Dubai car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Dubai
The best car rental companies in Dubai are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from AED 85/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Dubai
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 95/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 99/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 89/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 22Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 105/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 22Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 100/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 22Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 85/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 88/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1500Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 108/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1000Min age 22Free cancellationAirportDowntown
FromAED 80/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from AED 1000Min age 22Free cancellationAirport
FromAED 80/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Dubai
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | AED 85 | Hyundai Grand i10 | 5 |
| Compact | AED 99 | Nissan Sunny | 5 |
| SUV | AED 140 | Nissan Kicks | 5 |
| Large SUV (7-seat) | AED 260 | Nissan Patrol | 7 |
| Luxury | AED 350 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Dubai
Airport — Dubai International Airport (DXB)
On-site desks in Terminals 1 & 3 arrivals; shuttle pickup for some off-airport suppliers.
Downtown — Downtown Dubai & Dubai Marina
Desks in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Deira; many hotels offer delivery.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | Any DXB airport pickup |
| Salik toll charges | AED 4–6 per gate crossing | Passing under any Salik toll gate |
| Traffic-fine admin fee | AED 20 + ~10% service charge | Any speeding or traffic fine processed by the supplier |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | AED 30–75/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | AED 30–50/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | AED 150–400 | Different drop-off location |
| Deposit hold | AED 1,000–1,500 | Credit-card hold, released ~30 days after return |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Dubai
- Drive on the right; almost all rentals are automatic — perfect for Dubai’s wide highways.
- Dubai uses the cashless Salik toll system — AED 4 off-peak and AED 6 at peak hours per gate, billed to your rental via the number plate.
- Traffic enforcement is strict and camera-based: speeding fines start around AED 300–600 and can reach AED 3,000, plus a supplier admin fee.
- Tourists from 30+ countries (UK, US, most of the EU, Canada, Japan) can drive on their home licence; others need an IDP + passport.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, but luxury and high-performance cars usually require 25.
- Fuel is very cheap by global standards — around AED 3.2–3.4 per litre — so long desert drives cost little.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Dubai
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Dubai?
Most companies rent from age 21, though luxury and high-performance categories usually require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 may pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly AED 30–75/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in the UAE?
Tourists from 30+ countries — including the UK, US, most of the EU, Canada and Japan — can drive on their valid home licence. If your licence is not in English or Arabic, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it, plus your passport.
What are Salik toll gates and who pays them?
Salik is Dubai’s automatic, cashless toll system. Each gate crossing costs AED 4 off-peak or AED 6 at peak times, read from your number plate. The rental company charges these back to you, sometimes with a small handling fee.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly AED 1,000–1,500 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is typically released within about 30 days of return — the delay allows for any late traffic fines to appear.
What happens if I get a traffic fine in a rental car?
Speeding and traffic cameras link the fine to the plate, so the rental company receives it and passes it to you — usually the fine amount plus an admin fee of around AED 20 and a ~10% service charge. Fines range from about AED 300 to AED 3,000.
Can I do a one-way rental (different drop-off)?
Yes, most suppliers allow one-way rentals within the UAE for a fee of roughly AED 150–400. Dropping off in another emirate such as Abu Dhabi is usually possible with advance notice.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city?
Both. Dubai International Airport (DXB) has in-terminal desks in Terminals 1 and 3, and there are city desks in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Deira, with many hotels offering delivery.
What is the cheapest car type in Dubai?
Economy cars (e.g. Hyundai Grand i10) start around AED 85/day. For families, a 7-seat SUV such as the Nissan Patrol starts around AED 260/day.
Nearby trips
