Dubai is giving residents an early taste of the future of urban transport with driverless taxi rides now available for free. Apollo Go, the city’s autonomous taxi operator, is currently offering complimentary trips through its app in select areas, including Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Meanwhile, the same rides are also offered as a paid option via the Uber app.

Booking Your Free Ride

To enjoy a free ride, users must download the Apollo Go app and create an account. Once logged in, passengers can select their pick-up and drop-off points within the designated service zones. Short trips—for instance, from Jumeirah Mosque to Umm Suqeim—can be booked directly in the app.

After confirming a ride, the vehicle arrives at the selected location. Passengers unlock the car using a one-time password (OTP) provided in the app and begin their journey.

Service Areas and Availability

Currently, the service is limited to a few locations, primarily Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim. Apollo Go plans to expand coverage gradually as testing continues and approvals are granted, with more neighborhoods expected to join the program in the coming months.

Same Trips Are Paid on Uber

While rides are free through the Apollo Go app, the same autonomous taxis are listed with fares on the Uber platform. For example, a short trip between Jumeirah Mosque and Umm Suqeim was shown at Dh81.20 on Uber, compared with standard options like UberX or electric rides costing Dh63–Dh80, and larger vehicles priced higher. This reflects a gradual transition from trial runs to commercial service, with pricing varying like other ride-hailing services.

Is It Fully Driverless?

The taxis are designed to operate autonomously, but a safety specialist may occasionally be present inside the vehicle. The app notes that certain trips may include a specialist on board, indicating that the service is still under active monitoring during this early stage.

Looking Ahead

Dubai aims to make 25 per cent of all transportation trips autonomous by 2030. The current free rides give residents a first-hand look at how daily travel in the city may evolve. Paid options on platforms like Uber suggest that driverless taxis are moving beyond testing, gradually becoming a part of everyday commuting in Dubai.

For now, residents can enjoy the novelty of free autonomous rides while experiencing a glimpse of the city’s transportation future.