Dubai Travel Forum

Hi all,

I came over the Dubai in February 2004 and I remember only using USD.

We are now coming back for a week, and I want to check if we should get USD or UAE Dirham?

My girlfriends family are moving over, her mother is there now and father is going tomorrow. They seem to think USD is a good currency. Is this true?

Thanks
Chris

Get Dirham from an ATM. All the prices are listed in that currency and if you pay in anything else you are bound to be overcharged, albeit sometimes only slightly.

You'll need UAE dirhams to pay for taxis, in smaller grocery stores, at the traditional markets, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks for your help. But just one question for follow on the ATM comment.

I'n your mind would it be cheaper to use the ATM or get the currency prior to departing the UK?

Chris

Unless your bank charges outrageous fees for using your card overseas, it is usually cheaper to withdraw cash than to take pounds with you and exchange them, as that will always incur a commission fee - usually around 3 % (plus/minus). If you use the ATM, you don't pay any exchange fees or comission, the only charge is by your own bank for the ATM use. And that charge is usually less (e.g. my own bank charges 1 %).

Chris, you're British so use pounds sterling. You lose something every time you change into another currency, so don't change into US$ then dirhams. When you're here you will either use your credit card or use dirhams. Change the pounds into dirhams here, not the UK. The £ is a very good rate at the moment, around 7.4/7.5 dirhams.

Getting cash by your credit card is going to be charged as a defined rate by the credit card company (Plus 2.5 % extra). You will loose the least if you have cash on you and then spend it. U.K. pound can be exchanged in many exchange shops around Dubai.