The Ultimate Guide to Car Rental Dubai Airport for a Stress-Free Start

Rental cars at Dubai Airport ready for pickup

NextRide offers car rental at Dubai Airport (DXB) from AED 100 a day. Book before you fly and our representative meets you directly in the arrivals hall, with no queues, shuttle transfers or waiting. Economy cars, SUVs and premium vehicles are available with comprehensive insurance included and no hidden fees.

Dubai Airport car rental: what to expect

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the busiest airports in the world. Unlike many airports where rental desks are located off-site requiring a bus transfer, NextRide delivers your car directly to the arrivals area. Our representative will be waiting with your vehicle details and rental agreement ready to sign, and most handovers take under 15 minutes.

Documents checklist for airport car rental

Have these ready before you land:

DocumentTouristsUAE Residents
PassportRequiredRequired
Home country driving licenseRequiredNot needed
UAE driving licenseNot neededRequired
International Driving PermitIf home license not recognised in UAENot needed
Credit cardRequired for depositRequired for deposit

Tourists from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most EU countries can use their home license without an IDP. If unsure, confirm with NextRide before booking. Read our article on the required documents for more details.

Available cars at Dubai Airport

CarTypeDaily (starting)Weekly (starting)Monthly (starting)
Suzuki Baleno 2025Economy hatchback, 5 seatsAED 100AED 595 (AED 85/day)AED 1,650 (AED 55/day)
Hyundai CretaCompact SUV, 5 seatsAED 120AED 700 (AED 100/day)AED 2,700 (AED 90/day)
Hyundai Elantra 2025Sedan, 5 seatsAED 140AED 830 (AED 118/day)AED 2,900 (AED 96/day)
Exeed LX 2026Premium crossover, 5 seatsAED 150AED 999 (AED 142/day)AED 2,910 (AED 97/day)
Kia Carens 20257-seat MPVAED 180AED 1,050 (AED 150/day)AED 3,500 (AED 116/day)
Starting prices in AED. Prices may vary by season, availability and rental length, and special offers may apply. Your final price is confirmed when you book. Luxury and premium models available on request.

Arriving with family or lots of luggage? The 7-seat Kia Carens or the Hyundai Creta SUV are the best fit. For executive arrivals, choose the Exeed LX 2026.

DXB vs DWC: which airport should you pick up from?

DXB (Dubai International)DWC (Al Maktoum)
LocationNear Deira, Business BayNear Marina, Jebel Ali
Distance to Downtown~12–15 km~40–45 km
Drive time to Downtown~15–30 min~35–50 min
Best forCentral Dubai, Deira, CreekMarina, JBR, Abu Dhabi direction

If you land at DWC instead of DXB, see our dedicated Al Maktoum Airport car rental guide.

Tips to save money on Dubai Airport car rental

  • Book weekly or monthly: weekly rates start from AED 595 and save up to 17% on daily pricing; monthly rates save up to 45%
  • Book before you fly: last-minute airport rentals cost more and availability is limited in peak season
  • Choose the right car size: economy cars cost less to rent and less to fuel in Dubai traffic
  • Check mileage limits: make sure your plan covers day trips to Abu Dhabi or Fujairah if you plan them
  • Inspect at handover: photograph the car before driving away to avoid any deposit disputes on return

What happens at the end of your rental

Return the car to your agreed location: DXB, DWC, your hotel, or any Dubai address. Salik toll charges accumulated during your rental are billed at the end. Traffic fines registered during the rental period are charged from your security deposit. The deposit is released within 21–30 days after the rental ends with no violations.

Reach out to our team to plan your next Dubai trip!