Buy UAE Dirham (AED)
- Click and collect UAE Dirham from as little as 72 hours, subject to availability.
- Home delivery or pick up in-store
- Next day delivery on travel money for the United Arab Emirates*
*if purchased before 2pm Monday to Thursday
Why buy UAE Dirham from Asda Travel Money
Getting your travel money for your trip to the UAE through Asda Money is simple and hassle-free. Here’s why so many travellers choose us:
Our exchange rate Price Promise
If you find a better exchange rate from any competitor within a 5-mile radius, we’ll beat it with our Price Promise.
Free home delivery on UAE Dirham orders over £500
Ordering more than £500 worth of currency? We’ll deliver your UAE Dirham to your door for free.
Same-day travel money service
If you need your Dirham quickly, visit an Asda Money Travel Bureau to exchange your currency there and then, subject to availability. Or click & collect from as little as 72 hours, subject to availability.
Easy ordering
Order your UAE Dirham online and choose either home delivery (next-day options available) or click & collect from your nearest Asda Travel Money Bureau.
Load up UAE Dirham onto a Travel Money Card
If you don’t want to carry too much cash, you can load your UAE Dirham onto an Asda Travel Money Card – a secure, prepaid card you can use across the United Arab Emirates and other worldwide destinations. It’s chip and PIN protected, simple to top up, and offers competitive exchange rates.
Our Buy Back Promise
Take out our Buy Back Promise when you purchase your currency through us, and we’ll buy back any unused Dirham (bank notes only) at the original transaction exchange rate, from a minimum value of £35 up to a maximum value of £250. T&Cs apply.
Trusted by UK travellers
Our award-winning service means you can buy travel money with confidence. We’re recognised for our reliable service and competitive rates.
Great value – always
Whether you choose to order in-store or online, you’ll get competitive exchange rates.
Extra value for Asda Rewards members
If you’re signed up to Asda Rewards, enjoy even better rates when you buy travel money through us.
How to buy UAE Dirham (AED)
You can buy UAE Dirham through Asda Travel Money in three ways:
Buy at an in-store bureau
Buying your UAE Dirham from your local Asda Travel Money bureau is all about ease and convenience. We have locations in various Asda stores all over the UK - simply pop in when you’re doing your weekly shop. Our same-day travel money service is ideal for last-minute currency before your trip (subject to availability).
Buy AED with FREE Click & Collect
Converting sterling to UAE Dirham has never been simpler. All you need to do is purchase your currency online and choose Click & Collect to pick up your travel money at one of our many selected Asda stores, free of charge. Minimum order £100. Use our bureau finder to find your nearest travel money bureau.
Home delivery for UAE Dirham (AED)
Selecting home delivery means your UAE Dirham will be delivered direct to your door. Choose next day home delivery from £4.99 (for orders placed before 2pm) or FREE home delivery for orders of £500 or more. The minimum order available for home delivery is £350.
How to buy UAE Dirham on a pre-paid Asda Travel Money Card
The Asda Travel Money Card is a convenient alternative to carrying large amounts of cash during your stay in the United Arab Emirates.
You can load your currency onto the pre-paid travel card before you travel and top up while you’re away. It’s a simple and hassle-free way to pay for everything from taxis and tourist attractions to meals and drinks. You can take money out of the ATM or pay using your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
You’ll lock in your pound to UAE Dirham exchange rate when you load the card, helping you budget while you’re away. It’s also chip and PIN protected for an added layer of security.
Topping up your Asda Travel Money card is simple. You can do it online, in-store when you buy the card, or via the app while you’re on holiday.
Learn more about the Asda Travel Money Card.
Pound (GBP) to UAE Dirham (AED) exchange rate
The GBP to AED exchange rate lets you know how much UAE Dirham you’ll get in exchange for your British Pounds.
Keen to understand how much UAE Dirham you’ll get for your pounds? Our easy-to-use Currency Calculator helps you find the most up-to-date exchange rate. All you need to do is enter the amount you wish to exchange, and we’ll show you how much you’ll receive.
What currency is used in Dubai?
The United Emirates has used the United Arab Emirates Dirham or, as it’s more casually known Emirati Dirham, since 1973. Its name comes from the word Drachmae, Greek for ‘handful’. While it’s officially abbreviated as AED, DH or Dhs abbreviations are also common. [1]
It is used right across the United Arab Emirates, so you’ll also use it if you travel to Abu Dhabi, for example.
How Much Do Things Cost in the United Emirates?
Should I convert money to AED in the UK or UAE?
Buying AED before your trip can help you avoid international transaction and ATM fees.
Changing pounds to dirham before you travel also means you may be able to lock in a more competitive exchange rate, which means more spending money for your trip.
How much money do I need when visiting the UAE?
The amount of dirham you need for a holiday in the UAE depends on where you’re going, the length of your trip and the type of accommodation you’re staying in. Dubai, for example, is home to luxury accommodation and first-class restaurants, so you may need more money here when compared with other locations.
Here are a few things to consider:
- A 5-star hotel will likely set you back £200+ a night.
- A trip to the top of the Burj Khalifa is around £37 per person.
- A desert safari can cost around £65 per person.
- You can save money on attractions using a Go City Pass, which offers discounts on attractions throughout Dubai. [8]
What you need to know about the UEA Dirham currency
The UAE Dirham replaced the Qatar riyal as the currency of the UAE in 1973. You’ll find it in the current denominations:
AED comes in the following denomination[9]:
Coins
- 1 dirham
- 5fils
- 10fils
- 25fils
- 50fils
Notes:
- 5 dirham
- 10 dirham
- 20 dirham
- 50 dirham
- 100 dirham
- 200 dirham
- 500 dirham
- 1000 dirham
A new 100 Dirham note came into circulation in March 2025, with added security features. You can still use this alongside the old 100 Dirham note.
Useful money tips for the United Arab Emirates
- You’re expected to tip 10-15% unless the service is bad.
- At souks (traditional markets), make sure to haggle with sellers as you could end up paying 50% more otherwise.
- When taking a taxi ride, round up the fare to the nearest 5Dhs. [10]
Three reasons to love Asda Travel Money:
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1. Price Promise
If you find a better exchange rate within 5 miles of one of our travel money bureaux, we’ll beat it with our Price Promise.
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2. We Buy Back Your Travel Money
Stop by our travel money bureau and we’ll buy back your unused travel money. Even if you didn’t buy your travel currency from us, we’ll exchange it back commission free.
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3. Same Day Travel Money Service
Left it till the last minute? Don’t worry, simply swing by one of our travel money bureaux and take advantage of our same day travel money on popular currencies, subject to availability.
UAE Dirham FAQs
- Which countries use the UAE Dirham?
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The only country that uses the UAE Dirham is the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is made up of seven independent emirates that all use the Dirham – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
- Is the UAE Dirham the same as AED?
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Yes, the UAE Dirham is the same as AED. AED is simply the currency code used to represent the currency.
- Can you buy UAE Dirhams in the UK?
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Yes, you can buy UAE Dirhams in the UK before travelling to Dubai.
- What is the best currency to take to Dubai?
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The best currency to take to Dubai is the UAE Dirham. This is the local currency and will be accepted everywhere you go. You might find that vendors accept other foreign currencies – like Euros and US Dollars – in tourist areas, but you can never be sure of the exchange rate you’re getting.
- Should I convert money before going to Dubai?
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You may be able to get a more competitive pound to dirham exchange rate if you purchase travel money in the UK rather than waiting till you arrive in UAE. It also means you will arrive with cash in hand for taxis, tips, or food as soon as you land.
- Is Dirham still in use and are old Dirham notes still valid?
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Yes, the UAE Dirham is still in use. A new secure 100 Dirham note was introduced in March 2025, with added security features. The old 100 Dirham note is still valid and is accepted everywhere in the UAE.
- Is it better to carry cash or card in Dubai?
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Cards are widely accepted in Dubai, but you may be charged a foreign transaction fee each time you use one. Many travellers prefer carrying some cash for small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t accept cards. Alternatively, the Asda Travel Money Card offers a convenient, secure payment option and can help you avoid some of those extra fees.
- Is food expensive in Dubai?
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You’ll find plenty of high-end restaurants and hotels right across the city where meals can be expensive. But there are cheaper options too, including street food and casual dining.
- Can you use English money in Dubai?
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Some places in Dubai accept foreign currencies like the Pound, Euro, and US Dollar, but not all do. To be on the safe side, it's best to carry UAE Dirhams, so you can pay without any issues. If you choose to pay in Pounds, the exchange rate will be set by the vendor at the time of purchase—which often means you’ll end up paying more than if you used the local currency.
Sources
[1] global-exchange.co.uk
[2] [3] hotelscombined.ae
[4] [5] numbeo.com
[6] travelrepublic.co.uk
[7] viator.com
[8] travelrepublic.co.uk
[9] global-exchange.co.uk
[10] visitdubai.com
Asda Travel Money Card is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN:900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.
The Asda Rewards price for Asda Travel Money will be preferential compared to the standard rate advertised at your chosen place of purchase (being either online via https://money.asda.com/travel/travel-money/ (Website) or in-store at an Asda Travel Money bureau) on the date of purchase. Asda Rewards prices are only available on the sell rates of currencies in stock on the date of your purchase. When purchasing online, you must enter a valid Asda Rewards number found in the Asda Rewards App or Website to obtain the Asda Rewards price rate. When purchasing in-store, you must show the Asda Rewards barcode found in the app. Asda Rewards pricing available for Asda Travel Money purchases only offers you a more preferential exchange rate, you will not receive or be entitled to any Asda Rewards on your purchase. We reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time and without prior notice.
Please note that Asda Travel Money Online Services Terms and Conditions are available at https://travelmoney.asda.com/asda/page/termsandconditions.
Asda Travel Money is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited, registered number: 04621879. Registered Office: Worldwide House, Thorpewood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB