Dubai Tips for Travellers: A Dubai Trip Planner Guide

Dubai, as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, tops the list of one of the must-see UAE travel destinations, along with Abu Dhabi.

This Dubai trip planner guide will go over the dos and don’ts while traveling in Dubai, the not-to-miss experiences and points of interest in Dubai and the best places to shop in Dubai. So here goes—our Dubai tips for travellers!

Before You Go

• Learn what you must know when traveling to Dubai
• Check out the best restaurants in Dubai for families
• Find out what you need to know if traveling to Dubai as a couple
• Read our guide on how to score the cheapest flights
• Book your flight to Dubai
• Arrange your rental car, airport pickup, and/or hop-on hop-off tourist bus pass
• Search for discounted hotel stay or vacation rental
• Protect your travel plans with trip insurance
• Check phone plan for international data or get SIM cards for Dubai
• Review our carry-on packing list 
• Learn everything you need to know about traveling through airport security
• Pack the right travel cameras and comfortable travel clothes

This is a guest post by Sagar Kole of I’m on Holidays.

Dubai Tips for Travellers

Dubai is an incredible place to travel, but there are some essential Dubai tips for travellers that can help you navigate the cultural and legal differences.

While the law and the customs might be different to the ones you’re familiar with, Dubai itself is enchanting, and great fun, with tons of mesmerizing things to do. If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, there are a few essential Dubai tips for travellers in our Dubai Trip Planner guide that you should absolutely know.

Dubai is a glorious melting pot of global cultures

About 85% of its population is comprised of expats!

Always use only those taxis that have meters

You can be easily ripped off by fraudulent taxi drivers who don’t mind charging twice or three-times the rate

Almost everyone speaks English

No need to don’t worry about language issues!

The UAE uses 220V AC power, and the sockets 3 pin

Do bring a universal charger with you to Dubai.

Bring cotton or other breathable clothing if you’re traveling to Dubai in the summer

Long cotton tops with full sleeves will keep the sun away from your skin.

We will go into more detail about the weather in Dubai later in this Dubai Trip Planner Guide.

Dubai does not tolerate import of drugs

Be careful to bring original prescriptions if you’re taking your medications with you.

Be careful to respect the local culture with your clothing

Wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders completely.

Summer is the cheapest time to travel in Dubai
Summer is not the peak travel time when it comes to Dubai, so if you want to save money on plane tickets, resort fees and tours, travel during summer.

Dubai has strict rules pertaining to alcohol

It’s best to either abstain from or go easy on the booze while you’re in Dubai.

The UAE weekend is Friday and Saturday, which makes Sunday a workday

So, be sure to work your schedules according to that!

During the month of Ramadan, everyone, even non-Muslims, is expected not to eat during the day.

You can eat in your hotel room, but all restaurants and cafes will be closed. Don’t be caught eating anything in public, though.

Take care not to get involved in public fights and don’t swear while in public.

If caught, you could be fined, jailed or deported.

Take care not to hug or kiss in public, even if the person you’re hugging is your wife or daughter.

Public Displays of Affection (PDA) are seen as non-Islamic and therefore entail fines or imprisonment.

It is illegal to take pictures of people without checking with them first.

Make sure to ask permission!

Take care not to eat, drink or chew gum when you’re traveling by the Metro or by bus

You could be fined up to AED200!

Dubai Trip Planner Guide

Now that we’ve gone over some essential Dubai tips for travellers, we can expand our Dubai trip planner guide. We’re going to go into how to travel to Dubai, how to get around in Dubai, and the weather in Dubai.

Finally, we will delve into some of the top things to do in Dubai so you can plan the most fabulous Dubai trip.

How to Travel to Dubai

Did you know that over 125 airlines fly to Dubai from places around the world?

Plus, Dubai is connected to all neighboring GCC countries through an excellent network of highways. You can get to Dubai via plane, car or bus, or even by boat, if you’re in one of the other Emirates.

Photo Credit: Raihan S.R. Bakhsh

Getting Around in Dubai

The Dubai Metro’s Red Line runs through Dubai’s heart, along the arterial Sheikh Zayed Road, all the way from the airport to Jebel Ali in the south.

Apart from the Metro, there’s the Tram service, city-wide bus service and taxis.

A prepaid NOL card can be used for passage on all these transports.

Photo Credit: The Dead Pixel

Weather in Dubai

Dubai’s summers are very hot – the temp can rise up to 55°C at times. You can still visit Dubai in the summer, as there is a plethora of fully air-conditioned indoor activities in Dubai to be enjoyed.

Winters from October to May are milder and more tourist-friendly, with average temperatures ranging from 20 to 30+°C.

Photo Credit: Brandon Price

Top Things to Do in Dubai

No Dubai Trip Planner Guide is complete without listing the best things to do in Dubai! Without a doubt, the top Dubai attractions are a Dubai desert safari and dhow dinner cruise.

You should definitely add these landmarks to your Dubai itinerary:

• the Burj Khalifa
• the Dubai Mall
• the Dubai Dancing Fountains
• the Palm Islands
• the World Map Islands
• Dubai Eye
• Dubai Frame
• Dubai Creek

If you have time, we also recommend a Dubai desert safari and dhow dinner cruise. Dubai is also renowned for its shopping! We will go into greater detail in these 3 Dubai travel activities below.

Many of these points of interest are essential for your trip to Dubai, and several are even doable on a midnight layover in Dubai.

Desert Safari in Dubai

First on the Dubai city guide, a desert safari in Dubai is one of the best things to do in Dubai.

You can opt for morning, afternoon/evening and overnight safaris, with various desert sports thrown in. You can enjoy dune bashing, dune driving, sandboarding, quad-biking, camel riding and other desert sports.

Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai

This is another not-to-miss unique activity for your Dubai city guide.

You can enjoy dhow cruises on the Dubai Creek or on the Persian Gulf – both are spectacular. Dhows are traditional wooden Arabian boats that were once used for trading and smuggling.

The old dhows have now been renovated with plexi-glass enclosures, and fully air-conditioned to give you greater comfort while cruising Dubai’s waters.

An evening dhow cruise comes with onboard entertainment and a full continental buffet dinner. Cruising Dubai’s coastline, getting up and close to the manmade World Map and Palm Jumeirah Islands and watching the city’s magnificent landmarks all lit up is like cruising in a fairytale world.

Photo Credit: Maher Najm

Shopping in Dubai

Dubai was made for shopaholics! There is such a wide array of choice for shopping here that even the world’s greatest shopaholics will be stumped. For your Dubai city guide, we will talk about two kinds of shopping: luxury and bargain.

For the Big Spenders

The world’s largest mall, the Dubai Mall, awaits the shopper in you to check out its 1200 plus retail outlets.

Then there’s the Emirates Mall, the Dubai Marina Mall and the dozens and dozens of shopping malls strewn all across the city to add to your Dubai city guide.

Most of these malls come with added attractions like cinema multiplexes, game floors, food courts and more.

The Dubai Mall, in particular, has the SEGA Republic gaming arena for kids, the Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Ice Rink and much more.

For Dubai Bargain Deals

If you want to avoid pricey malls for your Dubai city guide, head out to the traditional souks of Deira and Bur Dubai.

You can buy gold, spices, perfumes or incense on the Deira side, and visit Bur Dubai for Arabian style slippers and pashmina shawls. Bargaining is allowed in these souqs, so go ahead.

Photo Credit: Florian Martys

Dubai is an exciting, happening place that is meant for you to enjoy and celebrate with your family and friends. If you’re concerned about the different laws and rules here, just remember this: it’s a different culture and there are always cultural differences to mind when you’re traveling. Just be respectful of the basic guidelines and you’ll just fine.

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Do you have any special Dubai tips for travellers?

Share in a comment below!