United Arab Emirates

Careem is the daily default, but transit, taxis and fare cards change by emirate

26 apps7 essentialMiddle EastLast updated: August 2026

Check the UAE's official visa guidance for your passport before departure and make sure the passport validity rule fits your itinerary.

The essentials

CareemRide Hailing
YangoRide Hailing
talabatFood Delivery
Careem FoodFood Delivery
WhatsAppMessaging
Google MapsNavigation
S'hailTransit

What to know before you go to United Arab Emirates

Obtain Ministry of Health approval before carrying a controlled medicine. Local law is stricter than many visitors expect: dress and public behavior matter, photographing people without permission or secure sites can cause serious trouble, and alcohol is limited to licensed settings and prohibited in Sharjah. WhatsApp messages work, but unapproved internet calling services can be blocked, so keep a cellular-call fallback. Save 999 for police, 998 for ambulance and 997 for fire offline.

The regional security situation can change rapidly and has caused flight, airspace and navigation disruption during 2026. Recheck official travel advice, airline status and airport notices immediately before each flight. The most useful apps also depend on the emirate: Dubai uses nol and S'hail, Abu Dhabi uses Hafilat and its own services, Sharjah uses Sayer, and Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah have separate systems.

Ride Hailing5 apps · 2 essential

View Ride Hailing guide→

CareemEssential

The best first ride app, combining private cars with Dubai's regulated Hala taxis and other city-specific services.

Pro tip: Choose Hala in Dubai for a metered taxi, compare the final quote, and follow the airport's exact pickup instructions.

App Store Play Store Website

YangoEssential

A useful fare comparison in Dubai and an official app option for booking Abu Dhabi's regulated taxis.

Pro tip: It can quote below Uber, but supply varies. In Abu Dhabi, compare it with the official taxi app and the street taxi queue.

App Store Play Store Website

Uber

A familiar premium ride option in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with an existing international account usually carrying over.

Pro tip: It is often dearer than Careem Hala. Compare the quote and use the terminal-specific pickup pin at either major airport.

App Store Play Store Website

Bolt

A licensed private-car comparison in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where the operator currently lists active service.

Pro tip: Use the live pickup time, not only the price. Its fleet can be thinner than Careem or Uber outside central districts.

App Store Play Store Website

Abu Dhabi Taxi

Abu Dhabi Mobility's official app for metered taxis in Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain.

Pro tip: Registration and driver contact may depend on a working local number. Keep Yango or the street taxi queue as a fallback.

App Store Play Store Website

Food Delivery6 apps · 2 essential

View Food Delivery guide→

talabatEssential

The broadest practical UAE app for restaurant meals, groceries and other everyday delivery.

Pro tip: Compare the final basket, not the banner discount. Add the hotel entrance and reception instructions before ordering.

App Store Play Store Website

Careem FoodEssential

Restaurant delivery inside the same Careem app many visitors already use for UAE rides.

Pro tip: It is the most convenient comparison if Careem is already installed. Recheck fees and menu prices before confirming.

App Store Play Store Website

Deliveroo

A major restaurant app in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that also officially covers Sharjah, Al Ain and Ajman.

Pro tip: Compare an identical basket with talabat or Careem. Platform menu prices can matter more than the delivery fee.

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noon Food

Restaurant delivery inside noon's UAE shopping app, useful for comparing local offers and fees.

Pro tip: Check whether your foreign number receives the OTP and whether the courier can reach the exact hotel or tower entrance.

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Keeta

A fast-growing delivery app whose UAE promotions can produce a lower final price on selected restaurants.

Pro tip: Treat launch discounts as temporary and start small. Recent users report uneven courier tracking, refunds and support.

App Store Play Store Website

Smiles

The e& UAE rewards app also offers food and grocery delivery to residents and visitors.

Pro tip: Use it only when an offer clearly wins. Current reviews report service and refund failures, so avoid a large first order.

App Store Play Store Website

Messaging2 apps · 1 essential

View Messaging guide→

WhatsAppEssential

The main messaging channel for UAE hotels, drivers, guides, restaurants and personal contacts.

Pro tip: Messages work, but calls can be blocked. Keep a cellular-call fallback and verify changed payment instructions separately.

App Store Play Store Website

botim

An approved UAE internet-calling option when both people install it, with messaging and many unrelated resident services.

Pro tip: Use it only if you need an app call. Do not depend on it for emergencies or use its wallet and transfers as a short-stay visitor.

App Store Play Store Website

Navigation2 apps · 1 essential

View Navigation guide→

Google MapsEssential

The best general UAE app for roads, places, transit orientation, Arabic names and shared location pins.

Pro tip: Pin the exact entrance, save the Arabic name and download offline areas. If GPS jumps, trust road signs and stop safely.

App Store Play Store Website

Waze

A useful second traffic and driving view in the UAE, especially when checking congestion or a disputed route.

Pro tip: It uses the same GPS and cannot solve spoofing. Compare road signs and another source instead of following a bad position.

App Store Play Store Website

Transit5 apps · 1 essential

View Transit guide→

S'hailEssential

Dubai RTA's official planner for metro, tram, bus, marine transport and taxi connections.

Pro tip: Use guest mode if registration or a foreign OTP fails. Keep the route screenshot and confirm late-night service with RTA.

App Store Play Store Website

nol Pay

Dubai's official app for checking and topping up a physical nol card with a compatible NFC phone.

Pro tip: Tap the card to the phone after topping up. Manual card-number top-ups can take 45 minutes to four hours to activate.

App Store Play Store Website

Abu Dhabi Link

Abu Dhabi's AED 2 on-demand shared transit service as of August 2026 in zones such as Yas and Saadiyat islands.

Pro tip: Confirm the live service zone and allow extra time. Booking delays are reported, and it is not a general citywide taxi app.

App Store Play Store Website

Masaar Travel

Ajman's new official Android tool for bus routes, live tracking, schedules and Masaar card management.

Pro tip: Use it only for Ajman. No verified iPhone listing was found, so iPhone users should use the official timetable and station help.

Play Store Website

Sayr by RAKTA

Ras Al Khaimah's official journey tool for local and intercity buses, taxi booking and service information.

Pro tip: Install it only for Ras Al Khaimah. Check the exact route and last service because it does not cover the other emirates.

App Store Play Store Website

Shopping2 apps

Noon

A major UAE marketplace for shopping, groceries, food and rapid local delivery in supported areas.

Pro tip: Check the seller, exact delivery promise and return terms. Some foreign numbers struggle with OTPs or courier contact.

App Store Play Store Website

Amazon Shopping

Amazon.ae's general marketplace for travel replacements, apartment supplies and longer-stay purchases.

Pro tip: Prefer platform-fulfilled listings, confirm the hotel accepts parcels, and never rely on delivery just before a flight.

App Store Play Store Website

Travel & Booking2 apps

Visit Dubai

Dubai's official tourism guide for current events, attractions, itineraries, maps and trip ideas.

Pro tip: Use it for discovery, then compare the venue's direct price and cancellation terms before buying a timed ticket.

App Store Play Store Website

Experience Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's official guide for attractions, events, maps, itineraries and practical destination information.

Pro tip: Install it for an Abu Dhabi stay, but keep confirmed attraction tickets and opening details from the venue itself offline.

App Store Play Store Website

Language1 app

Google Translate

A useful Arabic offline, camera and text fallback, although English handles most ordinary visitor situations.

Pro tip: Download Arabic before arrival and save original place names. Get human help for medical, immigration, police or legal text.

App Store Play Store Website

Intercity Transport1 app

Etihad Rail

The official booking app for the passenger rail service that began between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah in June 2026.

Pro tip: Confirm that your route is operating now, not only announced. Plan transport at both stations and save the issued ticket offline.

App Store Play Store Website

Also covered

Internet in United Arab Emirates

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App Store Play Store See plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration: Registration requires your passport plus a photo, fingerprint, or other biometric check.
Tourist plans and prices: Etisalat Visitor Line includes 3GB for 28 days and costs around 49 AED ($13).
Where to buy: Starter packs may be sold in convenience stores, but an official carrier shop is safer for registration and activation.
Airport prices: Airport and city prices are generally similar for official carrier offers.
Local eSIM: Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.

Good to know

Voice and video calls in common messaging apps are blocked; text chat still works.

Local carriers

e& (Etisalat)
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
du
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
Virgin Mobile
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.

Full SIM card and eSIM guide for United Arab Emirates→eSIM and SIM cards by country→

Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

From the companies

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-have apps for traveling in United Arab Emirates?

The essential apps for United Arab Emirates are Careem, Yango, talabat, Careem Food, WhatsApp.

How many travel apps does United Arab Emirates have?

We've curated 26 apps across 10 categories for traveling in United Arab Emirates, including 7 essential apps.

What is the best ride hailing app in United Arab Emirates?

Careem. The best first ride app, combining private cars with Dubai's regulated Hala taxis and other city-specific services.

Keep exploring

How to Pay in United Arab Emirates

Payment apps and cashless travel tips

Is Uber Available in United Arab Emirates?

Ride-hailing options and local alternatives

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