Careem Review: Uber’s Equivalent in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Although Uber is available in Dubai, it’s always interesting to look into local apps.

They may offer more services, better rates, etc. Regarding transportation, it’s always good to have at least two apps on hand in case of high demand: if no driver is available on one app, one might be available on the other.

In Dubai, the alternative to Uber is called Careem.

Careem has been around since 2012 and operates in more than a hundred cities across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.

In addition to “cars with drivers,” Careem lets you hail official taxis, order food delivery, have your groceries delivered, send a courier, and even get PCR tests!

In 2019, Careem was acquired by… Uber! But the two apps continue to operate in parallel.

As for car rides, the process is exactly the same as any other similar app: Careem locates you, you enter your destination, choose the option you prefer from the fare estimates, and off you go!

You can pay by card (directly in the app) or in cash (which is handy if you don’t have a no-fee foreign transaction card).

Ultimately, the real advantage of using Careem over Uber is the ability to hail official taxis, which are much cheaper than private cars.

Here are two simulations.

From my hotel to the Airport

The best estimate with Uber (right) is 64 AED, compared to 48 AED for a taxi on Careem.

From my hotel to the Mall of the Emirates

Best estimate on Uber: 51 AED vs. 33 AED on Careem.

Ride-hailing apps differ only in pricing, so you should definitely install Careem and compare fares with Uber!

Plus, after a few rides, I noticed that Careem charged exactly the same amount as the taxi meter showed at the end of the ride.

A handy tip: Careem offers a “Careem Plus” subscription. It costs 19 AED per month but is free for the first month. So, if you’re on a short trip, subscribe and cancel before renewal.

With Careem Plus, you get:

• 10% cashback on your first 10 rides (car or taxi) per month, credited to your Careem wallet and automatically applied to your next purchase.
• Free delivery fees on meal deliveries
• Unlimited bike rentals (45 minutes max each time).

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