The public transport network in the United Arab Emirates is still developing. For tourists, there are few options for moving between resorts – buses or taxis. There is no rail service in the UAE. Therefore, for trips from Sharjah, a taxi remains the best option.
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Features of the taxi in the UAE
The work of transport services in Sharjah is strictly regulated. For this type of activity, official permission from the authorities is required; private transportation to the UAE is prohibited. To choose a taxi in Sharjah, you need to stop at official transport companies. They offer stable rates, control the work of drivers. Their activity is checked by the transport service of the emirate – Sharjah roads and transport Authority of LLC .
What tourists need to know about the taxi service in the UAE:
- In addition to paying for 1 km, additional amounts are taken for landing and crossing the borders of the emirates.
- To transport children, you need to order a car with child car seats. Otherwise, the driver will not carry passengers. You need to be warned about this in advance.
- The maximum number of passengers for a standard car is 4 people. The amount of luggage is limited.
- Drunk boarding is prohibited. The driver has the right to refuse to drive.
- Most of the taxi workers in the emirate of Sharjah are from neighboring countries. They understand English tolerably; some know a few phrases in Russian.
For more profit, drivers can take the longest route. This often happens when traveling long distances, between regions and resorts of the United Arab Emirates. You need to make a trip route in advance and control it, do not hesitate to correct the driver.
Sharjah Transport Services
The main rule when planning trips around the capital, to other resorts or attractions in the UAE is to order only an official taxi. There are two big services in the emirates – Uber and Careem . The first is an international network that places high demands on drivers. Careem is a local taxi service, they have an official representative office in Sharjah.
How to determine that the carrier belongs to the transport company:
- Be sure to present the inscription Taxi, the name of the company and its contact numbers.
- The color of the car is milky beige, the roof is green, pink, red or yellow.
- Be sure to have a counter. The driver must turn it on before starting the trip.
- Cash payment, cards are rarely accepted. Prices in local currency – dirhams.
Cars without damages and defects. Their presence is the first sign of an illegal carrier. All taxis in Sharjah are in good condition, they do not stop at gas stations during the trip. The exception is long distance travel.
How to book a car
A feature of taxis in Sharjah is the ability to “catch” a car on the street. In the capital of the emirate there are several places where cars are always parked – the central market, shopping centers, hotels on the first line, the bus station. At the same time, fares do not change upwards. You can “vote” passing cars. If one of them is “empty”, it will definitely stop.
Other ways to call:
- Through the mobile app – Uber or Careem. The latter can be installed upon arrival in the UAE. Applications are convenient, the approximate time of arrival of the car, fares are indicated.
- In a hotel. You can order a taxi from the hotel administrator. The disadvantage of this method is the relatively long waiting time – 15-20 minutes.
- Find a car in the city.
You only need to take official taxi services. Sharjah has strict smuggling laws. Do not be afraid to defend your rights, every driver values his place of work, in case of conflict situations, companies take the side of the passenger.
Fares
The advantage of a taxi in Sharjah is stable fares. For landing in the car you need to pay 3-4 dirhams. This is a standard pricing scheme. The fare for 1 km is 1.5-2 dirhams, depending on the time of day. Rates are lower during the day than at night. For crossing the border of the emirate you need to pay 20 dirhams. This fee does not apply to bus trips. Therefore, tourists often buy a ticket for public transport, and taxis are used to travel around the city.
Taxi fares from Sharjah to other regions and resorts of the UAE:
- Ajman. The distance to the capital of the region is 6 km, the fare is 40 dirhams.
- Ras Al Khaimah. Before it you need to drive 76 km. price – 172 dirhams.
- Dubai. To the center – 12 km, 50 dirhams.
- Abu Dhabi – 142 km, 324 dirhams.
- From Sharjah International Airport to the center of the capital – 80 dirhams.
- A cheap transfer from Dubai Airport to the capital will cost 150 dirhams.
It is recommended to plan your travel itinerary in advance. Drivers often take the longest route to increase the cost of the trip. They know all the local sights, but if they don’t know the delivery address, they can show it on the map.