The UAE has two main religious holidays: Eid al-Fitr, which ends Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha. Both come with several days off in a row, and many residents and visitors use them to travel. For the rental market it is one of the busiest periods. Here is what to consider when renting a car for the holidays.
The dates change every year
The holidays follow the lunar calendar, so every year they move about 10 to 11 days earlier in the ordinary calendar. The exact dates and the number of days off are announced shortly before the holiday, and the start of the month is set by the sighting of the new moon. That is why we give no specific dates in this article. Plan around an approximate period, watch the official announcement, and then check with us for free cars on the days you need.
What happens to demand
During the holiday many people need a car at once: families visit relatives and head to the coast, visitors want to get out of town, and Dubai residents take a second car for guests. The closer the date, the smaller the choice, and the popular models go first: family SUVs, 7 seaters and affordable sedans. We cannot promise a specific car at the last minute, so book early.
Catalogue prices are given per day, per week (7 days) and per month (30 days). Check the current price for your dates on the car page when you book. If the holiday is long and you need the car for 5 to 7 days, compare the daily and weekly rates: the weekly rate is normally cheaper per day.
Which car to choose
Choose by number of people, luggage and route. Prices below are as of October 2026:
| Car | Seats | Per day, AED | Per week, AED | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Raize 2024 | 5 | 109 | 750 | saving money, city, short trips |
| Toyota Camry 2025 | 5 | 180 | 1,170 | comfort on the motorway |
| Nissan X-Trail 2025 | 7 | 200 | 1,300 | family, mountains, luggage |
| Kia Carnival Noblesse 2022 | 8 | 199 | 1,390 | big family or group |
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 | 7 | 400 | 2,400 | long trips, all-wheel drive |
None of these cars needs a deposit, and the minimum rental is 1 day. If you come across a partner company car, it has its own terms: a 1,000 AED deposit and a minimum of 3 or 7 days, shown on its page.
Trips over the long weekend
The popular routes are the same as on any weekend: Hatta, Fujairah and the east coast, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi. Because so many people travel, traffic builds up on the main roads and beaches and viewpoints get crowded.
- Leave early. The morning of the first day off and the evening of the last, when everyone returns, are the busiest times. If you can move your departure, leave in the middle of the day or very early.
- Allow extra time. The drive to Fujairah or Hatta during the holiday can take noticeably longer than usual.
- Check the mileage. Most cars include 250 km per day. It matters if you plan several long trips in a row, and you can ask when booking how mileage is counted over several days.
- Oman. Driving into Oman is discussed when booking and is not allowed on partner cars. The border can be busy over the holiday, so allow time.
Parking and the city
At malls and popular waterfronts car parks fill faster during the holidays, especially in the afternoon and evening. If you travel with children, arrive a little earlier and think ahead about where to leave the car. Parking on paid streets is usually charged, so read the signs and the terms.
How to arrange the rental for the holidays
- Work out which dates you need the car for and write to us as early as you can.
- On rentals shorter than 7 days, delivery and return within Dubai cost 210 AED together, and from 7 days they are free. You can also collect the car at our office in Princess Tower, Dubai Marina, open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. When booking, ask whether the office hours change on the holidays.
- The driver must be at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience. Whether your national licence is enough or you need an International Driving Permit depends on your country, so if in doubt check with us before booking.
- Pay by cash, card or e-wallets. When paying by card, the amount may be held as a pre-authorisation and charged at the end.
- Salik tolls and fines are paid by the renter at actual cost.
