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Car Rental in the Middle East: Compare and Book in One Place
With RentingCarz you can compare car rental in the Middle East across leading rental companies such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Thrifty and Dollar, plus local rental agencies, all in a single search. Find your car in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other destinations in the region, with pickup at airports and downtown locations. You see the final price upfront and choose the vehicle that best fits your trip. Modern highways, deserts, mountains, futuristic cities and ancient archaeological sites: with your own car you explore the Middle East at your own pace, without depending on taxis or organized tours.
Is It Worth Renting a Car to Travel Around the Middle East?
It depends on the destination. In the United Arab Emirates, highways are modern and well signposted, and a car is the most comfortable way to combine Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates on one trip. In countries like Jordan or Oman, a car is almost essential for reaching deserts, canyons, oases and mountain villages, where public transportation is limited. Inside big cities, on the other hand, rush-hour traffic is heavy and taxis or the metro can be more practical. Before you travel, always check your government's official travel advice for your destination.
When Is the Best Time for a Road Trip in the Middle East?
The best time is usually from October to April, when temperatures are pleasant for exploring deserts, archaeological sites and mountain roads. In summer, especially from June to September, temperatures in the Persian Gulf often exceed 104 °F (40 °C): drive early in the morning or at sunset, always carry water and avoid isolated areas in the middle of the day. Also keep in mind that during Ramadan, business and restaurant hours change, and it's best to avoid eating or drinking in public during the day.
Most Popular Destinations to Rent a Car in the Middle East
United Arab Emirates
Dubai is the main starting point, with the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the historic Al Fahidi district. By car, Abu Dhabi is just over an hour away by highway, home to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. From there you can also reach the Al Ain oasis, the Liwa desert or the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, where you'll find Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the country.
Jordan
One of the best countries in the region for a road trip. The King's Highway links Amman with Petra, the Nabataean city carved into rock, and the Wadi Rum desert. Within a few hours you can also reach the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth's surface, and Aqaba on the Red Sea.
Oman
A perfect destination to explore by car: from Muscat you can reach Nizwa Fort, turquoise wadis like Wadi Shab and the dunes of Wahiba Sands. Its main roads are in excellent condition, and the country combines mountains, desert and coastline within reasonable distances.
Other Destinations
Qatar, with Doha and its Museum of Islamic Art, and Bahrain are compact destinations, ideal for short stays. Saudi Arabia has opened up to tourism in recent years, with sites like AlUla and its Nabataean city of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Recommended Road Trips in the Middle East
- Dubai – Abu Dhabi (UAE): a highway route among skyscrapers, mosques and museums.
- Dubai – Ras Al Khaimah – Jebel Jais (UAE): from the coast to the country's most spectacular mountain road.
- King's Highway (Jordan): from Amman to Petra, via Madaba, Mount Nebo and Kerak Castle.
- Dead Sea and Wadi Rum (Jordan): from the lowest point on Earth to red desert landscapes.
- Muscat – Nizwa – Wahiba Sands (Oman): forts, mountain oases and desert dunes.
Tips for Driving in the Middle East
- Side of the road: countries in the region drive on the right, and speed is measured in kilometers per hour.
- Speed cameras and fines: speed cameras are very common and fines are high. Violations are usually charged later to the card used for the rental.
- Electronic tolls: in Dubai (Salik) and Abu Dhabi (Darb), tolls are charged automatically, and the rental company usually bills them at the end of the contract. Ask how tolls are handled when you pick up the car.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol: in most countries in the region, driving with any level of alcohol in your blood is not allowed.
- Desert driving: most rental contracts prohibit driving off paved roads or on dunes. For desert excursions, the usual option is to book a trip with a specialized operator.
- Sandstorms and animals: slow down if visibility drops and watch out for camels on rural roads.
Can You Drive a Rental Car Across Borders in the Middle East?
Generally no, or only under special conditions. Some companies allow, for example, travel from the UAE to Oman with prior authorization and additional insurance valid in the other country, but it isn't common, and returning the car in another country is almost never allowed. If your trip covers several countries, check the offer's terms before booking or rent a separate car in each one.
Which Type of Car Should You Choose for the Middle East?
- Economy and Compact: practical and fuel-efficient for getting around cities like Dubai or Amman.
- Intermediate and Full Size: more space and comfort for highway drives between cities.
- SUV (Small, Standard or Large): the best choice for mountain roads, secondary roads and long trips through Jordan or Oman.
- Minivan and Maxivan: designed for families and groups.
- Convertible: for enjoying the coast of Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the winter months.
- Premium and Luxury: in high demand in the UAE, for business trips or a more exclusive experience.
What Is the PROMO Rate?
It's the lowest rate available for your search. If you don't have a preference for a specific company and you're looking for the best price, the PROMO Rate is for you. We only work with highly reputable rental companies, and the PROMO Rate is always available on rentingcarz.com so you can book at your favorite destinations.
Which Car Rental Companies Operate in the Middle East?
With RentingCarz you compare, in a single search, the rates of the companies operating in the region:
- Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty: brands from the same group, from standard rates to budget options.
- Avis and Budget: brands from the same group, available at the main airports.
- Europcar and Sixt: European-born companies with a wide network in the Gulf.
- Local rental agencies: companies based in each country that often offer very competitive rates.
Availability for each company varies by country and pickup location. The search engine shows only the options available for your dates and destination.
Why Book Your Car in the Middle East with RentingCarz?
- Easily compare prices across the leading rental companies.
- No surprises: 100% price transparency.
- Big discounts from top brands with our PROMO Rate.
- If you find a better price elsewhere, we'll match it.
- Pay with major credit cards or at your destination.
Check out our rent a car deals in Europe, North America, Central America and South America as well.
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Preguntas frecuentes sobre el alquiler de autos
What do I need to rent a car?
Driver's license — physical and valid, with at least 12 months since issue. Digital versions are not accepted. If it is not in the Latin alphabet, you will also need an International Driving Permit.
Physical credit card in the driver's name, with the same name embossed on the card (must be valid for at least 12 months and have sufficient available credit). Debit cards, virtual cards, and cards with digital security codes are not accepted.
Valid identification document for local rentals. For international rentals, a passport is required.
International Driving Permit (IDP) for rentals in Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as in the U.S. states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. This applies to countries whose driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet.
Minimum age to rent: Drivers under 25 may be subject to restrictions and additional charges. Contact us via chat before making your reservation.
Security deposit: The rental company will place a hold or charge a security deposit on your credit card. This deposit will be refunded at the end of the rental, provided no additional services were added. The amount varies by destination. If you have any questions, our online chat team will be happy to help.
How Old Do I Need to Be to Rent a Car?
The minimum rental age is 20 years old in most destinations.
Drivers under 25 may be subject to restrictions and additional charges depending on the destination and rental company. In the U.S., the fee is approximately USD 25 per day, although some companies offer promotions that reduce this amount.
25 years or older do not have additional fees for age.
Do I Need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
It depends on your destination:
United States: Not required, except in the states of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Europe: Required if your driver's license is not written in English or in the language of the country where you are renting.
Asia and Africa: Required in all destinations.
For any other destination, please consult our chat before traveling.
What requirements must my credit card have?
The credit card is required to pick up the car at the counter. It must meet these conditions:
Physical — virtual cards or cards with digital security code are not accepted.
In the name of the driver listed on the reservation, with the name printed in relief on the card.
Minimum validity of 12 months from the rental date.
Sufficient available credit to cover the rental charges and the security deposit required by the rental company.
Debit cards are not accepted as a guarantee at pickup, although they may be used to prepay for your reservation on our website.
What is the Security Deposit and When is It Returned?
When picking up the car, the rental company holds an amount on your credit card as a guarantee. This deposit covers possible additional charges such as fines, fuel, damages, or late return.It's a temporary hold that blocks a portion of your card's available credit.
It's released once the car is returned without pending charges. The timeframe varies depending on the company and the issuing bank of your card, but generally takes between 7 and 30 business days.
The amount varies depending on the destination, company, and vehicle category.
What is the PROMO Rate?
It is the lowest rate available in the market. Rental companies offer special discounts when they have high vehicle availability, and we pass those savings on to you directly.
Only available with prepayment and is non-refundable.
The rental company is confirmed once the reservation is completed.
We guarantee that the rental will be with one of our trusted and accredited partners.
Can I book a hotel directly on RentingCarz?
Yes. The entire process of searching, selecting, and paying is done directly on our site. The confirmation of your booking will be sent to you via email from RentingCarz.
What is Rental Cover?
We work with RentalCover, a company that offers protection solutions for our customers. RentalCover has an excellent reputation in the industry and is among the most highly rated companies in its category on review sites like Trustpilot. Additionally, it has received multiple awards and recognition in different markets for the quality of its services.
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