Dubai Taxi Fare Calculator 2026: Official RTA Rates and Route Costs
Every Dubai taxi fare on this page is built directly from RTA's published rate structure, so you can check a cost before you get in the car instead of guessing at the meter.
Quick Summary
- Dubai taxi base fare: AED 5 (day), AED 6 (night), AED 25 (from airport).
- Distance rate: flat AED 2.19 per km, plus AED 0.50 per minute waiting.
- Typical in-city trips run AED 20–80; intercity trips to Abu Dhabi or Al Ain run AED 300–450.
- Rates apply uniformly across RTA-metered taxis regardless of operator.
How Dubai Taxi Fares Are Actually Structured
Dubai taxi fares are set entirely by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and consist of three fixed components: a starting flagfall, a per-kilometer distance charge, and a per-minute waiting charge. Every licensed taxi in the emirate, regardless of company, runs the same meter formula, which is what makes the fare predictable before the trip even starts.
The flagfall changes based on two things: the time of day and the pickup location. A standard street pickup during the day costs less to start than a pickup from Dubai International Airport, where a fixed surcharge applies from the first meter drop.
Base Fare by Pickup Type
| Pickup Condition | Base Fare (AED) |
|---|---|
| Daytime street pickup (6 AM – 10 PM) | 5 – 12 |
| Nighttime street pickup (10 PM – 6 AM) | 6 – 12 |
| Dubai International Airport pickup | 25 |
Distance and Waiting Charges
| Charge Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Per kilometer, citywide | AED 2.19 |
| Waiting time (per minute) | AED 0.50 |
How to Work Out Your Own Fare Before You Ride
Calculating a Dubai taxi fare manually takes three steps: start with the correct base fare for your pickup time and location, add AED 2.19 for every kilometer of the route, then add AED 0.50 for each minute spent stationary in traffic or at a stop. The total is your estimated fare.
Average Fares Within Dubai by Distance
Short in-city Dubai taxi trips generally cost between AED 20 and AED 95 depending on distance, with the per-kilometer rate being the main driver of cost once the flagfall is covered.
| Distance | Approximate Fare (AED) |
|---|---|
| 5 km | 20 – 22 |
| 10 km | 30 – 36 |
| 20 km | 55 – 65 |
| 30 km | 80 – 95 |
Dubai Airport Taxi Fares by Destination
Taxis departing Dubai International Airport start at AED 25 due to the fixed airport surcharge, with total fares to nearby destinations typically landing between AED 60 and AED 150 depending on distance and traffic conditions.
| Route | Approximate Fare (AED) |
|---|---|
| Airport to Downtown / Burj Khalifa | 60 – 80 |
| Airport to Al Barsha | 80 – 90 |
| Airport to Sharjah (Rolla) | 90 – 120 |
| Airport to Ajman | 130 – 150 |
| Airport to Ras Al Khaimah | 280 – 330 |
| Airport to Al Ain | 400 – 450 |
Intercity Taxi Fares from Dubai
Intercity taxi trips from Dubai to other emirates are priced by fixed distance bands rather than the standard meter alone, with fares ranging from AED 70 for the shortest hop to Sharjah up to AED 450 for the longest run to Al Ain.
| Route | Fare (AED) | Approx. Distance | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai ↔ Sharjah | 70 – 100 | 25 km | 40–60 min |
| Dubai ↔ Ajman | 120 – 160 | 50 km | ~60 min |
| Dubai ↔ Abu Dhabi | 300 – 350 | 140 km | ~90 min |
| Dubai ↔ Ras Al Khaimah | 280 – 330 | 110 km | ~90 min |
| Dubai ↔ Umm Al Quwain | 170 – 200 | 75 km | ~60 min |
| Dubai ↔ Fujairah | 350 – 400 | 130 km | ~100 min |
| Dubai ↔ Al Ain | 400 – 450 | 150 km | ~120 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum taxi fare in Dubai?
The RTA sets the minimum fare at AED 12, applied regardless of how short the trip is.
How much is the per-kilometer rate for Dubai taxis?
Standard metered taxis charge AED 2.19 per kilometer, applied consistently across day and night trips.
Are Dubai taxi fares higher at night?
Only the base fare rises slightly at night, from AED 5 to AED 6; the per-kilometer rate does not change.
How much does a taxi from Dubai Airport cost?
Airport pickups start at a fixed AED 25 flagfall, with AED 2.19 per kilometer added for the route traveled.
How do I calculate my Dubai taxi fare manually?
Add your base fare to AED 2.19 per kilometer traveled, then add AED 0.50 for each minute of waiting time.
How much does a taxi from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost?
Expect AED 300 to AED 350 for the roughly 140 km, 90-minute intercity journey.