Renting a Car in Dubai: Worth It During Your Holiday?

Many travellers visiting Dubai often wonder whether renting a car during their holiday is worthwhile or if they can manage without one.

While having a vehicle in Dubai isn’t always necessary, renting a car does add something to your holiday and unlocks extra possibilities.

In the guide below, we take a look at whether it’s worthwhile to rent a car on your Dubai holiday and which car rental agencies are the most reliable.

Dubai car rent

If you’re looking for a reliable, well-established local car rental company in Dubai, Premium Car Rental has all your needs covered.

Premium Car Rental specialises in the luxury segment and is the preferred car rental business in Dubai, offering sports cars, convertibles, luxurious saloon cars, as well as all types of SUVs and off-road vehicles.

Browsing through the list of available cars at Premium Car Rental is great fun, as the company boasts an impressive catalogue, featuring everything from off-road vehicles like the Mercedes G63 AMG to sports cars such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo Spider, and opulent luxury vehicles like the Rolls Royce Cullinan.

There are also more everyday vehicles available at Premium Car Rental to suit all kinds of budgets, ranging from a Chevrolet Captiva for those looking for an affordable SUV to electric vehicles like a Tesla Model X.

ferrari luxury car rent rental dubai
Renting a luxury vehicle such as a Ferrari is rather easy in Dubai. ©Pexels/Pavlo Luchkovski

Reasons why you should rent a car in Dubai

There are several reasons why renting a car is a great option when visiting Dubai.

– Distances in Dubai are vast, and the city isn’t particularly walkable.
– Full flexibility and freedom: You can drive whenever you want, to any destination of your choice.
– Ideal for those who want to shop or are staying in self-catering apartments.
– Immerse yourself in Dubai’s luxury lifestyle by driving a large SUV or sports car.
– Head out of Dubai to explore other beautiful destinations and the stunning natural landscapes of the United Arab Emirates.

dubai car rent road highway interchange
Highway interchange in Dubai. ©Pexels/Kate Trysh

Using a rental car to get around Dubai

Dubai certainly isn’t a compact European-style city where you can walk everywhere you want, as the distances between sights are vast.

Moreover, you really don’t want to walk for long outside, especially outside the winter months, as the temperatures can be unbearably hot, and you’ll start sweating within seconds.

It is possible to get around by public transport, as Dubai has an excellent metro system, an extensive bus network, and affordable taxis.

If you’re only staying for a short break, you therefore don’t necessarily need to rent a car, provided you stay somewhere central.

However, life will be much easier if you have a car, and since Dubai’s infrastructure is designed around the car, much like American cities, you’ll find driving straightforward and parking facilities plentiful.

dubai metro
Although Dubai has a metro network, it’s often easier to get around by car. ©Paliparan

Full flexibility

A car offers much greater flexibility than relying on public transport or taxis in Dubai.

Although the Dubai metro is excellent, it doesn’t reach every part of the city, and relying on the city’s buses might not be everyone’s cup of tea during what should be a relaxing holiday.

Instead of waiting for a taxi to arrive and paying for each individual ride around town, you could get around much quicker and more cheaply by renting a car.

Shopping

Having a car at your disposal is certainly highly beneficial if you plan to go shopping and visit several shopping malls and stores scattered across the city.

Moreover, if you’re staying in self-catering apartments and will be in Dubai for an extended period, a car will be handy for grocery shopping at supermarkets and visiting restaurants in other neighbourhoods.

dubai skyline car rent
Highway in Dubai. ©Paliparan

Immerse yourself in the luxury lifestyle of Dubai

Dubai is all about glitz and glamour, and even as a tourist on a short holiday, you can immerse yourself in it.

Whether you want to rent a luxury car for some stunning Instagram photos or are a true petrolhead looking to enjoy the thrill of a sports car, renting a premium vehicle in Dubai will surely make your friends back home envious of your travel experiences.

If there’s one city where you can splurge on a luxury rental car, it’s Dubai, with its wide selection of vehicles to choose from.

With a luxury or sports car, you’ll blend perfectly into the surroundings of 10-lane motorways, towering skyscrapers, glamorous shopping malls, and 5-star hotels.

Day trips from Dubai by rental car

Perhaps the biggest reason to rent a car while in Dubai is the ability to take day trips outside the city, as there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding area.

A popular activity for visitors to Dubai is heading into the desert.

While you can do this in a normal car, an off-road vehicle lets you drive into the sand dunes of the desert, which is great fun!

With a car, you can also explore nearby cities, such as Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, or the desert oasis city of Al Ain, which boasts many historic sights.

Another option is to drive from Dubai to the eastern emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, which offer stunning coastal landscapes and rugged mountain areas.

off-road desert uae
A popular activity in the UAE is off-roading in the desert with a suitable SUV or other 4WD car. ©Pexels/Carlos Herrero

Conclusion

Renting a car is not only a convenient option when travelling to Dubai, but it can also enhance your holiday and make your stay truly special.

By renting a luxury vehicle or sports car from a premium car rental agency, you can truly blend in with the rich and famous in Dubai.

As Dubai isn’t really a walkable city due to the large distances and hot temperatures, having a car at your disposal makes your trip much more pleasant.

A rental car is also a great option if you want to venture into the desert around Dubai or take day trips to places like Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or the mountains and coastal areas of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

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Koen

Koen works as a freelance journalist covering south-eastern Europe and is the founding father and editor-in-chief of Paliparan. As a contributor to some major Fleet Street newspapers and some lesser known publications in the Balkans, he travels thousands of miles each year for work as well as on his personal holidays. Whether it is horse riding in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains, exploring the backstreets of Bogotá, or sipping a glass of moschofilero in a Greek beachside taverna, Koen loves to immerse himself into the local culture, explore new places and eat and drink himself around the world. You can follow Koen on his travels on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

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