Dubai is a city chosen by millions of visitors throughout the year. With so much to see and experience, roaming around the megacity can become a little overwhelming for the visitors. However, the city also has one of the world’s finest public transport networks that makes getting around easier and cost-effective for visitors and residents alike.
If you are travelling from a different place or just moved to Dubai, you will need some help understanding the vast public transport network. This is where public transport apps in Dubai can help you.
Find out more about the various apps for public transport in Dubai below to experience the Emirate with ease and convenience.
BEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT APPS IN DUBAI
The following apps for Dubai public transport are particularly designed to meet the daily requirements of residents looking to commute from one end to another. The apps cover all significant routes alongside other salient features, making them an extremely useful tool for transportation. Other than transportation, it also provides information related to the new service timings of RTA during Eid Ul Adha and other holidays.
Let’s take a detailed look at these apps for Dubai public transport:
RTA Public Transport Dubai App
As suggested by the name, the Roads and Transport Authority has developed the RTA Dubai app (iOS | Android) for public transport. The RTA app for Dubai public transport is one of the most famous, time-saving apps for commuters using public modes of transport. Besides saving time, it benefits users with a range of online ticketing facilities such as nol (electronic ticketing) card facilities.
Available on the RTA app, nol offers smooth online transactions to facilitate travel all around Dubai. On top of it, the app for Dubai transportation allows users to check the timetables for the metro, tram, bus and water bus, as well as their nol card balance, thus making transport extremely convenient for all.
The application comprises a total of 26 informational, interactive and transactional services that facilitate users to seamlessly get around the city. Commuters can also accumulate ‘Green Points,’ which is a travel reward scheme for travellers using the app regularly.
Key Features of the RTA Transport App
- Informs about NOL card balance and offers top-up facility
- Gives access to NOL card transaction history
- Allows you to apply for personalized or specially designed NOL card
- Let you track the current status of online applications submitted
- Manages your e-wallet account
- Informs you about the expiry and renewal of the travel pass
- Reports a technical issue and provides feedback
- Offers secure online payments on the app via mPay and ePay
- Locates the nearest RTA centre with GPS functionality
- Gives reward through a collection of “green points”
The application size is 101.1 MB (iOS) and has no cost to download.
Careem Dubai
Well-established as the first choice for car booking apps in the Middle East and North Africa, Careem Dubai (iOS | Android) has long dominated as the best public transport app in Dubai and beyond. It is hassle-free and extremely personalized with the availability of options to select a car according to preference and affordability. Moreover, you can also schedule your ride by choosing between options like “ride now” or “schedule a ride for later.”
Once you have customized your ride, you can tap on “Yallah!” to confirm the booking. Details including designated Captain, car, estimated arrival time and route to the destination will be generated alongside the notification for booking confirmation.
Quite rightly so, Careem is counted amongst the best public transport apps in Dubai for it allows customers to share real-time locations with friends and family as well.
Key Features of the Careem Dubai App
- Flexibility to choose when and how to ride (choice of cars and bikes)
- Track of real-time location of Careem car
- Details about the Captain and booked car
- Easy payment through cash, credit card, or Careem credits
- Provides a fare estimate before the ride (however, this may change depending on the rush hour)
- Fool-proof GPS enables accurate pick-up and drop-off
- Efficient round-the-clock customer support service
- Available in English, Arabic, French and Turkish
The Careem app size is 148.2 MB (iOS) whereas 37 MB on Android. It is free to download.
Hala (Dubai Taxi)
Hala is one of the Dubai taxis operating across the city. It allows residents to commute from one place to another at a standard fare. Hala taxis can also be booked via the Careem app with the benefit of viewing fare estimates upfront, enabling payment through cash, card or Careem credit.
You can book Dubai Taxi (Hala) via the Careem app in the following steps:
- Download the Careem app and create an account
- Select “Hala Taxi” as your choice of ride in the Careem app
- Select the location from where you want to be picked up. If it’s your current location, you can simply click on ‘Confirm pickup’ to let your GPS share your location with the driver
- Enter your drop-off destination next
- Choose between ‘Hala (Dubai Taxi)’ or ‘Hala Van (Dubai Van)’ from the list of car types as per your need
- Select card, cash, or Careem credit as your payment option.
- When you’re ready to ride, tap on “Yallah” and track the arrival of the Captain
- Details about the Captain coming to pick you up are provided as soon as you book so you know who to look for
Key Features of Hala Taxi App
- Provides estimated time of arrival
- Same price per km as street-hailed RTA taxis
- Collection of Careem points for every ride
- Multiple payment options including cash, card, or Careem credit
- Sharing of ride details with others
- 24/7 sanitization
- Availability of hand sanitiser in every taxi
- Fast pickup service (within 3 minutes of booking)
- Hand-free payment options via app
- Instant safety feedback
The size of the application in iOS is 148.2 MB whereas 37 MB in Android. It is free to download.
Uber UAE
Another competitive ride-hailing service is Uber (iOS | Android), internationally acclaimed for its super-easy and fast service for transport. It is one of the best Dubai transportation apps. The Uber UAE app is extensively used by thousands of customers to connect with available riders within minutes as they hurry to catch flights or rush to get home after a tiring day at work as soon as possible.
Besides, the Dubai transport app can even arrange a 15-minute helicopter tour of the entire Dubai. You can pre-book UberCHOPPER, also referred to as Helicopter Taxi, to take a tour of the city from the top.
Key Features of the Uber UAE App
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off
- Wide range of ride types
- Readily available at Dubai International Airport
- Sky-touring with UberCHOPPER
- Allows splitting of ride fare with ‘ride-sharing’ option
- Available in multiple languages including English, Arabic and French
Uber UAE application’s size is 353.3 MB in iOS and is free to download.
S’hail
S’hail (iOS | Android), calls it a complete package of transportation services packed into one platform. Whether you want to book a Careem captain or Uber driver, the S’hail app has you covered. Besides being integrated with the top transportation apps, S’Hail provides information related to tram, Dubai Metro (red or green line) and buses, as well as options for taxi booking in Dubai or limousine.
What’s more; S’hail goes the extra mile to help you decide between choosing a taxi or limo (when you can’t) by giving real-time traffic updates for you to judge better. It effectively customizes trips according to the preferences of the users with surprising accuracy.
Key Features of the S’hail App
- A simplified platform for online booking of rides including ‘Ekar’ and ‘UDrive.’
- Provides schedules for Dubai metro, tram and buses
- Provides fare estimates based on current rates
- Delivers real-time traffic updates
- Available in English and Arabic
Fortunately, the S’hail app does not occupy too much of your phone’s memory. It is of size 70.5 MB in iOS and 16 MB in Android. Needless to say, it’s free to download.
DTC Smart App
The last on our list is the smart DTC app that is intended to facilitate customers with reserved taxis and limousines in seamless transportation service. Integrated with Dubai Taxi Corporation’s Control Centre, the DTC smart app is aligned with the Reservation and Distribution Centre at the Public Transport Agency at the RTA (Roads and Transport Authority). It achieves this through advanced technologies, enabling the booking of rides and customer requests for various transportation in a smooth, hassle-free way.
Booking a Ride with the DTC Smart App
- Download the DTC Smart app (iOS | Android) and register yourself
- Select and reserve the vehicle of your choice from a fleet of available vehicles
- The DTC smart app searches for the nearest vehicle around the entered location and automatically sends it to the customer
- Travellers are required to pin their locations on the map and select the pickup location
- Payment can be done directly via cash or through a credit card
Key Features of DTC Smart App
- Comprises a range of vehicles including taxis, limos and other delivery services
- Provides real-time calculation of fares and direct tracking of the flight path
- Allows instant reservation as well as rescheduling of reservation in three simple steps
- Easy down, installation and easy usage
- Professional drivers (male and female)
- Availability of discount packages
- Availability of cash and credit card payment options
- Safe, modern and comfortable vehicles
- Availability round-the-clock
- Free Wi-Fi
- Safe payment methods
- Quick customer support
The DTC smart app is of size 16 MB on Android and is free to download.
Besides, as for the transport websites, Wojhati service website is owned by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai and stands out as one of the city’s best public transport tracking websites. Designed exclusively for travellers, it simplifies trip planning by allowing users to input their starting and ending points. Wojhati then calculates the best mode of transportation, trip duration and approximate fares. A notable feature is the ability to share your real-time journey status with concerned friends and family.
Key Features of the Wojhati App
- View routes, stops, next departures and major landmarks
- Plan journeys across Dubai
- Easily bookmark your favourite destinations
- Stay informed about real-time transport delays
- Available in Arabic, English
- Price: Free
FAQs
How do I pay for public transport in Dubai?
To pay for public transport in Dubai, simply use the nol card—a smart card enabling convenient payments with a single tap. This versatile card covers Dubai Metro, Buses, Dubai Tram, Water Buses and even RTA’s Paid Parking.
What is RTA Dubai app?
The RTA Dubai App offers over 40 specialised services and features, catering to both drivers and passengers. It provides support across service centres, metro and bus stations, taxi bookings, parking and more.
How to check nol card balance and top-up in the RTA Dubai App?
In the RTA Dubai app, you can easily check your NOL card balance and top it up for seamless travel. Simply open the app, navigate to the NOL section and you’ll find options to check your card balance and perform a top-up. The app also provides a transaction history for your reference. Here are some dos and don’ts of using nol card in Dubai.
Steps to Book a Hala Taxi Using Careem App?
Download Careem, select ‘Hala Taxi,’ confirm pickup via GPS, enter drop-off, choose vehicle type, select a payment option and tap ‘Yallah’ to track your ride.
What’s the Process for Booking a Taxi or Limousine Using DTC Smart App?
Download DTC Smart App, register, choose your vehicle, pin your location on the map and the app automatically dispatches the nearest vehicle. Pay conveniently with cash or credit card.
That’s about all the public transport apps in Dubai that we can recommend to any traveller or resident in the city. Using these e-services for transport, you can enjoy a hassle-free ride around the city anywhere and at any time. These apps for public transport in Dubai are cost-effective and efficient.
However, if you are new to the city and plan to live here, then you may opt to buy your car for your daily commute. There are several second-hand vehicles in Dubai up for sale.
Besides, a wide array of used cars for sale by different international automakers, well-known globally are up for sale. A few from the list are:
- Used BMW in Dubai for sale online
- Second-hand Mercedes-Benz for sale in Dubai
- Used Toyota cars in Dubai for sale
- Second-hand Nissan for sale online in Dubai
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information about different driving apps, public transport and traffic laws.
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