How to Get Around Dubai for Tourists - Best Ways to Explore Dubai Using Local Transport Options

Tipped to be one of the Middle East's most visited travel hubs, Dubai is a holiday and business hotspot like no other. Whether you are visiting the city on business or on vacation, navigating the bustling metropolis with ease should be a top priority for every traveller. From using local bus services and hopping on the metro to taking the scenic route via Dubai's waterways, here's a comprehensive guide to getting around dynamic Dubai.

Sightseeing Buses

Tourists who are visiting Dubai during a weekend or are making a quick stopover in the city can rely on the city's hop-on and hop-off sightseeing buses for exploring Dubai's main highlights. Accessible free of charge, the Hop-On Hop-Off tours organised by Big Bus Dubai take visitors to iconic locations such as the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain. Travellers can spend as much as time as they like at each landmark as these open-deck buses are available every few minutes and tour the city on a set route. An onboard guide will also provide visitors with valuable information on each attraction or landmark so there's no need to hire your own private tour guide.

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Taxi Travel

Dubai is teeming with taxis and the reason why taxis are one of the best ways to get around the city is that they are both affordable and efficient. Managed by government transport authorities, nearly all of the taxis in Dubai are metered so there's no need to negotiate the fare or worry about being overcharged for a trip by a dubious driver when using taxi services in Dubai. Remember that licensed taxis in the city have pink or red roofs and the pink-coloured taxis are for female passengers and family travel. Taxi stands are often located near major landmarks such as the Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. The only time of the day when taxi travel might not be a good idea is during the rush hour from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

The Dubai Metro

While the Dubai subway network may not cover every inch of the city, this two-line metro system does include 45 stops at crucial locations around the metropolis. Ideal for exploring the tourist attractions in Dubai, metro fares are also affordable and determined based on the distance travelled and the number of zones one has crossed during the journey. The central metro line covers nearly all of Sheikh Zayed Road since most tourist landmarks are situated along this road. Nol Cards are the travel passes every tourist must have to use the Dubai Metro service, which provides passengers with subway trains every ten minutes.

Trams

As one of the newer forms of transportation introduced to Dubai, trams only cover the biggest commercial and residential neighbourhoods in Dubai. Perfect for exploring Dubai Media City and the Dubai Marina, trams charge a flat fee regardless of the miles travelled but are still cheap compared to other transport options. 

Dhow Cruises

With two massive commercial harbours to its name, Dubai can also be explored by boat, yacht or cruise vessel. By far, the most popular way to navigate Dubai via the waterways is on a dhow cruise. Travelling along the Dubai Creek, the dhows and the water bus services available from the Dubai Marina allow travellers to venture down Dubai's "liquid streets".

Biking

Those based at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort or any other eco-friendly resort in Dubai may also want to bike around the city as it is becoming more and more biker-friendly. Public bike rentals are located in strategic tourist hotspots around the city so getting your own set of wheels is as easy as finding a BYKY Station.