UAE car rental guide
How Much Does Car Rental Cost in the UAE?
Abu Dhabi has one of the largest rental fleets checked in this series — 357 cars in a single live search — and prices that start noticeably lower than many visitors expect for the Gulf.
What cars actually cost right now
A live 14-day search for Abu Dhabi pickup returned 357 cars, with the site's own listing confirming prices from around $13 a day at the very cheapest end. The "popular models" carousel showed real listed rates for well-known, newer cars.
| Category | Example cars | Typical price per day |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Various small hatchbacks | From around $13 |
| Compact sedan, new | MG 3 | From around $27 |
| Compact sedan, new | Toyota Corolla | From around $30 |
| Compact sedan, new | Mitsubishi Attrage | From around $37 |
All three featured cars were listed as new vehicles with no deposit required — a combination worth checking on any offer you compare, since it isn't automatic on every listing.
No-deposit new cars are a real category here
Unlike destinations where "new car" and "low deposit" tend to be opposite ends of the market, Abu Dhabi's search results showed several newer models with no deposit at all. It's worth filtering for this combination specifically rather than assuming a newer car always means a bigger hold on your card.
What changes the total
Booking length affects the daily rate, and so does pickup point — airport pricing can differ from a city-centre office for the same car. If your trip includes crossing into another Emirate or beyond, most rentals stay within UAE borders without extra paperwork, but always confirm the specific terms with your supplier.
Where the price is measured from
Abu Dhabi International Airport and city-centre offices are both common pickup points. If your trip also includes Dubai, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah, compare pickup points directly, since pricing and fleet size can differ meaningfully between Emirates.
FAQ
What is the cheapest car rental in Abu Dhabi?
The site's own search listed prices starting from around $13 a day at the cheapest end of a live 357-car search.
Are new cars more expensive to rent in Abu Dhabi?
Not necessarily — several popular new models like the MG 3 and Toyota Corolla were listed with no deposit from around $27-30 a day.
Does the price include unlimited mileage?
It varies by listing — check the specific offer rather than assuming, since mileage caps aren't universal but aren't rare either.
Do prices change with the season in the UAE?
Yes, and booking length also affects the daily rate — compare a few different date ranges if your travel dates are flexible.
The prices above are a real snapshot, not a fixed rule — always check the total for your own dates and category before comparing offers.