Dubai Taxi Guide: Rates, Hala Booking, Airport Fares & Salik
Essential Taxi Fare Facts
- Street Hail Flag-Fall: AED 12.00 base meter charge (Minimum trip fare: AED 12.00).
- Airport Pickup Surcharge: AED 25.00 base meter charge when boarded at DXB terminals.
- Hala (Careem) App: Flag-fall AED 5 - 5.50 + booking fee (AED 4 - 7.50); minimum fare AED 13.00.
- Salik Tolls: Exactly AED 4.20 automatically added per toll gate passed.
- Payment Choice: Credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Nol card, or cash with receipt.
Dubai Taxi System Overview & Fleet
Taxis in Dubai are easily recognized by their uniform cream/sand-colored bodywork, distinguished by different colored roof caps indicating the operating franchise (Red: Dubai Taxi Corporation; Blue: Cars Taxi; Green: Arabia Taxi; Orange: Metro Taxi; Yellow: National Taxi).
Regardless of the roof color, all taxis operate under identical RTA-regulated tariff schedules, meters, and quality guidelines. Additionally, RTA operates dedicated Ladies and Families Taxis (identifiable by pink roofs and driven exclusively by female drivers) available at airport queues, major shopping malls, and hospitals.
Meter Rates & Base Flag-Fall Charges
| Service Type | Starting Flag-Fall | Per-Km Tariff | Minimum Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Hail (Day & Night) | AED 12.00 | Metered rate (~AED 2.21/km) | AED 12.00 |
| Airport Taxi (DXB Terminals) | AED 25.00 | Metered rate (~AED 2.21/km) | AED 25.00 |
| Hala Smart Booking (App) | AED 5.00 - 5.50 + booking fee | Metered rate | AED 13.00 |
| Inter-Emirate Surcharge | + AED 20.00 fixed | Applicable on trips crossing to Sharjah/Ajman | N/A |
Airport Taxi (DXB Pickup Surcharge AED 25)
When landing at Dubai International Airport (Terminals 1, 2, or 3), official taxi ranks are located immediately outside the baggage reclaim exit doors.
The meter starts at AED 25.00. Airport fleets frequently utilize spacious 7-seater vehicles (such as Toyota Innova or hybrid vans) capable of carrying four to five passengers plus oversized luggage. (Note: Standard metered taxis to the airport do not incur this surcharge; it applies exclusively on pickups originating from DXB airport ranks).
Booking via Hala App (Careem Integration)
The official digital e-hailing platform for Dubai public taxis is Hala Taxi, accessed directly through the Careem mobile application.
How Hala Booking Works:
- Download the Careem app and choose "Hala Taxi".
- Input your destination to view an upfront estimated fare range and driver arrival ETA (typically 3 to 6 minutes).
- Booking surcharge: AED 4.00 during off-peak periods, and AED 7.50 during designated morning/evening rush hour windows.
- Payment is settled automatically through your stored in-app credit card, or you can select "Pay in Cash / Card to Driver".
Salik Tolls & Extra Surcharges
Dubai uses an automated, electronic barrier-free toll system known as Salik. When your taxi drives beneath a Salik toll gantry (such as Al Barsha, Al Safa, or Al Maktoum Bridge), the onboard meter automatically detects the RFID transmission and appends AED 4.20 directly onto the fare display.
Drivers are required to follow your preferred navigation path. If you wish to avoid Salik tolls, instruct your driver before departure to use alternative toll-free routes such as Al Khail Road (E44) or Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
Payment Options: Credit Card, Nol & Cash
Every Dubai taxi is fitted with a central dashboard terminal and rear-seat interactive payment screen:
- Credit / Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB are accepted with contactless tap or chip-and-PIN. No card surcharge is permitted.
- Apple Pay & Mobile Wallets: Supported on the POS reader.
- Nol Card: You can tap your standard Silver or Gold Nol card against the in-car POS terminal to pay the taxi fare directly from your transport purse.
- Cash: Accepted in UAE Dirhams. Drivers are required to carry small change. Always demand a printed paper receipt at the conclusion of your trip.
Lost Property in a Dubai Taxi
Always request a printed receipt before stepping out of the vehicle. The receipt prints the taxi's unique Side Number (Taxi Number), the plate number, and the driver's permit code.
- Call the RTA 24/7 Call Center immediately at 800 90 90 (or +971 4 605 1414 if calling from an international SIM).
- Provide your trip details: date, pickup/drop-off locations, time, and the Taxi Side Number printed on your receipt.
- RTA dispatch contacts the vehicle within minutes to secure your belongings.
Every fare, schedule, and rule in this guide is referenced against direct primary source documents published by Dubai transit authorities:
- RTA Dubai Taxi Official Fares & Tariffs Policy— Confirmed AED 12 flag-fall and AED 25 airport surcharge.
- Salik Dubai Official Toll Tariff Structure— Verified AED 4.20 per gate automatic passenger charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base starting fare for a taxi in Dubai?
For a street-hailed taxi, the base meter flag-fall is AED 12.00 (day and night), with a minimum fare of AED 12.00 per trip. When booked via the Hala (Careem) app, the base flag-fall is typically AED 5.00 to AED 5.50 plus a booking surcharge (AED 4 off-peak to AED 7.50 peak), with a minimum trip fare of AED 13.00.
How much extra does a taxi from Dubai Airport cost?
Taxis departing directly from Dubai International Airport (DXB) terminals carry an official RTA airport starting flag-fall of AED 25.00 on the meter, after which standard distance tariffs apply.
Do Dubai taxis take credit cards and Apple Pay?
Yes. All official RTA taxis (Dubai Taxi Corporation, National Taxi, Arabia Taxi, Cars Taxi, Metro Taxi) are fitted with point-of-sale card terminals accepting Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, physical Nol cards, and UAE Dirham cash.
How are Salik road toll gates charged during a taxi ride?
Each time your taxi passes through an automated Salik road toll gate along Sheikh Zayed Road or Al Maktoum Bridge, exactly AED 4.20 is automatically added to your final meter total.