Metro: The Dubai Metro (Red and Green lines) is clean, cheap, and efficient. The Red Line is most useful for visitors, running from the airport through Downtown, past the Mall of the Emirates, and out to Marina/JBR. Trains run from 5am to midnight (1am on Fridays) with frequent service. Payment is via the Nol smart card, available from station machines; single fares run 3–8.5 AED depending on zones. Women and children have a dedicated "Gold Class" cabin at the front of each train.
Taxis: Taxis are metered, generally reliable, and driven by trained and licensed drivers. The flag fall is 5 AED (weekdays), 5.5 AED (evenings/Fridays), plus 1.75–1.97 AED per kilometre. Tipping is not obligatory. Ride-hailing apps (Uber, Careem) are legal and well-integrated. In practice, taxis are the most practical way to reach attractions not on the Metro line.
Tram: The Dubai Tram serves the Al Sufouh corridor from Dubai Marina to Dubai Internet City, connecting to the Metro at two points and to the Palm Monorail. Useful for reaching JBR beach and Marina Walk.
Abra: The traditional wooden water taxis that cross Dubai Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai charge 1 AED per crossing and run continuously from early morning until midnight. An essential Creek experience and genuinely the most useful transport link in the old city.
Car hire: Driving in Dubai is on the right. Roads are generally good, petrol is cheap, and GPS navigation is reliable. Parking is metered in tourist areas and malls but free at many residential streets. The main complication is traffic: the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor experiences significant congestion during morning and evening rush hours.