Yes, you can rent a car for Abu Dhabi with a low deposit. Every car has a refundable deposit from AED 1,000, the exact amount is shown on the car page, and you can pay for the rental in cash, by any bank card including debit cards, or by e-wallet. You pick the car up in Dubai and drive to Abu Dhabi yourself, about 140 km on the motorway; delivery to Abu Dhabi is arranged separately, so ask us when booking.
Why deposits and credit cards cause trouble
Many rental companies in the UAE block a deposit of several thousand dirhams on a credit card and release it weeks after the rental ends. For a visitor that means money frozen for the whole holiday, or a refusal at the desk if there is no credit card at all. The people caught out are usually those with only a debit card, a card from a bank that works poorly abroad, or cash.
We keep the deposit low. Every car has a refundable deposit from AED 1,000, higher on some premium cars and supercars, and it is returned after the rental. The exact amount is stated on each car's page, so you see the terms before you send a request rather than at the handover. If you have no credit card, ask us before booking how the deposit can be left.
Cars that suit an Abu Dhabi trip
These cars suit an Abu Dhabi trip. Check the deposit and minimum period on each car page: the deposit starts at AED 1,000, the Tahoe and Patrol Platinum V8 can be rented from one day, and the other cars in the table from 7 days. Prices are as of November 2026; the current price is always on each car page.
| Car | Seats | Day, AED | Week, AED | Extra km, AED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Raize 2024 | 5 | 148 | 890 | 1 |
| Hyundai Sonata 2024 | 5 | 160 | 1,040 | 1 |
| Toyota Camry 2025 | 5 | 180 | 1,170 | 1 |
| Hyundai Tucson 2023 | 5 | 198 | 1,190 | 2 |
| Nissan X-Trail 2025 | 7 | 200 | 1,300 | 1 |
| Lexus ES 350 2024 | 5 | 300 | 1,800 | 2 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe 2024 | 8 | 350 | 2,100 | 2 |
| Nissan Patrol Platinum V8 2024 | 8 | 550 | 3,300 | 2 |
One thing to watch: the same model can appear twice with different terms. The 2025 Nissan Patrol Titanium is supplied by a partner company and has a 7-day minimum, while the 2024 Patrol Platinum V8 can be rented from one day. Partner cars have their own terms: a 1,000 AED deposit, a minimum of 3 or 7 days, delivery at 80 AED each way (free from 30 days), and no driving into Oman. It is all on the car page.
Paying for the rental without a credit card
- Cash. The simplest route: you pay the rental in cash, with no pre-authorisation on a card.
- Debit or any bank card. A credit card is not required to pay for the rental. When you pay by card, the rental amount may be held as a pre-authorisation and charged at the end. That hold is the rental price itself, not the deposit.
- E-wallet. Also accepted if that is easier for you.
Fuel, Salik in Dubai, Abu Dhabi tolls and any fines are paid separately at actual cost. If you are paying in cash, agree with us in advance how the deposit will be left and how tolls and fines that arrive after the return will be settled.
Which licence you need for Abu Dhabi
The rules are the same in every emirate, based on a country list approved by the UAE Ministry of Interior. Visitors with licences from the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, the Gulf states and several other countries can drive on their national licence. Visitors from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt and most countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America need an International Driving Permit together with the national licence. If your country is not covered here, check with us before booking.
UAE residents on a residence visa cannot drive on a foreign licence and need a UAE licence. Drivers must be at least 21 with one year of experience, and we do not charge a young-driver fee.
Darb tolls in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has its own toll system, Darb, which is separate from Dubai's Salik. Darb gates sit on the approaches to Abu Dhabi island and charge during peak hours on working days. We cover the rates and hours in our separate guide to Abu Dhabi toll roads. Tolls are paid by the renter at actual cost; ask us when booking how Darb charges are handled for your car.
Picking up in Dubai and driving to Abu Dhabi
Our office is in Princess Tower, Dubai Marina, in the south-west of the city and already on the way to Abu Dhabi. You can collect the car there, the office is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00, or have it delivered within Dubai: free on rentals of 7 days or more, 210 AED for delivery and return together on shorter rentals. Most cars include insurance and 250 km a day. A return trip to Abu Dhabi is about 280 km, so a single day goes slightly over the limit, while two days or more leave room to spare.
If you are staying in Abu Dhabi and want the car there, write to us first: delivery outside Dubai is not part of the standard terms and is agreed separately.
How to book
Pick a car, check the deposit and minimum period on its page, and send a request through the form with your dates. You can also write to info@rentalcars-dubai.ae. Mention how you plan to pay and that you will drive to Abu Dhabi. Agree any date changes with us in writing.
