Can I Use My Mobile Phone's GPS for Navigation in a Rental Car in Dubai?

Dubai as a tourism destination and hiring a car to tour around the city and nearby places should be fun. Some of the common questions that many users ask are, Is it possible to use the GPS that is in most mobile phones while in a rental car in Dubai? Yes it is allowed and here are ways that you can optimize the use of GPS on your mobile phone while driving in Dubai.

Compatibility and Functionality

Today’s smartphones are equipped with rather good GPS that can be used even in Dubai without significant issues. Regardless of whether you use an iPhone or an Android Based device they both come with a built in GPS so the local navigation apps should work fine. Make sure your phone’s GPS is activated and you have downloaded the right navigation applications once you embark on the Trip.

Selecting the Best Navigation App

There are actually various efficient apps for navigation used by the travelers in Dubai. Google Maps and Waze are two of the most popular because of the accessibility of correct and current maps. Google Maps provides map, route, navigation, live traffic, distance, and places of interest. Waze is another good one especially for the real-time update and information given to drivers due to the fact that it is a community based application.

Must Read: Are GPS Systems Included with Rental Cars in Dubai?

Offline Maps and Data Usage

Dubai has good mobile network signals, but since GPS apps heavily rely on data, they may use a lot of data. It should also be noted that data charges, especially when using an international SIM card, could be comparatively steep downloading offline maps will also be useful. Google built-in feature of Map, enables users to cache areas of their choice making it easy for the navigation in an area without internet connection. They include this feature because there are places where network signal is low or times when one wants to conserve on the data charges.

Car Mounts and Safety

Here it is crucial to use the proper car mount for your phone to enhance the safety of your driving. This lets you not have to hold anything while driving and also not have to look down very often, if at all. Albeit, the majority of the firms offering car rental services in Dubai supply car mounts on request, or else you can use your own. Install the mount at a good height such that its obstruction of view of the road is minimal when driving.

Must Read: What are the speed limits in Dubai that I should follow with a rental car?

Local driving and traffic regulations

Traffic in Dubai can be unlike what would normally be practiced in one's country of origin. The roads are relatively good but congested with a lot of traffic most of the time especially during rush hours. One has to be quite attentive to local driving regulations and rules of the road along with etiquette. For example, ensure you buckle up when in a car, do not use the phone while driving and be careful when approaching bends, tour deviation and traffic lights.

Benefits of Using GPS on Your Phone

The use of your mobile phone’s GPS to navigate has several advantages over other mobile phone navigation methods. It relays information about the road status by advising you on or where there is likely to be a traffic jam. Other additional services which you can include are messages on road closure, incidence of accident, and other dangers. Moreover, using the GPS of your mobile phone, you can find out which petrol stations, restaurants, and, in fact, all the interesting tourist places are closest to you.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that the utilization of the GPS navigation on your mobile phone, while in a rental car, in this case Dubai, is quite feasible and even convenient to an extent. Do charge your phone to have sufficient power, do download maps in advance so as to be ready in case there is no internet connection, and it is advisable you use a good car mount to have a proper view of the road. If you prepare yourself well, then there should be no reason as to why you should not be able to tour the streets of Dubai to the fullest.