How to Explore Dubai in 24 Hours with a Rental Car

The prospect of exploring the whole of Dubai in a short timeframe (1 day) is definitely intriguing, but practically impossible. However, you can visit most of its stunning landmarks, like the iconic Burj Al Arab, the sprawling Palm Jumeirah, and the historic Old Souk, even in a day with strategic itinerary planning, seamlessly executed with a rental car. This guide breaks down exactly how you can explore Dubai in 24 hours with a rental car, ensuring a flawless adventure, and shares practical tips—from pre-booking tickets to navigating traffic. Ready to make the most of an eventful day in Dubai? Follow this 24-hour Dubai itinerary with a rental car for an unforgettable trip!

How to explore Dubai within 24 Hours in a car rental: 

• Book everything ahead: Secure your rental car from a reputable agency and pre-purchase all attraction tickets online.

• Follow a smart itinerary: Group your visits geographically to save time and prioritize pre-booked attractions.

• Navigate with apps: Use real-time navigation like Google Maps or Waze for efficient routing.

• Drive safe and legal: Stick to speed limits and parking rules to avoid fines.

• Add buffer time: Account for potential traffic or delays, especially during busy hours.

Why Choose a Rental Car in Dubai?

Before jumping into the itinerary, let’s first take a look at why renting a car is the ideal way to explore Dubai. While there can be several benefits of a car hire in Dubai, the following are the most relevant ones for a 24-hour Dubai exploration.

• Freedom & Flexibility: A rental car in Dubai gives you the ultimate freedom to explore this wonderful emirate. You can execute your itinerary as you see fit, without considering the constraints of RTA buses and Dubai Metro. The flexibility you get to relish with car hires in the Emirates is unrivaled.

• Cost Effective than RTA Taxis & Ride Sharing: Renting a car in Dubai, even for a day, is significantly cheaper than taking RTA taxis and ride-sharing apps, like Bolt and Careem. You can hire an economy car like the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Sunny around AED 100/24 hours and luxury cars & supercars, like Ferrari SF90, McLaren 720S, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan around AED 4000/day. Considering the itinerary (below), renting a car is surprisingly cost-effective than taxis and Careem rides for a 24-hour journey.

• Privacy & Convenience: Beyond public options, rental cars offer complete privacy, allowing you to enjoy your journey without interruption. This inherent convenience means stress-free travel with your family and luggage, making every stop effortless.

• Ease of Access: Accessing a rental car in Dubai is remarkably straightforward. Forget hailing taxis; simply book your preferred vehicle online and have it conveniently delivered directly to your hotel or villa, ready to kickstart your Dubai adventure.

• Explore Dubai in Dream Cars: Dubai lets you experience your dream cars—from super luxurious cars (Rolls-Royce Ghost, Bentley Bentayga) to exotic hypercars (McLaren Speedtail, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster) at the most affordable prices. Dream cars and Dubai adventure perfectly complement each other.

Suggested 24-Hour Dubai Itinerary in a rental car

As mentioned earlier, exploring Dubai’s virtually infinite landmarks and offerings within a day is quite a task. To make the most of your limited time, the following itinerary has been carefully crafted to offer you the best possible tourist attractions and amazing experiences within a short time period. Imagine you’re staying at Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai, Downtown Dubai, where you'll begin your journey.

Morning: Downtown Dubai & Cultural Stops

Once you receive your car at the front of your hotel, start your drive towards Dubai Mall, which will take approximately five (5) minutes.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Dubai Mall & Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

• Drive 5 minutes (1.5 km) to Dubai Mall.

• Park at the Mall parking (free parking for a few hours).

• Explore the world’s largest mall, shop, and relish the amazing in-house attractions, like Dubai Mall Waterfalls, ARTE MUSEUM DUBAI, MB&F M.A.D.Gallery, and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.

• Grab a bite at a Mall cafe if you didn’t eat at your hotel.

• Walk time to the next stop: ~5 minutes.

10:35 AM – 11:15 AM: Burj Khalifa

• Walk to Burj Khalifa, enjoying the spectacular sight of The Dubai Fountain.

• Queue for elevators that take you to the Emirates’ highest viewing points (Levels: 124, 125, 148, 152, 153, and 154). View the entire emirate from the bird’s eye view—the spectacle you don’t get anywhere in the world, from a man-made building.

• Tip: Morning visits mean shorter lines; keep it quick.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~10 minutes (4 km).

11:25 AM – 12:00 PM: Museum of the Future

• Park your car at the Museum parking (free for visitors).

• Walk in and explore the amazing spectacles of this futuristic landmark, such as OSS Hope, Heal Institute, Vault of Life, The Oasis, and Future Heroes. Travel into the future at Dubai’s other iconic attraction.

• Tip: Focus on key displays to save time.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~15 minutes (7 km).

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM: Dubai Frame

• Park your car at the Visitor Parking (generally free).

• Get your tickets checked and score up the elevator to the viewing deck (150 meters above ground). Spectate Dubai’s cultural & historical aspects from one side of the frame and innovative & modern buzz from the other. Relish Dubai’s history and future from the world’s largest frame.

• Tip: A 30–45-minute visit keeps you on schedule.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~10 minutes (5 km).

Afternoon: Old Dubai Heritage & Coastal Drive

After completing the morning itinerary and relishing Dubai's vibrant modern landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, and Museum of The Future, it's time to shift gears. Now, you'll drive into Old Dubai to immerse yourself in the city's rich cultural heritage, exploring traditional souks, authentic cuisines, and historical sites.

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM: Lunch & Dubai Gold Souk

• Drive 10 minutes (5 km) to Deira’s Dubai Gold Souk.

• Park your car at an RTA designated area (paid per hour), possibly an open-spacing parking (roadside).

• Eat at a nearby restaurant (e.g., Al Bait Al Qadeem for Emirati cuisine).

• Walk, explore, and browse the Gold Souk for souvenirs.

• Tip: Bargain politely but keep it brief.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~10 minutes (4 km).

2:25 PM – 3:00 PM: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

• Park your car at Al Seef parking (generally paid).

• Discover Dubai’s heritage with its wind-tower architecture, including Dubai Museum, Dubai Fort, Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), Traditional Wind-Tower Houses, Art Galleries, and Cultural Spaces.

• Tip: Visit the Coffee Museum for a quick cultural stop.

• Drive time to next stop: ~20 minutes (10 km via Jumeirah Beach Road).

3:20 PM – 4:00 PM: Burj Al Arab (Photo Stop)

• Drive along Jumeirah Beach Road, stopping near Burj Al Arab for photos.

• Parking: Public beach parking (free).

• Tip: No interior access without reservations; stay brief.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~15 minutes (7 km).

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Palm Jumeirah & The Lost Chambers Aquarium

• Parking: Atlantis parking (free for visitors).

• Visit The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm, discovering more than 65,000 marine animals in more than 20 exhibits. Take your time and relish exceptional wonders of the marine world at Dubai’s one of the most famous landmarks—Atlantis The Palm. After exploring the Aquarium, go on a short drive on the crescent road, a sublime experience on the man-made archipelago.

• Tip: focus on highlights and important exhibitions, skip less intriguing exhibitions.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~10 minutes (5 km).

5:25 PM – 6:00 PM: Marina Beach & Ain Dubai (Photo Stop)

• Continue the crescent drive to Marina Beach, JBR.

• Park your rental car at the JBR public parking (paid).

• Enjoy a brief walk on Marina Beach, taking pictures and videos for your social media. If you have enough time, drive to Ain Dubai, or just take pictures with the iconic Eye of Dubai as your backdrop.

• Tip: Keep it short to stay on track.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~20 minutes (15 km).

Evening: Motor City, Shopping & Return

As the sun sets, signaling the end of your whirlwind day, prepare for an evening of diverse experiences. You'll embark on a serene drive towards Arjan-Dubailand to witness the miracles of nature at Dubai Miracle Garden, enjoy some enthralling activities at Motor City, and cap off your adventure with iconic shopping before returning to your hotel.

6:15 PM – 7:15 PM: Dubai Miracle Garden

• Drive 20 minutes (15 km) to Dubai Miracle Garden.

• Park your vehicle at the Miracle Garden parking (free).

• Discover and enjoy amazing craftsmanship that seamlessly blends vibrant flowers, showcasing the beauty of life. Don’t miss attractions, like Smurfs Village, Disney Avenue, Hearts Passage, Umbrella Tunnel, Lake Park, Dubai Butterfly Garden, and Cultural Amphitheatre.

• Tip: Dubai Miracle Garden is a seasonal adventure, which usually remains closed during the summer.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~15 minutes (10 km).

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Dubai Autodrome (Quick Stop)

• Parking: Autodrome parking (free).

• Stop briefly for photos or event info at Dubai Autodrome. Usually, events are going on on this racing track. Enjoy the thrill for some time and relish the Emirate’s legal racing track course.

• Tip: Skip (this) if there are no events to save time.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~25 minutes (17.4 km).

8:25 PM – 9:30 PM: Mall of the Emirates

• Park your car at the Mall Parking (Free).

• Shop at your favorite brands and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. If you feel like you can enjoy snow in Ski Dubai, where natural snow is unimaginable.

• Tip: If you’re hungry try our savory Asian cuisines at P.F. Chang's.

• Drive time to the next stop: ~20 minutes (15 km).

9:50 PM – 11:00 PM: Dubai Marina (Evening Stroll)

• Park your vehicle at Marina Mall or street parking (paid).

• As you come to the end of your eventful day, drive back to Dubai Marina to relish a momentous stroll along the waterfront of Dubai Marina. You need to do this especially if you’re with your other half.

• Enjoy a waterfront walk and skyline views at Dubai Marina.

• Tip: Visit Pier 7 for a quick drink or dessert.

• Drive time to hotel: ~20 minutes (21.5 km).

After a day jam-packed with lots of landmarks, events, and mesmerizing experience, drive back to your hotel; and call it a day with a sound sleep. You need to rest after such an eventful day of Dubai experience. Return your car the next day at exactly 9 AM (applicable for 24-hour rental in Dubai). Late returns will incur additional charges, keep that in mind.

Tips for a Flawless 24-Hour Dubai Exploration with a Rental Car

You now have a detailed blueprint for exploring Dubai in 24 hours with your rental car, designed to maximize every moment of your busy schedule in the Emirates. However, to truly ensure a flawless and unforgettable experience—one free of stress, unexpected fees, and fines—here are some essential insider tips to keep in mind.

• Always rent your car from reputed agencies with clear rental policies (fuel, late return, damage & repairs, smoking in the car, etc.), and transparent pricing structures. Whether a local or an international agency, it should have ample good customer reviews. 

• Reserve your rental car and attraction tickets (Burj Khalifa, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dubai Miracle Garden) before flying to Dubai. Use platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide for deals.

• Stick to the schedule, allocating 30–60 minutes per stop to avoid rushing. Prioritize pre-booked attractions to skip queues.

• Avoid Sheikh Zayed Road during the evening rush (5–7 PM). Add a 10–15 minutes buffer for unexpected delays, especially near JBR or Deira.

• Rely on best navigation apps, such as Google Maps or Waze for real-time navigation and alternate routes if traffic builds up.

• Secure time slots for experiences like the Dubai Aquarium or Museum of the Future to ensure entry.

• Stick to speed limits (60–120 km/h; cameras are common), avoid mobile phone use while driving, and carry your rental agreement and license.

Conclusion

The thought of exploring Dubai within 24 hours can be daunting, but it is achievable to some extent, covering top attractions, from Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, and Ain Dubai to Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future. Rent a car for a day and follow the above-given itinerary to make the most of your eventful day. However, have your pre-bookings and tickets ready for the attractions and experiences in advance, so that you get to explore and discover as many landmarks as possible. Ticketing and exploring on the same day is not an ideal experience. Be smart, get your tickets ready (can be done online), rent your favorite car, and set off on 24 hours of unrivaled Dubai adventure, crafting everlasting memories.