Gas Stations

Gas stations in Dubai.

Refueling in Dubai is very simple. You don’t even have to get out of your rental car; just roll down the window and tell the attendant what type of fuel and how much to fill.
You don’t even need to know Arabic. You can communicate in English. If you’re unsure, just mention the type of fuel and give the exact cash amount – no problem, they’ll refuel your car.

Fuel prices:

The UAE is an oil-producing country, so fuel here is cheaper than in many European countries.
Estimated prices as of August 2024:
Special 95 gasoline – 3.02 dirhams (~ $0.82 USD);
Super 98 gasoline – 3.14 dirhams (~ $0.85 USD);
Diesel – 2.95 dirhams (~ $0.80 USD).
There is no significant price difference between gas stations in the emirates with oil (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) and those without oil (Fujairah).
There are enough gas stations on main routes, so you don’t need to carry a large supply of fuel.
The most popular gas stations in the Emirates are ADNOC and Emarat. You can refuel your rental car anywhere; the quality is excellent everywhere.

Payment by card:

Of course, you can pay by card; there are portable terminals at the gas stations.
Sometimes, it’s more convenient to pay in cash, as when paying by card, about 80 dirhams (~ $21.78) will be frozen on your card, even if you’re fueling for a smaller amount. The remaining money on the card is not returned immediately.
It usually takes 1-2 days, but sometimes the “transaction is processing” for a week or more.

For your information:

Some gas stations charge an additional 10 dirhams (~ $2.72) for attendants’ services. This service includes windshield cleaning, checking tire pressure, and small discounts at stores during refueling. “Tips” are not applied everywhere, only where it is marked “Premium.”

Since November 2019, services at ADNOC stations have been free.