Dubai Taxi Fares: The Cheapest Times to Book and When Prices Jump
App-booked Dubai taxis start at AED 9 off-peak and AED 13 at peak, while a street hail can start at AED 5. Here is when to ride to pay less.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
The time you book a Dubai taxi changes what you pay before the car even moves: app-booked RTA taxis start at AED 9 in the cheapest periods and AED 13 at the busiest. Hailing one from the street can be cheaper still, from AED 5 between 6am and 10pm, according to a Gulf News breakdown of current fares.
Dubai taxi starting fares: app booking vs street hail
RTA taxis can be booked online through Careem, S'hail, Yango, Zed and Bolt. The starting fare for app bookings ranges from AED 9 to AED 13, depending on the day and time.
| Day | AED 9 start (cheapest) | AED 13 start (peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 6am to 8am, 10am to 4pm, 8pm to 10pm | 8am to 10am, 4pm to 8pm |
| Friday | 6am to 8am, 10am to 4pm | 8am to 10am, 4pm to midnight |
| Saturday and Sunday | 6am to 4pm | 4pm to midnight |
So 10am to 4pm is the most consistent AED 9 window all week, and there is no AED 13 morning peak at weekends. A street hail starts at AED 5 from 6am to 10pm and AED 5.50 from 10pm to 6am.
The per-kilometre rate is AED 2.45 whether you hail or book. That makes the street-hail start AED 4 lower than the cheapest app fare during the day.
The app booking fee also changes by time
App bookings also carry a booking fee that depends on the time.
| Period | Hours | Booking fee |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak | 6am to 7.59am and 10am to 3.59pm | AED 4 |
| Night | 10pm to 5.59am | AED 4.50 |
| Peak (Monday to Thursday) | 8am to 9.59am and 4pm to 7.59pm | AED 7.50 |
That is AED 3.50 more at peak than off-peak. For other recent changes, see 10 New UAE Traffic Laws for 2026: Fines, Tolls & Taxi Hikes.
Airport, Port Rashid, events and Salik
- Dubai airports: AED 20 for a regular RTA taxi and AED 25 for a van taxi, all day.
- Port Rashid: AED 25 throughout the day.
- Major events and venues: at certain times, fares starting from places such as Dubai World Trade Centre, Expo City Dubai and Global Village can begin at AED 20.
Fares can also change around New Year's Eve events.
Your final fare is the base fare plus the kilometre charge and waiting time, plus any Sharjah entry fee, Port Rashid entry fee, Salik or DARB fee that applies. Waiting time costs 50 fils per minute. Salik costs AED 4.20 off-peak and AED 6.30 at peak, and you can ask the driver to take a route that avoids the toll gate. For gate timings, see When Are Salik Gates Free in Dubai? Updated Toll Timings for 2025.
How to pay less for a Dubai taxi
- Ride between 10am and 4pm where you can, when the AED 9 app fare is most reliable.
- Hail from the street during the day if a taxi is passing, to start at AED 5.
- Avoid weekday rush hours, when both the starting fare and the booking fee rise.
- Check the starting fare on the meter before you set off, especially when leaving a big event.
- Ask for a route without a Salik gate if time allows.
Key takeaway
In Dubai, an app-booked taxi costs AED 9 to AED 13 to start plus a booking fee of AED 4 to AED 7.50, while a daytime street hail starts at AED 5. Riding between 10am and 4pm and avoiding weekday rush hours is the simplest way to cut the cost.
FAQ
What is the cheapest time to book a taxi in Dubai?
Between 10am and 4pm is the most consistent window for the lowest AED 9 app starting fare, and the off-peak booking fee of AED 4 applies from 10am to 3.59pm.
Is it cheaper to hail a taxi than book one in Dubai?
Yes. A street hail starts at AED 5 from 6am to 10pm and AED 5.50 overnight, below the AED 9 to AED 13 app starting fares. The AED 2.45 per kilometre rate is the same.
How much is a taxi from Dubai airport?
An RTA taxi from Dubai airports starts at AED 20 at any time of day, and a van taxi starts at AED 25.
Do I pay Salik in a Dubai taxi?
Yes, if the route passes a toll gate. Salik adds AED 4.20 off-peak or AED 6.30 at peak, and you can ask the driver to avoid the gate.
Further reading
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