The UAE Dirham (AED) Guide
The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham, abbreviated as AED. Since 1997, the Dirham has been pegged to the US Dollar, providing a high level of economic stability.
Currency Basics
- Symbol: د.إ or AED
- Subunit: 1 Dirham = 100 Fils
- Fixed Rate: 1 USD = 3.6725 AED
Money in Dubai
While Dubai is rapidly becoming a cashless society, having some physical Dirhams is useful for small purchases in traditional souks or for tipping.
Traveler's Tip: Dynamic Currency Conversion
When paying with an international card, some terminals might ask if you want to pay in your "home currency" or "local currency (AED)". Always choose AED. Choosing your home currency often involves hidden fees and poor exchange rates applied by the terminal provider.
Using Cash on the Dubai Metro
You can use AED cash at all Dubai Metro station ticket offices and machines to buy or top up your Nol Card. Most machines accept notes from 5 AED up to 100 AED and return change in coins or smaller notes.