Mobile apps have long become inseparable parts of our lives, and it seems there are pieces of software for any aspect of the human experience, road and transport included. There are multiple applications you can rely on to have a smoother trip to Dubai or abu Dhabi.
What Navigation Apps Do You Need in Dubai, UAE?
Of course, the needs of every traveler and every vehicle are individual. However, depending on the configuration of your trip, there might be several kinds of apps that will help you save time and make exploring Dubai a lot easier:
- Maps and navigator apps – extremely helpful if you rent a car in Dubai and have to navigate the routes on your own with GPS as your assistant;
- public transport apps – useful when you need to catch a bus;
- taxi apps – convenient for quick rides;
- discovery apps – great for exploring the city, finding restaurants, and attending various events.
In the following sections, we will describe each of these categories in detail, highlighting the best apps you can download to get the most out of your journey to Dubai.
Best Maps and Navigation Apps in Dubai in 2025
Whether you’re driving or exploring Dubai on foot, having a map app at hand is always useful. We have a separate guide to the best navigators with detailed reviews, so today, we will only have a quick recap of the top three options.
Google Maps: Best Way to See Dubai’s Attractions
Google Maps is easily the most popular navigator app internationally, so there is no surprise it is a common choice among the visitors of Dubai. The main benefit here is that the app is likely already familiar to you, meaning you won’t need to learn how to use it or spend time discovering its features.
It works especially well with traveling on foot, as the layout of streets is very accurate. The availability of venues is also almost always accurate, as the majority of businesses in Dubai are quick to establish their presence and update their status on Google Maps.
At the same time, the app might not be a perfect fit for motorists.
- First of all, it does not have lane guidance, which is an immediate drawback for many drivers who are new to Dubai.
- Secondly, Google Maps are not always as quick to implement updates reflecting various changes to the roads, often resulting in confusing or outright incorrect directions.
Apple Maps
Google Maps and Apple Maps are both popular mapping and navigation apps, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Google Maps is known for its extensive global coverage, detailed information, and user-generated content, while Apple Maps emphasizes privacy policy, seamless integration with Apple devices, and a user-friendly interface.
Apple Maps sports fewer toolbarsand fewer buttons than the Google analog, and the geographic references offered on the map are more likely to be useful (possibly because, unlike with Google, fewer of them are paid advertisements).
Waze: Lane Guidance on Dubai’s Roads
Waze is another app commonly used by drivers in Dubai. If you are choosing between Google Maps or Waze, you should know that, in contrast to Google Maps, Waze offers lane guidance and is usually much faster and more relevant when it comes to traffic updates and alerts on the live traffic and speed limit.
The map comes with real-time information regarding traffic jams and even shows garbage trucks, allowing you to build the most efficient routes, avoid hazards and accidents, and save time on traveling. Perhaps the only disadvantage of Waze is that the app is online-only (no offline GPS available), meaning you won’t be able to navigate without an internet connection. Still, Waze is updated regularly, so, possibly, it will get an offline feature soon.
Here WeGo: A Handy Way to Visit the Go-To Spots in Dubai
Here WeGo is another popular navigation app that offers a lane guidance feature. It might not always be as interactive as Waze, but this app still has some interesting advanced features such as Collections that will enhance your driving experience by allowing you to save the selected destinations and quickly build routes there. You will save some time on the entry of the same addresses and locations regularly.
It offers a very detailed map of Dubai that is updated all the time, remaining relevant and helpful both to the drivers living in the UAE and UAE visitors. Another massive advantage of Here WeGo relates to its offline features, as you can download the map and use it without any connection.
Public Transport Apps in Dubai
If you’re planning on using public transport in Dubai, a mobile app is one of the essential tools you should have to navigate the sophisticated network or routes and itineraries quickly.
RTA Smart Drive
RTA is a transport authority in charge of the transportation and traffic policy in Dubai. RTA Dubai is an all-in-one app that offers numerous features that can help you explore Dubai, but in this section, we are mainly interested in its public transport route planner.
The app is available for free and includes metro, tram, and bus schedules, and has a feature to quickly build routes between any points in the city. As you can see in the screenshot, it also displays the estimated time of arrival and the number of stops along the way. Moreover, if you click on the “View route details” button, you will also be able to discover the fare associated with the trip.
Last but not least, RTA Dubai also supports Nol card management, which is a must if you’re using public transport in the UAE frequently.
Wojhati
Wojhati is another web-app provided by the government of Dubai that can help you build routes and discover itineraries of public transport in the city. It is a much more sophisticated tool compared to RTA Dubai, but it comes with a noticeably less polished interface.
Taxi Apps in Dubai
It is fairly easy to catch an official taxi in Dubai, but if you intend to save time, you should definitely consider downloading and installing an app. Thankfully, there are several worthy options for you to choose from.
Uber
Similar to Google Maps, Uber is easily the most popular option among international tourists in Dubai, but it is not always the best one. Its main advantages are that you are already likely familiar with the app and using it is intuitive, and, secondly, it offers some of the shortest wait times. Another thing is that it is Android compatible which is also an important factor in terms of user experience.
As for the downsides to using Uber in Dubai, the service comes with quite hefty fares. It is noticeably more expensive than the official cabs and some other apps further down the list.
Careem
Careem is a ride-hailing app that might not be as familiar to visitors from the West, but it is actually extremely popular in the Middle East. It comes with lower fares than Uber and has a variety of additional features such as food delivery.
S’hail
S’hail is the official ride-hailing app by RTA that allows you to order a cab from the Dubai Taxi Company. It is not as polished as some other apps on the list, but its fares are on par with Careem, and the wait times are often even shorter.
Apps for Exploring Dubai
If you’re looking for the best dining options and the most interesting events, it would be a great idea to download an app for exploration. There are several options that would quickly highlight the best spots you could be interested in visiting.
Visit Dubai
Visit Dubai is the official tourism app of the city, and it comes with a plethora of useful features. It has a modern well-polished layout and delivers relevant information on the city’s most interesting museums, sights, landmarks, and restaurants.
On top of discovering basic details about tourist attractions, Visit Dubai offers an event calendar with real-time updates. A ton of venues and businesses are partnered with the app, allowing you not to get lost in the numerous exciting experiences. With Visit Dubai, you will be able to make bookings on the spot, which will make your visit even more convenient.
Time Out Dubai
Time Out Dubai is a popular website among tourists in the UAE. Similarly to Visit Dubai, the platform tracks all the interesting events and posts updates about various attractions all around the city.
The site has recently launched a mobile app, where you can discover some of its partnered restaurants, cafes, bars, and other venues as well as read reviews by other members of the community.
Tripadvisor
When raising the topic of reviews, it is impossible not to mention Tripadvisor. This international platform has a dedicated page for Dubai, allowing you to discover the best hotels, restaurants, and activities you can experience in the city.
Tripadvisor is mainly used by tourists, meaning you will be able to read reviews left by like-minded people for almost any business or venue in Dubai.
Additional Apps You Might Need in Dubai
Even though we have already discussed the main tools that will enable you to efficiently navigate Dubai, there are several additional apps we would like to share that might be of help during your trip.
Dubai Now and mParking
Dubai has a sophisticated parking system where lots may vary by zone, working hours, fees, and other parameters. Dubai Now and mParking are two apps that make parking a lot easier, as they clearly display all the information you need and even have features to quickly pay the fees on the spot.
Dubai Now is a particularly interesting piece of software, as it also includes a plethora of other features that are useful in the city. It includes the opportunities to pay bills, manage your housing options, travel planning, and many more.
Dubai Mall App
A trip to the most popular emirate of the UAE is rarely complete without a visit to its largest and most iconic shopping center, the Dubai Mall. Navigating its gargantuan area of more than a million square meters and more than a thousand retail stores is tricky even for those who frequent the mall, but there is an easy solution in the form of the official Dubai Mall app.
It includes an interactive map that will lead you to the exact venue you’re looking for or allow you to browse through all the available stores in different categories. The app also has a built-in event calendar, making it easier to discover relevant experiences in the shopping center.
Zomato
Zomato is a very useful app when you’re looking for a quick bite in Dubai. Applications like Visit Dubai and Time Out Dubai Market are great for discovering the best restaurants in the city, while Zomato is perfect for quickly finding decent dining options in your particular area.
All you need to do is to enter your location, and the app immediately highlights restaurants, bars, and cafes around you, while also displaying user reviews for each venue.
The Entertainer
The Entertainer is a popular application that helps you find discounts and beneficial deals in all kinds of stores and venues all around Dubai. It is a perfect solution for those who are on a tight budget or simply prefer not to overspend during their journey to the Emirates.
Tips
Now that we have covered all the main apps you need to navigate Dubai like a pro, we would also like to share some useful tips that will help you truly get the most out of your time in the city.
Combine Apps
While every app we have highlighted today is great and useful in its own way, using several of them is what will bring your experience to the next level.
For example, you can find some generous discounts via The Entertainer, read the reviews for the venue in question on Tripadvisor, and then build a route through Waze or order an Uber to get there.
The possibilities are almost limitless, as many of these apps have amazing synergies with each other.
Get a Tourist Sim Card or Activate Roaming
Even though you can have an amazing time in Dubai without any internet access with maps like Here WeGo, it is always better to stay online. The best option to do so is to either get a tourist SIM card upon arrival or activate roaming with your service provider.
Set Everything Up in Advance
Another good idea would be to download all the apps you are interested in prior to the actual trip to Dubai. Tinkering with them in advance will help you save time and avoid confusion once you arrive. For the same reasons, we recommend setting up payment methods in apps like Uber in advance.
Conclusion
If you want to find the best apps for exploring Dubai, there are many applications that can greatly enhance your experience. Choosing the right software that matches the configuration of your trip and your personal preferences is a sure way to have an amazing journey.
