The reason transfers matter here is geometry — the city runs as a long strip along the coast instead of gathering around one centre. From DXB airport to Downtown is roughly fifteen kilometres and twenty to forty minutes, depending entirely on traffic. To Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Marina it is nearer forty kilometres and close to an hour. The second airport, Al Maktoum (DWC), sits well to the south, and an hour from there counts as normal rather than unlucky.

A car booked in advance usually costs a little more than the taxi rank and buys three things: a fare fixed before you land, flight tracking so a delay does not cancel the pick-up, and a driver with a sign inside the arrivals hall. Families gain most, because child seats have to be requested at the time of booking and cars from the rank do not carry them. Anyone with several large cases, or travelling six-up, needs a minivan whatever the fare.

Intercity runs are common: Abu Dhabi is about an hour and a half, Sharjah half an hour, Ras Al Khaimah roughly an hour. If the route crosses into Oman, Musandam for example, the operator has to sell it as a separate service, because a standard Dubai transfer does not cross the border. When booking, match the vehicle class to your luggage count, state passenger numbers accurately, and leave a phone number that works on landing. Tipping is not expected; five to ten per cent is the usual gesture.