Currency
The name of the currency in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (AED or Arab Emirate Dirham – also commonly abbreviated to Dhs or DH).
There are 100 fils in a dirham.
Notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 dirhams. The writing on the front of the note is in Arabic while that on the reverse is English.
There are 1 dirham and 50 and 25 fil coins in common circulation.
UAE Dirham Exchange Rate
The dirham to dollar exchange rate is fixed at a rate of 3.6725 dirhams to US $1 (or 1 dirham equals 0.272 US dollars). Most world currencies are not pegged to the dollar and so their exchange rate with the dirham fluctuates daily.
Middle Eastern Countries
Dubai is a popular destination for visitors from the Middle East. The city attracts around one million visitors each year from Saudi Arabia alone. Exchange rates for the dirham (AED) with currencies such as the Saudi riyal (SAR), Omani rial (OMR), and Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) are shown below. Rates were last updated on Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT.
- Bahrain – 1 Bahraini dinar (BHD) = 9.742 AED
- Egypt – 1 Egyptian pound (EGP) = 0.208 AED
- Iran – 1 Iranian rial (IRR) = 0.0001 AED
- Iraq – 1 Iraqi dinar (IQD) = 0.0031 AED
- Jordan – 1 Jordanian dinar (JOD) = 5.179 AED
- Kuwait – 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) = 12.215 AED
- Lebanon – 1 Lebanese pound (LBP) = 0.0024 AED
- Oman – 1 Omani rial (OMR) = 9.541 AED
- Qatar – 1 Qatari riyal (QAR) = 1.009 AED
- Saudi Arabia – 1 Saudi riyal (SAR) = 0.98 AED
- Syria – 1 Syrian pound (SYP) = 0.007 AED
African Countries
Each year the city attracts approximately 100,000 tourists from South Africa. Visitor numbers from other African countries are fairly low. Current exchange rates between the dirham (AED) and African currencies such as the South African rand (ZAR) are listed below. They were last updated on Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT.
- Kenya – 1 Kenyan shilling (KES) = 0.037 AED
- Nigeria – 1 Nigerian naira (NGN) = 0.01 AED
- Tanzania – 1 Tanzanian shilling (TZS) = 0.0016 AED
- South Africa – 1 South African rand (ZAR) = 0.299 AED
- Sudan – 1 Sudanese pound (SDG) = 0.202 AED
Asian Countries
Asians comprise around a quarter of Dubai’s tourists, most of which are Chinese nationals. Much of the city’s expatriate population is Asian. Large numbers of Afghans, Bangladeshis, Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, Indonesians, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans live and work in the city.
Current exchange rates (updated Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT) between the dirham (AED) and Asian currencies such as the Indian rupee (INR), Chinese yuan (CNY), Philipine peso (PHP), and Indonesian rupiah (IDR) are listed below.
- Afghanistan – 1 Afghan afghani (AFN) = 0.052 AED
- Bangladesh – 1 Bangladeshi taka (BDT) = 0.043 AED
- China – 1 Chinese yuan (CNY) = 0.583 AED
- Hong Kong – 1 Hong Kong dollar (HKD) = 0.468 AED
- India – 1 Indian rupee (INR) = 0.055 AED
- Indonesia – 1 Indonesian rupia (IDR) = 0.00027 AED
- Japan – 1 Japanese yen (JPY) = 0.034 AED
- Malaysia – 1 Malaysian ringgit (MYR) = 0.941 AED
- Pakistan – 1 Pakistani rupee (PKR) = 0.032 AED
- Philippines – 1 Philippine peso (PHP) = 0.07 AED
- Singapore – 1 Singapore dollar (SGD) = 2.778 AED
- South Korea – 1 South Korean won (KRW) = 0.0034 AED
- Sri Lanka – 1 Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) = 0.023 AED
- Thailand – 1 Thai baht (THB) = 0.117 AED
- Vietnam – 1 Vietnamese dong (VND) = 0.00016 AED
Australasia/Pacific
Approximately 200,000 Australians and 30,000 New Zealanders visit Dubai each year. Rates between the dirham (AED) and Australian dollar (AUD) and New Zealand dollar (NZD) are shown below. They were last updated on Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT.
- Australia – 1 Australian dollar (AUD) = 2.794 AED
- New Zealand – 1 New Zealand dollar (NZD) = 2.617 AED
European Countries
Europeans account for around 20 percent of Dubai’s tourists. The largest group are the British, but there are also significant numbers from France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Dubai also has a large British expatriate community. Current exchange rates between the dirham (AED) and European currencies such as the euro (EUR) and sterling (GBP) are listed below. Rates were updated on Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT.
- Denmark – 1 Danish krone (DKK) = 0.602 AED
- Eurozone – 1 euro (EUR) = 4.484 AED
- Norway – 1 Norwegian krone (NOK) = 0.466 AED
- Sweden – 1 Swedish krona (SEK) = 0.432 AED
- Switzerland – 1 Swiss franc (CHF) = 3.757 AED
- UK – 1 British pound (GBP) = 5.127 AED
Russia/CIS Countries
Dubai is a popular destination for Russian tourists. Large numbers also visit from countries such as Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. Dubai also has a sizeable Russian-speaking expatriate community. Exchange rates between the dirham (AED) and Russian/CIS currencies are listed below. They are live rates (updated Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT).
- Azerbaijan – 1 Azerbaijani manat (AZN) = 2.158 AED
- Kazakhstan – 1 Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) = 0.011 AED
- Russia – 1 Russian ruble (RUB) = 0.06 AED
- Ukraine – 1 Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) = 0.14 AED
- Uzbekistan – 1 Uzbekistani som (UZS) = 0.0005 AED
North American Countries
Around ½ million US citizens and 100,000 Canadians visit Dubai each year. Live exchange rates (updated Tuesday 24th of April 2018 at 10:59 am GMT) between the dirham (AED) and US dollar (USD) and Canadian dollar (CAD) are shown below. As noted above the USD/AED rate is fixed.
- Canada – 1 Canadian dollar (CAD) = 2.862 AED
- Mexico – 1 Mexican peso (MXN) = 0.195 AED
- USA – 1 US dollar (USD) = 3.673 AED
South American Countries
- Argentina – 1 Argentine peso (ARS) = 0.182 AED
- Brazil – 1 Brazilian real (BRL) = 1.064 AED
- Columbia – 1 Colombian peso (COP) = 0.0013 AED
Changing Money
There are a multitude of banks and money exchanges in Dubai where currency can be exchanged. They are located all over the city but if you are a tourist it is probably easiest to find one by heading to the nearest shopping mall. Most will have at least one bank and a couple of money exchanges.
Due to the city’s diverse population and mix of tourists, the banks and exchanges in Dubai typically hold more currencies than those in Europe and the US. You’ll have no difficulty exchanging any major currency.
Money exchanges typically offer better rates than the banks. Airport rates are less competitive than those in the city. Exchange rates at hotel currency exchanges are generally poor. Savvy travellers will just change a small amount at the airport to cover tips and taxi fares and exchange the rest of their cash at one of the money exchanges in the city.
The exchange centres have longer opening hours than banks. They usually open around 8 or 9 am and close late in the evening. Most also offer a range of additional services including cash advances against credit cards, money transfers, pre-paid credit cards, bill payments, and mobile phone top-ups.
Exchanges in Dubai include:
- Al Ansari Exchange – over 50 locations in Dubai including branches at Deira City Centre, DragonMart, Dubai International Airport, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Lamcy Plaza, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, and Wafi Mall
- Al Ghurair Exchange – branches include Deira City Centre and BurJuman
- Al Rostamani International Exchange – branches include Dubai International Airport, Ibn Battuta Mall, the Mall of the Emirates, Al Khaleej Centre, and Dubai Mall
- Al Fardan Exchange – locations include the Festival Centre, Dubai Mall, and the Mall of the Emirates
Al Ansari Exchange, Dubai Festival City
Banks
Dubai is a major financial centre and boasts a good number of both local and international banks.
Foreign banks with a significant presence in Dubai include Barclays, Citibank, HSBC, and Standard Chartered.
Locally based banks include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, RAKBANK (National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah), and Union National Bank.
Hours vary by bank but most are typically Saturday to Thursday from around 8 am to 1 or 2 pm. Bank close on Fridays. Branches at the shopping malls usually close around 9 pm.
HSBC, Mall of the Emirates
Credit Cards
MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted at nearly all hotels, restaurants and shops in Dubai.
ATMs
There are thousands of ATMs in Dubai. You’ll find them at shopping malls, Metro stations, most hotels, supermarkets, and many other public places.
Ragha says
None of the exchange places or banks accept Mexican Pesos anywhere in UAE so even though online they claim to accept foreign currencies, it is best to only travel with US dollars. Anyone have any idea where there might be a chance of changing Mexican pesos in UAE?
Faith says
Can I change Naira to AED in Dubai?
Martin says
How much is the South African Rand against the currency of Dubai? And how do you make the calculations?
Derek says
Is it best to take AED exchanged in UK or take dollars or pounds to exchange in Dubai?
Clive Winter says
Try using your own banks DEBIT card they are either Mastercard or Visa so you get charged a fee but you get the current rate of exchange when you spend plus you are not carrying cash, I find it better as these exchange shops and banks also the shops themselves rip you off with “Tourist Rates” and whatever they want to give you as an exchange rate, the other alternative is take a pre-loaded credit card
Ibraheemovic says
Mostly at them ATM’s you get 500AED and 1000AED and mostly no smaller denomination like the 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and even the 200.
Michael says
What size of notes are dispensed from ATMs in Dubai?
Frank says
It depends on the bank and how much you are withdrawing. One thing I’d say for certain though is that if you are taking out a large amount you will probably get large denomination notes.
Say for example you are taking out 3000 AED, which is about 800 dollars. You may get it in 500 AED notes i.e. 6 notes. It takes some getting used to.
David says
What currency is accepted when tipping in Dubai?
Editor says
You would normally tip in the local currency (dirhams) though I’m sure they would take any currency if it was the choice between that or no tip at all.
Jo says
Rents in Dubai are generally paid one year in advance. Loans to cover this are a major source of business for banks in Dubai.
tim UK says
Dubai isn’t cheap. I’d say prices were about the same as in the UK, although some things are cheaper e.g. taxis, watches.
Jackie T says
In banks there is usually a separate queue for women customers.
Lisa & Tony says
The exchange rates at Dubai airport are a lot better than those in the UK though. So if you need a bit of cash for taxis etc after you land, change your money at the airport.
mark fairhurst says
Cash in dirhams is your best bet for haggling in the souks.
Farid says
The lower denomination coins are quite rare, so sometimes you may not receive the correct change.