Money Essentials
About the Dirham
- Symbol: AED or Dhs
- Pegged to USD: Fixed at 3.67 AED = 1 USD since 1997
- Stable currency: Very predictable for trip planning
Current Exchange Rates
- US Dollar: 1 USD = 3.67 AED (fixed)
- British Pound: 1 GBP = ~4.65 AED
- Euro: 1 EUR = ~4.00 AED
- Canadian Dollar: 1 CAD = ~2.70 AED
- Australian Dollar: 1 AUD = ~2.40 AED
Banknotes
- AED 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000
- AED 100 most common from ATMs
- AED 500/1000 notes may be refused by small shops
Best: ATM Withdrawal
- Best exchange rate (close to official bank rate)
- ATMs everywhere: malls, airports, hotels, metro stations
- Your bank may charge 1-3% foreign transaction fee
- Withdraw larger amounts to minimize per-transaction fees
Good: Currency Exchange Shops
- Al Ansari Exchange, UAE Exchange, Al Rostamani
- Found in malls and shopping areas
- Shop around — rates vary by shop
Avoid: Airport Currency Exchange
- Rates 5-8% worse than city shops
- Use airport ATM instead
- Only exchange AED 100-200 if you need immediate cash
Card Acceptance
- Visa & Mastercard: Accepted everywhere
- American Express: Widely accepted, occasionally refused
- Contactless: Works everywhere, very common
Where Cards Work
- All hotels, restaurants, malls, supermarkets
- Dubai taxis (some drivers prefer cash)
- All major attractions
Where You Need Cash
- Traditional souks (gold, spice, textiles)
- Street vendors and small stalls
- Tips for staff
Digital Wallets
- Apple Pay, Google Pay widely accepted
- Works with any contactless terminal
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Check if service charge is already included in your bill.
Restaurants
- If no service charge: 10-15%
- If service charge included: Small extra tip optional
- Cafes: AED 2-5 or round up
Hotels
- Bellhop: AED 10-20 per bag
- Housekeeping: AED 10-20 per day
- Concierge: AED 20-50 for special help
Transportation
- Taxis: Round up to nearest 5 or 10 AED
- Uber/Careem: 10% via app
Services
- Spa/salon: 10-15%
- Tour guides: AED 50-100 per person for full day
Accommodation
- Summer (June-Sept): 50-60% cheaper
- Bur Dubai, Deira cheaper than Marina/Downtown
- Weekdays cheaper than Thu-Fri nights
Food
- Lunch specials: 50% off at many restaurants
- Local areas (Karama, Satwa): cheap authentic food
- Supermarket prepared food: fraction of restaurant cost
Shopping
- Dubai Shopping Festival (Jan-Feb): massive discounts
- Summer sales (July-Aug): up to 70% off
- Bargain in souks: start at 60% of asking price
- VAT refund: 5% back on purchases over AED 250
Transport
- Metro: AED 3-7 vs AED 25-60 for taxi
- Nol day pass: AED 20 unlimited
Attractions
- Book online: 10-20% cheaper than gate price
- Combo tickets save 15-20%
- Free: Dubai Fountain, beaches, souks
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost everywhere. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, restaurants, malls, supermarkets, taxis, and attractions. You only need cash for small independent shops in souks, street vendors, and tips. Most tourists find AED 200-300 cash per day is plenty.
No. Rates for AED in your home country are usually poor. Use an ATM in UAE upon arrival — you'll get much better rates. Airport arrivals have ATMs right after customs. Only exchange a small amount at home (AED 100-200 equivalent) if you want to arrive with some cash.
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. At restaurants, tip 10-15% if no service charge is included — check your bill first. For hotels: AED 10-20 per bag for bellhops, AED 10-20/day for housekeeping. For taxis: round up to nearest 5-10 AED. Service workers appreciate tips as they significantly supplement modest wages.