Guide To Dubai’s Taxis

While living in Dubai we are all going to need to jump in a taxi at some point in time. With over 10,000 taxis in Dubai you can usually get one to pick you up pretty easily. Whether you are at a mall, hotel, airport or on the high street you should not have too much difficulty finding a taxi unless it is during peak time. If you do have any difficulties you can always ring the taxi company up and request for them to pick you up.

Dubai’s Taxi service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and work on all the public and religious holidays. There are a variety of different taxis to choose from including 4+ seater taxis and taxis for people with special needs. Also on offer are ladies only taxi’s which will have a lady taxi driver. The ladies only taxi’s can be used by ladies and ladies with children.

Note: There are 5 taxi companies in Dubai. Taxis for 4+ people, special needs people & woman and children only will have a pink roof.

If you are looking to take out a taxi for the whole day for whatever reason, you can hire a Dubai taxi for a long length of time for a fixed amount of money.

As mentioned there are 5 taxi companies in Dubai. Here are the 5 taxi companies listed in alphabetical order.

Company Name               Tel Number                    Roof Colour
Arabia Taxis                          2855111                           Green
Cars Taxis                             2642825                             Blue
Dubai Transport                   2080808                           Cream – Recommended by us
Metro Taxis                            2673222                             Red
National Taxis                       3366611                           Orange

A few things to know:

• The minimum fare is 10 AED.
• If the meter is not running your journey is free.
• Taxis are excused from Salik Fees.
• When leaving Dubai you will be charged extra.

As many of Dubai’s Taxi Drivers don’t speak great English, here are a few Arabic words you could learn to make communicating with your Dubai taxi driver a little easier.

Go - Yellah
Stop – Bas or Bus
Straight ahead – Seer or Seedah Sida
Left - Yasaar
Right - Yameen
Yes - Aiwa
No - La
One minute - Ek Minnit

A Few Quick Tips:

• Be nice to your taxi driver and tip generously, remember they have to work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year!
• Always carry a mobile with you just incase it turns out that the taxi driver does not know where he is going.
• Carry change with you as the taxi driver may not have change for a 100 AED or more note.

Do not under any circumstances drink & drive! As mentioned there are 10,000 taxi’s in Dubai, so use them!