Which airport should I choose?
Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International (AUH) and Sharjah International (SHJ) offer different starting points. Compare your accommodation, onward route and return airport before choosing.
United Arab Emirates · Car rental
Car rental in the United Arab Emirates
Compare car rental for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Plan airport collection, city stays and a wider UAE itinerary around the vehicle and rental conditions that suit you.
Multiple booking providersClearer rental conditionsBook with the providerExploring the UAE
Why hire a car in the UAE?
A car can connect city stays and destinations beyond your arrival point. Decide when you will use it, and compare the cost of parking with public transport or taxis during days spent in one city.
Choose Dubai International, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International or Sharjah International to match your flights, accommodation and onward route. Check the return location as carefully as the collection point.
United Arab Emirates · Road-trip planning
Planning your United Arab Emirates road trip
Prepare your route, driving documents and rental arrangements before you travel.
Check before bookingDriving in the United Arab Emirates: What to know before you go
Plan your journey around your arrival airport, onward route and return location.
- Check your licence, driving documents and the rental supplier's requirements.
- Choose a vehicle suitable for your route, passengers and luggage.
- Confirm permitted roads, deposits, insurance excess and collection arrangements.
- Allow time for stops and check current travel advice before departure.
Compare airport collection options and check the booking essentials.
Airport car rental
Choose your UAE arrival airport
Compare collection and return arrangements at three airports, then check your specific booking instructions.
Dubai · DXB
Dubai Airport
Compare airport collection for Dubai, coastal stays and an onward UAE itinerary.
Dubai Airport car rental
Abu Dhabi · AUH
Abu Dhabi Airport
Compare airport car rental for Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and onward travel to Dubai.
Abu Dhabi Airport car rental
Sharjah · SHJ
Sharjah Airport
Compare car rental at Sharjah Airport for Sharjah, Dubai and travel around the UAE.
Sharjah Airport car rentalLook beyond the headline
What to check before booking
Check the whole rental offer, including toll billing and document requirements, rather than the daily rate alone.
01
Total price
Compare the complete price, including airport fees, additional drivers, child seats, late collection and any different-location return charge.
02
Deposit and card
Confirm the deposit amount, accepted card and whether it must be in the main driver’s name. Check the release process.
03
Insurance and excess
Read the damage and theft excess and exclusions for tyres, glass and the underbody. Check how separate reimbursement cover works.
04
Licence and documents
Requirements depend on your licence’s country of issue and whether you are a visitor or resident. Confirm accepted licences, any IDP or translation, driver age and licence-holding conditions with the supplier before booking.
05
Tolls and parking
Ask how tolls, parking charges and any supplier administration fees are billed. Charges may arrive after the rental ends.
06
Collection and return
Confirm the exact branch, terminal or meeting point, staffed hours, flight-delay procedure and return instructions.
07
Vehicle and mileage
Choose for luggage, passenger space and transmission. Check mileage allowances and fuel requirements.
08
Permitted travel
Confirm travel between emirates and any one-way return. Do not take the car across a national border or off paved roads without written supplier permission and valid cover.
The UAE by car
Plan beyond your arrival point
Plan the first drive before leaving the rental branch. Set navigation while parked, allow time for unfamiliar junctions and check current traffic before heading between cities.
Dubai’s Salik and Abu Dhabi’s Darb are electronic toll systems. Confirm how your supplier passes on toll charges and service fees. Follow local parking signs and ask your accommodation about parking.
Choose paved-road routes permitted by the rental agreement. Arrange desert activities separately unless the supplier has explicitly approved the intended use and insurance.
Choosing your car
Choose space and comfort for your route
Compare passenger space, usable luggage capacity and transmission. An example model is not a guarantee of the exact car supplied.
For city stays, consider parking access and whether you need a car every day. For longer journeys, check mileage limits and plan regular breaks.
Book suitable child seats in advance and check them at collection. An SUV does not automatically permit off-road or desert driving.
Before you book
UAE car rental FAQs
Which airport should I choose?
Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International (AUH) and Sharjah International (SHJ) offer different starting points. Compare your accommodation, onward route and return airport before choosing.
What driving documents do I need?
Requirements depend on your licence’s country of issue and whether you are a visitor or resident. Confirm accepted licences, any IDP or translation, driver age and licence-holding conditions with the supplier before booking.
Can I collect in Dubai and return in Abu Dhabi?
A different-location return depends on the supplier and vehicle. Enter both locations when searching and confirm availability, the return branch and the full fee before booking.
How are tolls charged?
Dubai uses Salik and Abu Dhabi uses Darb. Ask your supplier how crossings are recorded and billed, including any administration fees. Check current tariffs rather than assuming a fixed amount.
Do I need a car for a city stay?
Compare public transport and taxis with the cost of a car and parking. A shorter rental can suit the part of your trip that takes you beyond a single city.
Can I use the rental car in the desert?
Do not assume an SUV permits dune driving or travel on unpaved roads. Check the rental restrictions and arrange desert activities through a suitable operator.
What driving documents do I need?
Requirements depend on your licence’s country of issue and whether you are a visitor or resident. Confirm accepted licences, any IDP or translation, driver age and licence-holding conditions with the supplier before booking.
Can I collect in Dubai and return in Abu Dhabi?
A different-location return depends on the supplier and vehicle. Enter both locations when searching and confirm availability, the return branch and the full fee before booking.
How are tolls charged?
Dubai uses Salik and Abu Dhabi uses Darb. Ask your supplier how crossings are recorded and billed, including any administration fees. Check current tariffs rather than assuming a fixed amount.
Do I need a car for a city stay?
Compare public transport and taxis with the cost of a car and parking. A shorter rental can suit the part of your trip that takes you beyond a single city.
Can I use the rental car in the desert?
Do not assume an SUV permits dune driving or travel on unpaved roads. Check the rental restrictions and arrange desert activities through a suitable operator.
Compare car rental
Search car rental in the UAE
Compare your airport, dates, return location and rental conditions.
