Exploring the United Arab Emirates by hire car
The United Arab Emirates is slightly smaller than Austria and is located on the Arabian Peninsula.
They are bordered to the north by the Persian Gulf, where both the capital Abu Dhabi and Dubai are located, and to the northeast by the Gulf of Oman.
The country has the largest population increase in the world. If in the 70s of the last century there were only 180,000 people living here, today there are almost five million, with foreigners making up 75 percent of the population.
Endless deserts, dazzling cities and beautiful seashores make the United Arab Emirates a special holiday destination. The country is relatively small and is best explored by hire car. For rental and travel, we have compiled a few tips
Take the hire car
Most travelers reach the United Arab Emirates via the airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, you will find numerous hire car agencies in Skypark Plaza. Follow the signs or ask at the information desk.
And in Dubai, the hire car agencies are located right inside the terminals. Before you book your hire car, just make sure that your rental agency is located right at the airport. If they only have a station near the airport, you may have to wait longer for a shuttle to take you to your hire car.
Booking the right hire car
Well-maintained roads in the United Emirates make it a pleasure to travel in a large sedan. If you also want to travel on desert roads, you should go for a vehicle with four-wheel drive. In any case, it is important to choose a car with air conditioning. Because in the United Arab Emirates it is usually really hot.
Hire Car Prices
Hire car prices in the United Arab Emirates are usually in the middle range. You can often get particularly good deals by booking well in advance of your trip and using our handy price comparison tool.
hire car price comparison emirates
Insuring your car the right way
If you are involved in an accident in the United Arab Emirates, you will enjoy good insurance cover if you book a car with comprehensive cover with no excess.
With the liability you should pay attention to the height of the cover sum. It should be at least one million euros.
Because if persons come with an accident to damage, it becomes very fast very expensive. In addition, there are cars on the road in the United Arab Emirates whose purchase value is already above the million mark.
If the coverage of your rental company seems too low, you can take out a so-called traveller policy for further protection. Talk to your insurance company and make sure that your policy also covers the United Arab Emirates.
Age limit
You must be 21 years old to hire car from virtually all rental companies in the United Arab Emirates. For some vehicle categories, the age limit is as high as 25 years. Drivers over 75 years of age may not be eligible for rental from some agencies. Check the conditions of your hire car company before booking.
Accessories
If you are looking for your hotel in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, a navigation device can serve you well. And if you are travelling with children, child seats are a must.
Remember that you always have to order accessories separately from your hire car company. And make sure to book well in advance so that the equipment you want is available on the day you pick up the car.
Free kilometers
Even though the United Arab Emirates is quite manageable, you will still cover a lot of miles in a hire car to explore its many attractions. It is best to book a car with all the kilometres free.
Bail
Make sure to book with a rental company that only blocks the deposit for the hire car on your credit card. If the money is debited, it may take longer for the amount to be transferred back to your account after the car is returned.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Even though most of the customers are quite satisfied with the hire car companies in United Arab Emirates, some of them complain about long waiting time. When you return the car, you should allow plenty of time to avoid missing your plane.
There are also complaints from time to time about the exterior condition of the vehicles. Upon receipt of your vehicle, inspect it thoroughly and get written confirmation of any damage such as dents or scratches. Keep this document safe so that when you return the vehicle, you can prove that you were not responsible for the defects.
Safety Hire Car
Most hire cars in the United Arab Emirates are perfectly safe to drive. However, you should still test all of the vehicle’s lights before your first drive. Don’t forget the indicators and brake lights either. And do a quick brake test in the hire car parking lot.
Traffic Rules United Arab Emirates
General:
The United Arab Emirates has an excellent, very clear network of roads, most of which are in very good condition.
On most routes, the speed limit is permanently controlled by radar.
In the event of a traffic accident, the police are always called and vehicles are not allowed to move until they arrive. Damage can only be repaired with an accident report.
The 0.0 blood alcohol limit applies everywhere. In case of violation, even for foreigners imprisonment up to 30 days. An empty beer can in the car is considered a sign of drunkenness.
Fines
All fines are at the discretion of the police and are automatically collected. In the case of hire cars, the hire car company usually pays the money plus fees from the customer.
Miscellaneous
Similar traffic rules apply as in Europe. The speed limit in cities is 60 km/h. Outside built-up areas, the speed limit is 80 km/h. On expressways and highways, the speed limit is 120 km/h. While driving, a mobile phone may only be used with a hands-free device. Violators may be fined.
Suggestion for a trip by hire car
You might start your trip with hire car in Dubai.
There you should first enjoy the view, because Dubai is home to five of the eight tallest hotels in the world.
The Bar Vault, located on the 71st and 72nd floors of the JW Marriot Marquis Dubai Hotel, is a particularly pleasant place to sit.
The bar is open daily from 17:00. If the bar is still closed during your stay in Dubai, you still don’t have to miss out on a great view.
Because not only the tallest hotel, but also the tallest building in the world is located in Dubai. The Burj Kahlifa is 828 meters high and offers a spectacular viewing platform at a height of 452 meters.
After getting to know modern Dubai, you can experience the Arabian world by strolling through the alleys of the spice souqs. A thousand and one smells will fill your nostrils, creating the illusion of being in ancient Arabia.
Al-Ain: Green Oasis in the Desert
Now it is time to get in the hire car and drive to Al-Ain, which is located in the middle of the desert. In an hour and a half you will be there. In Al-Ain, you can stroll through the vast palm groves of the oasis, which you will find in the middle of the city center. Afterwards, you can visit the National Museum.
The exhibition shows how simple life was in the United Arab Emirates before the bubbling oil brought wealth. For a very special experience, end your visit with a visit to the animal market.
From sheep to calves, the assortment of traders ranges, who sell their goods to the customers not in pieces, but alive.
Abu Dhabi: Restful beaches, a gigantic mosque and a gorgeous hotel.
Abu Dhabi is the final stop on your first trip by hire car, which you can reach in about two hours by hire car. Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is cosmopolitan and ultra-modern. However, not only city life but also beach life can be enjoyed in Abu Dhabi.
In the beach park Al-Khalidiya you can recover from the journey with a bath in the sea. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to stroll along the Corniche, Abu Dhabi’s magnificently planted beach promenade.
While in Abu Dhabi, don’t miss out on indulging in the locals’ favorite hobby of shopping. The Abu Dhabi Mall is home to more than 200 stores vying for customers.
Before leaving Abu Dhabi, be sure to visit the Shaik Zayed Grand Mosque. It is one of the largest mosques in the world and can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. But even non-Muslims have the opportunity to visit the imposing building from Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
Be sure to dress discreetly. You can feel like a sheikh for once if you book a room at the Emirates Palace Hotel at the end of a long day. The sumptuous rooms in this fairytale palace leave nothing to be desired and every wish is read from the guest’s eyes.
Lie down in your luxurious bed, reflect on the events of the day and take your time deciding where to go next with your hire car.
Conclusion
Abu Dhabi is a great place to travel by hire car.
The road system is well developed and most places can be reached easily in a short time by hire car.
With our practical price comparison you will always find a suitable car at an attractive price.
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