The UAE-especially glitzy Dubai-offers world-class shopping, luxury dining, and desert adventures, so managing currency in UAE is vital for a hassle-free trip. Whether you’re paying for gold in Deira’s souks, buying metro tickets, or tipping at a beach resort, understanding how money in Dubai works will help you avoid costly surprises. This guide explains what currency to bring, how to get UAE Dirhams (AED), the best options for exchanging and withdrawing money, as well as cash safety tips and dos and don’ts-all tailored for UAE travel.
How to pay in UAE & Dubai – cash or card?
Most of the places accept cards. Travellers use their cards extensively; it’s estimated that between 70 and 80 % of transactions are made without cash.
You can use cash for:
- Budget hotels (limited in Dubai but cash accepted)
- Hostels (few, but some accept cash)
- Local tour operators (desert tours, dhow cruises)
- Tips and gratuities (cash tipping is common)
- Street food (kiosks, souks)
- Small eateries / restaurants (ethnic and budget places)
- Small purchases
- Local expenses at corner stores, karak tea stalls
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up (in-person stalls)
- Laundry services (standalone shops)
- Nightlife / bars (many accept cards, but tips in cash)
You can use card for:
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Hostels (city hostels, mostly in Dubai)
- Large tour operators
- Shopping at malls (Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates)
- Entry fees to Burj Khalifa, IMG, Museum of the Future
- Local buses (NOL card system)
- Local taxis / App based taxis (Careem, Uber, RTA taxis)
- Metro, trams, monorails (NOL card or app)
- Airport transport (Dubai Metro, taxi)
- Sit-down restaurants
- Upscale restaurants
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Spas (hotel-based and chains)
- Tailoring services (e.g. in Satwa or Meena Bazaar)
- Vehicle renting
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies
Dubai and UAE cities are extremely modern-cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, but cash is handy in older souks and smaller service shops.
What’s the best currency to take to UAE & Dubai?
UAE will mainly accept its Dirham (AED or Dh). The denominations are Dh 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000.
In several locations, especially popular tourist spots, USD is widely accepted. However, local currency is preferred for all other uses.
Always pay in AED to ensure you get good exchange rate.
So, UAE Dirham is the best currency to take to UAE & Dubai.
Where to get the local currency in UAE & Dubai?
In UAE & Dubai, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
Types of cards to swipe
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in UAE & Dubai
When withdrawing money in UAE, majority of the ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro cards. Don’t expect a lot of them to accept JCB, Unionpay, Rupay Amex, Diners, Discover cards.
Should I exchange money before travelling to UAE & Dubai?
It’s practical to carry a small amount of UAE Dirhams (AED) before arriving in the UAE, especially for initial expenses like taxis, tips, or snacks at the airport. However, exchange rates outside the UAE are often less favorable than local rates.
ATMs are widely available across Dubai and the UAE, including at airports, malls, hotels, and metro stations. They accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, and Plus cards. Most international cards work smoothly, but check with your bank about withdrawal charges and notify them before travel.
Currency exchange in the UAE is efficient and competitive. Avoid exchanging large amounts at the airport, where rates are less favorable. In Dubai, you’ll find numerous licensed exchange houses such as Al Ansari Exchange, UAE Exchange, Lulu Exchange, and Al Fardan Exchange-especially in areas like Deira, Bur Dubai, and major malls.
USD, EUR, and GBP are widely accepted for exchange. While credit and debit cards are widely used in Dubai and other Emirates, cash is still handy for taxis (though many accept cards now), small shops, or tips. Carrying both cash and cards is best.
Where to withdraw money
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in UAE and Dubai are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Emirates Islamic Bank,
- RAK Islamic Bank,
- Emirates NBD,
- ADCB,
- United Arab Bank, and
- HSBC.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in UAE & Dubai.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in UAE & Dubai. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including UAE & Dubai.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Where to exchange currency in UAE & Dubai
In UAE & Dubai, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
The UAE-particularly Dubai-is known for its abundance of licensed money exchange houses, often offering better rates than banks. You’ll find them in malls, souks, commercial areas, and metro-connected locations.
- Notable currency exchanges are:
Al Ansari Exchange – One of the largest, with 200+ branches including at Dubai International Airport and malls.
UAE Exchange / Unimoni
Lulu Exchange
Al Rostamani International Exchange
Al Fardan Exchange
Popular areas for money exchange in Dubai:
Deira (especially around Al Rigga and Baniyas)
Bur Dubai
Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates
- Banks Offering Currency Exchange:
Emirates NBD
Dubai Islamic Bank
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
Mashreq Bank
Banks offer secure service but with slower processing and less favorable rates. Exchange houses generally offer better rates and operate longer hours.
💡 Tip: USD, EUR, GBP, and INR are easily exchanged. Bring crisp, undamaged notes for best rates. Many exchange houses also let you remit money abroad.
Pro-tips:
Avoid exchanging cash at airports. The rates are not good.
Steer clear of dealing on the black market – You’ll likely have a bad experience.
Carry new notes with you. If the notes are dirty or damaged, you can be charged more.
Is carrying money in UAE & Dubai safe?
It is generally safe to travel in the UAE / Dubai with cash in hand. But try not to carry more cash than you actually need.
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in UAE & Dubai are:
- Carry only the cash you need.
- Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
- Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
- Do not flash your cash.
- When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
- Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
- Cross-wear your purses if possible.
- Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
- When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
- If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
- If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
