Monthly vs. Daily Car Rental in Dubai – Which Saves More Money?

Renting a car in Dubai is the best way to explore its stunning landscapes and attractions. Public transport doesn't even compare when it comes to reliability, flexibility, comfort, and convenience. However, many renters, especially first-timers, struggle to decide on a suitable car rental package. In Dubai, you get to rent a car on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Some exotic cars are available on hourly rentals as well. These packages offer a varied range of value for money. And they cater to different kinds of rental requirements. Here, we'll discuss monthly vs. daily car rental in Dubai and find out which saves more money.

Monthly Car Rental

It is a long-term rental plan for those needing a vehicle for 30 days or more. It has several advantages and some considerations. Travelers staying longer than a month in the Emirates should take this package. Here are some key factors to consider while choosing a monthly car rental in Dubai:

Duration of Stay: Your stay duration must be greater than 30 days. For short-term stays, monthly rental packages are not available. Cancelling rentals immaturely will lead to a surcharge. You'll need to pay daily rental rates upon cancellation. It's the fundamental aspect to consider for a long-term rental.

Frequency of Drive: If your travel/driving requirements are high, you should opt for a monthly car rental. It offers a higher mileage limit, enabling you to fulfill your travel needs without worries and constrictions. Short-term rentals have restricted mileage limits, which may not be sufficient for your needs.

Mileage Requirements: A monthly rental package includes at least 4,500 km of mileage. This is enough for comfortable travel with a 150 km per day travel limit. You'll not travel more than 150 km every single day. So, it balances your need for mileage for a month.

Best Suited For: Monthly car rental plans are the perfect option for expats, long-term visitors, business personnel with extended assignments, and companies running projects with temporary employees.

Daily Car Rental

The daily car rental is ideal for short-term rental needs, especially less than 7 days. This type of rental usually comes with a fixed daily rate without any concession. Below are some key considerations for daily car rental in Dubai:

Duration of Stay: If you plan to stay for only a couple of days, not more than 6 days, only then should you choose the daily car rental package. For any rental for more than a week, you should opt for a weekly car rental. It will cost you around 10% less.

Frequency of Drive: Daily rentals are best only if your travel needs are minimal. Those with frequent travel requirements should carefully assess if their needs are satisfied. If not, opting for an alternative package is better.

Mileage Requirements: Most rental companies offer a 250-300 km per day mileage limit. If you think your travel requirements fall under this limit, then you can choose a daily package. But remember, only if you are planning for a short-term rental.

Best Suited For: Daily rental plans are ideal for tourists with short trips, business travelers, individuals with car repair issues, special occasions, and occasional drivers.

Monthly vs. Daily Car Rental Comparison

Daily, weekly, and monthly car rentals are different aspects of the Dubai car rental industry. They all have some similarities and a handful of differences. Below is a side-by-side comparison of daily car rental and monthly car rental, considering several key factors:

Factor	Daily Car Rental	Monthly Car Rental
Cost per day:	Usually starting at AED 100 per day and ranging up to a few thousand.	Per day cost is 15–20% less compared to daily rental. For e.g. (100*30-15%=2550)
Mileage Limit:	Greater mileage limit, (250–300) km per day.	Monthly limit is around 4500 km. It calculates to 150 km/day, which is a lesser mileage limit.
Rental Duration:	Short term; 1-6 days	Long term; more than 30 days
Commitment:	Short-term; ends at the end of a day.	Long-term; ends at the end of a month. Premature cancellations come with higher than expected prices (i.e. daily rental rate).
Flexibility:	More flexible; can return after a day or two.	Not flexible enough. Must rent for a month (30 days) for bulk discount.
Vehicle exchange:	Vehicle change is not possible for a single day rental.	Vehicle change possible at your convenience under the same contract.
Deposit:	Lower deposit amount (if applicable). FriendsCarRental offers no deposit daily car hires.	Higher deposit amount (if applicable). FriendsCarRental offers no deposit monthly car hires.
Insurance Policy:	Given: basic third-party insurance. Extra policies like PIA, comprehensive, CDW, etc., available for additional costs.	Given: basic third-party insurance. Extra policies like PIA, comprehensive, CDW, etc., available for additional costs.
Maintenance:	Rental company takes care of the maintenance.	Rental company takes care of the maintenance.
Vehicles Available:	All categories of vehicles are available for daily rental.	All categories of vehicles are available for monthly rental.

Final Verdict: Daily or Monthly Car Rental in Dubai Save More Money?

When it comes to money, daily rental will cost less. However, monthly car rental will help you save more, with bulk 15–20% discounts. With the daily car rental package, you pay more because of fixated daily rates. It's an unavoidable aspect of short-term car rental. Rental companies come with exclusive offers for long-term rentals. This makes monthly car rental more affordable.

For stays of a month or longer in Dubai, opting for a monthly car rental is an economical choice. It is the best package of all, especially for the long term. Short-term rentals are not as economical for extended periods. Therefore, to maximize your savings, a monthly rental package is the superior option.

Written by: Friends Car

Published at: Mon, Apr 14, 2025 6:30 PM