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Car rental in Sharjah has its own rhythm, distinct from Dubai. The emirate presents itself as the cultural capital of the UAE: a UNESCO Heritage Area, Islamic museums and the Mleiha archaeological centre with 130,000 years of human history. One detail worth noting early on: Sharjah is the country’s only dry emirate, and alcohol is fully banned.
Most guests fly into SHJ — the Air Arabia hub — or drive in from Dubai in 30 minutes on the E11. The car is delivered to the terminal exit, your hotel or the corniche. You get the same vetted partners, real reviews and transparent pricing.
A couple staying near Al Qasba told us they barely touched the keys for three days, then drove the car flat out on day four — Mleiha in the morning, Khor Fakkan by late afternoon. That is the typical Sharjah pattern: the car on standby, then earning its keep on day-trip days.
Sharjah to Dubai takes only 30 minutes off-peak. At rush hour the same drive can stretch to 1 hour 15 minutes, as Sharjah residents commute into Dubai for work.
Prices, deposit and payment
Sharjah rentals tend to be cheaper than those in Dubai: the tourist market is smaller and there is less competition for cars. This is a rare situation in the UAE where fewer brokers can mean a better deal for the renter.
How much does it cost?
In low season an economy car starts at ~$17 (~65 AED), compact $27–50, mid-size SUV $50–110, premium and luxury $165–680 a day. Weekly and monthly tariffs cut the per-day rate by 20–40%. If you plan a few days between the Heritage Area and Al Khan beach, a longer booking is noticeably cheaper.
Sharjah is the only emirate where average rental rates are lower than in Dubai. That offsets the slightly smaller selection and a narrower local-partner network.
Deposit and payment
The deposit follows the standard UAE setup: 1,500–3,000 AED for economy, 3,000–10,000 AED for SUV and premium, released within 2–30 days. Under the 2024 rules, partners must release the hold within 30 days. Not having a credit card is not a problem — partners accept debit or cash, sometimes with a service fee of around 5%.
For the rental itself, paying in cash in dirhams is often simpler: it can secure a fairer rate, and any minor issues can be resolved on the spot without involving banks.
Toyota Camry in the UAE
We liked the car very much, we are satisfied with our choice, if we come next time we will definitely rent a car from you again.
Mitsubishi Attrage in the UAE
We rented a car for 4 days. We booked the cheapest option Mitsubishi Attrage, with car delivery and full insurance. The car was in good condition delivered on time. There is a flaw in communication we were contacted on the day of booking only asked for paperwork and on the day of delivery. It was unclear if everything was in order and if the car would be there. Before returning if the car is dirty it needs to be washed. Washing takes a lot of time, it takes 2-3 hours. All the damage to the car was fixed in a questionnaire and sent to the post office. Payment of toll roads(salik) not immediately, they then send a link to pay. If you do not have a foreign card, it is problematic to pay in cash. They say to leave as much as you think necessary, and how much you have traveled is not clear at all. In general, the experience is positive, I liked everything.
Mitsubishi Attrage in the UAE
Everything went fine the service is great, will be using
Mitsubishi Attrage in the UAE
Thank you everything went well! The car was new ! Employees worked clearly! I hope for further cooperation!!!!!
Hyundai Creta in the UAE
It is good rent car
Mitsubishi Attrage in the UAE
It went well.
Nissan Kicks in the UAE
I recently rented a car from TakeCars.com in Sharjah and was very pleased with my experience. The booking process was easy and convenient: I was able to select the model I wanted through the website and specify the date and time of the rental. I also ordered delivery of the car to the hotel through the website. At the appointed time it was brought without delay. The car was in excellent condition, clean and ready to go. I rented a Nissan Kicks and it handled the roads perfectly. I especially liked that the company provided all the necessary documents and insurance, which added confidence during the trip. Returning the vehicle went as smoothly as receiving it. There were no hidden fees, we arrived at the hotel at the appointed time and picked up the car. I was very satisfied with the services of TakeCars.com and will gladly use their services again. I recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable car rental!
Mitsubishi Attrage in the UAE
The car was brand new, clean and with no damage. Rented for 5 days with no problems at all. The only minor thing was the connection with the rental agency prior to rental day. Had to search for the telephone number by myself (as the number in the voucher didn't work) and call several times before they answered and confirmed that the car will be delievered at the appointed time and place.
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 X-Trail in the UAE
Everything is great, thank you. We were late both times to pick up and drop off the car, but it was not a crucial moment. The car was fresh, we didn't take a deposit, the car was handed over without any problems.
Renault Duster in the UAE
Everything was great. Thank you!
Nissan Sunny in the UAE
The car was delivered on time, as ordered, 2023 year. The price was as stated in the voucher, no hidden extras. I paid the balance in local currency in cash. The staff was responsive, they helped me to change dirhams in the bank, I have problems with English. There were small scratches on the car, all noted in the act when transferring the car. When returning the car was checked, new scratches did not appear. In general, everything is good, I can recommend the company.
Nissan Sunny in the UAE
Suddenly everything went well. A new car was handed in. There were no problems when handing over: Nine was asked for minor scratches, fines and parking and salicies were not required. I liked it. Did not leave a deposit.
Roads, parking and rush-hour traffic
The emirate of Sharjah itself has no toll points — neither Salik nor Darb. If you head into Dubai (and almost everyone does), expect 1–3 Salik gantries at $1 (4 AED) each. The Sharjah–RAK route is fully toll-free, while Sharjah–Abu Dhabi adds Salik in Dubai and Darb on entry to the capital during peak hours.
If you book a car in Sharjah only for cultural days, it’s worth it — there isn’t a single toll gantry inside the emirate.
Parking in Sharjah is mostly free: on the streets, at malls and at hotels. Paid zones appear sporadically in the Heritage Area and along the Buhaira Corniche — around 2 AED per hour, capped at 24 AED per day. Speed limits are 60–80 km/h in town and 100–120 on motorways. There is no Dubai-style +20 km/h tolerance — cameras trigger on every kilometre over the limit. The biggest road challenge in Sharjah is rush hour: 07:00–09:00 and 17:00–19:00, when Sharjah residents commute to Dubai and back. A 30-minute drive can easily turn into 1.5 hours.
The most common advice we give Sharjah guests is to plan longer trips for 09:30–10:00 — by then the resident wave has cleared, and the road into Dubai is clear.
Rates in Sharjah vary throughout the year depending on the season and the rental length.
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How expensive is renting a car in Sharjah: average daily rates for a one-week car rental, across all car classes.
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Routes, cultural sights and trips beyond the emirate
What to see in Sharjah with a car
The Heritage Area is a restored old town under UNESCO consideration, with the traditional Souq Al Arsah, the Al Hisn fort and historic houses. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (~$7 entry) holds a strong collection of Islamic art and calligraphy. The Al Noor Mosque is open to non-Muslims with free guided tours on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00. The Sharjah Aquarium on Al Khan beach costs around $7 to enter.
Allow three hours for the Heritage Area: a slow walk through the souq, the fort, the historic houses and a couple of stops for photos on the corniche. Plan it for the morning when the heat is mild.
Trips beyond the emirate
Sharjah → Mleiha is 50 km and 45 minutes east, an archaeological centre with the "Out of Africa" exhibition, palaeolithic finds and pre-Islamic Arab burials (entry around $16). Sharjah → Khor Fakkan is 130 km and 1.5 hours through the Hajar mountains to the Indian Ocean: beaches, an amphitheatre and the Wadi Wurayah dam. Sharjah → Ajman is just 15 km and 20 minutes — easily paired with a beach afternoon.
Frequent Questions
Better not to. Sharjah is the UAE's only dry emirate: the sale and consumption of alcohol are fully banned. A bottle from Dubai duty-free, left visible in the boot, is treated as a violation at a roadside check. If transit through Sharjah is unavoidable, keep it sealed in luggage rather than in the cabin.
Sharjah enforces modesty laws more strictly than Dubai. On streets, in car parks and inside malls, knees and shoulders must be covered for everyone — passengers and drivers alike. Women are not required to cover their hair, but bikinis are only acceptable on private hotel beaches. Police checks for clothing on the road are rare, but public-place rules are observed strictly.
SHJ is the Air Arabia hub — the first low-cost carrier in the Middle East, since 2003. Major partner desks are in the main terminal. With our partners the setup is usually different: the car is brought to the terminal exit by your flight number. For late-night flights, confirm at booking so the manager is on shift.
The trick is to shift your departure outside the peaks. From 07:00 to 09:00 and 17:00 to 19:00, Sharjah residents commute en masse to Dubai. The standard 30-minute drive turns into 1–1.5 hours in those windows. Best times for long trips: after 09:30 in the morning and before 16:30 in the afternoon.
Yes, if archaeology interests you: 130,000 years of human history, the "Out of Africa" exhibition and palaeolithic finds. The drive is 50 km and 45 minutes east of Sharjah. Entry around $16, with a typical visit lasting 2–3 hours. It pairs well with desert activities (fossil hunting, stargazing) — that turns into a full-day plan.
Around 130 km and 1.5 hours through the Hajar mountains on the E18. The route is scenic — switchbacks, viewpoints and photo stops. On arrival you find a beach amphitheatre on the Indian Ocean and the Wadi Wurayah dam. There are no toll points. Fuel up in Sharjah before you leave: petrol stations are sparser on the eastern side.
The Heritage Area runs paid parking — around 2 AED per hour, capped at 24 AED per day. Free parking is available at the neighbouring souq and at malls nearby. Friday mornings until 13:00 and public holidays are free across all zones. Best to park early: in high season the zones fill up after 11:00.
Yes. Al Noor is one of the few UAE mosques open to non-Muslims. Free hour-long tours run on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00. Modest dress is required: covered shoulders and legs for everyone; women are issued an abaya and headscarf at the entrance. Parking at the mosque is free.
No. The +20 km/h buffer only applies in the emirate of Dubai. In Sharjah cameras trigger on every kilometre over the sign. Be especially careful on the E11 when coming back from Dubai — after the +20 buffer in Dubai, the same speed in Sharjah triggers a fine from 300 AED.
Yes, with sensible planning. Allow 1 hour to DXB off-peak and 1.5 hours in peak hours, plus 2.5 hours for international check-in. So leaving 4–4.5 hours before take-off is comfortable. For long-haul flights with heavy luggage, add another hour of buffer.
If your day is just the Heritage Area and the Museum of Islamic Civilization, taxis are cheaper: parking is paid, the headline sites are within walking distance, and the car would sit more than it drives. For Mleiha, Khor Fakkan or Ajman, a car is essential, even for one or two days.
There are no gantries inside Sharjah, but heading into Dubai on the E11 you will pass 1–3 Salik gantries at $1 (4 AED) each. The exact number depends on the destination: Marina and Downtown collect 2–3 crossings, the Dubai Mall area usually 1–2. The charges go through the deposit as usual.
You can, but a modest swimsuit is preferable: bikinis and very short trunks are better kept for private hotel beaches. Public beaches keep a family format — knee-length shorts and a covered swimsuit feel more comfortable socially. Police fines for swimwear are rare, but stares are not.
The Sharjah Light Festival is an annual event of light installations on the emirate's main buildings (Heritage Area, Al Noor Mosque, the square at Al Hisn fort). It runs in February for around 11 days. Entry is free and crowds are large — central roads can be congested after 19:00 on those dates.
For the city itself and trips to Ajman or Dubai, a regular saloon is enough — flat roads and generous parking. For Mleiha and Khor Fakkan, a compact SUV is more comfortable on the mountain stretch and the light gravel near the archaeological sites. The desert sections at Mleiha stay with the organised tour.