Dubai, getting there & around

Getting There

By Air

Considered to be the busiest airport in the Middle East , Dubai International Airport caters to 70 airlines that operate to the city from all over the world. Major cities normally have direct flights to Dubai . From London , it takes 7 hours to travel to Dubai , 8 hours from Hong Kong , 6 hours from Frankfurt , and four hours from Nairobi . Emirates is Dubai 's national carrier.

By Bus

There are also several bus transport services that will get you to the other cities in UAE. The Dubai Transport minibus has two buses that travel to Muscat , Oman while the Balawi Bus Service has trips to Jordan and Egypt .

By Car

Emirate Route Numbers are used to designate different highways in UAE. From Abu Dhabi , take route 11, route 77 from Jebel Ali, route 88 from Sharjah, route 44 from Wajajah and route 66 from Ali-Ain.

Other Transport Options

Pre-engaging taxis can also get you to Dubai , but make sure that the price for the trip is settled even before leaving. Aside from this passenger ferries also have trips that could bring you to Sharjah, a place that is 20 minutes away from Dubai .

Getting Around

Though cars are the primary transport method in Dubai , there are also local buses that could get you around the city. Bus passes, such as the Smart Cards and Monthly passes known as taufeer, are also frequently used especially by regular bus commuters. The Smart Cards gives bus riders cheaper fare of Dh20 compared to the regular Dh22 while monthly passes can get you to travel one side of the Dubai Creek or more expensively, tour around the city.

For tourists who would want to simply enjoy the sights of Dubai , the new and more luxurious Wonder Bus and the double decker Big Bus are the best options for getting around the city.

Aside from the buses, there are also crème-colored metered taxis that normally charge a pickup fee of Dh 3.50 and has a rate of Dh 1.25 per kilometer. Non-metered taxis usually charge a more expensive rate so you may need to haggle to get a cheaper fare.

If you would want to rent a car, you would need to present your passport and International driving permit.

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