Best navigation apps for Dubai (UAE) on Android and iOS

When visiting new countries, the question always arises - what is the best navigator to use. Popular services like Google Maps are far from ideal and are not suitable for all users. That's why this article presents alternatives that can be used to navigate around Dubai and UAE.

Since users often have problems with the subway - not only navigation apps, but also Dubai Metro guides are on the list.

Offline Map of Dubai

The app is not only a map, but also a guide to the sights. Great for users who are going to visit the country for the first time and do not know where to go. There are not so many places here, and it will be hard to find unpopular places. But marked all the "iconic" places. Among the attractions that can be found on the map, we note the following options:

• Palm dubai
• Old dubai
• Abra
• Al qudra lake
• Arjan area etc.

The design of maps is similar to Google Maps. Most of the names are in English, but the sights and their descriptions are mostly in English. So people who do not know the language are recommended to download a screen translator.

Map of Dubai has a built-in navigator that allows you to lay a route to the specified location (for example, Downtown Dubai, International city, etc). The route is laid both for pedestrians and motorists.

Before downloading, note that routes can only be created in online mode. To access maps offline, you'll need a premium subscription. Its price varies depending on the region.

There are few items in the settings. You can change the language of the app and select the units of measurement - miles or km.

Also a big advantage for many users is that there is no need to give a bunch of permissions when installing the app for the first time, enable geolocation etc. Permissions only need to be issued when you are already using the navigation directly.

Pros:

• The work in an offline mode;
• No ads;
• Minimum of permits;
• Section with sights, when you click on which appear their miniature photos.

It is also possible to view the sights (such as Lamcy Plaza or Old Dubai) as a list.

Cons:

• A variety of important premium features.

The developers offer other countries maps, made in the same style. To download them, reduce the map and tap on the desired country. You do not even need to go to Google Play.

Technical requirements:

• Android version - 6.0 or later
• Free memory on your device - 253 MB or more

RTA Smart Drive

The RTA Smart Drive app will help you if you have not purchased a local SIM card and want to move around Dubai or the Arab Emirates by cab or on your own.

RTA Smart Drive works like a regular GPS navigator and has all the necessary offline features: voice navigation, search for optimal routes, POI and speed display.

App features:

• Detailed maps of Dubai available in 2d and 3d (Arjan Dubai, Downtown, International city, Bur Dubai))
• Choosing the best price for taxi service
• Traffic event information, accidents alerts
• Built-in route planner
• Online speedometer and speed limit
• Dubai Metro Transit timetable and map

We recommend RTA Smart Drive as an alternative to Google Maps. Be sure to download the necessary maps of Dubai or other cities (Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman) in advance before using the app. Otherwise, offline navigation will not work.

Maps.me

Maps.me is a GPS navigation app with OSM-maps for GPS navigation in Dubai. It is a great solution for users who need offline mode and want to save their mobile data in the UAE.

Maps.me supports OpenStreetMap offline maps which are usually made with a good amount of details. Ordinary users are involved in the development of these maps. Some of them are of better quality than Google Maps.

In particular, through Maps.me, it's easy to access popular places like:

• Bur dubai
• Burj park downtown
• Corniche dubai
• Downtown
• International city

By the way, using Maps.me map you can find a road or a track which is absent in other navigators.

Offline mode is handy to use in Dubai as you can map a route with no internet connection on your phone. In order to do it, download the map to your device via the Maps.me menu.

The second option is to go to the desired location and bring it closer. This part of the map will be downloaded to a phone cache. Offline maps take only a few megabytes.

Dubai Metro

Looking at the name, you can understand the main focus of this app - Dubai Metro. The app is very simple - it displays a detailed subway map / scheme with the names of the stations, intersections, and also allows you to build routes. It is perfect if you have already chosen a navigator for yourself, but for some reason it does not help you to navigate in the subway so well.

At the first launch you will be offered to download the free or VIP version. A paid subscription frees the user from advertising and provides a few additional features.

The free version has a small advertising banner, which is always located at the bottom when the Internet is on. On the main screen is a subway map, you can generally navigate by it and without geolocation.

You can upload your home and work to your favorite places. This is where the functionality of the app ends. It is quite small and fully justifies its name.

List of available metro stations (metro station map):

• Abu hail
• Al nahda
• Al qiyadah
• Baniyas
• Emirates towers
• Ggico
• Ibn battuta
• Oud metha
• Sharaf dg

UAE offline map

Good quality navigation app, working in offline mode, which greatly saves mobile data in roaming.

A map with a very nice, stylized map interface, which allows you to easily navigate in a large city. Signatures, alas, are missing, so you have to look at the shapes of houses. For example, there are no building numbers or names of stores. Although significant places, such as pharmacies and hospitals, are still marked.

There is a function of searching by coordinates and measuring the distance with a ruler.

The app does not show places on request - only maps such as Arjan, downtown Dubai, International city, and Bur Dubai.

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive interface;
• Design for fans of classic maps.

Cons:

• Too many permissions for the map app;
• Lots of ads. It pops up the first time you run it as an unmissable banner.

Dubai Travel Guide

The most popular app in the above top. Is in demand among the English-speaking audience.

When you first start it, you are offered to download offline maps, or use in online mode. There is also an option to download a version with a wiki assistant, or just classic maps. The design of the maps is the same as Google Maps.

There aren't many features in the app. You can add places to favorites, and find a place by coordinates. There is no built-in navigator - that is, to lay a route from point "A" to point "B" is not possible. Note some of the maps and locations available in the Dubai Travel Guide app:

• jvt dubai
• lamcy plaza
• muteena
• russian consulate dubai
• springs 4

In the Wikipedia section in the upper right corner you can find a list of interesting places. In addition to points of interest, you can find there links to canteens and restaurants and their reference numbers. But you will not see their positions on the map. Photos are also not attached.

Technical Requirements:

• Android version 6.0 or later
• Free memory on your device - 175 MB or more

Dubai Metro Map

Simple app, which is a map of the Dubai Metro map. The subway scheme has good quality, with the names of the stations and intersections in English.

The metro map is suitable for the user who, for whatever reason, could not find the subway map in the public domain.

The app is not interactive, so you can not click anywhere, no buttons do not work. The one provided in the screenshot is the entire functionality of Dubai Metro Map. There are no settings, no routes and no geolocation.

Technical requirements:

• Android version - 4.1 or later
• Free memory on your device - 12 MB or more

FAQ

Is Google Maps working in Dubai?

Yes, you can fully use the Google Maps app on iOS and Android, download maps of Dubai or any city in the Arab Emirates and then use offline. All landmarks, stores, street names and other objects are available for users. There are no restrictions when using Google Maps in Dubai.

How can I download Google Maps offline in Dubai?

Instructions on how to get an offline map:

1. Download the Google Maps app.
2. Run the Maps app by tapping on the icon
3. Enter the word 'Dubai' in the search box and tap on the result
4. Pull the curtain up and tap on the 3 dots icon
5. Tap Download offline map
6. Select the area on the map that you want to make offline for viewing
7. Tap the Download button
8. The map will be downloaded to your phone and available through Offline maps section.
9. To keep the map of Dubai up-to-date, update it in time before each trip to UAE.

Here is a detailed instruction on how to download maps of Dubai to your Android or iPhone device.

Which map is best for navigation in Dubai?

If you are looking for the best app for your needs in Dubai, follow our tips:

1. If you need a simple, minimalist app that doesn't have the features of a traditional navigation app while still having offline maps, use the Offline Map of Dubai. It's only available for Android OS.

2. Dubai Metro comes in handy if you are a tourist and Dubai Metro seems confusing and you want to save your time.

3. The Dubai Travel Guide contains a guide to major tourist destinations. It will be a good assistant when you visit Dubai city. This app is free and versatile.

How can I use offline maps in the UAE?

Yes, of course offline navigation is possible in major UAE cities. Install the app UAE offline map on your phone. It contains a collection of the best maps for traveling and traveling around the UAE. In addition to the map of Dubai, you will find here online and offline maps for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and other major cities.