What countries use UAE dirham?

The UAE dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates and can be used throughout its seven counties: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain.

Is it safe to order UAE dirham online?

Yes, but make sure you buy from a company that’s authorised by the FCA. Visit the FCA website to check if a company is registered or not.

Will I get the same UAE dirham rate on the high street?

No. The rates you can find online are often better because online companies have to be more competitively priced to attract custom.

Is my travel money protected abroad?

No, not unless you take out a travel insurance policy that covers your cash.

Is my money protected if a provider goes bust?

No, so make sure you buy from a provider that will send your currency as soon as it’s processed.

Who do we include in this comparison?

We include every company that gives you the option of buying euros online. Discover how our website works.

How do we make money from our comparison?

We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison. We get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services. Find out more here. You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.

<Travel Money

>
Travel Money>
UAE dirham exchange rate

Find our best exchange rate for Dirhams

Convert GBP to AED and find the best exchange rate for Dirhams

Use our Pound to Dirham calculator and comparison tables to find the best exchange rate for the Dirhams you need

How to find our best exchange rates Pros and cons Alternatives How far will your money go?FAQs

Join our personal finance newsletter for top deals and insights

You can unsubscribe from emails at any time. For more information about how we process your information, please read our Privacy Notice.

How to find our best UAE dirham exchange rate deals

The UAE dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates and can be used throughout the country, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Here’s how to find the best exchange rates on the market today:

Plan ahead to avoid buying UAE dirham at the airport

--Airport exchange kiosks rarely offer the best rates, so it’s always best to do your research before you set off to see which provider is offering the best deal. --

Compare as many online providers as possible

--When you are comparing providers look at the Pound to Dirham exchange rate on offer as this will tell you how many UAE dirhams you’ll receive for each pound. --

Factor in all the costs involved

--[To find the best exchange rate on offer](https://www.money.co.uk/travel-money/travel-money-how-to-get-the-best-deal), remember to check if there’s a delivery charge or any other fees involved. This could have a big impact on the final price you pay for your AED currency.--

Pros and cons of buying UAE dirham

Pros

Enables you to budget sensibly and not overspend

You can use UAE dirham anywhere in the United Arab Emirates

Allows you to find a competitive exchange rate and guarantee this before your trip

Cons

A travel debit or credit card can offer better rates

There is a risk that physical cash can get lost or stolen

You’ll need to use a currency buy back service to change back any leftover Dirham

What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:

Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the American Express, Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer
Purchase protection – for purchases costing £100 to £30,000, you're covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up

However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.

Compare our best travel credit cards

Travel money cards

Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:

Great exchange rates – the best card providers will pass on the Amex, Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges
No charges for some ATM withdrawals overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, some providers let you make a number of withdrawals per month or withdraw up to a certain amount without being charged. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply

The downsides include that there can be limits on how much you can withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.

See travel money cards

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:

Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers can charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage
Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance

However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.

See our prepaid card deals

How far will my UAE dirham go?

The UAE dirham can be used in the United Arab Emirates where currently, in the main tourist destinations, prices are slightly lower than in London. Therefore, if you are travelling to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, a typical inexpensive meal in a restaurant should cost around the same – say around 40 dirham or £20 per person– as a similar meal in the city of London.

Other costs to bear in mind when buying travel money include taxi fares – around 12 Dirham for a 10 km journey in either Dubai, according to the website Taxi Calculator.

If, meanwhile, you are deciding which city to visit in the United Arab Emirates, you might find you can get a bit more for your money in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai.

Find out more by visiting our 'going on holiday' hub page.

FAQs

About our comparison

About the author

Lucinda O'Brien

Lucinda O'Brien has spent the past 10 years writing and editing content for regional and national titles. She applies her industry knowledge to ensure readers can make confident financial decisions.