Get competitive UAE Dirham exchange rates with Hays Travel and enjoy flexible ways to buy — from our quick Click & Collect service, to secure home delivery, or our easy-to-use Hays Travel Mastercard®.
Ways to get your UAE Dirham
Click, Collect, Go
Our Click & Collect Travel Money service is the fast, safe, and easy to get your foreign currency. With a wide range of currencies available, and over 500 Hays Travel branches to collect from, you can secure a great online rate today and collect as soon as you are ready from your local branch.
- Buy UAE Dirham online and collect at your convenience
- Over 460 Hays Travel branches to choose from
- Safe and secure checkout process
Home Delivery
Ordering currency from the comfort of your own home has never been easier. With our great rates and over 60 currencies to choose from, as well as next-day delivery, why not choose your currency to be delivered to your doorstep?
- Get UAE Dirham delivered straight to your door
- Next-day and Saturday delivery available
- Secure packaging and tracked delivery for peace of mind
Hays Travel Money Card
The Hays Travel Money Card is the safe and easy way to take your money on holiday! It is free to use in millions of locations worldwide where Mastercard Prepaid is accepted: including restaurants, bars, and shops when you spend in a currency loaded on the card.
- Spend safely anywhere Mastercard® Prepaid is accepted
- Carry less cash
- Top up in 22 currencies, including UAE Dirham
Buying UAE Dirham online is fast, easy, and secure.
- Choose Click & Collect or Home Delivery
- Select UAE Dirham as your currency
- Enter your desired amount
- Fill in your details
- Place your order and you’re ready to go!
With almost 500 branches across the UK, getting UAE Dirham in person has never been easier. Drop into your local Hays Travel branch for great rates, expert advice, and friendly service.
- Use our branch finder to locate your nearest Hays Travel
- Review our Deals of the Day in-branch
- Get in-person advice from our travel experts and a great rate on your currency
Our FREE prepaid Travel Money Card is the perfect pocket-sized travel money companion on every holiday. An easy-to-use, reloadable multi-currency card; load up to 22 currencies from Euros to US Dollars to UAE Dirham and manage everything with our app.
- Buy online
- Or visit us in branch to buy
- Top up your currency on the go via the Hays Travel Mastercard app
More Information on Buying UAE Dirham
Still have some queries about our Travel Money? Find answers to common questions about our travel money services and foreign currency here. You can also learn about how to contact us if you need some extra advice.
FAQ's about UAE Dirham
When traveling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), your daily budget will depend on your travel style and destination within the UAE. On average, you should budget between AED 200 to AED 500 per day for a comfortable trip. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are more expensive due to their luxury accommodations and attractions, while smaller cities or less touristy areas can be more affordable.
The UAE Dirham (AED) is available in both coins and banknotes. Coins are in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 fils, and 1 Dirham denominations. Banknotes come in AED 5, AED 10, AED 20, AED 50, AED 100, AED 200, AED 500, and AED 1000 denominations. It’s ideal to carry a mix of smaller coins and larger notes for convenience when paying for items or tipping.
Yes, cash is widely accepted in the UAE, especially in local shops, markets, and taxis. However, credit and debit cards are commonly used for larger transactions in malls, hotels, and restaurants. Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular, so it's a good idea to have both cash and a Hays Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Currency Card for flexibility while traveling.
When using a credit or debit card in the UAE, you may incur foreign transaction fees, usually ranging from 1% to 3%. To avoid these fees, consider using a Hays Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Currency Card.
The official currency in the UAE is the UAE Dirham (AED), and it is the best currency to use during your travels. US Dollars (USD) are sometimes accepted in tourist-heavy areas like malls, hotels, and some shops, but the exchange rate may not be favorable. It’s best to use AED for all transactions to avoid additional costs and to ensure smoother purchases.
Tipping in the UAE is customary but not mandatory. It’s appreciated in restaurants, hotels, and for services like taxis. A 10% to 15% tip is typical in restaurants if service charges are not included. For taxi rides, rounding up the fare is common. Hotel staff, concierges, and tour guides generally appreciate tips of around AED 10 to AED 20.
The cost of a meal in the UAE can vary widely depending on where you dine. On average, expect to pay AED 40 to AED 80 for a meal at a mid-range restaurant. In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, meals at high-end restaurants can range from AED 150 to AED 300. For budget-friendly options, local eateries, food courts, and street food are excellent choices, with meals typically costing between AED 20 to AED 50.
The best time to buy UAE Dirhams is when exchange rates are favourable. Keep an eye on AED exchange rates leading up to your trip and consider purchasing AED in advance to secure a good rate. Using a Hays Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Currency Card is also an excellent option, allowing you to lock in a competitive exchange rate before departure.
The UAE Dirham (AED) is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates. It is only accepted in the UAE and is not commonly used in other countries. If you are traveling to nearby Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, or Qatar, you’ll need to exchange your AED for the local currency.
We’ll buy back any foreign currency purchased with our Buy Back scheme so you’re not out of pocket after your big adventures.
At Hays Travel you have several quick and easy methods to buy your currency. You can click & collect, call into branch, or choose home delivery.
You can also buy the Hays Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Currency Card and load currency before your departure. ATMs are widely available in airports, hotels, and city centres.
In the UAE, both cash and cards are widely accepted. Cards are the best option for larger purchases, such as shopping or dining at high-end restaurants. Cash is ideal for smaller transactions, taxis, tips, or places that do not accept cards. A combination of both cash and the Hays Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Currency Card is typically the most convenient and secure way to manage your money while traveling.
Carrying cash in the UAE is generally safe, but as with any travel destination, it's important to exercise caution. Use a money belt or secure wallet to protect your AED. The UAE is considered a very safe country, and most travelers have no issues with carrying cash, but using the Hays Travel Money Prepaid Mastercard® Currency Card for larger transactions is often the safer and more convenient option.
