But Dubai offers an alternative way to travel and a second way, both of which involve driving in the keys to your own car. These are both effective, but different types of trips. Now, here’s a clear view of what all of them involve, and you can choose which is a part of your plans.
What Self-Drive Rental Involves
Car rentals in Dubai are easy to arrange, but there are documents involved. The majority of visitors require a valid passport, a driver’s licence from an authorized country, and, in many cases, an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to a valid passport. Most of the countries in the EU, Canada, the UK and the US have an agreement in place that allows their visitors to use the licence of their own country to head home, though some countries require the IDP to meet the requirements of the rental companies and Dubai Police.
Age matters too. The minimum age is usually 21, but can be as high as 25 in luxury or sports cars. The rental fee will be in addition to a deposit that will be refunded, as well as an additional charge for Salik tolls, which cost AED 4 to AED 6 per toll point.
Car prices can vary significantly based on the vehicle. The basic SUV will cost about AED 800 per day, and a top-of-the-range supercar could top out at over AED 13,000 a day in high season. Include fuel, parking and any traffic fines collected on the way and the actual cost of a self-drive holiday can be more unpredictable than it appears to be when it’s being booked.
Another unexpected addition is parking. Dubai categorizes paid parking into different zones with varying rates and typically charges via SMS against a license plate, zone, and number of hours. One of the more frequent ways tourists end up with an unnecessary fine during their self-drive vacations is by misformatting the tickets or forgetting to pay.
What a Luxury Chauffeur Service Involves
When you hire a chauffeur, you eliminate nearly all that paperwork. Everything is free of license, IDP, and age limits, as someone else will be driving you. Everything else remains the same; it is only the car and package that vary.
The key to a proper luxury car chauffeur service is the use of a well-maintained, premium quality vehicle, usually a Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, or Rolls-Royce, along with a professional, RTA-licensed driver. The cost is typically quoted at the beginning and consists of fuel, regular tolls, and a fixed fee for waiting time, meaning that there is only one number instead of a pile of add-on fees. This predictability is important, particularly for visitors coming to Dubai for business, events, or just being in style.
Most of the established operators have more than one type of car, and the visitor can choose the car for the occasion. A sedan can be used for everyday errands and meetings, an SUV can be perfect for a family with an extra load of luggage, or a car such as a Rolls-Royce can be ideal for a wedding, a milestone birthday party, or an anniversary. There is also the flexibility of booking an airport transfer, a few hours or even a whole day with the car and driver waiting ready for pick-ups.
Comparing the Real Costs
Self-drive rental is on paper less expensive and often is for a short, simple trip. The comparison alters when tolls, fuel, parking, insurance add-ons and traffic fines are thrown in. Dubai’s traffic fine system is entirely camera-based, automated,d and does not slow down for tourists who are unaware of local restrictions, meaning that an error in judgment or a speed limit sign that is not noticed can result in a fine weeks later.
A low ‘headline’ price for one, fixeonee’. For travelers who appreciate having the cost of the entire trip figured out before they depart, it can pay off for the chauffeur in the long run, particularly if it involves multiple stops throughout the day over several days.
Insurance and Who Carries the Risk
There are different insurance policies and coverage for the two, and it is important to know what they are before you sign up for any of them. Rental car insurance is usually the minimum insurance that is involved, and the company may try to sell you a “full coverage” collision damage waiver that eliminates your liability in case of a mishap. If that upgrade is not in place, a bumper scratch and/or a parking accident can cost the tourist a significant portion of the repair bill.
A chauffeur rental company has commercial passenger liability insurance on all vehicles in the fleet, and it is not an extra cost. In the event of an accident, the passenger is not the one carrying the risk, so that’s another reason business travelers and families with young children might prefer the chauffeur service for anything but a quick, easy run errand.
Comfort, Stress, and Local Knowledge
Many visitors overlook the extra stress of driving around a strange city. Highways are fast-moving, lane discipline is strict, and toll and speed cameras are not to be overlooked while following signs and a map in Dubai. A car driver can take that burden off the shoulders, allowing passengers to enjoy the ride, use a laptop,p or simply take a break between stops.
Self-driving rental is a particular draw here as well. There are actually people who do like the freedom of stopping anywhere they want, taking detours along the coast without booking with a driver, etc. That sort of freedom is difficult to put a price on when you’re on your own and traveling flexibly.
Which One Fits Your Trip?
Deciding on the right choice often depends on your objectives for visiting Dubai and the degree of logistics you will consider in this regard.
- Chauffeur Cars for Business Trips and Meetings: Avoid the stress of being kept up to date on traffic by letting the chauffeur do the job for you, so you can concentrate on preparing for your meeting.
- Weddings, events, and special occasions: A chauffeur-driven luxury car elevates the occasion and eliminates any hassle with parking at the event.
- Airport transfers: A car service driver follows your flight and schedules pickup automatically; this can’t be done by rental cars.
- Enjoy the city in your own way: Self-drive rental offers the freedom to stop wherever you like, or for a longer road trip outside the city.
- Novice drivers who are not used to local traffic laws: A chauffeur does not risk fines for Salik gates, speed cameras, or not parking in a familiar spot.
A lot of visitors end up taking both on one trip: a rental car for a day of exploring on their own, and a driver for those important meetings, dinners or airport runs when it’s important to be reliable. This can be done in a manner that enables the guest to have the best of both worlds without having to make one or the other decision for the entire duration of their trip.
Final Thoughts
There is no right or wrong answer to either of these choices. Self-drive hire is for the type of travellers who like to have control over their route and when it’s going to take place, while a chauffeur is for the travellers who would prefer to give up the driving and arrive relaxed. If you have considered your trip and all of the above, you will likely know which one you want to make on each day of the trip, and for many travellers the honest response is both.
About the Author
Pilot & Car is an exclusive luxury chauffeur and limousine service in Dubai, providing RTA-licensed car and taxi drivers, airport transfers and luxury cars for business and leisure trips in the UAE.
Read Also: Best Places to Visit Near Dubai
