How to find a cheap car hire deal in Dubai
Pick up a cheap rental car in Dubai for around ر.ق. 279 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top rental companies, making it easy to compare prices and book.
ر.ق. 32 is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental in Dubai.
For longer trips, book a weekly rental from ر.ق. 187 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a Dubai car hire. Try booking around three weeks before you go.
AMEX, Autostrad Rent A Car and Quicklease Car Hire are some of the most reliable providers in the city. They're a smart place to start comparing offers.
The coverage AMEX or another company includes with your Dubai car hire can vary, so be sure to read the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge a fee for it.
Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Simply click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often have to move vehicles from one site to another, which means you can score some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in Dubai.
Avoid any unexpected fees by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and only pay for what you actually use.
Pack more into your journey by searching for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you go as far as you like with no extra cost.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average ر.ق. 264 a day.
Coming in second is this provider, which offers daily rates of around ر.ق. 163.
The third option also comes in as one of the cheaper suppliers. Drive off in one of their rentals for roughly ر.ق. 211 a day.
After a car that makes sense for most travel plans? The Compact rental category is the crowd favourite among travellers visiting Dubai.
Flying to Dubai? Think about an airport pick-up
Get a head start on your Dubai trip by picking up a car hire at Dubai Airport. The city centre is about 14 kms (9 miles) away from this airport, which is a drive of around 20 minutes.
Or make a smooth getaway with a car hire from Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport. Once you've grabbed the keys, it'll take roughly 40 minutes to drive the 48 kms (30 miles) or so to the centre.
Compare car hire types in Dubai
Small: These cheap rental cars in Dubai may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, light on fuel, and just the thing for short trips.
Medium: A reliable pick when you want something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a bit of extra space compared to smaller options.
Large: Long drives fly by in this Dubai car hire category. Also known as full-size, they pack plenty of power for open-road performance. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel ticket to adventure. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for city streets and country backroads alike.
Van: Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Dubai effortlessly handles larger loads and group travel. They're roomy, reliable, and ready for whatever the journey demands.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Dubai car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of theft or an accident. Insurance policies aren't the same across all rental providers, so check how each one stacks up.
From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can make every mile feel easier. Weigh up which features could make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Dubai.
Good to know
Check each company's age requirements before booking your rental in the United Arab Emirates. Rules can differ, and added costs or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, just uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' box and enter your age to browse your options.
If the kids are tagging along, check if you need to add a car seat to your Dubai car hire booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.
You'll need some documents when collecting your car. As a rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with room for the security deposit (most companies don't accept debit cards), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will lay out the exact list.
Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Set up your seat and mirrors, test the brakes and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you drive away. And don't forget to stay on the right side of the road in the United Arab Emirates.
Local speed limits can vary, but it's usually around 55kph (35mph) in built-up areas and 125kph (80mph) or so on highways. Always go by the posted signs.
You cannot drink and drive in the United Arab Emirates. The country has a zero-tolerance approach, so leave the car behind if you're planning to consume alcohol.
Around 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.
You'll be using the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) for everything you buy here. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cards and cash so you always have a backup option.
Best hotels in Dubai for drivers
Spend less time looking for a place to park and more time relaxing at City Seasons Hotel Dubai. About 8 kms (5 miles) from central Dubai, it comes with parking, a ticket office and massage services.
Vida Dubai Mall gets the details right with parking and features like air conditioning and a 24-hour front desk. It's roughly 2 kms (1 mile) from the city centre.
Explore the full range of hotels in Dubai and pick the stay that suits your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with on-site charging.
After you've found a car hire deal in Dubai and the right hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera and Dubai Gold Souk are some of the city's best experiences.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Dubai
Around 23 kms (14 miles) northeast of central Dubai, Sharjah should feature on your itinerary. Steer straight toward can't-miss sights like Rain Room and Al Noor Mosque.
They've got hospitality down to a fine art at Citymax Sharjah and Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah, two accommodation options with parking in Sharjah.
Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Dubai and then head for Adh Dhayd. Roughly 64 kms (40 miles) east of Dubai, Heritage Fort and Al Dhaid Fort are among the highlights that make the extra drive worth it.
There's plenty of road left if you're up for more. Set out for Khawr Fakkān, around 113 kms (70 miles) east of Dubai. From Hisn Khorfakkan to Khorfakkan Public Beach, it's the grand finale your trip deserves.
Get some shut-eye in Khawr Fakkān at either Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa or Najd Al Meqsar, By Sharjah Collection - Adults Only. They have a room waiting for you and a spot for your wheels too.
