All about Sharjah Taxi Booking: Charges, Methods & more

Booking a taxi in Sharjah is generally predictable because services operate under the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), with regulated fares and standard operating rules across the emirate. Still, what you pay can vary depending on where you start the trip, when you travel, and whether the ride stays within Sharjah or crosses into another emirate.

This guide explains the booking options, the fare structure behind the meter, common surcharges, payment methods, and the passenger basics that matter most when you’re in a hurry.

• The Sharjah taxi system, in plain terms 
• Taxi types you can request in Sharjah 
• Sharjah taxi fares explained 
• Airport and cross-emirate charges 
• Waiting time and slow-traffic pricing 
• How to book a taxi in Sharjah 
• Paying for your taxi in Sharjah 
• What a ride might look like: sample fare scenarios 
• Passenger rights in Sharjah taxis 
• Taxi etiquette: Tips for when riding a taxi in Sharjah
• Key takeaways
• FAQs 

The Sharjah taxi system, in plain terms

Sharjah’s taxi service operates under Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) regulations, which oversee booking channels, dispatch services, and fare standards.

For passengers, the practical takeaway is simple: taxis are available 24 hours a day, including at Sharjah International Airport, and fares are metered rather than negotiated.

The system is structured. Variations usually come from traffic and trip distance, not from the driver.

Taxi types you can request in Sharjah

Not every ride need is the same, so Sharjah taxis typically operate across multiple service types, including standard vehicles and options designed for families and accessibility. 

Here are the common categories you’ll see referenced in Sharjah taxi guidance and operator materials:

• Standard taxis for everyday city trips
• Family / ladies-only taxis (availability varies by time and area)
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles (often limited; best booked specifically)
• Premium / limousine-style options in some contexts, especially around airports and hotels (availability varies)

If you require a specific vehicle type, booking through the call centre or app is more reliable than relying on street hailing.

Sharjah taxi fares explained

Sharjah taxis operate on a metered fare structure comprising a starting charge (flag fall), distance increments, and add-ons such as airport or cross-emirate surcharges. The most widely cited public guidance sets the standard starting fare at AED 3 per day and AED 4 at night, with a minimum city trip fee of around AED 14, and distance increments often shown as AED 0.25 per 155 metres. 

One important nuance: minimums and “meter start” figures can vary by pickup context and operator tariff pages, especially for airport-origin trips. For example, travel guidance commonly distinguishes between an in-city minimum and a higher minimum for airport-origin rides. 

Starting fare and minimum trip amount

During typical operating hours, Sharjah taxi pricing is frequently described as:

• Day (around 6:00 am to 10:00 pm): AED 3 starting fare
• Night (around 10:00 pm to 6:00 am): AED 4 starting fare

There is also a minimum city fare of around AED 14. If your trip is very short, the minimum still applies.

Distance increments (what makes the meter rise)

The meter increases by approximately AED 0.25 per 155 metres travelled. In lighter traffic, the rise is steady and gradual. In congestion, totals can increase more quickly because time also counts.

Airport-origin trips may follow slightly different minimums than regular city rides.

Airport and cross-emirate charges 

Trips that begin at the airport or leave Sharjah often include extra line items that can materially change what you pay, even when the route distance is similar.

This is the section where most “surprise totals” come from, so it helps to know the standard add-ons.

Sharjah Airport surcharge (fixed add-on)

Sharjah International Airport states that all trips originating from the airport include an additional AED 20 airport surcharge, in addition to the metered fare. 

That means a short ride from the airport can cost noticeably more than a similar-length trip within the city, because the surcharge applies regardless of distance.

Cross-emirate trips: Sharjah to Dubai and beyond

For trips that end outside Sharjah, for example, to Dubai, there could be an additional cross-border/cross-emirate fee in the ~AED 20 range, depending on the direction and rules applied to the originating taxi. In short, expect an add-on when your trip crosses into another emirate, and treat AED 20 as a typical reference point; the remainder is still calculated by meter. 

Because this is a common source of confusion, app-based booking may show a more explicit breakdown of fees before pickup, while street-hailed taxis may show it only once the trip is underway.

Waiting time and slow-traffic pricing

Taxi meters don’t only measure distance; they also account for time spent waiting or moving very slowly in congestion. 

If the vehicle is stationary or travelling below approximately 25 km/h, waiting-time charges may begin after a short grace period, typically around 10 minutes. The increase is generally about AED 0.50 per minute.

During peak commuting hours, traffic conditions can therefore influence the total as much as the distance.

Explore the Available Apartments for Rent in Sharjah

How to book a taxi in Sharjah 

Sharjah gives you multiple ways to get a taxi, and the “best” method depends on whether you need the fastest pickup, a specific vehicle type, or a predictable queue (like at malls and airports).

1) Taxi stands and street hailing (walk-up options)

Taxi ranks are common at high-footfall locations such as malls, hotels, and transport hubs, and street hailing is often workable on busy roads. This approach typically avoids booking fees, but pickup time can vary if you’re in a quieter neighbourhood or travelling during peak demand.

2) Book by phone: SRTA call centre number

You can arrange a pickup by calling 600 52 52 52. Phone booking is particularly useful when requesting a specific vehicle type (for example, an accessible vehicle) rather than taking the next available taxi at a rank.

A small booking fee may apply.

3) Book by app: Digital Sharjah and SRTA services

Sharjah’s Digital Sharjah platform has been reported as an official government services app that includes taxi booking functionality. Taxi Butler is part of SRTA’s booking facilities. 

RTA Sharjah App booking is useful when you want visibility into pickup status (car assigned, arrival tracking) rather than coordinating by phone.

4) Ride-hailing apps in Sharjah (when pricing is different)

Sharjah also has ride-hailing coverage across major platforms in the UAE, though pricing can vary due to booking fees or surge pricing. In practice, the ride can feel similar, but the fare logic may not match the classic Sharjah taxi meter experience.

Paying for your taxi in Sharjah

Payment norms in Sharjah taxis remain cash-friendly, but card acceptance can vary by vehicle and context. Travel guidance commonly notes that cash is widely accepted, while card machines may be more common in certain taxis (including airport taxis), and digital payments are most common when you book through an app that processes payment directly. 

Because availability is not uniform, it’s reasonable to treat cash as the universally reliable option, with card as “often available, not guaranteed,” depending on the specific vehicle.

What a ride might look like: sample fare scenarios

It’s difficult to give a single price because the final fare depends on traffic, the pickup point, and whether surcharges apply. Still, these examples show how the fare structure typically behaves when you combine the base fare, distance increments and any add-ons.

In most cases, traffic plays a bigger role than distance. Two identical routes taken at different times of day can result in different totals because waiting-time charges may apply.

Passenger rights in Sharjah taxis

Drivers must activate the meter at the start of each ride. Fares must follow the official tariff structure and cannot be arbitrarily adjusted.

Passengers may request a receipt at the end of the trip, and vehicle identification details are displayed inside the taxi. If the meter is not used, you are not obligated to accept an unmetered fare.

If needed, complaints can be filed using the vehicle number and trip details.

Taxi etiquette: Tips for when riding a taxi in Sharjah

Small operational details tend to matter more than “big” rules, especially if you’re travelling at peak hours or from the airport.

Keeping these points in mind helps reduce misunderstandings around total fare and payment:

• Airport rides: expect the fixed airport surcharge to be added to the metered fare. 
• Cross-emirate routes: treat additional charges as common on Sharjah→Dubai trips, with AED 20 often used as a reference point in public guidance. 
• Traffic: slow movement can add waiting-time cost on top of the distance. 
• Payment: cash remains the most consistently accepted option across vehicles, while card availability varies by taxi. 

Key takeaways

How to book a taxi in Sharjah comes down to three reliable routes: walk up to taxi ranks or hail on busy roads, call the SRTA taxi booking number (600 525252), or use official app channels such as Digital Sharjah and SRTA’s booking facilities. Fares are metered and commonly described with a daytime starting fare around AED 3 and a nighttime starting fare around AED 4, with an in-city minimum fare often referenced around AED 14, while airport-origin rides add a fixed AED 20 surcharge that can significantly raise the total. 

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