If you haven’t been to Dubai before, chances are you’re going to be
unfamiliar with the everyday apps that most everyone uses in this city.
Whether you’re moving here or just planning a visit, here’s a list of the
must-have apps in Dubai for travelers and expats alike.
As someone who now calls Dubai home, trust me when I say these will
make your life way easier. And in some cases, they’ll allow you to get
discounts on everything from food to entertainment.
These apps will make exploring Dubai so much easier and cheaper!
Must-Have Apps For Tourists in Dubai :
Careem – For taxis, food delivery, groceries & more
If there’s one Dubai app I’d recommend downloading, it’s Careem (aka
“the everything app”). Careem really does do everything.
First and foremost, this is my go-to app for booking taxis. For the most
affordable option, just hit the “Hala Taxi” button and book your ride. This is
what I do whenever I need a taxi. It’ll give you the estimated cost of your
ride and allow you to track your driver.
Alternately, you can also book a “Car.” I personally don’t use this function
because it’s more expensive. But if you prefer to ride in a nice car versus
a taxi, then this is the option for you!
Taxis aside, Careem is one of the must-have apps in Dubai for restaurant
delivery. Again, this is my go-to app when I don’t feel like cooking and
want food delivered right to my door. There are always really good
delivery discounts on Careem, especially if you’re new to the app, so take
advantage!
Like I said, this is “the everything app,” so you can also make orders from
grocery stores, pharmacies, and other shops and have everything brought
to your door. I’ve also used this app to order housekeepers to come clean
my apartment and get my clothes dry-cleaned, but there are probably a
lot more services on there I haven’t utilized.
WhatsApp – For messaging and calling:
If you don’t have WhatsApp already, I highly recommend downloading it.
This is how everyone in the UAE messages one another. It’s also an easy
way to contact businesses, restaurants, doctors’ offices, etc., as most
businesses will have their WhatsApp number listed and will reply
promptly.
It’s also totally free to use, so messaging will cost you nothing versus
texting. One thing that is important to note is that making voice and video
calls through WhatsApp (and many other apps) is blocked in the UAE, so
you will need a VPN (I use Nord VPN).
Airalo – For a UAE eSIM:
Airalo :To use any essential Dubai apps while you’re out and about, you’re going
to need to get data on your phone. While there are a few options when it
comes to getting local SIM cards in Dubai, the easiest and cheapest
option for tourists is to get one of Airalo’s UAE eSIMs. The cheapest plan
gives you 1GB for AED 17 (valid for 7 days), but there are more robust
plans to choose from, too.
While you can purchase an eSIM without downloading the app, you will
need the Airalo app to activate your eSIM once you land in Dubai. Don’t
worry, the app is totally free to download!
The Entertainer – For BOGO deals:
Going out in Dubai can get expensive fast. So if you’re looking to pinch a
few dirhams, download the Entertainer app and give it a peruse for tons
of buy-one-get-one deals at Dubai’s most popular restaurants, attractions,
spas, fitness centers, and so much more.
There is an annual membership fee of 595 AED to get access to all of the
Entertainer’s killer deals. If you’re only visiting for a short time this may
not be worth it, but if you’re planning on staying a while or you’re traveling
with friends, this is easily one of the must-have apps in Dubai to have
experiences you might otherwise not be able to afford.
Honestly though, it’s worth considering even for a short visit because the
membership pays for itself super quickly!
InstaShop – For grocery delivery:
If you’d like groceries delivered right to your door, InstaShop is a super
popular Dubai app. You’ll find all of Dubai’s big chain supermarkets on
InstaShop, from Carrefour, Waitrose, and Spinneys to VIVA, Choithrams,
and Al Maya – and many more. So feel free to pick your favorite!
There are also loads of other shops, like pet stores, pharmacies, and even
restaurants, that you can order from using InstaShop.
Deliveroo – For food delivery:
When it comes to getting meals delivered, Deliveroo is another one of the
best apps in Dubai. I personally find the discounts on Careem to be better,
but I use both. Deliveroo has some different restaurant options so it’s well
worth downloading both and comparing and contrasting.
Like Careem, you can also order groceries from stores through Deliveroo.
Lime E-scooters – For scooting around:
If you ever want to hop on one of the ubiquitous Lime e-scooters, then
Lime is another one of the must-have apps in Dubai. They cost AED 3 to
unlock and AED 1 for every minute you use them, so it’s fairly affordable.
You’ll find Lime e-scooters all over the place in Dubai, especially in
touristy areas, like the Dubai Marina. You basically just need to download
the app and create an account. Then, you can just unlock any Lime escooter using the QR code and get cruising!
Uber – For hailing luxury cars:
Uber really needs no introduction but it is a popular option in Dubai. This
is an app I don’t personally use here because Careem taxis are far more
affordable. But if you’re looking to get around town in a swanky luxury car,
you might prefer to use Uber!
Unlike Uber in other countries, Uber in Dubai is run by a private company,
which means that the entire fleet of cars is made up of luxury vehicles. So
order an “Uber Black” and you’ll get a Mercedes, upgrade to a “Green”
car and you’ll get a Tesla, or go big with a “Luxe” car and you’ll be
seriously riding in style.
XE Currency Converter:
It always takes time to get used to a new currency, so if you’re new to
Dubai, XE is a super handy app that allows you to make quick conversions
from the local currency, which is the UAE dirham (AED).
nol Pay – For topping up your nol card:
nol Pay is another one of the best apps in Dubai for residents and longterm visitors. It makes topping up your nol card a breeze, so you can use
public transport (like the metro, tram, and bus) whenever you’d like
without having to wait in line at the stations.
Talabat – For deliveries:
Talabat is another one of the best apps in Dubai that allows you to get
pretty much anything delivered right to your door. From groceries to lunch
from a restaurant to flowers from a local shop, Talabat makes life in Dubai
super convenient!
License DXB – For purchasing alcohol at a store:
If you’re a new expat living in Dubai and you want to be able to purchase
alcohol to have in your home, you’re going to have to apply for an alcohol
license. To do this, just register for an “Individual License” online at
License DXB.
Once you’ve got that set up, you’ll need to download the License DXB
app, so you can show your license on your phone when purchasing your
boozy beverages at either MMI or African + Eastern (Dubai’s dedicated
alcohol stores).
Tips for Using Travel Apps in the UAE:
For UAE travel download crucial apps before you go have it all ready.
Keep up with local rules getting familiar with laws and customs locally
might really help things go smoothly.
When paying choose payment setups that seem legit and everyone uses.
Show local community respect think about culture traditions.
