Find our best exchange rate for Dirhams

Convert GBP to AED and find the best exchange rate for Dirhams

Use our Pound to Dirham calculator and comparison tables to find the best exchange rate for the Dirhams you need

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£
Best Rate from
1 GBP = 4.5381096541852 AED
1 AED = 0.220 GBP
Amount received (after accounting for delivery fees)
A convenient prepaid way for spending abroad that's safer and easier to track.
Get cover to protect yourself from the cost of potential problems when travelling.
A prepaid card thats useful for travelling but can be used at home too
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Last updated
October 12, 2023

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How to find our best UAE dirham exchange rate deals

The UAE dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates and can be used throughout the country, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Here’s how to find the best exchange rates on the market today:

Plan ahead to avoid buying UAE dirham at the airport

Airport exchange kiosks don’t normally offer the best rates, so it’s always best to do your research before you set off to see which provider is offering the best rate.

Compare as many online providers as possible

When you are comparing providers look at the pound to dirham exchange rate on offer as this will tell you how many UAE dirhams you’ll receive for each pound.

Factor in all the costs involved

To find the best exchange rate on offer, remember to check if there’s a delivery charge or any other fees involved. This could have a big impact on the final price you pay for your AED currency.

Look at alternative ways to collect the money

One way to maximise your money is to avoid delivery charges by choosing a different method of collection. For example, you could pick up the money at the airport you are travelling from or collect it from one of the provider’s local branches.

Buy a larger sum of money

Providers can offer a better exchange rate if you are ordering a large sum of UAE dirham. Therefore, think about your budget realistically so that you don’t under-order your money, and if you are travelling in a group, consider buying your travel money together. Of course, you also need to be wary of over-ordering, otherwise you may have to use a currency buy back service to get rid of excess dirhams.

14 results found, sorted by amount received. How we order our comparisons. Commission earned affects the table's sort order.
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£
Click & Collect from over 190 stores in 60 Seconds
eurochange Travel Money
Exchange rate
4.4820
£750 gets you
3,361.50 د.إ
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
eurochange Travel Money
eurochange are the foreign exchange experts. They provide an award-winning service which is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, offering the widest range of currencies including Euros and US Dollars.
They'll also buy foreign currency in exchange for GBP #exchangewitheurochange
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents
Clubcard members only
Tesco Bank Travel Money for Clubcard Members
Exchange rate
4.4471
£750 gets you
3,335.33 د.إ
Delivery fee
Free delivery
Collection
Yes
Tesco Bank Travel Money for Clubcard Members
With Click & Collect you can order your Travel Money online and pick it up from selected Tesco stores, or you can have it delivered straight to your home. Clubcard Prices are available on Tesco Travel Money and there’s 0% commission on foreign currency.
Tesco Travel Money ordered online is provided by Travelex Currency Services Limited.
Eligibility
Available Direct
UK Residents

Pros and cons of buying UAE dirham

Pros

Allows you to budget sensibly and not overspend
You can use UAE dirham anywhere in the United Arab Emirates
Allows you to find a competitive exchange rate and guarantee this before your trip

Cons

A travel debit or credit card can offer better rates
There is a risk that physical cash can get lost or stolen
You’ll need to use a currency buy back service to change back any leftover dirham

What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:

  • Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer

  • Purchase protection – for purchases costing between £100 and £30,000 you're covered by Section 75 of the consumer credit act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up

However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.

Travel money cards

Travel money cards

Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:

  • Great exchange rates - you card provider will pass on the Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges

  • No charges for ATM use overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, you can withdraw it without being charged by your provider. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply 

The downsides include that there can be limits to how much you withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:

  • Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage

  • Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance

However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.

What are the top alternatives to buying travel money?

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards

Travel credit cards - i.e. the ones with no foreign transaction fees - offer two key advantages over travel money:

  • Great exchange rates - when you spend on a travel credit card you get the Mastercard or Visa exchange rate, which is about the best you can find as a regular consumer

  • Purchase protection – for purchases costing between £100 and £30,000 you're covered by Section 75 of the consumer credit act, meaning if something goes wrong you can make a claim with your card provider should the vendor fail to pay up

However, not everywhere accepts travel credit cards and using them at a cash machine abroad can come with hefty fees. It can also be easier to overspend on a credit card, leaving you with debts on which interest is charged.

Travel money cards

Travel money cards

Currency cards and travel bank accounts let you spend overseas without being charged a foreign transaction fee. Their key strengths are:

  • Great exchange rates - you card provider will pass on the Mastercard or Visa rate to you without adding extra charges

  • No charges for ATM use overseas - if you need extra cash on holiday, you can withdraw it without being charged by your provider. Watch out for local ATM fees though, as these might still apply 

The downsides include that there can be limits to how much you withdraw abroad using a travel money card, and that they're not accepted quite as widely as cash. Some travel current accounts also come with fees.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards can be loaded with currency and used abroad without paying foreign exchange fees. You can load a prepaid card with a specific foreign currency or a variety of different currencies, depending on your travel plans. The key advantages are:

  • Low or no fees to use abroad – prepaid travel card providers charge far less than traditional banks for overseas usage

  • Safer than carrying cash - you can cancel or freeze the card if it's lost or stolen, protecting your balance

However, you’ll need to watch out for general usage fees, which often apply when you load the card with cash and may also be charged monthly.

How far will my UAE dirham go?

The UAE dirham can be used in the United Arab Emirates where currently, in the main tourist destinations, prices are slightly lower than in London. Therefore, if you are travelling to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, a typical meal in a restaurant should cost a bit less – say 40 to 100 Dirham per person – than a similar meal in the city of London. 

Other costs to bear in mind when buying travel money include taxi fares – around 25 dirham for a 10 km journey in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, according to the website Taxi Calculator.

If, meanwhile, you are deciding which city to visit in the United Arab Emirates, you might find you can get a bit more for your money in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai. 

Find out more by visiting our 'going on holiday' hub page.

FAQs

What countries use UAE dirham?

The UAE dirham is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates and can be used throughout its seven counties: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al Qaiwain.

Is it safe to order UAE dirham online?

Yes, but make sure you buy from a company that’s authorised by the FCA. Visit the FCA website to check if a company is registered or not.

Will I get the same UAE dirham rate on the high street?

No. The rates you can find online are often better because online companies have to be more competitively priced to attract custom.

Is my travel money protected abroad?

No, not unless you take out a travel insurance policy that covers your cash.

Is my money protected if a provider goes bust?

No. Make sure you buy from a provider that will send your currency as soon as it’s processed.


About our comparison

Who do we include in this comparison?

We include every company that gives you the option of buying euros online. Discover how our website works.

How do we make money from our comparison?

We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison. We get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services. Find out more here.

You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.

About the author

Lucinda O'Brien
Lucinda O'Brien has spent the past 10 years writing and editing content for regional and national titles. She applies her industry knowledge to ensure readers can make confident financial decisions.

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