For a short stay with a few short trips, taxis are usually the cheaper choice in Dubai. If you stay longer, travel every day or plan trips outside the city, a rental car often costs less. With Prox Rentals, rental cars start from AED 99 a day + 5% VAT.
The right answer depends on how much you will travel. Here is how to work it out for your trip.
How the Costs Compare
Taxis
Taxis in Dubai are metered. You pay for each trip, based on the distance and time. Fares can also be higher at certain times of day.
For one or two short trips a day, this is simple and cheap. The cost grows fast when you take many trips, or long ones.
Rental Cars
With a rental car, you pay one rate for the period, whatever the number of trips. Your total also includes fuel, Salik tolls and parking.
Here is what that looks like with Prox Rentals:
- Daily rentals from AED 99 a day + 5% VAT, with no minimum rental period.
- Weekly rentals from AED 623 a week + 5% VAT.
- Monthly rentals from AED 1,474 a month + 5% VAT, with no deposit.
- Salik is charged at the current RTA rate for each crossing, with nothing added. No admin fee.
- Fuel is full to full. You receive the car with a full tank and return it full.
Economy cars include 250 km a day. Each extra kilometer costs AED 1.85.
A Simple Way to Decide
Add up the taxi trips you expect to take in one day. Compare that with one day’s rental, plus fuel, tolls and parking. Repeat for your whole stay.
If your taxi total is higher, rent a car. If it is lower, taxis will likely save you money.
Convenience
Taxis
Taxis are easy to find on the street, and you can also book through ride-hailing apps. You do not drive, find parking or learn new roads.
At busy times, you may wait longer for a car.
Rental Cars
A rental car lets you leave when you want. It suits early starts, family outings and trips to places like Hatta.
You do need to know the local road rules and plan for parking. Our guide to driving rental cars in Dubai covers the basics.
When a Taxi Makes Sense
- You are staying only a few days.
- Most of your trips are short and within one area.
- You would rather not drive or look for parking.
When Renting Makes Sense
- You are staying a week or more.
- You plan day trips to other emirates.
- You are traveling with family, children or luggage.
- You want to travel at your own pace.
Cars to Consider
For city driving, the Nissan Sunny 2025 is AED 99 a day + 5% VAT. For more space, the Toyota RAV4 2024 is AED 189 a day + 5% VAT. You can see more on our economy cars page.
Delivery is free anywhere in Dubai, with no minimum rental, and we deliver within 20 minutes. So even a one-day rental comes to you.
Book With a Person
Message us on WhatsApp or call +971 50 379 6333. Tell us your plans, and we will help you work out the cost. A person confirms the car, the price and the terms before you book.
Prox Rentals is a family-run car rental company in Dubai since 1998. A human answers every call and every message.
