Finding your way in a big city like Dubai, especially on you first visit, may seem overwhelming at first, but rest assured that getting around this modern metropole is very easy and safe even for the first-time POCO Pocket Concierge traveler.
When it comes to transportation in Dubai the one thing to keep in mind is the vast physical distances between various parts of the city that’s roughly 35 square kilometers in size, as it stretches out along the coastline of the Persian Gulf. Although the transportation options in Dubai are as diverse as the multicultural make-up of its population, not every part of the city can be easily reached or explored by foot.
In this article we will give you the many and best ways to get around Dubai so you can maximize your time and explore the best this incredible city has to offer.
Exploring Dubai by Car
Dubai’s vast, sophisticated and high-quality road network makes it the ideal city to explore by car, whether by renting your own, using a car-sharing service, or simply sitting back in the comfort of a taxi or luxury chauffeur-driven limousine. Stretched along the United Arab Emirates’ stunning coastline, Dubai is built for driving and many of the city’s most interesting sights and spots are most easily reached by car. You will enjoy driving on Dubai’s roads featuring everything from efficient eight-lane highways and scenic routes across the desert to picturesque beach roads and narrow streets in the city’s old town.
If you prefer to enjoy the roads from the comfort of a car’s backseat instead, you can make use of one of the many official taxis from Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). You can hail a cab from just about anywhere in the city or reserve your ride in advance. You can also order Uber or Careem rides via their respective mobile Apps and for more luxurious rides, Dubai has a wide range of chauffeur services on offer to match your style and budget.
Ride with the RTA
Dubai Government’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) manages Dubai’s roads and public transportation services including the Dubai metro, the tram network, bus services as well as a range of marine services including water buses and taxis, the Dubai Ferry and the traditional Abras on the Dubai Creek, which are a must do experience for POCO users visiting Dubai!
From the moment you touch down at Dubai International Airport you can access Dubai’s modern and safe public transportation network. Dubai Metro offers two lines (with more to come soon!) that take you from Dubai Airport across to all major hubs and sports in the city on its green and red lines by driver-less trains that offer comfortable seating, airconditioned cabins and an easy-to-use ticketing system with affordable rechargeable Nol cards and single-use tickets.
Scooter your way around
Prefer to take the scenic route? For the more active and adventurous POCO traveler, Dubai now has electrical scooters available for rent in five Dubai districts: Al Rigga, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai Internet City, and the 2nd of December Street. You can pick up a ride in seconds through the dedicated App, giving you instant access to brand new scooters to explore the scenic sites these key Dubai neighbourhoods have to offer. No scooter available? No worries! Bike rental is widely available too through the region’s first bike sharing service, Careem BIKE, launched in partnership with Dubai’s RTA.