Cars & transport in Dubai

How transport in Dubai works: metro, taxis, and your own car

Dubai is a city designed around the car. That is something to understand from the outset: distances are different here, pavements are often absent, and summer temperatures of +45°C make walking physically uncomfortable. Your choice of transport strategy directly affects quality of life, monthly costs, and which neighbourhoods are even worth considering for accommodation. For anyone moving to Dubai for the long term, the question of ’buy a car or use the metro’ is one of the very first practical decisions.

Dubai Metro: what it actually covers and what it doesn’t

Dubai Metro operates on two lines — the Red Line and the Green Line. The Red Line is the main one: it runs from DXB airport through Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, and terminates at Expo City (the former Expo 2020 site). The Green Line connects the Deira and Bur Dubai districts — the historic part of the city.

The metro is operated by RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) — Dubai’s unified transport operator. Payment is by NOL card (similar to Moscow’s Troika), Apple Pay, or contactless card. A basic journey starts from AED 1.8 (Gold Class — AED 4.0 and above). Operating hours: 05:30–00:00 on weekdays, from 13:00 on Fridays.

Insider note: the metro works well for the Marina — JLT — Downtown — DIFC corridor. But most residential areas — Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Village Circle, Mirdif, Al Barsha South — are far from any station. Without a car or taxi, the last mile becomes a genuine problem.

RTA buses do exist and run on schedule, but relying on them as your primary transport is a mistake: headways of 20–40 minutes, routes that are far from intuitive for newcomers, and air-conditioned stops are not guaranteed.

Taxis and Careem: an everyday alternative

Careem is the regional Uber equivalent (owned by Uber Inc.), operates 24/7, and has a Russian-language interface. Official RTA taxis — white cars with a yellow roof — are also available via app or hailed on the street. The starting fare is AED 5, then ~AED 1.97/km. A Marina–Downtown ride costs AED 35–55 depending on traffic.

For the first 2–3 months after relocating, before buying a car, Careem is a workable solution. With heavy use, monthly costs easily reach AED 1,500–2,500 — already comparable to car loan payments.

Buying a car in Dubai: market, prices, schemes

Buying a car in Dubai is simpler and cheaper than in most European countries. There is no VAT on used vehicles, and competition in the secondary market is fierce.

The main platforms are dubizzle.com — the largest local classifieds site — YallaMotor, and authorised dealerships. Another option worth exploring is auctions run by insurance companies and corporate fleets: prices can be 15–25% below market, but you need to know what you’re looking at.

Realistic price benchmarks for 2026:

Hidden costs of buying a car: RTA registration — AED 370–500 per year, third-party insurance — from AED 800/year, comprehensive — from AED 2,500/year depending on the model and driver’s age. Parking in the city centre is paid: AED 4–8/hour in Downtown and DIFC.

Insider tip: insurance companies in the UAE apply a No Claim Discount (NCD) — a discount for accident-free driving of up to 20%. Russian insurance histories are not recognized, but some companies will accept international NCD certificates if you ask.

Dubai driving licence for Russians: exchange and obtaining

Dubai driving licence for Russians — a topic that is often underestimated. The UAE does not accept Russian licences for direct exchange without exams. This fundamentally sets Dubai apart from a number of other countries.

Standard path for the holder of a Russian driving licence:

1. Register at a licensed RTA driving school (Emirates Driving Institute, Belhasa Driving Center, Dubai Driving Center).
2. Pass the theory and practical tests — this usually takes 2–4 months with regular lessons.
3. The full course costs AED 3,500–5,500 depending on the school and the number of additional lessons.

Holders of licenses from 57 countries on the RTA list can exchange without sitting exams — the list includes all of Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, and the Gulf states.

A key detail for Russian speakers that changes everything: Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan are on this list, while Russia and Kazakhstan are not. So if you hold valid Belarusian or Ukrainian licences in addition to a Russian one, you can exchange them without sitting exams — saving several thousand dirhams and months of coursework. For holders of Russian licences only, the sole option is a full course at an RTA-accredited driving school, including all exams.

The RTA list is reviewed periodically, so check the current version at rta.ae before applying.

A practical note: if you hold a valid driving license from another country (Georgian, Kazakhstani, German, for example) — check the direct-exchange country list on the RTA website before you relocate. It can save you several months and thousands of dirhams.

Common mistakes

1. Renting far from the metro assuming you can manage without a car. JVC, Sports City, Mirdif — well-priced areas, but not comfortable to live in without a vehicle.
2. Buying the first car you find on dubizzle without checking its history. Always order a Vehicle History Report through the RTA or the CarSwitch service — undisclosed accident damage is common.
3. Overlooking comprehensive insurance costs when financing a car. Banks require comprehensive coverage, not just third party — and the price difference is significant.
4. Expecting to pass the driving test quickly. Failing is the norm: most people pass on their 3rd–5th attempt. Each attempt costs an additional AED 200–350.
5. Underestimating parking costs when working in the city centre. At AED 4–8/hour in DIFC and Downtown, an eight-hour workday comes to AED 1,500–2,500/month in parking alone.
6. Carrying over the habit of speeding. Cameras in Dubai allow a tolerance of +20 km/h above the limit; fines start at AED 300, and accumulated fines block vehicle registration at renewal time.

What to choose and for whom

For most relocators moving with a family or planning to stay longer than a year, owning a car is not a luxury but basic infrastructure. The optimal start: Careem for the first 1–2 months, while simultaneously signing up for a driving school and searching the used-car market with a budget of AED 50,000–80,000. Dubai Metro and RTA buses work well as a supplement — for trips to the centre during peak hours, when traffic can consume 40–60 minutes.