Dubai New Year’s Eve can only be described as magical. The fireworks from the Burj Khalifa, the luxury yacht parties at the Marina, and endless celebrations around the city can only be seen in one place – Dubai! If you’re visiting or living in Dubai for the festivities, booking your car hire is one of the smartest moves you can make to make the most of the night ahead.
There are public transport options, but the lines are usually packed, and with limited timetables or rerouted paths due to road closures, there’s no escaping the surge pricing from ride-hailing apps on the 31st. By renting a car, you can avoid the whole chaos that comes with New Year’s Eve transit and choose to make your way to different locations to watch the fireworks or host multiple events on your route. There are plenty of Dubai car hire options available, so why not make the most of it and get your own set of wheels?
Why Hiring a Car on New Year’s Eve Is the Best Option
1. No Queueing or Surging
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights in Dubai. As ride-hailing platforms surge their prices, and taxi lines reach hundreds of meters on popular destinations, your hired car will save you from the traffic.
2. Choice of Where to Go
Dubai has a ton of event locations for New Year’s Eve, and a car rental will let you choose to go to multiple events or take a break to a calmer area if the crowd gets too much.
3.Great for Group Trips
Renting a car is a great way to get all your friends or family to the party together, so you don’t have to plan for a series of taxis to take you around.
Choosing the Right Car for New Year’s Eve
You won’t be able to use just any car for your New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dubai, especially when it comes to finding the right way to drive through the city. What you’re looking for in a rental car will depend on your trip’s destinations, the number of passengers, and where you’re going to.
1. Compact Cars for City Exploring
Whether you’re staying within the city or venturing out to explore, a compact car will be your go-to. They’re easy to park, efficient, and make for a quick getaway. These cars are perfect for a single traveler or couple.
2. SUVs for Your Friends or Family
SUVs are spacious and have a large trunk space. They’re great for a group of friends or family to drive with supplies, gear, or even some gear to watch the fireworks at different outdoor locations.
3. Luxurious Cars for a High-Class Ride
You want to drive around in style to the New Year’s Eve events and VIP parties? You can’t go wrong with a luxurious car. High-class cars also provide excellent climate control and luxury driving.
Tips on Booking a Car Hire for New Year’s Eve
1. Book Ahead of Time
Car hire for New Year’s Eve is usually in high demand, and booking early can ensure you get what you want at a great price. Be sure to make a booking to be able to choose from a variety of car types.
2. Unlimited Mileage
You never know when the roads might change direction or close up, so getting unlimited mileage on your car hire agreement is worth it. When you’re roaming around the city with different events on your route, having unlimited mileage gives you the choice to go anywhere.
3. Look for Insurance Coverage
Be sure to look for an insurance policy that covers your car hire. With heavy traffic and a lot of activities, extra protection for your car is always good to have.
4. Check for Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Get your car hire from a company that offers 24-hour pickup and drop-off so that you can make your journey stress-free and at a time that suits you best. If you have an early flight or late arrival, be sure to check that they have a pick-up location at the airport or close to your accommodation.
How to Navigate the Roads on New Year’s Eve
1. Know Where the Roads Are Closing
In order to avoid crowding and control traffic, Dubai authorities will close the roads on New Year’s Eve in different parts of the city. Downtown, Burj Khalifa Boulevard, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard are known to close up by early evening. Usually, the police publish traffic updates in advance, so keep an eye on the authorities or the news.
2. Download a Navigation App
Apps like Google Maps or Waze can track traffic in real-time and suggest alternative routes. Some even have a connection to Dubai’s official traffic alerts.
3. Get There Early to Secure Parking
If you’re visiting the events in Dubai, you should plan your arrival a few hours in advance. Popular destinations are known to fill up early, so it might be hard to find legal parking later.
Where to Go to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Car Hire
Now that you have a car, you can go to any place you want in Dubai. Some of the most famous locations in Dubai are listed below to give you an idea of where to head to:
1. Downtown Dubai / Burj Khalifa
One of the biggest firework shows in the world will be seen in Downtown Dubai. Roads in this area close up early, but you can still reach Downtown by car or walk to the area from Business Bay and Al Wasl.
2. Palm Jumeirah
A famous beach and multiple club firework shows can be seen from all over Palm Jumeirah. Having a car will allow you to drive to different locations and go between parties on the crescent of the island.
3. Dubai Marina & JBR
The party on Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences is wild and full of energy. A car will help you get to this area and find parking spots close to the events and the marina.
4. Desert Camping
Going to the desert is one of the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve away from the crowd. Various tour companies will offer trips to the desert with parties and entertainment in the camps. Having a car hire will make it easier to reach these remote destinations.
Safety Tips for Driving on New Year’s Eve
It’s important to know that driving a car comes with responsibility, especially on New Year’s Eve.
1. Don’t Drink and Drive
Dubai is notorious for a zero-tolerance policy on drinking and driving. Even the slightest amount of alcohol will lead to severe consequences – fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of your license.
2. Assign a Driver
If you’re planning on drinking, you’ll need a sober driver. You can even ask your car hire company to arrange a driver for you.
3. Have Emergency Numbers Handy
Save your rental car provider’s contact information, roadside assistance, and emergency numbers in your phone. This will be useful in case you break down or get into an accident.
4. Drive Defensively and Carefully
You’ll likely encounter traffic jams and slow driving throughout the city, so drive defensively and remain alert at all times, especially in new or crowded areas.
Where to Park Your Car for the Big Night
1. Pre-Book Parking If Possible
If you know you’ll be attending an event, see if you can pre-book parking. Different hotels and venues will offer this option for the New Year’s Eve parties.
2. Find a Parking Garage
Parking garages in Business Bay, DIFC, and other central areas will be less affected by the roads and allow you to park your car in a shady spot.
3. Don’t Park Illegally
Avoid paying hefty fines or having your car towed away. Always park in legal spots and keep an eye out for signs to avoid paying unnecessary fees.
Making the Most of Your New Year’s Eve Trip
Hiring a car will make it easy to celebrate in your own way on New Year’s Eve. Here’s how to get the most out of the night:
Bring the Essentials
Bring along water, a couple of snacks, phone chargers, and even extra clothing to prepare for cold nights or heavy traffic jams.
Create a Playlists
Put together a couple of playlists for your ride to different events. It’s great to bring along music for the car to enjoy while traveling from one event to another.
Choose Your Clothing Wisely
Go for something comfortable but also make sure you dress up. Especially if you’re planning on walking around or standing up for a while after parking.
Create Multiple Destinations
Don’t get too stuck on one location, so plan some backups. You can easily switch to a different event if the one you planned isn’t accessible or too crowded.
Returning the Rental Car After the Celebration
When the night ends, and the fireworks have come to an end, your rental car will still be the best mode of transportation to your accommodation – especially if you have a late flight to catch.
1. Refill the Tank
Usually, you’ll need to refuel your car before returning it. Fill up your tank at a nearby gas station to avoid being charged.
2. Check for Damage
Before you return your rental car, check for any visible scratches or dents on the body of the car. Take photos of any damage to help the company to process the return.
3. Remove All Your Belongings
Make sure you clear the car of all your items. Lost items are challenging to locate once the car is dropped off and the return is processed.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Dubai is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers. Having a car to drive to different locations makes the night easier, less stressful, and more fun. You’ll be able to freely go between different events, avoid the crowd, and explore Dubai in your own way. Whether you’re attending a rooftop party, seeing the fireworks from the beach, or heading out to the desert, a car will make your celebration more comfortable and classy.
Just make sure you book your car hire in advance, get the right car, and drive carefully. You’ll be able to welcome in the new year in comfort and style when the night ends, and the city wakes up to the first sunrise of the new year.
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