The most common way to get around Dubai is by taxi. The taxis in Dubai can be recognized by their cream color and a colored roof. These taxis all have a well-trained English speaking driver and all have a meter + GPRS system and a air conditioning.
All cream-colored taxis are under the supervision of the official taxi company of Dubai, Dubai Taxi and apply the same rate. In total, more than 3500 taxis drive around in Dubai which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Next to the standard hatchback taxi there are also several MPV vans around Dubai, these are particularly suitable for a larger group of people. The hatchback taxi is perfect for groups up to 4 people.
The taxi is easy to catch. If you need a taxi you only have to raise your hand. The driver will stop for you if he has no customers. It is also often the case that taxis drive past you and horn while you are walking on the street. These taxis are empty and the driver is looking for customers. If you give a gesture then the taxi will stop in front of you and you can get in and tell where you want to go.
Book a taxi in Dubai
Taxis are fairly easy to hail. If you need a taxi in Dubai all you have to do is raise your hand when you see one and the driver will stop for you if he has no customers. You can recognize a taxi that is occupied by the red lights on the roof, when they are lit, the taxi is not available. It is also common for taxis to pass by honking as you walk down the street. These taxis are empty and the driver is looking for new customers. If you then give a gesture, the taxi will stop for you and you can get in and indicate where you want to go.
In addition, it is also possible to book a taxi with the app. You can use the official Dubai Taxi Cooporation (DTC) app which you can download via this link for Android and via this link for Apple IOS. You can also book a taxi in Dubai via the Uber app or Careem app. Careem is the most used taxi app in Dubai and is a major competitor of the well-known Uber app. You can not only use Careem to book a “Hala Taxi”, you can also use it to have food delivered to your home or rent a car. Via the app you can indicate where you are and where you want to go. The app then automatically searches for a taxi in the area, shows what the price will be and links you to an available taxi if you agree. You can then see exactly where the taxi is located, you will receive its license plate number so that you can recognize the taxi and you will see how long it will take for the taxi to reach you.
Please note that in some areas of Dubai, such as Kite Beach, taxis only run on reservations through the Careem app during weekends and busy times. It is then virtually impossible to hail a taxi if you have not made a reservation via the app. Are you unable to book a normal taxi via the Careem app because it keeps indicating that it is busy and that no taxi can be found? Then it is advisable to opt for the more luxurious taxi option, these are usually Lexus taxis. These are often still available and in many cases only cost a few euros more than a normal taxi.
Taxi stands
At the various shopping malls, metro stations and places of interest special taxi standpoints have been set up where all taxis come together. Especially in the shopping malls it can be quite busy at these taxi stands, here they work with a queue and you will be assigned a taxi. To avoid a long wait, you can also walk away from the shopping malls or the attraction and take a taxi there.
Taxis at hotels are often more expensive
At hotels you will often find (white) taxis that are recommend by a person at the entrance. These are private taxis and are much more expensive in terms of rate than the standard cream colored taxis. The profit is that these taxis are more luxurious than the normal taxis. Often it is the more expensive models of Lexus that are used for this. Sometimes the hotel has made arrangements with taxi drivers and you can travel at the same rate as the standard taxis. Please note that you ask in advance what the rate is, so that you are not confronted with high costs afterwards.
Taxi from Dubai Airport – Dubai airport taxi
Would you like to book a taxi from Dubai International Airport or Al Maktoum International Airport? At the website Taxi2Airport you can easily book a taxi from the airport in Dubai. By reserving your taxi in advance, you are sure of a taxi when you arrive at the airport in Dubai and you have no chance of unexpected costs.
Taxi prices
All taxis in Dubai with the cream color have a fixed rate which is fixed by the Dubai Taxi. The minimum rate for a ride is 10 AED. The starting rate from 06:00 to 10:00 is 6 AED, the starting rate from 10:00 to 06:00 is 7 AED. The costs per 312 meters are 0.50 AED and per kilometer that is 1.60 AED. It may be that these prices are outdated due to a price increase.
Since Dubai has an excellent metro network, it is the best way to cover long distances. The last part can then be covered by taxi or walking. Such rides generally cost between 10 and 30 Dirham. If the driver forgets to turn the meter on, the ride is free. If you travel to the neighboring emirates Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, a surcharge of 20 AED will be charged on top of the rate.
Colors of the taxis
The various taxi companies in Dubai all drive with the familiar cream color and a colored roof. Regardless of the color of the roof, all taxis use the same rate. If you as a man come across a taxi with a pink roof you can not board, because these taxis are special for women.
For more information about taxis in Dubai, visit the official Dubai Taxi website.
