How much is a taxi from Dubai airport?

Between AED 40 and AED 130, depending on where you are going. The meter starts higher at the airport than on the street, and that single fact accounts for most of the confusion about Dubai taxi prices.

What it costs, by destination

• Deira or Bur Dubai — roughly AED 40–60
• Downtown or Business Bay — roughly AED 60–80
• Dubai Marina, JBR or Palm Jumeirah — roughly AED 90–130

Add a few dirhams for Salik, the road toll, which is charged per gate crossed and appears on the meter.

Why the airport is different

The starting fare from an airport rank is AED 25, against AED 5–12 for a taxi hailed on the street. The per-kilometre rate is the same; the difference is entirely in that opening charge.

The taxis themselves

Official taxis queue outside every terminal. They are metered, regulated and tracked, there is nothing to negotiate, and all of them take cards — you do not need cash on arrival. The rank is staffed around the clock, which matters if you land at three in the morning.

Careem and Uber

Both operate at DXB and both are legal and ordinary. Expect 10 to 30 percent above the metered fare, more at peak arrival times, in exchange for a price fixed before you get in. Pickup is from a designated ride-hailing area rather than the taxi rank, so allow an extra five minutes of walking. Careem is the local app and usually has more cars at the airport.

When not to take a taxi

If you are travelling light, arriving before midnight, and going somewhere on the Red Line, the Metro costs AED 3–8 instead. It runs from inside Terminals 1 and 3. That is a saving of AED 50–120 on a single trip — see every option from DXB, priced and the Metro and Nol card guide.

Two exceptions: the Metro does not run between roughly midnight and 5am, and Terminal 2 has no Metro station.

Arriving at Al Maktoum instead?

Some budget airlines use Al Maktoum International (DWC) in Dubai South, about 40 km out with no Metro link. Budget AED 100–150 to the Marina and more to Deira, and allow an hour.

Fares verified August 2026 and vary with traffic, tolls and time of day. See our editorial policy.