Dubai Airport taxi fares vs Careem, Uber and transfers

There are four ways to leave Dubai International Airport (DXB) by road or rail: a metered airport taxi, a ride-hailing app, the Dubai Metro, or a private transfer booked in advance. This guide explains what each one costs and who it suits.

How Dubai airport taxi fares work

Official Dubai taxis are run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and always use the meter. A taxi that starts at the airport has a higher starting fare than one hailed in the city.

Charge	Amount
Starting fare at the airport	AED 25
Distance	AED 2.19 per km
Waiting or very slow traffic	AED 0.50 per minute
Salik road tolls	Added to the meter for each toll gate

Fares were checked in October 2026. The RTA changes them from time to time, so treat the figures as a guide.

What a taxi from Dubai Airport usually costs

These are estimates worked out from the rates above. Traffic, the route and tolls move the final amount up or down.

From DXB to	Distance	Estimated meter fare
Downtown Dubai	about 15 km	AED 55 to 70
Dubai Marina / JBR	about 35 km	AED 95 to 115
Palm Jumeirah	about 35 km	AED 100 to 120
Abu Dhabi city	about 140 km	AED 320 to 360

A standard taxi takes up to four passengers, but with large suitcases three is more realistic. Bigger groups need a van taxi or two cars.

Careem and Uber at Dubai Airport

Both apps work at DXB. You see a price or an estimate before you confirm, you pay through the app, and the car collects you from the pick-up area signposted in the terminal. Prices are usually above a metered taxi and rise when demand is high, for example late at night when several long-haul flights land together. The Careem app can also book a regular RTA taxi, which runs on the meter.

The Dubai Metro

The Red Line has stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 and costs only a few dirhams with a Nol card. It is the cheapest way into the city, but it does not run through the night, there is a limit on large luggage, and Terminal 2 has no station. From the nearest station you still need to walk or take a short taxi to most hotels.

Private transfer: what you pay for

A pre-booked transfer is not always the cheapest option. For one or two people going a short distance, a metered taxi normally costs less. A transfer earns its price in other ways:

• The price is fixed when you book and covers the whole vehicle, with tolls and parking included.
• The driver tracks your flight and waits in arrivals with your name, so there is no queue at the taxi rank.
• You choose the vehicle: an SUV, a minivan or a minibus for a family or a group, with free child seats.
• On long routes such as Dubai Airport to Abu Dhabi, you know the full cost before you travel.

You can compare current fixed prices for every vehicle on our price list.

Which option should you choose?

Option	Best for	Keep in mind
Airport taxi	One to three people, short city rides	Meter keeps running in traffic; queue at busy times
Careem or Uber	People who prefer to pay in an app	Prices rise at busy times
Metro	Solo travellers with light bags, daytime	No night service, no station at Terminal 2
Private transfer	Families, groups, late arrivals, long routes	Costs more than a taxi on short rides