How UAE Taxi Fares Work
Taxis in the UAE are metered and regulated by the transport authority of each emirate. Each emirate has its own fare structure. Dubai RTA, Abu Dhabi DMT, Sharjah SRTA, and others each set their own flag-fall rates and per-km charges. Vehicles from different emirates can cross into other emirates but cannot pick up passengers in the destination emirate for the return trip.
For intercity routes - particularly long-distance journeys over 80 to 100 km - most drivers will not use the meter and will instead negotiate a flat rate. These negotiated rates can vary significantly. The reference fares in the table below are approximate midpoints based on market pricing in 2025.
UAE Intercity Fare Reference Table
| Route | Distance | Typical Metered / Negotiated | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai to Abu Dhabi | ~140 km | AED 200 to AED 350 | 1h 15m to 1h 45m |
| Dubai to Sharjah | 25 to 40 km | AED 60 to AED 120 | 25 to 90 min (peak) |
| Sharjah to Dubai | 25 to 40 km | AED 70 to AED 150 | 25 to 90 min (peak) |
| Dubai to Fujairah | ~130 km | AED 200 to AED 300 | 1h 30m to 2h |
| Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah | ~115 km | AED 150 to AED 250 | 1h to 1h 30m |
| Sharjah to Abu Dhabi | ~150 km | AED 180 to AED 280 | 1h 30m to 2h |
| Ajman to Dubai | 30 to 50 km | AED 70 to AED 130 | 35 to 90 min (peak) |
| Abu Dhabi to DXB Airport | ~150 km | AED 200 to AED 350 | 1h 15m to 2h |
| Dubai to Al Ain | ~130 km | AED 200 to AED 300 | 1h 30m to 2h |
Fares above are approximate reference figures based on typical market pricing as of 2025. Actual metered fares will vary with traffic and route. Negotiated intercity fares depend on individual drivers. Verify current official rates with RTA Dubai (rta.ae), Abu Dhabi DMT, or the relevant transport authority.
Metered vs Fixed-Price: When Each Makes Sense
Use a metered taxi when:
- Your journey is short (within the same city, under 30 km)
- You are travelling off-peak and traffic is light
- You do not have a specific time constraint
- You are travelling alone with minimal luggage
Use a fixed-price private transfer when:
- You are travelling intercity (Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Dubai to Sharjah, etc.)
- You have a flight, meeting, or appointment with a hard deadline
- You have luggage or are travelling with a group
- You need the driver to wait at the destination and return you later
- You are travelling during peak hours and cannot risk a metered fare escalating
- You are making a day trip to another emirate and need both legs covered