Car & Van Hire - Al Ain

Al Ain is an oasis city. Its shady palm trees and family-friendly attractions make it a popular choice for weekend getaways. It's renowned for its ancient history and culture, a rarity in the UAE. In fact, it is the only place in the entire country to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, helping it attract visitors with an interest in history.

One of the top sights in Al Ain is the Al-Jahili Fort. Built in 1891, this squat sandstone fort was originally built to protect the local palm farmers from attack. It has been extensively restored in recent years, and visitors can climb the ramparts for better views. It is close to another fortress, the Sultan Bin Zayed Fort, which is now home to the Al Ain National Museum. This is another great way to spend a morning if you like history, as you will find a collection of fascinating exhibits, including a number of coins and pendants dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. You can also see clothes and jewellery traditionally worn by the Bedouin people.

To cool off in the desert heat, take a trip to Al Ain Oasis. There are almost 150,000 palm trees in this area, which is right in the centre of town. You can get around on foot or choose another means of transport. At the entrance to the oasis, bikes are available to rent. Don't feel like exerting yourself? You can also hop in a horse-drawn cart!

Car or van rental in Al Ain is an excellent choice for thrill-seekers, as you can head to Wadi Adventure Park. In this water park, you'll find the largest artificial surfing wave in the world, an area for kayaking and several options for white water rafting. There are rapids that cater to total beginners, as well as something to keep experienced rafters entertained. A family pool, zip lines, a climbing wall and more all make this a wonderful place to spend a day.

If you're a nature lover, then car rental in Al Ain is a great option. Jebel Hafeet, the UAE's second-highest peak, is about 56 km away. The drive to the top is spectacular, running along a winding mountain road, but the truly breathtaking views are waiting for you at the summit. This rugged, dramatic mountain is well worth a visit. While you're there, you can also visit the Bronze Age tombs that have been discovered at the foot of the mountain.

Al Ain is a popular holiday destination. There is not much traffic, and daily rush hour isn't a problem here. You can expect to see more cars at weekends – and keep in mind that the UAE has a 3-day weekend. This means that peak time in Al Ain starts at around lunchtime on Friday, as people arrive for a weekend away.

Al Ain forms part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, although it is about 170 km away. If you decide to visit the city, you may need to pay a toll to enter. This depends on the time of day, though. Tolls must be paid from Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 09:00 and again from 17:00 to 19:00. They are free on Sundays and public holidays.

Parking is free on Sundays, but there are charges from Monday to Saturday. You can pay for a parking spot with cash, card or by using the DARB app. On-street parking spots are marked in different colours. Black and blue indicate standard parking, while white and blue is premium parking. You can stay in a standard parking spot for up to 24 hours, but premium parking spots cost more and have a time limit of 4 hours. It's usually easier to find a parking space at the east gate of Al Ain Oasis, as most visitors enter from the west. You won't miss anything by entering from the east, so this is a good option for a quieter start to the day.

When driving between cities, keep a clear head. You can expect to see many cars speeding or loosely interpreting the rules of the road, so it's important to remain calm. Keep an eye out for road hazards. Camels and goats often wander out onto the road and can cause major accidents. If you see animals in front of you, either carefully manoeuvre around them or just wait for them to pass.

It very rarely rains in the UAE, and most cars do not have hazard lights or fog lights. In the unlikely event that you experience bad weather conditions, drive very slowly – or, better still, get off the road altogether and wait for things to return to normal. People here are not used to driving in bad weather, so the roads can become more dangerous. Sand storms are an occasional hazard. Pull over if your visibility is too low for you to continue safely.