Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Getting around Abu Dhabi

How to travel around Abu Dhabi — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-09

1. Careem and Uber

Both operate across the emirate with fares fixed in advance.

Watch outAirport and inter-emirate drivers declining the meter for a fixed fare.

2. Metered taxi

Regulated, plentiful and generally honest, with a published tariff.

Cost: AED 5–12 flagfall

3. Buses

A cheap network with a Hafilat card, including routes to Dubai.

Cost: AED 2–4

4. Rented car

The practical way to reach Liwa and Al Ain.

Watch outLarge administration fees added for traffic fines, and charges for pre-existing damage. Photograph the car at handover.

5. Abra and ferries

Water transport around the islands and to Lulu, plus the Yas–Saadiyat links.

Booking apps in United Arab Emirates

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

Careem

The regional ride-hailing app, also covering deliveries and payments.

Coverage: All emirates.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Uber

Operates alongside Careem across the UAE.

Coverage: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates.
Why it helps: Fare is agreed in the app before the trip, and the route is recorded — which removes the refused meter, the tampered meter and the fixed 'foreigner price' in one move.

Dubai Taxi

The government-operated metered taxi fleet, bookable by app.

Coverage: Dubai.
Why it helps: Regulated meter and published tariffs, which avoids the 'meter is broken' fixed fare.

S'hail

Dubai's official multimodal planner covering metro, tram, bus and marine transport.

Coverage: Dubai.