Dubai - Transport

Dubai Municipality (tel: (04) 221 5555 or 800 900; www.dm.gov.ae) operates a reasonable public bus service on over 50 routes. Fares depend on destination and are paid to the driver upon boarding; it is useful for travellers to have the exact change ready.

‘Period Passes' are useful for those staying more than a week in Dubai, allowing cheaper bus travel on a smart card. Passes, timetables and bus maps are available from the bus stations in Deira and Bur Dubai. Routes and bus numbers are posted in both Arabic and English.

Simple wooden boats, locally referred to as abras, cross the creek from Bur Dubai to the Al-Sabkha Station. These are operated by Dubai Municipality (journey time - 5 minutes) and are a good-value, enjoyable and useful way of avoiding a traffic-constricted road journey. Air-conditioned Dubai Waterbus (tel: 800 9090; www.rta.ae) also run across the creek but charge four times as much.

A 300km (186-mile) metro system (http://dubaimetro.eu) is under construction. The Red Line, running from Rashidiya Station to Jebel Ali Station, and the Green Line, running from the Dubai Airport Free Zone to Dubai Health Care City, already opened in late 2009/early 2010. When completed, the Purple Line will run between the existing airport and the planned airport at Jebel Ali, and the Blue Line from Emirates Road to the airports.

Air-conditioned taxis can be hailed on the street or pre-booked by telephone. The Dubai Taxi Corporation (tel: (04) 264 1111) operates metered taxis. Occasionally, drivers do not have detailed knowledge of the city and might ask passengers for directions. Fixed fares are applied to journeys outside the city boundaries. It is also possible to hire a taxi for half a day or a full day for sightseeing. Tipping is not expected.

Dubai has an excellent and well-signposted road network. Unfortunately, driving standards do not match the quality of the roads. Many local drivers travel at speed, change lanes with wild abandon and make sudden and dangerous manoeuvres. Accidents occur frequently and visitors are advised to drive defensively.

Traffic congestion is also a problem, particularly in Deira and along Jumeirah Beach. An expanded toll road network is planned to help alleviate the problem.  Drivers should note that there is an exit tax on leaving the UAE.

Two centrally located covered car parks are situated near the Spice Souk and Bani Yas Square in Deira.

A valid International Driving Permit, passport and credit card are required to hire a car in Dubai. Fully comprehensive insurance is essential. Drivers must be at least 21 years old, although the age limit is often raised to 25 years for more expensive models. Payment must be made by credit card.

Major providers include Avis (tel: (04) 224 5219; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (04) 295 2722; www.budget-uae.com) and Fast Rent a Car (tel: (04) 224 5040; www.fastuae.com).

Considering the desert environment, cycling in Dubai is not advisable in the summer heat. Nevertheless, some hotels hire out bicycles.