Hertz in Sharjah
Car rental in Sharjah, the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates, is easy thanks to Hertz car rental branches conveniently located at the airport and within the city itself.
It’s advisable to rent a car in Sharjah if you want to get around. The dazzling city does have an intercity bus service and many taxis, but hiring a car gives you the flexibility to see the emirate at your own pace, as well as enabling you to travel into neighbouring Dubai. Hiring a car means you can take a trip to the sandy white beaches at the Sharjah Cornich before heading off to see some of Sharjah’s cultural attractions. It also means you’ll be able to carry all of your shopping from the Souq Al Arsah – the oldest marketplace in the UAE.
Driving and Parking in Sharjah
You will need a full driving licence and must be over 21 to rent a car in Sharjah. If you are from outside the United Arab Emirates you will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP). For more information about driving regulations in Sharjah, take a look at our page about renting a car in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Although there is some free and private parking around Sharjah, most parking is managed by Sharjah Municipality and is paid for via SMS. Full details of how this works can be found on Sharjah Municipality’s website, but it involves you sending a text message including your licence plate details and receiving a text message back with your parking permit. 10 minute before this is due to expire, you will receive a reminder message to which you can reply to extend the permit. The parking charges will be paid via your phone bill.
Driving in Sharjah follows the rules of the majority of the United Arab Emirates. You drive on the right hand side of the road and you should be aware that flashing your lights can mean that another vehicle is coming through, as opposed to giving way. You should stay focused on the road as driving is fast paced. So if you hire a car in the UAE make sure you always follow the rules of the road.
Driving in and around Sharjah
Key Routes
The biggest key route through Sharjah is the E11 motorway, which links Sharjah with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Umm al Quwayn, Ras Al Khaimah and other important towns and cities within the UAE. It runs across the city and links with other key highways.
Another key route in Sharjah is Corniche Street, which runs right along the waterfront. A beautiful drive in itself thanks to stunning views, Corniche Street also accesses some of the major hotels and resorts in Sharjah.
Major Highways
There are several major highways that run from Sharjah, connecting it to other key locations so you can plan your itinerary when you rent a car in Sharjah.
Motorways such as the E11, E88, E102, E311, E611 and S112 connect Sharjah with other parts of the UAE, making it easy to navigate and explore. You should be very aware of speed limits on these roads as Sharjah have installed radars to monitor speeds and you can be issued with a hefty fine depending on how much you exceed the local limit by. To avoid problems, make sure you’re aware of the local speed limit at all times. Motorways designated with an ‘E’ refer to roads that connect different emirates, roads marked with an ’S’ run within the emirate.