Asia > 🇦🇪 The UAE
The city by city Car or no Car advice for The UAE can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in The UAE; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in The UAE?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in The UAE?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in The UAE
🚇 Travelling Without a Car (Ideal for Dubai & Abu Dhabi City Trips)
✅ Where No Car is Needed
| City | Transport | Why You Don’t Need a Car |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Metro, tram, monorail, water taxis, Uber | Clean, efficient, built for tourists |
| Abu Dhabi | Taxis & Uber | Inexpensive and regulated |
| Sharjah/Ajman | Taxi-based | Compact urban areas |
| Airport transfers | Metro & taxis | Easy access to hotels & malls |
Public transport + Uber is enough for 90% of visitors, especially if you stay in major cities.
🧭 Best City Experiences Without a Car
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Dubai Marina & JBR Walk 🚶♂️
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Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall 🚇
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Louvre Abu Dhabi (taxi or shuttle)
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Desert safari (tour operators pick you up)
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Yas Island (theme parks, F1 track, shuttle buses)
Tours are extremely well-organised and designed to remove the need for a car entirely.
🚗 Travelling With a Car (For Desert, Mountains & Northern Emirates)
✅ Why You Might Want a Car
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Access lesser-known places that tours don’t cover.
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Government invests heavily in new scenic highways.
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Perfect for road trip enthusiasts and repeat visitors.
🚘 Best Regions to Explore by Car
| Region | Why Drive? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Hatta Mountains | Winding mountain roads | Hatta Dam, kayaking, heritage village |
| Al Ain (Oasis City) | No metro link | Jebel Hafeet mountain drive |
| Fujairah Coast | Scenic East Coast | Snorkelling, wadis, untouched beaches |
| Liwa Desert (Empty Quarter) | Vast dunes | Desert resorts, camel farms |
⚠️ Driving Notes
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Cities are easy to drive in – wide roads, modern signage.
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Strict speed cameras – zero tolerance.
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4×4 required for desert or wadi driving.
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Parking is abundant (often free at malls & hotels).
🏁 Final Recommendation
| Traveller Type | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short city break | No car | Metro + Uber covers everything |
| Business or shopping trip | No car | Chauffeured transfers are standard |
| Nature & adventure seeker | Car or 4×4 with driver | Access mountains, wadis, deserts |
| Family staying >1 week | Car recommended | Freedom to visit multiple emirates |
| Luxury traveller | Private driver | Common & surprisingly affordable |
For Dubai-only or Dubai + Abu Dhabi trips → NO CAR is best.
For mountains, wadis, and desert freedom → A CAR or 4×4 transforms your experience.