From the self-proclaimed ‘eighth wonder of the world’, The Palm Jumeirah, to the massive Mall of the Emirates, incredible Ski Dubai, Media City and the extraordinarily lush, green golf courses, Dubai is a land packed full of attractions and distractions. But how do you get from one to another? As you’d expect from a place that seems to have thought of everything, there’s a range of transport options available. So, let’s start with the easiest first – the rail system. There isn’t any. If you get your kicks from staying on the rails, then you’ll have to wait until 2010 when you can hop aboard one of the rollercoasters at Dubailand – the mammoth Theme Park currently under construction.

Fitness fanatics will be equally disappointed to learn that cycling is barely worth more of a mention than the trains. Some hotels do hire out bicycles, but you’d need to be borderline insane to bother – if the hectic roads don’t quite manage to kill you, then the 40°C summer temperatures should finish the job.

You may be surprised to discover that words like ‘slow’, ‘unreliable’ and ‘useless’ are not exclusive to the British National Health System, but are also regularly used to describe Dubai buses. As a rule, just don’t bother. Very few expats ever do.

On the other hand, the remaining forms of transport are excellent. Those who let out a collective sigh of frustration on hearing that, in terms of cycle-friendliness, Dubai is not exactly the Holland of the Gulf, may find comfort in the eco-friendly thrill of travelling by rowing abra. Running from Creek Park Station to the Public Library Station, they’re also fantastic value at just Dh1 (about £0.15) a trip. Later this year, a more comprehensive and luxurious water bus service should be launched to run 18 hours a day between four of the main points along Dubai Creek.

But Dubai is an emirate built – literally and figuratively – on oil, so it’s the fossil fuel’s best friend, the car, which provides the principal means of travel around the city. All the major players in the car hire market, such as Avis, Europcar and Hertz, are represented and prices are pretty reasonable: a Toyota Corolla or similar will set you back no more than £20 a day. If you want to make like a local, however, sign up for a 4x4 or people carrier and insist it’s white. The large engines won’t make too much of a dent in the bank account as petrol is very cheap – you can drive around all day on the price of a Big Mac Meal – and you’ll be grateful of the reflective colour when temperatures soar. Most European tourists can drive in Dubai with a standard driving licence and you’ll need to remember to take a credit card to provide as security for the hire company.

If you want to sit back and marvel at the tall buildings and bright lights of the city, then the taxi services are excellent. Air-conditioned, readily available and reasonably priced – typically a Dh3 (£0.40) pick-up charge and then a further Dh1.17 (£0.25) per kilometre – the drivers are usually polite and knowledgeable; all-in-all a delightful experience for those used to dealing with London cabbies.