Dubai is a city built for cars. The sights are spread across more than 50 kilometres of coastline and desert edge, the metro doesn't reach many of the places visitors want to see, and summer heat makes walking between stops hard work. For a lot of travellers, hiring a car with a driver for the day is simply the easiest way to see the city. You choose the stops and the pace, and someone else deals with the traffic, the parking and the tolls. This guide covers what a car with driver in Dubai really costs, what should be included in the price, the extra charges to watch for, and four ready-made plans for the day.
If you're ready, book a Dubai private car with driver for a full day from AED 645.
Quick answer: A car with driver in Dubai usually costs around AED 500 to 600 for a half day (about 5 hours) and AED 700 to 900 for a full day (8 to 10 hours) in a standard sedan, SUV or minivan. Premium cars cost from about AED 1,100 a day, and luxury cars from AED 2,000 or more. With DUBEX TOURS, a full day costs from AED 645 per car, and fuel, Salik tolls, parking and water are included. Entry tickets, meals and tips are extra. Plan your day by area, avoid rush hour and keep Abu Dhabi for a separate day.
- Full day (8–10 hrs)From AED 645 per car
- Half day (about 5 hrs)Around AED 500–600
- IncludedFuel, Salik, parking, water
- Not includedTickets, meals, tips
- Standard carUp to 3 guests with luggage
- Larger groupsVans and minibuses
Last updated: 11 October 2026. Market prices are guides based on current Dubai rates and vary by car, season and company. Always ask for a written quote that lists what's included.
What "car with driver" means in Dubai
A car with driver, sometimes called chauffeur hire, is a private vehicle and a professional driver booked for a set number of hours. Unlike a taxi, the car is yours for the whole booking: the driver takes you wherever you want to go, waits outside while you visit each place, and drives you on to the next one. Unlike a tour, there's no fixed itinerary and no other passengers.
It's worth being clear about one thing: a driver isn't a tour guide. Your driver knows the roads, the drop-off points and the quickest way between sights, and most are happy to recommend places to eat. Guided commentary at the attractions is a different service. If you want someone to explain the history as you go, book a private Dubai city tour instead, or ask for a guide when you book.
How much does a car with driver cost in Dubai?
The price depends on three things: the type of car, the number of hours and where you're going. Most companies sell half days of about 5 hours and full days of 8 to 10 hours, and some also sell by the hour with a minimum booking. These are typical prices in Dubai today:
| Vehicle type | Seats | Half day (about 5 hrs) | Full day (8–10 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard sedan | Up to 3–4 | About AED 500–600 | About AED 700–800 |
| SUV or minivan (e.g. Kia Carnival) | Up to 6–7 | About AED 600 | About AED 800–900 |
| Premium sedan (e.g. Mercedes E-Class) | Up to 3 | About AED 700 | About AED 1,100 |
| Large SUV or V-Class (e.g. GMC Yukon, Mercedes V-Class) | Up to 6–7 | About AED 800 | About AED 1,300–1,600 |
| Luxury (e.g. Mercedes S-Class, Range Rover) | Up to 3–4 | About AED 1,200–1,500 | About AED 2,000+ |
| Van or minibus | 8 to 30 | On request | On request, depending on size |
Prices are per vehicle, not per person. A full day for a family of three in a sedan costs the same as for one person.
Full-day car with driver in Dubai, from AED 645 per car for 8–10 hours, with fuel, Salik and parking included
Book a car with driverHalf day or full day?
A half day is enough for one area, such as Old Dubai and the souks, or the Palm and the Marina. Once you add travel time between areas, a lunch stop and a sunset, you'll want a full day. The difference in price is usually only a couple of hundred dirhams, so if you're planning more than three or four stops, the full day is better value per hour.
Trips outside Dubai
Day trips to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah are possible, but they're priced separately because of the distance. Some companies add a fixed charge for each extra emirate, while others quote the whole day. Abu Dhabi is about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so it really needs a full day of its own. Our Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip guide compares the car with the new train and the bus.
What's included, and what isn't
This is where quotes really differ. A cheap price that leaves out fuel or tolls can easily end up costing more than a higher, all-inclusive one. This is what we include, and what you should check for with any company:
| Item | DUBEX TOURS full day | What to check with others |
|---|---|---|
| Private car and driver | Included, 8–10 continuous hours | Are the hours continuous, or is there a break? |
| Fuel | Included | Some cheap quotes charge fuel separately |
| Salik tolls | Included | Tolls are charged at every gate crossing and add up quickly |
| Parking | Included | Malls, hotels and attractions often charge for parking |
| Bottled water | Included | Usually included, but worth asking |
| Hotel pickup and drop-off | Included, anywhere in Dubai | Is there a charge for pickup outside the city centre? |
| Child seats | On request, free | Some companies charge for them |
| Kilometre limit | Covers the whole emirate of Dubai | Some quotes cap the distance, often at around 150 km |
| Other emirates | On request, quoted separately | Ask for the full price before you set off |
| Entry tickets and meals | Not included | Never included in a car hire |
| Tips | Not included, optional | Optional everywhere |
Salik is Dubai's toll system. Every time the car passes under a toll gate, it's charged, currently AED 4 or AED 6 per crossing depending on the time of day. Sheikh Zayed Road, the main road through the city, has several gates. On a sightseeing day you can pass through them many times, so "tolls included" is worth more than it sounds.
Hidden costs to ask about before you book
Most problems with car hire come from things that weren't agreed in advance. Before you pay, ask any company these five questions:
- What's the overtime rate? If your day runs late, find out what each extra hour costs. Prices of around AED 80 to 100 per hour are common for standard cars.
- When does the clock start? Most bookings start at the pickup time, not when the car leaves the depot, but check.
- Is there a distance limit? Some half-day packages are capped at around 150 km. That's plenty for central Dubai, but not for a trip out to Hatta or Abu Dhabi.
- Is VAT included? The UAE charges 5% VAT, and some quotes leave it out.
- What's the cancellation policy? A good company gives free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. We do.
Car with driver vs taxi, metro and self-drive
If you would rather the car waited than re-book a ride at every stop, a driver with car for the day removes the most friction of the four.
| Car with driver | Taxi or ride app | Metro | Self-drive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed price for the day | Pay per trip; surge pricing at busy times | Cheapest | Rental, fuel, tolls and parking on top |
| Waiting | Driver waits at every stop | Find a new ride at each stop | Walk to and from stations | Find parking at each stop |
| Reach | Anywhere | Anywhere, but harder to find a ride in quieter areas | Limited: doesn't reach many sights | Anywhere |
| Stress | None | Low | Low, but hot walks in summer | Fast roads, complex junctions |
| Best for | Families, groups, full sightseeing days, business | One or two trips a day | Solo travellers on a budget | Confident drivers on longer stays |
Taxis are the better choice if you're making one or two trips in a day. A car with driver becomes the better choice once you have four or more stops, a family or group, or bags in the car, or when you're visiting places where it's hard to find a ride back, such as the Miracle Garden, the desert edge or Hatta. For a single trip from the airport, a private airport transfer is cheaper than a full day's hire.
How to plan the day
A car with driver gives you flexibility, but a little planning saves hours. Dubai is long and narrow, stretching along the coast from Deira in the north to Jebel Ali in the south, and the time you lose in traffic between areas is the most common reason days run over.
1. Group your stops by area
Think of the city in four zones and work through them in order, rather than going back and forth:
- Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Al Shindagha, the Creek, the gold and spice souks, the Dubai Frame
- Downtown: the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Opera
- Jumeirah coast: Kite Beach, La Mer, the Burj Al Arab viewpoint, Madinat Jumeirah
- The Palm and the Marina: Atlantis, the Palm boardwalk, Dubai Marina, JBR, Bluewaters
2. Avoid rush hour
Sheikh Zayed Road is busiest on weekday mornings, roughly 7am to 9:30am, and evenings, roughly 5pm to 8pm. A 9am pickup misses the worst of the morning traffic, and keeping your evening stops in one area, such as Downtown for sunset and the fountain, saves sitting in traffic.
3. Fix the timed stops first
Book anything with a fixed time slot before you plan the rest: a Burj Khalifa ticket at sunset, a museum entry or a dinner reservation. Then plan the rest of the day around those times. If you're choosing a Burj Khalifa slot, our At the Top vs SKY guide explains the options.
4. Allow realistic time at each stop
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for a quick photo stop and a walk, 2 hours for a museum or observation deck, and 1 hour for lunch. Most visitors fit six or seven stops into a 10-hour day comfortably; trying to do more usually means rushing past everything.
5. Remember Fridays
Some mosques close to visitors around Friday prayers, and traffic near mosques is heavy at midday on Fridays. Plan indoor or beach stops for Friday lunchtime.
Send your driver a rough list of stops the evening before. They'll suggest the best order to avoid traffic, which can save you an hour or more on the day.
Four sample itineraries
These plans are based on a 10-hour day with a 9am pickup. Adjust them as you like: with a private car, you can change plans at any time.
1. Classic Dubai in one day
- 9:00am Pickup from your hotel
- 9:30am Al Fahidi and Al Shindagha, then an abra across the Creek to the gold and spice souks
- 11:30am Dubai Frame
- 1:00pm Lunch
- 2:15pm Kite Beach and the Burj Al Arab viewpoint on the Jumeirah coast
- 3:30pm The Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis, then Dubai Marina
- 5:15pm Drive to Downtown
- Sunset Burj Khalifa, then the Dubai Fountain show
- 7:00pm Drop-off at your hotel
In winter the sun sets around 5:30pm, so you may need to move the Burj Khalifa visit earlier and see the Palm and the Marina after it. Your driver can adjust the order on the day.
2. Abu Dhabi from Dubai
- 8:00am Pickup in Dubai (allow 1.5 to 2 hours to Abu Dhabi)
- 10:00am Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Read our mosque guide on the entry fee and dress code first.
- 12:30pm Qasr Al Watan presidential palace
- 2:00pm Lunch
- 3:00pm Louvre Abu Dhabi (closed on Mondays)
- 5:30pm The Corniche at sunset, then drive back to Dubai
Avoid Fridays, when the Grand Mosque closes to visitors over midday prayers, and Mondays, when the Louvre is closed. Any other day works well.
3. Family day
- 9:30am Pickup
- 10:00am Dubai Miracle Garden (open October to May) and the Butterfly Garden next door
- 1:00pm Lunch and some indoor time at Mall of the Emirates
- 3:30pm A swim or a playground stop at a public beach in Jumeirah or JBR
- 6:00pm Dubai Marina Walk at dusk, then dinner
The Miracle Garden is hard to reach by public transport, and finding a taxi back can take a long time, so a private car is ideal for this day. See our Miracle Garden guide for opening times and ticket prices.
4. Business day
For meetings across the city, such as DIFC in the morning, Business Bay at lunch and Dubai South in the afternoon, a car with driver saves you finding taxis between meetings. The driver waits outside each office, you can take calls in the back seat, and you can keep laptops and samples in the car. Book a sedan or a premium sedan, and give your driver the addresses in advance.
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How to book, step by step
- Choose the date and pickup time. A 9am pickup is best for most sightseeing days.
- Tell us your group size and luggage. A standard car seats up to three people with luggage. For more people, we'll arrange an SUV, a van or a minibus.
- Share a rough plan. A list of the places you'd like to see is enough. If anything is outside Dubai, tell us now, so we can quote the full price.
- Book any timed tickets. Book the Burj Khalifa, museums and restaurants before the day.
- Ask for child seats if you're travelling with young children. They're free with us.
- Get your driver's details. Ask for your driver's name and phone number before the day, so you can message them if your plans change.
Tips from our drivers
These come from the people who drive the days. If you are booking a private driver for the first time, they are worth two minutes.
- Child seats are a legal requirement. Under UAE traffic law, children under 4 must ride in a child seat, and children under 10 or under 145 cm tall can't sit in the front.
- Keep valuables with you when you leave the car for a long stop, even though the driver stays with the car.
- Plan a lunch break for the driver on a 10-hour day. It's usually easiest to do this while you're having lunch yourself.
- Bring a scarf or shawl. Mosques and some heritage sites require covered shoulders and knees, and it's easier to carry one with you in the car.
- Tipping is optional. If you're happy with the service, AED 50 to 100 for a full day is a common amount.
- Want a different plan on the day? Just tell your driver. The day is yours, as long as it fits within the booked hours.
Travelling with children? Our guide to family-friendly activities in Dubai has more ideas to fill the day.
Book a private car with driver in Dubai
Eight to ten hours with a private car and a professional driver, with fuel, Salik tolls, parking and water included. You choose the stops and the pace. From AED 645 per car, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
Car with driver in Dubai: FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a car with driver in Dubai?
A standard car costs around AED 500 to 600 for a half day of about 5 hours, and around AED 700 to 900 for a full day of 8 to 10 hours. Premium cars cost from about AED 1,100 a day, and luxury cars from AED 2,000. With DUBEX TOURS, a full day costs from AED 645 per car, in a 2024 Toyota Innova, a Kia Sedona or a Lexus.
What is included in a car with driver in Dubai?
With us: the private car and driver for 8 to 10 hours, fuel, Salik tolls, parking, bottled water, hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Dubai, and child seats on request. Entry tickets, meals and tips aren't included.
Is the price per person or per car?
Per car. The price is the same whether one person or a full car is travelling, which makes it good value for families and groups.
How many people can travel in one car?
A standard car seats up to three people with luggage. SUVs and minivans seat up to six or seven, and vans and minibuses can carry larger groups.
Can I change the plan during the day?
Yes. There's no fixed itinerary, so you can add, skip or reorder stops at any time within your booked hours.
Can the driver take me to Abu Dhabi?
Yes, on request. Trips outside Dubai are quoted separately because of the distance. Abu Dhabi is about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so plan a full day for it.
Is the driver also a tour guide?
No. Your driver is an experienced local driver who knows the city well, but isn't a licensed tour guide. If you'd like guided commentary, book a private city tour or ask for a guide when you book.
What happens if my day runs over the booked hours?
You can usually add extra hours on the day, depending on the driver's availability. Ask about the overtime rate when you book. With DUBEX TOURS there is no extra charge if your day runs over.
Is a car with driver cheaper than taxis?
For one or two trips, taxis are cheaper. For a full sightseeing day with four or more stops, especially for families or groups, a car with driver is often similar in cost, and much easier, because the driver waits for you at every stop.
Do I need to tip the driver?
No, tipping is optional. If you're happy with the service, AED 50 to 100 for a full day is a common amount.
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About DUBEX TOURS
We are your premium partner for exploring the wonders of Dubai. From desert adventures to luxury city escapes, we provide unforgettable experiences with professional guides.