The UAE taxi booking process – everything you need to know

Trying to find a taxi on the road but in a rush to get to work or school? The UAE’s local transportation agencies have made it simple for customers to order cabs by using apps or by calling specialised call centres.

While you may still call a cab from the street, reserving one in advance can be useful if you wish to schedule a trip in advance.

Here is everything you need to know about reserving a cab in various UAE emirates.

Abu Dhabi

The Integrated Transport Center, the Emirate’s regional transportation agency, runs the taxis in Abu Dhabi (ITC). In Abu Dhabi, street cabs are silver and carry a yellow “taxi” sign.

In Abu Dhabi, there are three ways to request a taxi:

1. Hail it from the road

In Abu Dhabi, you can flag down taxis at the side of the road or at taxi stands located outside of shopping centres, medical facilities, tourist destinations, colleges, and hotels.

2. Book through a call centre

You can also book a cab in Abu Dhabi by calling ITC’s call centre at (600) 535353; make sure to let the representative know your pick-up and drop-off locations as well as your cell phone number.

The details of the journey, including the taxi’s licence plate, the driver’s name, and an estimated arrival time, will immediately be sent to you through SMS.

3. Book through the ‘Abu Dhabi Taxi’ app

You may plan your trip in a cab and receive an idea of the cost using the “Abu Dhabi Taxi” app, which is accessible for both Apple and Android devices. A 50% discount is given to individuals of determination and older people with disabilities on their entire tariff.

You can choose between a regular taxi, a family taxi (for ladies and kids), or a cab just for People of Determination.

Follow these steps to reserve a taxi:

1. Get the “Abu Dhabi cab” app from the Google Play or Apple App stores.
2. You will be prompted to enter your mobile number when you first launch the app.
3. Type in your full name, email address, and mobile number.
4. A One Time Password (OTP) that was issued to your registered mobile number must be entered.
5. Tap the “book taxi” option after creating an account.
6. Next, type the search bar with the locations of your pick-up and drop-off.
7. The app will display a rough estimate of the trip’s cost.
8. After that, choose the kind of cab you wish to book.
9. Select “Ride Now” from the menu.
10. You have the option of paying with cash or a credit card.
11. The app will then determine whether there are any cabs in the area.
12. You will receive a notification through SMS with the confirmation information once the app has located a driver.

How much will it cost?

Here is a breakdown of the taxi fare in Abu Dhabi, as per ITC:

Daytime tariff – 6 am to 10 pm

• Flag fall – Dh5
• Every 1km – Dh1.82
• Waiting time (by the minute) – 50 fils.
• Minimum trip fare – Dh12
• Booking fees (not applicable if you have hailed a taxi from the road) – Dh4

Night time tariff – 10 pm to 6 am

• Flag Fall – Dh5.50
• Every 1km – Dh1.82
• Waiting time (by the minute) – 50 fils
• Minimum trip Fare – Dh12

Booking fees (not applicable if you have hailed a taxi from the road) – Dh5

Airport taxis – the fares for airport taxis are slightly different, with the starting fare being Dh20.

Also Read: Booking a taxi online in the UAE during the weekend? The RTA has announced new peak hours

Dubai

A fleet of taxis is operated by the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), a division of Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), including standard taxis, ladies’ taxis with pink roofs, and People of Determination taxis, vans specially equipped to meet a range of customer demands.

Here are the ways you can book a taxi in Dubai:

1. Flagging a taxi down

Passengers can flag a taxi on the street. When hailing a taxi on the road, you should keep in mind that taxis are not permitted to stop in places that are not marked for safe stops. Additionally, cabs can be seen outside of shopping centres, hospitals, metro stations, and hotels.

2. Booking through the call centre

Call 800 88088 and give the agent your current position, your desired destination, and your mobile number if you are unable to call a cab on the street.

3. Booking through an app

Using the “Careem” app, which is accessible for Apple and Android smartphones, is the simplest way to book a cab through an app. Through the app, you can reserve RTA-licensed taxis under the “Hala taxi” category.

How much will it cost?

• Daytime tariff – 6 am to 10 pm – The metre starts at Dh5.
• Night time tariff – 10 pm to 6 am – The metre starts at Dh5.50.
• Tariff per kilometre – Dh2.19
• Booking fees – Dh10 to Dh12.
• The minimum trip fare is Dh12

Airport taxi

Taxis in Dubai start at Dh25, and the rate per kilometre is Dh1.75 if you depart from any of the airport terminals.

Ladies taxi

The starting fare for a ladies’ taxi is Dh6 or Dh7 from 10 pm to 6 am.

People of Determination taxi

The initial fee for the taxi service, according to RTA, varies depending on the time and place.

Sharjah

The taxi fleet in the Emirate is under the control of the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA).

In the Emirate, taxis are available for calling both on the road and outside of malls, colleges, hotels, hospitals, and other public buildings.

These are your choices if you want to make a cab reservation:

Call Centre

To book a taxi over the phone, dial 600 525252, which is the SRTA call centre.

Digital Sharjah app

SRTA taxis can be reserved by commuters through the official government services platform for Sharjah citizens, Digital Sharjah, which has a mobile app for both Apple and Android devices.

Follow these steps to reserve a taxi:

1. Get the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app on your phone and choose “Transportation by Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority” from the menu tab.
3. After that, select “book a taxi.”
4. Enter in the pick-up and drop-off points.
5. The app will confirm whether a cab is available nearby after you have entered your location information.
6. Select whether you want to pay for the trip using a credit card or cash.
7. An SMS containing information about the trip will then be sent to you.

How much will it cost

Flag Down:

From 6 am – 10:59 pm – Dh3

From 11 pm – 5:59 am – Dh4

From Airport – Dh20

Extra Fare:

To (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain) – Dh20

The Minimum charge for the trip – Dh10

The Charge for Every 155 metres – Dh0.25

First accumulated 10 waiting minutes – Free

Every Additional waiting minute – Dh0.50

Metre Fare Per Trip as Operational Service fee – Dh1.50

Waiting time will be charged when the taxi is not moving or moving below 25 km/hr.

Any road tolls are borne by the passenger.

Ras Al Khaimah

You can call a taxi in Ras Al Khaimah or hail one on the side of the road.

Call centre:

Contact the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) call centre at 8001700 to reserve a standard taxi or a “ladies taxi” in Ras Al Khaimah.

How to book a taxi in Ras Al Khaimah through Careem?

1. On your phone, download the Careem app.
2. Open the app, then choose “Hala Taxi.”
3. Next, pick where you want to be dropped off.
4. Next, you may either manually type your destination into the search bar or have the cab pick you up from your current position.
5. The “confirm pickup” button follows.
6. Select the type of vehicle by selecting “Hala (RAKTA TAXI)” after entering the location information. You may see an estimate of your travel fee on the app.
7. You have the option of paying the fare with cash or by inputting your credit or debit card online.
8. The Careem app will then determine whether a taxi driver is available close by. You will be notified through SMS of the trip’s specifics once it has been verified.

Taxi fare in Ras Al Khaimah

According to RAKTA, these are the taxi charges in the Emirate.

• Day: 6 am to 9.59 pm – Dh4
• Evening: 10 pm to 5.59 am – Dh5
• Travelling to other Emirates – Dh15
• Every 595 metres – Dh1
• Every 1 km – Dh1.88
• Minimum trip charge – Dh6

After five minutes, you will be charged 50 fils per minute to keep the taxi waiting.

Ajman

In the Emirate, taxi services are provided by the Ajman Transport Authority. You have the option of booking a regular taxi, a taxi for ladies, or a taxi for People of Determination.

Here are the two methods for reserving a cab in Ajman.

1. Call centre

Contact the Ajman Transport Authority call centre at (600) 599-9997 to reserve a “Mahra Cab,” which is a taxi designated for ladies and children as well as persons with strong wills.

2. How to book a Taxi in Ajman through the ‘Route’ app

Ajman Transport Authority introduced the “Route” taxi booking app in 2021. This app is accessible to Apple and Android users.

1. Install the app
2. Open the app, and sign in using your UAE Pass and mobile number.
3. Next, decide where you want to be picked up and dropped off.
4. Choose from a standard, Mahra, People of Determination, or limousine vehicle.
5. Next, select “confirm.”
6. The app will then provide a fare estimate and the trip’s specifics.
7. Select the method of payment—cash or credit card—and click “confirm the booking.”
8. The app will then determine whether a cab is nearby and send you a confirmation SMS with the details of the trip.

How much will it cost?

Fare for every 1km averages at Dh1.80, however, this may fluctuate according to fuel prices for the month.

• The minimum fare for the standard taxi – Dh12.50
• The minimum fare for ladies’ taxi – Dh10
• People of Determination who have a Sanad card can use a taxi for free.

Private Ride-hailing apps

International ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem offer a large fleet of vehicles that ranges from economy cars to luxury vehicles.

Private taxis have a flat cost, whereas street taxis are metered. Private taxi fares are based on the length and cost of the trip. Time, traffic jams, toll booths, and waiting fees can all have an impact on how much a trip will cost.

In addition to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Careem is accessible in Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. Uber is accessible in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.