How are taxi fares calculated in the UAE?
UAE taxis use a metered rate structure set by each emirate's transport authority. Dubai RTA taxis have a flag-fall rate (the starting charge when the meter begins) plus a per-km rate. Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates each have their own rate structures. For intercity trips exceeding 50 to 80 km, drivers often negotiate a flat rate rather than run the meter.
What is the flag-fall rate for Dubai taxis?
Dubai RTA taxis have a flag-fall rate of AED 5 during the day (6am to 10pm) and AED 5.50 at night (10pm to 6am). The per-km rate is fuel-indexed and sits at roughly AED 2.19, having moved between about AED 1.96 and AED 2.26 as fuel prices change. The street-hail minimum fare is AED 12 and the app-booked minimum is AED 13. There is also a booking surcharge if you order through an app or by phone. These rates are set by the RTA and are revised periodically - verify current figures at rta.ae.
Do taxi fares change at night in the UAE?
Yes. Most UAE taxi operators charge a higher flag-fall rate and/or higher per-km rate at night. In Dubai, nighttime rates apply from 10pm to 6am. This means late-night and early-morning trips cost more on a metered taxi than the same journey during the day.
How much is Salik per crossing?
Salik is Dubai's electronic road toll system. Each Salik gate crossing costs AED 4 and is deducted automatically. There are multiple Salik gates in Dubai, particularly around the Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Garhoud Bridge. When a taxi crosses a Salik gate, the AED 4 is typically shown separately on the meter or added to the total by the driver.
Are there fixed-price taxis in the UAE?
Dubai RTA operates an airport taxi with a fixed rate (from AED 25 for Dubai city area, varying by zone). For intercity routes (Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Dubai to Sharjah, etc.) the only true fixed-price options are pre-booked private chauffeur services or negotiated flat rates with individual drivers. App-based rides show an upfront price but this can change with surge pricing.
How much is a 30 km taxi in Abu Dhabi?
A 30 km Abu Dhabi taxi ride costs roughly AED 60 by day on a clear run. The arithmetic uses the Abu Dhabi tariff: AED 5.00 day flag fall plus 30 km at AED 1.82 per km (AED 54.60), giving about AED 59.60. At night (10pm to 6am) the flag fall rises to AED 5.50, so the same trip lands near AED 60. Waiting time in traffic is charged at AED 0.50 per minute and adds to that figure, and a phone or app booking adds roughly AED 4 to AED 5. Abu Dhabi taxis are exempt from Darb road tolls, so no toll is added. This is an estimate - confirm current rates with the Abu Dhabi transport authority.
What is the Dubai taxi price per km?
Dubai RTA taxis charge approximately AED 2.19 per km. The rate is indexed to fuel prices and reviewed periodically, so it has moved between roughly AED 1.96 and AED 2.26 over recent revisions. On top of the per-km charge you pay a flag fall of AED 5.00 by day or AED 5.50 at night, AED 4 for each Salik toll gate crossed, and AED 0.50 per minute of waiting time. The street-hail minimum fare is AED 12. Verify the current per-km rate at rta.ae.
What is the Abu Dhabi taxi fare per km?
Abu Dhabi taxis charge AED 1.82 per km, the same rate day and night. The flag fall is AED 5.00 during the day and AED 5.50 from 10pm to 6am, the minimum fare is AED 12, and waiting time is AED 0.50 per minute. Trips starting at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) use a higher starting charge of around AED 15 to AED 20 depending on vehicle size. Abu Dhabi has no Salik-style toll charge for taxis, since licensed taxis are exempt from Darb gates.
How much is a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah?
A taxi from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah typically costs AED 400 to AED 550. The route runs roughly 260 km and takes about three hours. At this distance almost no driver will run the meter - the fare is agreed as a flat rate before departure, and the price you are quoted depends on the driver, the time of day, and whether they expect a return passenger. Because a Fujairah-bound Abu Dhabi taxi cannot pick up a fare for the return leg, drivers price the empty return into the quote. A pre-booked fixed-price transfer is usually the more predictable option on this route.
How much is a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah?
A taxi from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah typically costs AED 400 to AED 550 as a negotiated flat rate. The journey covers around 250 km via the E11 and takes roughly two and a half to three hours. Metered pricing is rare at this distance. As with other long cross-emirate trips, the driver factors in the empty return leg because a taxi cannot collect passengers outside its own emirate.
How much is a taxi from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai?
A taxi from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai typically costs AED 150 to AED 250. The route is around 115 km and takes one hour to one hour thirty minutes depending on where in Dubai you are heading and on traffic near the Sharjah corridor. Some drivers will run the meter for this distance, others will quote a flat rate. Agree the basis before you set off. See our Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah fare guide for the route in detail.
How do I get a quote from Gulf Chauffeur?
WhatsApp us at +971 55 734 4876. Tell us your pickup address, destination, date, and time. We reply with a fixed price. No booking fees, no meters, no surprise tolls added after the fact.