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The Low Down on United Arab Emirates Currency

Currency:

dirham

Currency code:

AED

Central Bank:

Central Bank of the UAE

Currency symbol:

د.إ

Currency sub unit:

فلس (fils)

Bank notes:

5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 dirhams

Coins:

5, 10 fils



The United Arab Emirates dirham began circulation in 1973 and gets its name from the word ‘Drachmae’, which translates from Greek to English as ‘handful’.

Expect to pay premium prices for most things in the United Arab Emirates, especially in restaurants and hotel bars. Tipping between 10-15% is the norm, but only if the service is good!



In the many souks around the UAE (especially Dubai), the expectation is that you will haggle with the sellers. A typical achievable discount is 50%!



Dirham notes come in seven different denominations; 5 (brown), 10 (green), 20 (light blue), 50 (purple), 100 (pink), 200 (green and brown), 500 (dark blue) and 1,000 (turquoise) as well as a number of coins. Try to keep plenty of smaller denomination notes as well as coins, as it can be tricky to get change from 500 and 1,000 dirham notes.


What to spend your dirham on**:

  • *

    Soft drink in a restaurant

    2 AED *

  • *

    10km taxi ride

    18.5 AED *

  • *

    Paintballing at Zayed City

    180 AED *

  • *

    Entrance to Burj Khalifa

    200 AED *

  • *

    Sand dunes buggy ride for two

    695 AED *

How many dirham will I need?**

Please select your budget above.

- +
* * * * * *
- +
* * * * * *

Total spending money needed:

  • *A budget
  • *for people for
  • * nights

*Recalculate

Must-sees in United Arab Emirates

*
  • Dubai
  • Dubai is every shopper’s paradise, with over 70 malls across the city. When you’ve finished spending, marvel at the grandeur of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
*
  • Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi is a smorgasbord of old and new. The splendour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is awe-inspiring, whilst the Manarat al Saadiyat art centre is a must for art lovers.
*
  • Sharjah
  • Here you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the UAE’s oldest market: the Souk Al Arsah, but you can also seek the tranquility of the stunning white beaches at Ajman.

Buying UAE dirham online is easy

Order UAE dirham online, lock in the rate and collect at your local store or at the airport before you fly.

  • 1. Click the ‘Buy UAE Dirham’ button below

  • And tell us how much you need for your trip.

  • 2. Choose how to get it

  • Get your currency from 33 Travelex stores.

  • 3. Pay online

  • Simply pay using either your debit card (recommended) or credit card and you’re all set!

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates in the Future?

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates in the Future?

Track Rates and get notified when the United Arab Emirates dirham matches your ideal rate so you can decide if it’s a good time to buy!

Track Rates

Prefer to Buy in Store?

Prefer to Buy in Store?

If buying online is not your thing, visit your nearest Travelex store around and one of our friendly sales consultants will help you organise your real for your trip to United Arab Emirates.

Find a Store

Travel Card or Cash?

Travel Card or Cash?

What’s Better When Travelling Abroad?

We’ve outlined the pros and cons of travelling with a travel card or cash to help you decide.

Learn more

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Online Order Queries:

Tel.: 0800 666 391

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Email: retailcscaust.nz@travelex.com

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