United Arab Emirates
Currency in United Arab Emirates: what to use and how to exchange
The currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at about 3.67 to the US dollar, so rates barely move. Bring a small amount of cash for taxis, souks and tips, and pay by card almost everywhere else; exchange at a bank or licensed exchange office rather than the airport or your hotel.
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GuideUnited Arab Emirates
Key facts
- Currency
- UAE dirham (AED), divided into 100 fils
- Pegcheck
- About 3.67 AED to 1 US dollar; roughly 4.4 AED to 1 pound, 2.4 AED to 1 euro (2026 estimate)
- Notescheck
- 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 dirhams
- Cards
- Accepted almost everywhere in cities; keep some cash for small vendors and taxis
- Best exchange
- Banks and licensed exchange offices; airport and hotel counters cost more
- ATMs
- Widely available; your home bank's foreign fee usually beats a counter
- Tipping
- Service often included; 10% or round up where it is not
Details
The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at about 3.67, which makes budgeting simple: divide any dirham price by 3.67 for dollars, or multiply a dollar price by 3.67. Because of the peg, you will not gain by waiting for a better rate, and the difference between exchange offices is small — a fraction of a percent on cash, more on the spread at airports and hotels.
Cash still matters in the older parts of Dubai and Sharjah, at abra crossings, in souks, at small cafés and for tips. Cards work almost everywhere else, including taxis, malls, museums and metro ticket machines. Contactless is standard. If a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in dirhams: the conversion markup is usually worse than your bank's.
For cash, use a bank branch or a licensed exchange office in a mall or on a main street. Bring clean, untorn notes; some counters are picky about older or damaged bills. Keep the receipt. ATMs are everywhere and generally reliable; take money from a bank-branded machine rather than a standalone one in a tourist area, and check the screen for the operator fee before confirming.
| Situation | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Arriving at the airport | Change a small amount only | Airport counters have the widest spread |
| Everyday spending in cities | Card, contactless | Accepted almost everywhere, no cash handling |
| Souks, abra, small cafés, tips | Cash in dirhams | Card may not be taken or may carry a minimum |
| Getting cash | Bank ATM | Usually cheaper than a counter once you accept your bank's fee |
| Large cash amount | Bank or licensed exchange office | Better rate than hotel desks; keep the receipt |
Tips
- Pay in dirhams when a terminal offers a choice of currency.
- Carry small notes for taxis, abra crossings and tips.
- Check whether service is already included before adding 10%.
- Keep exchange receipts; they help if you need to change money back.
- Prices in hotels and malls are fixed; bargaining is normal in souks.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in United Arab Emirates?
The UAE dirham (AED), divided into 100 fils. It is pegged at about 3.67 to the US dollar, so rates are stable and easy to convert in your head.
Where is the best place to exchange money in United Arab Emirates?
A bank branch or a licensed exchange office in a mall or on a main street. Airport counters and hotel desks are convenient but cost more. Bring clean notes and keep the receipt.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in United Arab Emirates?
Use a card for most spending — it is accepted almost everywhere in cities — and carry a few hundred dirhams in cash for souks, abra crossings, small cafés and tips.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialCentral Bank of the UAE
- officialVisit UAE – official tourism site
- secondaryWikivoyage – United Arab Emirates