Economy and mid-size cars are released from age 21 with one year on the licence. Premium and luxury need 25+ and five to six years driving — a condition set by insurers, not by us.
Roads, speed limits and tolls
The UAE has world-class roads and equally world-class enforcement. Cameras are everywhere and fines are issued automatically — but drive sensibly and none of it touches you.
Speed limits
Cities run at 60–80 km/h, motorways at 100–140, and parts of Sheikh Zayed Road allow 160 km/h — the highest legal limit in the world. Cameras flag the actual speed, with no generous tolerance built in.
Sheikh Zayed Road is less a motorway and more an airport runway. You sit comfortably at 140 and people still overtake you. That's the normal flow.
Alcohol and phones
The blood alcohol limit is 0.0 — nobody drinks behind the wheel here. Using a phone without hands-free is a fixed fine from around $27. Cameras cover cities and rural roads alike.
Salik and Darb tolls
These are electronic toll gantries — Salik in Dubai, Darb in Abu Dhabi. There are no barriers: you drive through at speed, the camera reads the plate and $1 (4 AED) is debited from the rental account. Expect $8–25 a week depending on your route.
A family from Bristol drove the Dubai–Abu Dhabi run twice in three days and racked up $14 in tolls. The charges settled quietly in the background.
Fines and tolls after the trip
If a fine or Salik charge catches up with you after you have flown home, the partner emails the exact amount and a payment link. Standard European cards work — settled online in a couple of minutes.
Routes, parking and what to know on the road
Renting a car in the UAE lets you cover several emirates in one trip rather than relying on coach excursions.
Freedom of movement
You are free to drive anywhere in the country, as long as you stay on tarmac.
A couple covered Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman in a single weekend — distances are short and the roads are empty if you pick the right time of day.
Top day trips
Dubai → Abu Dhabi: 140 km, 1.5 hours along Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai → Hatta: mountain enclave with a kayaking lake, ~1.5 hours. Dubai → Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah: the UAE's highest peak (1,934 m) and the world's longest zipline, ~1 h 45 min. A neat one-week plan — two days in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi, one in Sharjah and a final stop in Ras Al Khaimah.
Desert and safari
Off-road driving in a hire car is not allowed, even in 4x4s. For a desert safari, book a dedicated tour with an experienced driver — safer, and usually a better photo set.
Immaculate motorways meet real dunes within an hour of the centre. You just need to go there with people who specialise in it.
Parking and the heat
Dubai has plenty of paid zones — Dubai Mall bails you out: free up to four hours, 7,000+ spaces. Abu Dhabi uses Mawaqif: $0.50–1/hour, free on Fridays and holidays. In summer, skip the black cars: the cabin turns into an oven after two hours in the sun.
Rates in the UAE vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length in days.
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How expensive is renting a car in the UAE: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes. Delivery across UAE not included.
Frequently asked questions about car hire in the UAE
With some of our UAE partners no deposit is taken at all — neither blocked on a card nor in cash. Others charge a flat sum from around $190 in cash or by transfer, or hold a standard amount on a credit card. Card pre-authorisations are usually released within 25 days after the car is returned.
All major European cards work: Visa, Mastercard and American Express, plus contactless. Cash is also accepted in US dollars or dirhams. After the trip, online payment links for fines and tolls take the same cards — no need for cash visits or wire transfers from abroad.
Most partners ask for an IDP alongside your domestic licence, even if you hold an EU/UK or US one. Bring both in paper form and carry them with your passport in the car at all times — police checks do happen on the major routes.
Economy and mid-size cars are released from 21 with one year of licence experience. Premium, sports and luxury vehicles usually require age 25+ and five to six years on the road. These age limits come from the insurance providers, not the rental companies.
Most UAE partners include 250 km per day. The allowance accumulates across the booking: a ten-day rental gives you 2,500 km on the clock. Beyond the limit you pay around $0.55–0.80 per kilometre. For typical sightseeing inside the country, the standard allowance is more than enough.
Salik is the electronic toll system in Dubai — no barriers, just gantries with cameras. Each crossing costs $1 (4 AED) and is automatically debited from the rental account. Abu Dhabi runs an equivalent system called Darb. You see all charges and settle them either at car return or via an email link.
If a fine or Salik charge arrives after you have flown home, the partner emails you the exact amount and a payment link. The link accepts standard European cards: Visa, Mastercard and Amex. No queues, no offices, no follow-up phone calls — settled online in a few minutes.
Yes — you are free to drive anywhere in the country as long as you stay on tarmac. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are linked by Sheikh Zayed Road, around 1.5 hours apart. Sharjah and Ajman are 30–60 minutes from Dubai. Watch for Salik gantries and Darb tolls during peak hours.
Most UAE rental partners do not allow cross-border travel into Oman or Saudi Arabia: the insurance does not extend across the border. If you want to add Oman to the trip, the practical option is to drive to the border crossing, leave the UAE car there and pick up a separate rental on the Oman side.
No — off-road driving and dunes are not covered by insurance, even on 4x4 vehicles. For a proper desert safari in Liwa or around Dubai, book a dedicated tour with a prepared vehicle and an experienced driver. It is safer and usually has a stronger programme than driving solo.
Prices are lowest from April to August: fewer tourists, temperatures above 40 °C and a fleet that often sits unused. High season runs September to March, with the peak around December–February and the Dubai Shopping Festival. Book one to two months ahead for school holidays; off-season last-minute deals are common.
A child seat is required for children under four, and the front seat is off limits to anyone under ten. Seat hire is roughly $8–14 per day, with boosters slightly cheaper. Mention your child's age and height when booking so the partner has the right model ready at handover.
Yes — one-way rentals between DXB, AUH, SHJ and Ras Al Khaimah are available. The fee is around $30–80 depending on the leg, which usually pays off if your inbound and outbound airports are different. Some tariffs include the option for free, so always confirm at booking.
Card pre-authorisations are typically released within 25 days of the rental ending. Cash or transfer deposits come back the same way they arrived. Every charge — Salik, fines, fees — is shown transparently before any money moves, so there are no unexpected deductions.
Just message the manager and we will adjust the handover time without penalty. The standard practice is to shift collection to your new arrival time or, on bigger changes, recalculate the price. The same applies to your outbound flight: returning the car early means no charge for the unused hours.