What Currency Does Dubai Use? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, one of the first things you’ll want to know is the kind of currency Dubai uses. Let me quickly shed some more light on it in a simple and traveler-friendly way.

The Official Currency of Dubai

Dubai, like the rest of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), uses the United Arab Emirates dirham.

• Currency name: Dirham

• Currency code: AED (Arab Emirates Dirham)

• Common abbreviation: Dhs

• Symbol: د.إ

So if you see a price tag that reads AED 100 or Dhs 100, they’re both referring to the same thing, which is 100 dirhams.

Exchange Rate (As of the publishing date of this post)

The exchange rate can fluctuate, but here’s a rough guide:

• 1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED

• 1 EUR ≈ 4.00 AED

• 1 GBP ≈ 4.60 AED

Note: Dubai pegs its currency to the US Dollar, so the AED-USD rate is relatively stable.

Can I Use Other Currencies in Dubai?

While the dirham is the only legal currency, Dubai is an international city. Owing to this,:

• Many hotels, malls, and tourist hotspots display prices in multiple currencies, but you’ll still pay in dirhams.
• Some currency exchange counters accept USD, EUR, GBP, and even Asian currencies like SGD or INR.
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, so you might not need to carry much cash. That being said, it’s still a good idea to have some for taxis, tips, or local markets.

Where to Exchange Currency in Dubai

You can exchange money at:

• Airports (convenient, but slightly lower rates)
• Money exchange offices (like Al Ansari Exchange or UAE Exchange)
• Shopping malls (very popular with tourists)
• Hotels (convenient, but also not the best rates)

Pro tip: Avoid changing large amounts at the airport. Instead, exchange a little to get started, then find a money exchange service in the city for better rates.

ATMs & Digital Payment in Dubai

• ATMs are everywhere, including malls, metro stations, and supermarkets.
• Most ATMs accept international cards like Visa, Mastercard, and Cirrus.
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are accepted in many places.
• Mobile wallets and contactless cards are widely used.

🇦🇪 Currency Facts That Might Surprise You

• The dirham was introduced in 1973, replacing the Qatar and Dubai riyal.
• Dirham coins come in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 fils, and 1 dirham. (Fils are the “cents” of AED)
• Banknotes come in AED 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 denominations.

Final Travel Tip

When traveling to Dubai, carry a mix of cash and cards. Use cards for large purchases and keep a small amount of dirhams for taxis, small shops, and tipping.

🧭 Summary at a Glance:

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