Destinations / Middle East

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Dubai

A few days is plenty to see the best of Dubai, from the desert to the skyline. Here is how to plan it.

Budget per couple$800-$1,400 a day
When to goTo avoid extreme hot weather one should visit between the months of November and March when the weather is quite moderate.
Getting aroundThe most common way of getting around Dubai, and probably the most expensive, is by taxi.

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Watch Dubai

A few days is plenty to see the best of Dubai, from the desert to the skyline. Here is how to plan it.

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Travel tips

What to know before you go

Straight from our notes on Dubai: costs, getting around, where to stay and what to skip.

Per day. Prices from our trips; check current rates before you book.

transportation
The most common way of getting around Dubai, and probably the most expensive, is by taxi. There is also Uber.
The fastest way to travel between big cities in Dubai is to use the metro (purchase a red NOL card)
when to visit
To avoid extreme hot weather one should visit between the months of November and March when the weather is quite moderate. But if you want to travel to Dubai on a budget then Ramaddan month and months with high temperatures e.g. May, June, July might be a good option.
safety
Dubai has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Its strict laws kept its crime to a minimum and tourists feel more safe here than other parts of the world.
where to stay
Hotels and B&Bs. Use Agoda and Booking.com to make your reservations
There are blurred lines as to whether Airbnb is allowed in Dubai, and where Airbnb is allowed. To avoid confusion, just use the above sites instead.
language
Dubai's official language is Arabic but there are many variations prevalent in the city. Although Arabic is the official language of the UAE, English is the most spoken language in Dubai.
what can you skip
Dune safari tour
trip resources
Booking.com and Agoda are great options for finding accommodations and cheap flights to and from Dubai
what to pack
Dress conservative – Dubai is a Muslim country and this calls for modest attire for women.
‘Modest’ is a rather lose concept and, as a general rule, it means to skip anything overly short (skirts and shorts), avoid revealing tops with plunging necklines, see through attire and anything too form fitting. Below the knee skirts, linen trousers, maxi dresses, T-shirts and blouses all work well.
Light and breathable clothing – Dubai is hot pretty much all year round and even in winter you want to have clothes that are light and breathable. Also, pack a Shawl for air conditioning/ chillier days / extra coverage when needed.
Pack a dress-up outfit or two, for more formal evenings at dinner. In the evening, you will find it hard to be overdressed.
what to eat
Eating out in Dubai is expensive, but there’s foods from all over the world. Some foods you wouldnt have even tasted before so we do suggest eating out often. Some dubai dishes include: Luqaimat, Knafeh, Camel, Turkish cocktails, Samboosa, Arabic coffee and dates, Margoogat, Machboos

Packing list

What to pack for Dubai

Packing lists on video for this trip, plus the carry-on gear we designed after years on the road.

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Plan your trip

Pick your dates, set a budget and book things in the right order, so you know what the trip costs before you pay for any of it.