Tips on Taking a Taxi in Dubai
How to Make Getting Around in the United Arab Emirates Easy
May 27, 2009
Dubai grew from sand dunes to mega-malls in only 40 years. It is a fascinating mix of old and new. The architecture is whimsical, the atmosphere tolerant (within reason), and the quest to have the biggest of everything intriguing. Its customs are a mix of Gulf Arab and Indian with a heavy British influence, and thus not always obvious . Understanding how to get around the city will make any visitor’s stay just that bit easier.
Public Transportation in Dubai
Dubai is not a walkable city, particularly in the summer when temperatures soar over 100 F (38 C). The bus system is unsatisfactory for many reasons. Driving in Dubai is an unnerving experience best left to taxi drivers and residents. An automated light rail system is in the works, but even the first phase won’t open until late 2009, according to Dubai Metro.
Taxis then are the primary mode of transportation for visitors. They are plentiful, air conditioned, and generally a safe, if somewhat expensive, way to get around.
How Taxis Work in Dubai
Taxis run under the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). They are a uniform cream color that makes them easy to spot on the roads. The roof color designates the specific franchise operating, but for visitors, the roof colors are not relevant, with one exception: pink-roofed taxis are driven by women and reserved for women passengers.
All taxis in Dubai are metered and fares are standardized. The most recent fares can be found through the Dubai Taxi portal. Fares are charged in dirhams (1 dirham AED is about 33 cents USD). In 2009, RTA set a new minimum fare of 10 dirhams. Meter rates are slightly higher at night than in the daytime, and trips from the airport or crossing into other emirates have minimums of 20 dirhams. Pink-roofed taxis also carry a price premium as the demand for women drivers far exceeds the availability.
Patrons typically sit in the back seat of a taxi in Dubai. An unaccompanied woman should always sit in the back if the driver is male. If the driver is female, she can only take a man as a passenger if he is part of a family group—and he should definitely ride in the back. Showing understanding of the separate spheres for males and females in an Islamic country is respectful!
Drivers in Dubai are from all over the world and as likely to speak Farsi or Malayalam as Arabic. English is often the common language, but one can’t expect drivers to be fluent. Pointing to the left or right can be as useful as saying it.
Some drivers are delightful. They may give a narrated tour of the journey, history of the city, and insights about their home country. These drivers are heart-warming; tip them well (about 15 to 20%) and tell them why! Other drivers are as new as their passengers and get lost. Still others take advantage of visitors, taking round-about routes. Know that this may happen, think of it as a small contribution to the economy (drivers are paid pretty poorly and work long hours), and don’t get stressed.
How to Find a Taxi
Taxis can be reserved via the internet (dtc.dubai.ae/en.portal) or by calling from a phone or taxi call box. The airport, major malls, conference centers, and hotels have queues for taxis. Freestanding taxi ranks appeared in 2008 and a new service allowing people to text message to request a taxi to a specific rank.
It is possible to hail a cab from just about anywhere, but it is safer to stand on the sidewalk or on the street side of parked cars with one’s hand raised (as if for a question in class). Pick a spot where there is room for the driver to pull over, if possible. Taxis with a red light on top are taken; those with a yellow light are available. Drivers may also toot their horn at pedestrians to let them know the taxi is available.
How to Find the Way Around Using Landmarks
Do NOT expect taxi drivers to know how to get to any destination except a major one. Some will; most won’t. Carrying a map is a good idea.
There are no actual street addresses in Dubai. And, except for major roads, almost no one actually knows the street names anyway. This is because while streets are named logically, it is not a logic helpful for navigation. (Dubai is divided into communities with roads numbered within each community in the order they are built. If streets on opposite sides of an intersection are built at different times, they have different numbers. )
Names of shopping centers, key buildings, the major roads, and local landmarks are very important for getting around. It is important to learn different ways to describe a destination using landmarks and areas of the city. Hotel doormen can often be of help with this.
Dubai’s remarkable growth makes it definitely worth a visit. A little understanding of the taxi system there will help make that visit more enjoyable. Things happen in Dubai “in the fullness of time,” so start everywhere early, be patient, and be nice to the taxi drivers.
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