Car rental at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Compare car hire at Dubai International for city driving, mountain trips and the road to Abu Dhabi.

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Renting a car at DXB

Dubai International is one of the world's busiest airports and sits close to the older districts of Deira and Bur Dubai, with fast roads to Downtown, Dubai Marina and the highways to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the northern emirates. A rental car is useful if you plan to explore beyond the city: the Hajar Mountains at Hatta, the beaches and mountains of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, or Abu Dhabi's museums and mosque, around an hour and a half away.

Within Dubai, taxis, ride-hailing apps and the metro are plentiful, so a car is a convenience rather than a necessity. Roads are wide and well signposted, but traffic is fast and dense at rush hour and enforcement is strict, with speed cameras and automatic tolls throughout. Comparing car rental here means looking at the deposit, how Salik tolls and fines are passed on, mileage limits and whether the car you want is available for your licence and age.

Where to pick up your car

DXBDubai International Airport

Car rental desks at Dubai International are in the arrivals halls of the terminals, after passport control and baggage reclaim, so you can complete the paperwork before leaving the building. Cars are usually collected from the car parks next to the terminal, where staff will walk you to the vehicle or direct you to a designated bay. Check which terminal you're arriving at: Emirates uses Terminal 3, while most other airlines use Terminal 1 or 2, and your booking should match. Bring your passport, your home licence, an International Driving Permit if your nationality requires one, and a credit card in the main driver's name.

Driving around Dubai: what to know

  • Dubai's Salik toll gates have no booths: a tag on the windscreen is charged each time you pass under one. Charges vary by time of day, with free passage overnight, and the rental company bills you for each crossing, usually with an admin fee, after the rental. Abu Dhabi runs its own toll system, Darb, which rental companies also pass on.
  • Speed cameras are everywhere, and fines are passed on with a handling fee. Limits change often along the same road, so follow the signs rather than the traffic around you, and leave a generous gap, as tailgating is also fined.
  • The UAE has zero tolerance for drink-driving, and using a handheld phone or failing to wear seatbelts in any seat carries heavy fines. Keep to the right except when overtaking, and expect fast cars to approach quickly in the left-hand lanes.
  • Most street parking in Dubai is paid by zone, using machines, SMS or an app, and some areas charge more at busy times. Malls and hotels usually have large car parks; fines for overstaying are issued quickly and passed on by the rental company.

Tips to avoid extra charges

  • Expect the deposit to stay on your credit card for some time after return, often a few weeks, so that Salik charges and traffic fines can be processed. Factor that into your card limit, especially on a longer trip.
  • Visitors from many countries, including the UK, EU and US, can usually rent on their home licence, while others need an International Driving Permit. Check the rental company's licence rules for your nationality before booking.
  • Driving into Oman, including the Musandam peninsula, needs the rental company's permission and separate Omani insurance. Many companies don't allow it at all, so arrange it at booking if it's part of your plan.
  • Minimum ages are often 21, with higher limits for luxury and sports cars. Off-road desert driving is normally excluded from rental cover, so book a guided tour rather than taking a rental car onto the dunes.

Dubai Airport on the map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Car rental at Dubai Airport: questions and answers

Where are the car rental desks at Dubai Airport?

In the arrivals halls of the terminals, after passport control and baggage reclaim. Cars are collected from the nearby car parks, usually with staff guiding you to the vehicle. Emirates flights use Terminal 3 and most other airlines Terminal 1 or 2, so check that your booking's pick-up terminal matches your arrival.

How do Salik tolls work in a rental car?

Every rental car in Dubai has a Salik tag. Each time you drive through a toll gate it's charged automatically, at a rate that depends on the time of day, with no charge overnight. The rental company totals the crossings and charges them to your card, usually with an admin fee per crossing, after you return the car.

Can I drive in Dubai with my UK or US licence?

Visitors from a list of countries that includes the UK, most of Europe, the US, Canada and Australia can usually rent with their home licence. Drivers from elsewhere generally need an International Driving Permit. Rental companies apply these rules strictly, so check the requirements for your nationality before you book.

Why is the Dubai rental deposit held for so long?

Salik tolls and traffic fines can take days or weeks to reach the rental company, so many companies keep the deposit, or part of it, on hold after you return the car. The period varies by company, so check it in the rental terms and allow for it in your credit card limit.

Is it worth renting a car in Dubai?

If you're staying in one area and visiting the main sights, taxis and the metro are usually easier. A car makes sense for day trips to Abu Dhabi, Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah or the east coast, for families with lots of luggage, or if you're staying somewhere less central. Factor in Salik tolls and parking when you compare.

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Before you pick up: the airport car rental checklist

Deposits, excess, fuel policy and the photos to take before you drive off.

Read the checklist