Clean cars
One customer collected a vehicle that was clean, ready and full of fuel.
Budget Rent a Car | Dubai Airport Terminal 1 Arrivals
Al Garhoud
Budget Rent a Car handles airport car rentals from Dubai Airport Terminal 1 Arrivals in Al Garhoud. Reviews mention competitively priced rentals, clean vehicles and shuttle transfers between the airport and the off-airport office, though pickup timing can vary considerably.
Reputation Score
2.9
★★★☆☆
917 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Shuttle service
A shuttle can take customers from the airport to the office and back after returning the car.
Low pricing
Some customers describe the rental rate as a strong part of the experience.
Helpful guidance
A customer received practical advice about avoiding driving fines as a foreign visitor.
Quick exchange
One vehicle exchange was completed within 10 minutes after a customer raised an issue with the first car.
Terminal location
The Terminal 1 desk is convenient for customers actually arriving there.
Tips for a Better Visit
Confirm terminal. If you land at Terminal 3, confirm the pickup arrangement directly and plan for a transfer to Terminal 1.
Allow time. Build a large buffer before your flight; one review recommends arriving at least four hours early.
Document condition. Photograph the car carefully at handover because one review says the inspection missed several spots.
Track deposits. Ask for the refund timeline in writing and keep the return receipt; one customer reported a refund after around 30 days.
Check cards. Ask how Salik or other post-rental payments work if you only carry a debit card, as an international card fee was reported.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai Airport T1 Arrivals - Airport Rd
Dubai Int'l Airport, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Popular Mentions
Child booster seat
A child booster seat can be selected during booking, although one customer reported that it was not initially available.
GPS system
GPS system rental is mentioned, but one customer said the requested unit was unavailable and the car relied on phone connectivity.
Full insurance
One booking included full insurance, though the customer later disputed a tire charge and a partial deposit refund.
Common Concerns
Long waits
Several customers report lengthy pickup delays, including waits of two or three hours.
Terminal mismatch
Bookings involving Terminal 3 can require a taxi or shuttle to Terminal 1, adding time and confusion.
Deposit delays
Reviews describe security-deposit refunds taking weeks or months, with some customers struggling to get updates.
Roadside delays
One customer waited more than three hours for roadside assistance after a battery failure.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 1,600
full security deposit
“After returning the car, Budget charged AED 1,600 as a full security deposit without any prior notice, allegedly to recover an outstanding balance of only AED 187”Google review · February 2026
AED 300
tire
“– AED 300 charged for a tire that wasn't our fault”Google review · August 2025
3900AED
front light
“SCRATCHED ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND THEY HAVE "CHANGED" THE FRONT LIGHT FOR THE AMOUNT OF 3900AED”Google review · October 2024
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Budget Rent a Car at Dubai Airport Terminal 1 Arrivals, in Al Garhoud, lets you book airport rental cars, with reviews mentioning clean vehicles, competitive rates and an airport shuttle to an off-site office. For customers using Terminal 1, the location can be convenient. The experience is much less straightforward when your flight is handled through Terminal 3.
The main concern is time. Customers describe waiting 40 minutes, two hours and, in one case, three hours for a pre-booked car. Terminal 3 arrivals may involve finding a representative, transferring to Terminal 1 and later returning the car there, so this is not a quick keys-at-the-counter setup.
The security deposit deserves particular attention. Reviews report refunds arriving after 23 or around 30 days, while others describe delays of five weeks or more and difficulty getting a clear response. There are also complaints about wrong or unavailable vehicles, fuel or damage charges, and slow roadside assistance.
If you book, confirm the terminal and transfer process before flying, allow several hours before departure, photograph the vehicle at handover and ask for the deposit timeline in writing. The reviews also show that individual encounters can be helpful, but service consistency is the bigger question.