What is the Best Currency to Take to Dubai?
Dubai is a location that attracts tourists by the millions – year after year, and from all around the world. And why wouldn’t it? With a plethora of attractions like shopping malls, museums, gaming zones, amusement parks, deserts, and beaches, Dubai ensures that no category of tourist would go back empty-handed.
For a long time, you have also been planning your Dubai trip. And now, you are just days away from boarding the flight. While you are highly excited at the prospect of enjoying yourself in the megalopolis, you are undecided as to which is the best currency to carry to Dubai. Or, whether you should at all carry any currency or just plastic money? How much value you would receive against your home currency, and so on and so forth.
Relax. We know that there are endless opportunities in Dubai for you to loosen your purse strings. So, there’s a need for careful cash planning as you are about to step into the dreamland called Dubai. Let us help you with some suggestions regarding the best currency to take to Dubai.
What is Dubai’s Currency?
The official currency of Dubai is Dirham, abbreviated as Dh. It is also referred to as AED. The exchange rate of Dirham vis-à-vis some of the global currencies are:
- 1 Dirham = 0.27 USD
- 1 Dirham = 0.23 GBP
- 1 Dirham = 0.27 Euro
- 1 Dirham = 21.64 INR
1 Dh contains 100 files. Dh notes are available in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. You might receive a bill like 6.65 Dh. That would be rounded off to the next whole number, like 7. If the digits after the decimal are less than 5 (like 6.46), then it would be rounded off to the previous whole number (like 6).
Check also: Best time to visit in Dubai
What Currency to Carry to Dubai?
You can very well carry your country’s currency. Before visiting, check the prevailing exchange rate between your country’s currency and the AED. But since we are the residents of the digital age, we would suggest that you don’t carry too much cash with you. You can carry International Travelers’ Cheques or plastic money (international debit/credit cards).
Do Retail Outlets in Dubai Accept Plastic Money?
Most of the outlets in Dubai would accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards. You can check with your card-issuing bank regarding the charges applicable if the card is used abroad. For smaller amounts (like small quantities of groceries or cab fares), it’s best to keep some local cash.
Where to Exchange Your Domestic Currency for AED in Dubai?
Now, you can always exchange your country’s currency against AED at the Dubai International Airport. But please do remember that currency exchange rates at the airport are mostly on the higher side. So, exchange a small amount of currency at the airport (sufficient to pay for your cab fare to the hotel). Once you reach your hotel, check out the moneychangers in the locality. Take your hotel’s help in locating them. You would get a much more competitive exchange rate with them.
Will Carrying USD be a Better Bet?
The USD is a currency that finds the easiest convertibility in any country. And Dubai is no exception. So, you have the option of converting your domestic currency to USD in your home country. And then, carry the USD in cash with you to Dubai and get it exchanged for AED. But please do check out the restrictions regarding how much USD you can carry in cash on your flight to Dubai.
Using your international debit card to withdraw AED in cash in Dubai is definitely an option. But, as already mentioned above, please check with your bank in your home country as to how much they would charge for cash withdrawals in international ATMs.
To conclude, you can carry any currency to Dubai (provided your country’s currency is not severely devalued) and get it exchanged for AED. It’s even better if you have an international credit card as that saves you from the hassle of carrying too much cash. Plan your spending wisely – and you are bound to have an exciting holiday in Dubai!