Currency

Local currency is the Emirati Dirham which is pegged to the US Dollar. The Dirham is commonly referred to as either AED or DHS when shown in written form such as on price tags or menus.

There are 100 fils to one Dirham and coins issued are 5 fils, 10 fils, 25 fils, 50 fils and one dirham. Notes are issued in denominations of Dhs 5, Dhs 10, Dhs 20, Dhs 50, Dhs 100, Dhs 200, Dhs 500 and Dhs 1,000.

Always try to have a selection of smaller notes available for cheaper items as it’s not always easy trying to get change for a Dhs 500 or Dhs 1,000 note.

The following Dirham exchange rates are correct at the time of going to press:

One US$ = Dhs 3.67

One UK = Dhs 5.25

One Euro = Dhs 4.45

Banking and money exchange

Exchanging cash or travellers cheques is relatively easy in Dubai; however individual banks operate during different hours.

The main banks opening hours are either 8am to 1pm or as in the case of HSBC, 8am to 3pm, Saturday to Thursday; all banks are closed on Friday.

Personal cheques are not widely used in the UAE so please don’t expect retail outlets to accept a cheque even when presented with a personal cheque guarantee card.