United Arab Emirates
ุงูุฅู ุงุฑุงุช
Careem is the Middle East super-app. English is widely spoken throughout Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
๐Rideshare & Taxi
All apps โ
Middle East rideshare super-app. Rides arm owned by Uber; the app is majority-owned by e&.
Dominant rideshare + food + delivery + payments in UAE.
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Also works, but Careem often has better availability.
๐บ๏ธNavigation & Maps
All apps โ
Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Excellent.
๐ฑMessaging
All apps โ
The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal for hotels, drivers, and tour operators โ text works, but calls are often blocked.
๐ฑFood Delivery
All apps โ
Major in UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Belgium, UAE, Kuwait.
Major food delivery option in Dubai.
Dominant food delivery in Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain.
The biggest food delivery app in the UAE โ restaurants and groceries.
โ๏ธTravel Planning
All apps โ
Activities, attractions, and SIM cards across Asia. Better than GetYourGuide in Asia.
Desert safaris, Burj Khalifa, theme parks.
Is United Arab Emirates one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- G
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
British-style three-pin plug.
Tipping
10-15% at restaurants. 5-10 AED for hotel staff.
CurrencyAED
Arabic you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
โ Do
- Dress modestly in public, especially Sharjah.
- No PDA โ it's actually illegal.
- Right hand for eating and giving.
โDon't
- Drinking alcohol in public.
- Photographing locals (especially women) without permission.
- Pork is hard to find โ don't bring it.
โ ๏ธ Common scams to know
- Spice market price markups for tourists.
- Fake gold in souks.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us โ here's how we check.