Tips for Traveling to Dubai for the First Time

The answer to this question is both, yes and no. Actually, the requirement to get a visa, entirely depends on the country you come from or the passport you are holding. 

Since UAE maintains bi-lateral relationships with some selected countries, citizens from those countries and visitors holding passports of those countries are able to enter Dubai, on an on-arrival basis. So that means they do not have to get a visa beforehand. Just go to Dubai, and at the entry point in the airport, the authorities in charge will stamp the arrival visa onto your passport. 

For those who are not citizens of those selected countries, however, they must get a pre-paid visa, if they are entering the UAE.  

Dubai, as you all may know, is really hot. So if you opt to visit Dubai during the hottest season, the experience in Dubai would not be that great. Hottest months would be, usually from the end of May to the end of September. Summer season, however, may fluctuate due to global warming. That brings to the question, when to travel to Dubai. The most ideal months to travel to Dubai - would be November to March. 

Also remember that, since these are months that most tourists visit Dubai, most attraction sites would be, unfortunately, crowded. Also the prices of flight tickets, most probably, would be high priced. A tip for you, to get through some difficulties, is to book the required tickets in advance and go for sightseeing during the weekdays- Sunday to Thursday.  

Dubai is, without any doubt, a place that gives you an abundance of options, when you want to travel from one place to another in Dubai. Similar to all the countries, Dubai also has a rush hour as well. What we would suggest, to make your transportation easy, is to use public transport as much as possible. Another reason to say so is because most of the sightseeing spots are located close by.  

• Metro :- Dubai has a developed metro system. This would be a good mode to travel, whenever Dubai roads are filled with vehicles.
• Taxi :- Another mode of travel you can try, if you want to travel to places comfortably. The prices, obviously, would be high when compared to the metro. A common taxi related tip would be, first, check if there is a working meter in the taxi. 
• Buses :- It will be convenient to travel in buses, if you are choosing a budget friendly transportation mode. But, if it is a rush hour time, traveling in a bus would cost you a lot of time and energy.

If this is your first time visiting Dubai, there will, obviously, be some popular wishlist places for you to click some Instagram worthy photos. Dubai is a home for several world famous tourist attractions. Also, if you are someone looking for indoor adventure, outdoor adventure, or attractions where entry is free of charge, Dubai is the place for you.

Here are some of the location, you must, definitely visit in your first trip to Dubai:

1. Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s global icon, is the tallest building in the world. Not only that, this magnificent structure holds several world records like the building with the highest number of stories, highest outdoor observation deck in the world, tallest service elevator in the world, and this list can go on. This sight is, actually, a marvelous piece of creation that echoes the grandeur of Dubai.

2. Burj Al Arab

If you are someone, wanting to spend at least one day in a seven star luxury hotel, this place is for you. Again, Burj Al Arab is also one of the tallest buildings in the world as well. This hotel, significantly, owns an island of its own, and there is so much for tourists to witness, inside and outside this Dubai jewel. 

3. Dubai Miracle Gardens

World’s largest natural flower garden, launched on Valentine’s day in 2013, is another must visit place in Dubai. Not only this sweet scented flower garden, recently in 2015, the Dubai Butterfly garden was opened for the public. Even this butterfly garden is the world's largest and first indoor butterfly garden. You will, undoubtedly, experience breathtaking and picture perfect scenery at both these gardens. For someone, looking for a beautiful backdrop for their pictures, this place would be ideal.

4. Dubai Mall

Now, this is the most interesting place to visit, for a majority of tourists. Almost all the travelers, who visit Dubai more than once, never go back to their country, without coming to the Dubai Mall. Again, Dubai mall is the world’s second largest mall. Anything you want to buy for your loved ones back home, this is the place to get high quality stuff for reasonable prices. Electronic items, toys, jewellery, clothes, kitchen appliances, you name anything, you can find it here for sure.

Above are just a few attractions that UAE can offer to you. Dubai is so much more than this. Quranic park, Dubai Safari park and Dubai Crocodile park are some other places in Dubai you will love to go. If it is your first time in Dubai, and if it is a budget friendly tour, you do not have to get disappointed, because Dubai has solutions for that as well.

Want to stay in a luxury hotel or a budget friendly hotel? Dubai, of course, is filled with a lot of options for either of your choices. Also you are able to find both types of hotels, since most of them are located close to some well known tourist attractions in Dubai.

Below are some options for you to choose from:

A trip to UAE will not be complete, if you are not planning to visit Abu Dhabi, capital of UAE, at least for one day. One day is more than enough to experience this beautiful, sunny capital of UAE.  

●    When to Visit? :-

Similar to Dubai, the best months to visit this sun kissed capital starts from November to March. 

●    How to Travel to Abu Dhabi :-

Distance from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is approximately 138.7 km, usually it takes at least 1 hour and 34 minutes to reach Abu Dhabi, on the road. Public transportation in the UAE, as we mentioned before, is at the top. So you can choose to travel to Abu Dhabi either by bus, or if you prefer comfy over the travel cost, then you can opt in to travel to Abu Dhabi, in a taxi. Also you have the ability to rent a car in Dubai for one day, come to Abu Dhabi, roam around this city, and return to Dubai and handover the rental car. This would be ideal to witness Abu Dhabi , if you wish to do it at your own pace. Unlike Dubai, unfortunately, Abu Dhabi does not have a metro. 

●    Where to Visit in Abu Dhabi?

Like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, is also filled with a number of tourist attractions as well. Here are some places in Abu Dhabi, from which you can choose a several to visit during your one day trip;

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Ferrari World Yas Island

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Warner Bros. World

Qasr Al Watan

Mangrove Marine National Park

Not only the above, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both cities, are well known for the best desert tours that offer a glimpse of the raw beauty of UAE. 

Similar to all the countries in the world, UAE also has a culture, which its citizens value and treasure with all their hearts. As you know, the majority of citizens in the UAE are  Muslim. Respecting their culture, therefore, is something we must do, if we are visiting this desert jewel. Let’s look into some essential dos and don’ts, you must follow, if you are traveling to Dubai, this vacation.

●    Dress Appropriately

As tourists, we must have some cultural sensitivity towards the Emirati customs and traditions, when we are in Dubai. This does not mean that you have to wear exactly what the local emiratis are wearing, but something that is less exposing, specially women, will be more appropriate, when you are roaming around Dubai. 

●    Begging is Illegal

One punishable crime in the UAE is begging. According to the law, as in 2024, you have to pay a fine of 5000 AED, if you are caught begging anywhere in the UAE. Not only that, making things worse, you will also receive three months imprisonment as well. 

●    Never Overstay Your Visa

Yes it is true, that you might feel like staying for more days, awed by the beauty and sometimes after knowing the occupational opportunities in Dubai. But this is very illegal. Any tourist overstaying on his/her prepaid visa or on arrival visa, definitely, receives a fine of 50 AED, for each day you stay after your visa expires. Also such an act can hamper your future visa application approvals as well. If you want to stay in Dubai for some more days, you can always opt in to get your existing visa extended.

●    Engaging in Any Business Activity is Prohibited

If you are a tourist traveling for a vacation to UAE with a prepaid or an on arrival visa, make sure to never engage in any business activity in UAE. Not even a part time job, because it is illegal for foreign nationals to work in UAE, without a proper residence visa.  

Now, we have put together some important things, for you to know, before visiting Dubai. 

●    Official Currency

Dirhams, is the official currency used in Dubai, as well as in all the other Emirates in UAE. The abbreviated version of Dirhams is AED. Currency exchange is not that difficult in the UAE. You can either do it at your home country, or you can always get it done in Dubai airport. 

Yes you can use your credit and debit cards to do purchases in Dubai, but it is always advisable to have some local cash in your pocket, in case you want to buy something, especially from a smaller store outside malls.

●    Languages Spoken

Official language in Dubai is Arabic, but that does not mean they do not know any other language. Most people out here can speak and understand English, to a certain extent. Travelers from countries such as Italy, US, or Philippines and all other countries, do not have to worry, when traveling around the city, because basically, all signage in UAE is in both Arabic and English.