Is cash still widely used?
Not much. The UAE — especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi — is highly cashless. Visa, Mastercard, and contactless payments are accepted at virtually all malls, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported.
Cash is still preferred at traditional souks, some taxi drivers, and smaller independent shops.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are everywhere — in malls, metro stations, and on most streets. Emirates NBD, ADCB, and FAB ATMs all accept foreign cards reliably.
- Fees are typically around 5 AED per withdrawal
- 24/7 availability throughout both emirates
- The dirham is pegged to the USD at a fixed rate
Card acceptance
Excellent. Virtually all businesses accept cards. Contactless payments are standard practice.
Tips for travelers
- Carry a small amount of dirhams for souks, tipping, and older taxis
- The Nol card works on Dubai Metro and buses — convenient for getting around
- The dirham’s USD peg means exchange rates are always predictable
- Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory — 10-15% at restaurants is customary