Dubai Life by Ksenya Prekovic

By Ksenya 　http://ksenyaprekovic.com/?p=97

Dubai is a large,  spreaded, not very pedestrian friendly city and  you as a visitor will need some sort of motorised transportation.

Dubai bus, metro and water taxi

Dubai has an efficient city bus network, although unfortunately Western expat residents don’t use it much and it’s predominantly used by low-income workers from Philippines and India. As a result, women travelling solo may feel uncomfortable although there are the women-only sections at the front of the bus. On the other hand, although it’s still in its infancy (opened in Sept 2009) Dubai Metro is used by greater variety of people and are predicted to be very popular with both tourists and residents.  The services are frequent on both buses and metros. Numbers and routes are posted in English as well as in Arabic. Bus fares range from 1 -3.50 dhs and metro fare from 2.50- 6.50dhs.

The payment for all of the public transportation is done through NOL card, pre-charged cards that can be bought and recharged on the metro stations and main bus stations. There are few versions of NOL card, the one most convenient for visitors is Silver NOL card. More on NOL cards on www.nol.ae  

Abra on the Dubai Creek

Besides metro and bus, The Roads and Transport Authority runs also water transport on  the Creek – water taxis (modern air-conditioned boats) and abras (traditional wooden boats). Abra rides are very popular with tourists  as they are the best way to cross between Gold Souk area in Deira to Bastakia area in Bur Dubai. A cross river trip costs 50 fils (10 euros cents or  15 US cents) and is paid to the driver once the boat has set out. Not only is this a convenient and economical way of crossing the creek but it also offers fantastic, picturesque views of the city. Abra can also be hired for private tours and are a very cheap way of seeing the city from the water. Sunset on a clear day is a popular time for boat trips and there are a range of more comfortable boats for hire although prices rise accordingly.

If you prefer ground transport, taxis around town are metered and are thick on the ground, although for some more distant area, it’s better to phone and book one on central booking number of Dubai Transport 04. 208 0808. If you ask for a taxi at a five-star hotel, stress you want a Dubai Transport taxi, otherwise you may be shown to an unmarked limo where you may be asked to pay double or triple the price of a standard taxi. Taxi fares at start at Dh3, except at the airport where it starts at 25dhs. If you come across a non-metered taxi in Dubai, it’s most likely from Sharjah or a northern Emirate, and it’s illegal for the driver to collect a fare from Dubai, however not unheard of. If you choose to take one of these, you’ll have to negotiate a fare.

There are a countless agencies where you can rent a car with very little paperwork. You will be asked to show your original passport and your valid International Driving licence, besides usual credit card swipe as guarantee. The minimum hire period is 24 hours and will cost about Dhs 200 (40 euros or 55 US$) for a small car. The week lease would be about 1000 dhs (200euros, 300 US $). These prices may vary if you contact a smaller local agency or if you contact them during a slow period.

Be warned, driving in Dubai is not for light hearted – the signage is often confusing with inconsistently spelt road names and junction numbers in no logical order. Also the massive amount of construction work going on can mean that temporary road layouts can change overnight and signs can be misleading or non existent. Because of the multinational nature of the city’s population driving styles are mixed and inconsistent. Dangerous driving is the norm and unfortunately Dubai has one of the highest per capita road death rates in the world.  On the positive side, the roads are all new and wide.

 If after this warning, you still prefer to see Dubai with all the flexibility that your own car gives you (and I fully understand you as I wouldn’t survive a day in Dubai without a car!!), make sure you avoid driving at morning and afternoon rush hours as traffic can often slow to a standstill and be aware that there is a major shortage of parking spaces in the city.

Ahlan Was Ahlan = Welcome to Dubai!