Dubai Car Rental Fleet

Yes. Thrifty Car Rental operates 24/7 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Terminals 1, 2, and 3. You can pick up or drop off your car any time, making it ideal for travelers with late-night or early-morning flights. Booking online in advance ensures that your preferred car is ready for you upon arrival.

Most rentals, including Thrifty, follow a “full-to-full” fuel policy. You’ll get the car with a full tank and are expected to return it full to avoid refuelling charges. Fuel stations are open 24/7 across Dubai for your convenience. An extra fee may apply if the car is returned with less fuel than when received.

Monthly car rentals with Thrifty offer significant advantages:

This makes monthly plans ideal for tourists, residents, professionals, and long-stay visitors.

Yes, drivers with new UAE licenses can rent cars from Thrifty Car Rental as long as they meet the minimum age requirement (21 years). However, premium and luxury vehicles may require at least one year of driving experience. Our team will guide you to the best available options.

While Thrifty offers transparent pricing, additional costs may include:

All fees are transparently listed in your statement of accounts and invoice.

Yes and no — it depends on how you define it. A pre-authorization (pre-auth) hold may be placed on your credit card, which is not the same as a security deposit.

The pre-auth amount — usually between AED 1,000 and AED 1,500, depending on the car category — is temporarily held and then released by your issuing bank within 14 to 21 working days. You may need to follow up directly with your bank to confirm the release.

Before the release, Thrifty Car Rental reconciles any traffic fines or Salik (toll) charges, if applicable, which will be reflected in your statement of accounts and invoice. We are happy to help further in that regard.

Dubai’s speed limits are generally:

Always check road signs and drive safely—Thrifty’s cars are equipped with advanced safety and navigation systems to assist you.

A credit card is preferred for both the security pre-authorization and payment. However, Thrifty may accept debit cards in certain cases, provided that pre-authorization can be processed.

Please note that when using a debit card, the deposit amount is actually charged (purchased) — not temporarily held — and the refund process may take longer (up to 30 days), depending on your bank’s policy. Additionally, a 2% deduction applies due to the bank’s transfer policy, which means you’ll save this 2% by using a credit card instead.

It’s always recommended to confirm your payment method in advance, either when booking online or at the rental counter, to ensure a smooth experience.

Tourists renting a car in Dubai need:

Residents can rent using their Emirates ID and UAE driving license. For more information, visit our Terms & Conditions page to check all details.

Yes. Thrifty allows driving within all seven Emirates of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

However, cross-border travel outside the UAE is not permitted, except to Oman, which may be allowed through the Al Ain border, but requires prior approval and additional documentation.

It’s recommended to inform the rental counter or our customer services hotline in advance if you plan to travel to Oman to ensure all necessary permissions and insurance coverage are arranged.

If you receive a traffic fine during your rental, it will be automatically recorded by the authorities. Thrifty will notify you and deduct the fine amount from your security deposit or charge it to your registered credit card after your rental ends.

An administration fee of 10% is applied to each fine to cover the costs of processing and handling. A copy of the fine record can be provided upon request.

Absolutely! Thrifty offers a premium selection of luxury and executive cars, including models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. These are ideal for business trips, special occasions, or simply driving in Dubai in style.

Yes, Thrifty has a wide range of SUVs available, including the Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi Pajero, and Toyota Fortuner. They’re great for families, off-road trips, and comfortable city driving.

Some key rules include:

Thrifty Car Rental encourages all renters to adhere to UAE traffic regulations for their safety and compliance.

The minimum rental period with Thrifty is 24 hours (one day). For better rates, consider weekly or monthly rentals, which come with significant discounts and additional benefits.