Moved to Dubai expecting luxury and convenience. Got luxury and fees. So many fees.
The Ride-Share Confusion
Careem and Uber are both here. Careem IS Uber (Uber bought them) but they still operate separately because reasons.
Which is cheaper? Yes.
No seriously - sometimes Uber is 30% cheaper. Sometimes Careem. You need both apps, you check both every time, you feel insane.
RTA taxis have an app too (Dubai's official taxis). Usually more expensive but they show up faster sometimes? The algorithm makes no sense.
Food Delivery: Choose Your Extortion
Talabat, Deliveroo, Noon Food, Zomato, Careem (yes, rides AND food), Uber Eats.
They all have the same restaurants. They all charge different amounts. None of it makes sense.
Example: Ordered a shawarma yesterday.
- Shawarma: 25 AED ($6.80)
- Delivery fee: 5 AED
- Service fee: 3 AED
- Small order fee: 4 AED
- "Busy area" fee: 2 AED
- Total: 39 AED ($10.61)
FOR ONE SHAWARMA.
Talabat usually has the best promos but the worst delivery times. Deliveroo is fastest but most expensive. Noon Food is trying to compete with Amazon money but selection is limited.
The Payment Maze
Credit cards work everywhere (this isn't Colombia thank god).
But also everyone wants you to use:
- Careem Pay
- Talabat credits
- Noon credits
- Entertainer app credits
The Entertainer app is actually worth it if you eat out a lot - buy one get one free at tons of restaurants. Costs like $40/year and pays for itself in three dinners. But it's one more app eating phone storage.
What Nobody Mentions:
Everything is in malls. The apps are almost unnecessary because you can just... walk downstairs. Except it's 45°C outside half the year so yeah, you're ordering Talabat.
Fridays are chaos because it's the weekend. Surge pricing on everything. Plan accordingly or pay triple.
Banking Apps:
Emirates NBD, ENBD, FAB, Mashreq - whatever bank you end up with, their app will be weirdly outdated looking but functional.
Apple Pay actually works here (unlike most countries on this list).
My Current Setup:
- Both Uber AND Careem (check both every time, save $2, feel smart)
- Talabat with notifications off because they spam
- Entertainer app for dining out
- Careem for "I need something in 15 minutes" emergencies
- Deliveroo for "I'm willing to pay extra for speed"
The UAE is efficient and convenient and will absolutely nickle-and-dime you to death with service fees. Welcome.