Careem vs Uber vs Taxi – Which is the cheapest?

• Fare Breakdown
• Dubai Taxi Fares
• Careem Prices In Dubai
• Uber Fares In Dubai
• Fare Comparison
• FAQs

There are many ways to travel in Dubai. Of course, a personal car offers the most convenience. But even if you don’t own a vehicle, you can book an Uber, Careem or a local RTA taxi to reach your destination quickly. To help you determine which of these three services is the most affordable, here’s a detailed comparison of Careem vs Uber vs Taxi fares in Dubai.

CAREEM VS UBER VS TAXI: FARE BREAKDOWN

While public transport in Dubai is convenient, many people like travelling alone. Please note that the cost of your Taxi, Uber or Careem in Dubai depends on various factors. 

• Starting Fee/Base Fare
  • This is the cost at which the ride starts.
  • The starting rate depends on the time of day.
• Minimum Fare
  • This is the minimum charge you will have to pay for the journey.
• Cost Per Minute
  • This charge applies to stops made along the way.
  • The cost also applies to waiting at traffic lights or stops during traffic jams.
• Cost Per Kilometre
  • This is the rate charged depending on the distance travelled during a ride.
• Waiting charges
  • Charged by Uber and Careem, this is the time a driver waits before a customer enters the car. 
  • Waiting charges for Careem apply after three minutes of arrival.
  • For Uber, you will be charged five minutes after the driver arrives. No waiting charges are added if you sit inside the cab immediately after arrival.
• Booking fee
  • This is applicable only if you have pre-booked your ride by calling the help centre or via the app. 

Other factors affecting your charges include value-added tax (VAT), toll charges, peak rates and other surcharges. Let’s look at how Careem breaks down its fare for a better understanding.

Now, let’s look at the prices for Dubai Taxi and the rates for Careem and Uber in Dubai. We have picked the three most common ride types, which are:

• Economy – The most affordable
• Business – Luxury cars
• Max/Van – Cars for up to six passengers

WHAT IS THE COST OF HAILING A TAXI IN DUBAI?

If you’re looking for a cheap taxi in Dubai, regular taxis are the best option. The next best choice is the DTC Limousine Service, a Business service providing luxury chauffeur-driven vehicles such as a Lexus. Another affordable option is a family or ladies’ taxi.

Here are the taxi rates in Dubai for three service types.

HOW MUCH DOES CAREEM COST IN DUBAI?

Careem is one of the two main ride-hailing services in Dubai. Their Economy cars include the Toyota Previa, Chevrolet Impala and Lexus ES-350. If you opt for Business service, you get high-end, luxury cars. The MAX option provides six-seater cars to accommodate a group.

CAREEM RATES IN DUBAI

Let’s take a look at the fare distribution for Careem in Dubai.

Besides the three main service types, Careem has a variety of choices. This is why it is one of Dubai’s best apps for tourists. However, please note that all these options are priced differently.

• Personal Captain – These are luxury chauffeur-driven rides that offer premium service
• Careem Kids – Cars fitted with a child seat

Another option is a Hala Taxi. It is an RTA cab that can be booked directly from the Careem app. Careem’s Hala Taxi charges the same amount as regular taxi fares in Dubai, plus the booking fees. The Hala Taxi options include the Dubai Taxi, Hala Juniors and Hala Van.

HOW MUCH DOES UBER COST IN DUBAI?

Uber in Dubai offers three ride options: Select, Black and UberXL, similar to the Economy, Business and Max options mentioned earlier.

Here’s the price estimation for Uber rides in Dubai.

UBER RATES IN DUBAI

UBER VS CAREEM VS Dubai TAXI RATES: CHEAPEST TAXI IN DUBAI

To determine which is the cheapest taxi in Dubai, let’s calculate the approximate cost for a ride from BurJuman Mall in Bur Dubai to Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. The journey is approximately 15 minutes and doesn’t include Salik Toll Gates.

Please note that these fares are subject to change.

Among taxis, Uber or Careem in Dubai, the DTC Dubai taxi fares are the most affordable. They are also the most convenient.

With thousands of vehicles, RTA taxis in Dubai can be easily found and hailed from any part of the city. If you are in an area with no taxis, you can always book one using the S’hail app, one of Dubai’s top public transport apps.

If you compare Uber vs Careem in Dubai, the rates for Uber rides are more expensive. However, it’s still a good option if you want a premium chauffeur service with luxury vehicles.

FAQS ABOUT CAREEM VS UBER VS TAXI AND MORE

What are the charges to cross a toll gate in Dubai?

If you’re on a route that crosses any toll gates, you can expect an additional charge of AED 4 for each toll gate.

When comparing Careem vs Uber vs Taxi, should I add VAT charges?

A 5% VAT is also applied to your Taxi, Uber and Careem fares in Dubai.

CAN I RENT LIMOUSINES IN DUBAI?

Yes, you definitely can! A few months ago, DTC introduced an “hourly rental” service for limousines. It costs around AED 400 for 2 hours, AED 650 for 4 hours and AED 900 for 8 hours.

CAREEM OR UBER IN DUBAI, WHICH IS CHEAPER?

Regarding Careem or Uber in Dubai, the cheaper option is Uber. For instance, a trip from Dubai Mall to Dubai Marina will cost around AED 79 to AED 80 for a Select or Green car. While the same trip via Careem will cost you about AED 84.

IS TAXI CHEAPER THAN UBER IN DUBAI?

Between taxi or Uber in Dubai, taxi is cheaper.

WHICH APP TO USE FOR TAXIS IN DUBAI?

You can use the DTC Smart Taxi App to hail a taxi in Dubai. It is available on both Google Play and Apple Store.

This wraps up our quick guide on the comparison of taxi, Uber and Careem prices in Dubai. If you are searching for more affordable ways to get around the city, the Dubai Metro and RTA buses are some of the cheapest modes of transportation.