Careem vs Uber vs Dubai 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 Dubai Taxi fares in Dubai.

CAREEM VS UBER VS DUBAI 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.

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.

Cost may vary slightly depending on booking process and time of day.

HOW MUCH DOES CAREEM COST IN DUBAI?

Careem is one of the two main ride-hailing services in Dubai. They offer Hala, Hala Executive and Hala kids service. Hala is the most affordable and among the cheapest ride-hailing service in Dubai. These cars can be booked for a maximum of 4 persons.

Hala Max is for a maximum of six individuals. Whereas, Hala Kids as the name suggests is child-friendly with a car seat fitted.

It is an RTA cab that can be booked directly from the Careem app.

CAREEM RATES IN DUBAI

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

HALA / HALA MAX

• Distance Rate – AED 2.26
• Hourly Rate – Time Per Min AED 0.5
• Starting – AED 8 Off-peak hours, AED 9 Night hours & AED 12 Peak hours
• Minimum Rate – AED 12
• Grace Time (for initial waiting) – 3 minutes
• Cancellation Fee – AED 12

COMFORT

• Distance Rate – AED 2.94
• Hourly Rate – Time Per Min AED 0.68
• Starting – AED 5.4
• Minimum Rate – AED 15
• Grace Time (for initial waiting) – 3 minutes
• Cancellation Fee – AED 15

EXECUTIVE

• Distance Rate – AED 2.89
• Hourly Rate – Time Per Min AED 0.85
• Starting – AED 11
• Minimum Rate – AED 18
• Grace Time (for initial waiting) – 3 minutes
• Cancellation Fee – AED 18

Besides the these main service types, Careem has a variety of choices. This is why it is one of Dubai’s best apps for tourists. Please note that all these options are priced differently and rates may vary according to surge pricing (dynamic peak fares), time of day (peak hours) and traffic conditions.

HOW MUCH DOES UBER COST IN DUBAI?

Uber in Dubai offers three ride options: Select, VIP and UberX.

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

UBER RATES IN DUBAI

• Select: AED 2.85
• Family: AED 2.85
• Green: AED 2.96
• Comfort: AED 3.13
• Black: AED 3.67
• XL: AED 3.73

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 for the affordable rides are subject to change. You can opt for more luxurious options, which will cost higher.

Among taxis, Uber or Careem in Dubai, the DTC Dubai Taxi fares are the most affordable.

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. Dubai Taxis is the cheapest ride-hailing service in Dubai

If you compare Uber vs Careem in Dubai, Uber rates in Dubai are higher. 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 tollgate in Dubai?

If you’re on a route that crosses any tollgates, you can expect an additional charge of AED 4 for each tollgate. The charges are bumped to AED 6 per gate during rush hours.

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! DTC introduced an “hourly rental” service for limousines. You will need to pay:

• 2 hours – AED 300
• 4 hours – AED 450 
• 6 hours – AED 550
• 8 hours – AED 650
• 10 hours – AED 750

CAREEM OR UBER IN DUBAI, WHICH IS CHEAPER?

Regarding Careem or Uber in Dubai, the cheaper option is Careen.

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.

IS INTER EMIRATE TRAVEL POSSIBLE ON DUBAI TAXI?

Yes, it is. Dubai Taxi provides a relatively cheap transport option for inter emirate travelling. For instance, you can go from Burjuman to RAK Airport for a cost of AED 215 to AED 263. It is likely that a Careem vs Uber prices comparison will show that for inter emirate travel, the cost isn’t too different.

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. However, as discussed, there are public transport alternatives in Dubai that can be considered.