How much is a taxi from DXB to Burj Khalifa?

AED 25–35 in 2026; flag-fall AED 12 plus AED 2.50 per km.

Do I need cash for the metro?

No. Buy a Nol card or tap contactless bank card at every gate.

Is Careem cheaper than a regular taxi?

Usually 5–10 % cheaper on short trips, but can surge after midnight.

What is the fine for not tapping a Nol card?

AED 100 payable immediately or at the next station.

Are there monthly transport passes for tourists?

Yes. The 7-day Gold pass costs AED 120 and covers all RTA services.

How Much Is Transport to Dubai in 2026

Quick answer

Expect to pay AED 25–35 for a standard taxi from Dubai International (DXB) to Downtown Dubai, AED 6–12 for the metro or bus, and AED 75–120 for a Careem or Uber. These rates are set by RTA and remain unchanged for the 2026 season.

Why transport prices matter in Dubai

With temperatures often above 40 °C and long distances between sights, knowing the cost of every ride helps you plan daily budgets and avoid surprises. Below we break down every option, from the free tram to the AED 400 Abra water-taxi pass, so you can choose what suits your schedule and wallet.

Airport transfers: DXB, DWC and Sharjah

DXB (Dubai International)

Taxi: Flag-fall AED 12 + AED 2.50 per km. Downtown trip totals AED 25–35; Palm Jumeirah AED 50–65.
Metro (Red Line): AED 6–10 to Downtown, AED 15–20 to JLT. 30–45 min.
Bus: Route F55 or F3 to Deira AED 6, then transfer. 45–60 min.
Careem / Uber: AED 75–120 depending on surge. No booking fee for “Economy”.

DWC (Al Maktoum International)

Located 50 km south, DWC rides cost AED 120–160 by taxi and AED 25–30 by bus E88 to Ibn Battuta. Book ahead if you land late.

Sharjah International (SHJ)

Inter-emirate taxi surcharge AED 20. Total to Dubai Marina AED 150–180. Cheaper via E16 bus to Deira AED 10.

Getting around Dubai day-to-day

Metro

Single journey AED 3–10. Nol Silver card AED 25 (including AED 19 credit). Gold card AED 25 extra for first-class carriages. Trains run 6 am–midnight, every 4 min at peak.

Bus

Most routes AED 3–6. Feeder services from metro AED 3. Air-conditioned, Wi-Fi on newer fleet. Download the RTA app to see live ETAs.

Tram

Al Sufouh line AED 3–6. Interchanges free with metro if journey completed within 30 min.

Waterbus & Abra

Abra across the Creek AED 1 cash. Waterbus AED 3–5. Day pass AED 40 covers unlimited rides on all marine routes.

Rideshare apps: Careem vs. UAE Taxi

Careem Economy starts AED 10 flag-fall, 10 % cheaper than taxis on short hops. “Careem Bus” shared vans AED 5–8. UAE Taxi app books official metered taxis with zero surge. Both accept Apple Pay and international cards.

Monthly passes & tourist Nol cards

30-day Silver pass AED 180 covers metro, bus, tram, waterbus. Tourists can buy a 7-day unlimited Gold pass for AED 120 at any metro station. Keep the card; refunds are not given.

Common mistakes expats make

Paying cash for taxis at DXB when card readers are available—skip the queue.
Assuming Careem prices stay low after midnight—surge can double.
Forgetting the AED 20 inter-emirate surcharge when crossing into Sharjah or Ajman.
Boarding metro without tapping—fine is AED 100, payable on the spot.

Budget example: 7-day visit

Metro + bus AED 60 total. Two Careem rides AED 180. Three short taxis AED 90. One Abra pass AED 40. Grand total AED 370 or roughly AED 53 per day—less than a single dinner in Downtown.

Future changes in 2026

RTA has confirmed no fare hikes for 2026, but a new cable-car link between Dubai Marina and Bluewaters is slated for Q4. Early-bird single tickets will cost AED 15; watch the RTA site for launch dates.

Key takeaway

Master the Nol card, compare Careem with the meter, and keep an eye on inter-emirate fees. With these three habits you’ll move around Dubai confidently and cheaply all year long.