Essential Dubai apps every tourist should download before visiting

Dubai: If you are visiting Dubai, having the right apps on your phone can make your trip a lot easier – from getting around the city to booking attractions, ordering food or simply staying safe. Here is a complete guide to the most useful apps for tourists in Dubai, covering transport, delivery, events, parking, and more.

Several apps can be used to book taxis in Dubai. Popular options include Careem, Uber, and the DTC (Dubai Taxi Corporation) app. You will also find other ride-hailing apps like Yango, Bolt, and Zed operating in the city.

Careem, in particular, offers more than just taxi booking – it also includes services like food delivery and other transport options.

If you’re looking to book a public taxi (the ones managed by RTA with coloured roofs), you can do so by selecting the Hala Taxi option within the Careem app or use the Bolt or DTC Taxi app directly. These taxis tend to be slightly cheaper than private ride-hailing vehicles and are widely available across the city.

If you are planning to drive during your stay in the UAE, the most recommended navigation apps are Google Maps and Waze.

While Google Maps offers reliable directions and estimated travel times, Waze is especially popular for its real-time traffic updates. It alerts you when you are approaching a radar camera, going over the speed limit, or encountering traffic congestion.

It also provides pop-ups about incidents or roadblocks, making it a valuable tool for tourists who are not familiar with Dubai’s roads.

Dubai has an efficient public transport system that includes the Metro, buses, trams, and marine transport such as abras and ferries. The best way to plan your journey across all these modes is by using the S’hail app, which has been developed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

With S’hail, you can easily find which route to take, how long your journey will take, how much it will cost, and when the next Metro or bus is arriving. The app also provides schedules for abras and ferries.

Additionally, you can use the app to top up your nol card, the smart card used to pay fares on all public transport in Dubai. Whether you are a daily commuter or just getting around for sightseeing, S’hail has everything you need.

After a long day exploring the city, you might want to relax and order in. The most widely used food and essentials delivery apps in Dubai are Talabat, Deliveroo, Instashop, and noon. These apps let you order meals from a wide selection of restaurants and also offer grocery and pharmacy delivery.

If you need to order basic essentials, medicines or anything from nearby supermarkets or pharmacies, these apps will have you covered.

If you are driving in Dubai, paying for public parking is another thing to keep in mind.

Most public parking in the city is operated by Parkin and can be identified by blue and white signboards showing the parking zone number. While there is an option to pay by SMS (with instructions provided on the signboards), this can be inconvenient for tourists, so it is easier to use the Parkin app.

Once you have downloaded the app, just enable your location, enter your vehicle details, and it will detect the nearest parking zone. You can then select the location and make a payment using your credit card or phone wallet. There are also parking meters in some areas, but they are not available everywhere.

In popular locations like Palm Jumeirah or The Beach at JBR, parking is operated by Parkonic, which has its own app.

Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world, and the Dubai Police even have a dedicated unit known as the Tourism Police, which specifically assists tourists. As a visitor, you can use the Dubai Police app to contact this unit directly.

Through the app, you can submit feedback, ask for assistance, or make inquiries. It also allows you to access general police services and emergency features.

For residents, the app serves as a reliable way to quickly reach out to the police, but it is equally helpful for tourists needing support or wanting to stay informed.

The Visit Dubai app, developed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), helps you plan your itinerary and personalise your trip. You can also use the app to make bookings for Dubai’s top attractions, experiences, and restaurants.

To stay up to date with what is happening in the city, the Dubai Calendar app is also worth downloading. It features a wide range of events – from concerts and exhibitions to sports tournaments and family-friendly shows. With these two apps, you will never miss out on what’s going on in the city during your stay.

Dubai has plenty of traditional car rental services, but if you only need a car for a few hours or a day, short-term rentals through apps like Udrive, ekar, and Yaldi are a great option. These companies are licensed by RTA to provide hourly vehicle rentals.

You will need to download the respective app and register by entering some basic personal details. Once your account is set up, you can choose a car, see where it is located, and receive a code to unlock the car’s key.

These services are designed for convenience - you do not have to worry about fuel, insurance or even parking, as all of it is included in the rental.

Better still, there is no deposit required, which is ideal if you do not want to make a financial commitment upfront.