Sat Nav in Dubai...?
Discussion
Don't bother with sat-nav.
If you have Google Maps on an iPhone - use that. All other sat-navs are usually 6-24 months out of date, and as roads here change on a weekly-ish basis, they're not worth using.
Even the most seasoned Dubai driver will find themselves not so much lost, but frustrated that they hadn't realised they needed to turn off Sheikh Zayed Road 3kms earlier than they actually want to in order to be in the service road to take the exit they needed.
With the exception of the main drags (SZR, Beach Road, Al Khail Road, Emirates Road), I would put money on few Dubai residents actually knowing the name of the road where things are located. We don't really have an address system to speak of - it's more "Near the Eppco station down the road from Starbucks, turn left after the 2nd speed bump".
Just get yourself a rental weapon like a Tiida and have fun - Dubai's pretty small and most of the tourist traps are easy enough to find. If you're worried, just get a cab - there's thousands of them and are cheap as chips (compared to the UK), or if you really feel up to it - take the Metro.
If you have Google Maps on an iPhone - use that. All other sat-navs are usually 6-24 months out of date, and as roads here change on a weekly-ish basis, they're not worth using.
Even the most seasoned Dubai driver will find themselves not so much lost, but frustrated that they hadn't realised they needed to turn off Sheikh Zayed Road 3kms earlier than they actually want to in order to be in the service road to take the exit they needed.
With the exception of the main drags (SZR, Beach Road, Al Khail Road, Emirates Road), I would put money on few Dubai residents actually knowing the name of the road where things are located. We don't really have an address system to speak of - it's more "Near the Eppco station down the road from Starbucks, turn left after the 2nd speed bump".
Just get yourself a rental weapon like a Tiida and have fun - Dubai's pretty small and most of the tourist traps are easy enough to find. If you're worried, just get a cab - there's thousands of them and are cheap as chips (compared to the UK), or if you really feel up to it - take the Metro.
My advice would've to use taxis. Being new to Dubai I bought a sat nav. It's pretty good and will Help but it's only 90% accurate. It took me a few days to get used to the roads and driving. If you're only here say a week don't bother. There's loads of taxis at hotels and tourist attractions.
Forget SatNav - I'd argue that trying to use it would get you more screwed up than if you just did your best to follow the signs or given directions. Driving here is 'interesting' enough, especially for the uninitiated.
Taxis are cheap as chips and even the metro can be handy. Now the weather has become better, it's not as much of a ball ache if you have a ten minute walk at either end.
As for the road changes - Al Khail nearly screwed me up a while back. I always used to fill up at the gas station before the Nad Al Sheba exit (going North) on my way home. Then they opened the new junction and suddenly the garage is on the new slip road and there's no way to get to it! Luckily I had just enough petrol to get to another fill up place but even that was a good 10km away!
Taxis are cheap as chips and even the metro can be handy. Now the weather has become better, it's not as much of a ball ache if you have a ten minute walk at either end.
As for the road changes - Al Khail nearly screwed me up a while back. I always used to fill up at the gas station before the Nad Al Sheba exit (going North) on my way home. Then they opened the new junction and suddenly the garage is on the new slip road and there's no way to get to it! Luckily I had just enough petrol to get to another fill up place but even that was a good 10km away!
It's funny people saying forget sat nav... I wouldn't be without mine here, it's an incredibly useful piece of kit and has saved me hours and hours of wrong turns and long-way rounds..... I have all the destinations I travel to regularly saved in mine and it's so useful for getting from one point to another without having to backtrack.
Horses for courses I guess, but I would tell any new arrival to make it the one thing they purchased as soon as they started driving here.
Horses for courses I guess, but I would tell any new arrival to make it the one thing they purchased as soon as they started driving here.
We have Garmin's in all the cars.
The real winner was for the wife.
Before we had them she would never driver, always some excuse or other.
Turned out the real problem was she was afraid of getting lost.
Garmin cured that and her driving has never looked back (nor has she, but thats another storey !)
They might not beat local knowledge or be 100%, 100% of the time but they are still very good and will always get you home, even if it is a long or strange way.
The real winner was for the wife.
Before we had them she would never driver, always some excuse or other.
Turned out the real problem was she was afraid of getting lost.
Garmin cured that and her driving has never looked back (nor has she, but thats another storey !)
They might not beat local knowledge or be 100%, 100% of the time but they are still very good and will always get you home, even if it is a long or strange way.
rabailey said:
They might not beat local knowledge or be 100%, 100% of the time but they are still very good and will always get you home, even if it is a long or strange way.
Yep.... perfect example for me last night.My Sat-Nav's not in the car currently and I had to go from Motor City to City Hospital near Wafi
Whilst I didn't get lost navigating by rough direction, I certainly took 30 - 45 minutes longer than I would have done with Nav... and therein lies its greatest strength. The ability to get you from point B to point C without having to go through point A
It can be useful for giving you a rough idea of where you are, but apart from that generally well out of date.
Better to use your phone as others have said.
Just remember to grin when you can see where you want to get to, take a right that then loops all the way round so you're heading in exactly the wrong direction!
Better to use your phone as others have said.
Just remember to grin when you can see where you want to get to, take a right that then loops all the way round so you're heading in exactly the wrong direction!
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff