Base fares stay at Dh5.00 during peak hours and Dh5.50 at night, with clearly defined peak, off-peak, and night time slots; Fridays extend the evening peak from 4:00 p.m. to midnight.

The online minimum flag-down fare increases to Dh13.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a dynamic, time-based fare structure for taxis booked through its partner apps, including Careem (Hala), S’hail, Bolt, Zed, and the DTC Smart App.

This dynamic pricing links fares to demand to incentivize driver availability during busy periods and boost bookings during quieter times, marking the first comprehensive time-based pricing across all app-based taxis in Dubai.

RTA explains that prices fluctuate with demand to reflect time and fuel costs, a practice already familiar among Dubai taxi providers.

On weekdays, peak hours run from 8:00 to 9:59 a.m. and 4:00 to 7:59 p.m., featuring a fixed Dh5 flagfall and a Dh7.5 peak-hour surcharge, while off-peak hours use a Dh5 flagfall and a Dh4 peak-hour fee.

Night-time weekend travel (midnight to 5:59 a.m.) uses a Dh5.5 flagfall and a Dh4.5 surcharge.

Airport and event-based fares rise, with airport flagfalls at Dh25 and special starting fares at major venues during large events to reflect congestion and demand.

Other charges include Dh4 Salik toll per toll, Dh0.50 per minute waiting time, and monthly-adjusted per-kilometer rates tied to the fuel price index, with a typical 20-km airport-to-Dubai Marina trip costing Dh60–Dh70 depending on time and traffic.

For app bookings, the minimum fare is Dh13 (up from Dh12) and booking fees vary by time, from Dh4 in off-peak to Dh7.50 in peak, replacing the former flat Dh10–Dh12 fees.

Street-hail taxi fares remain unchanged, with a base fare of Dh5 (day) or Dh5.50 (night) and per-kilometre rates of Dh2.14–Dh2.26, adjusted monthly for fuel costs.

Context notes that online booking fares previously started at Dh12 minimum with Dh1.97 per km, while traditional taxi and airport fares vary; Salik tolls and parking fees illustrate broader variable pricing trends in Dubai.

New peak-hour rates and booking fees vary by day of the week, introducing different timings and charges.

Overall, the fare changes affect app users who will see variable fares by time of day, while street-hail fares stay the same, aligning Dubai with global smart-transport pricing practices.

RTA frames the change as part of larger smart-mobility and data-driven transport management, aiming for transparent, real-time pricing that better matches city dynamics and improves service availability.