Dubai stopovers

In Dubai, you can unwind on sandy beaches, visit lavish shopping malls, peruse traditional bazaars, go on a desert adventure, and sample cuisines from across the globe. It’s also the kind of place where you can zip-line across the marina, visit coffee and pearl museums, and get a gold-leaf facial. In other words, Dubai is a city of excess.

For a more traditional take on the city, why not take a walking tour through Old Dubai to see its gold and spice souqs, wander down narrow lanes lined with mosques and minarets, and see the original fishing village that blossomed into the glittering modern city? You can also get an introduction to Middle Eastern culinary traditions on a guided food tour or venture outside the city to explore the sea of endless dunes on a desert safari.

Dubai offers a huge range of places to stay from five-star beachfront properties to family-friendly resorts, intimate guesthouses, and hotels in restored historic buildings. You might like to stay in a Moorish-style retreat with opulent suites and a Michelin-starred chef, an adults-only escape with a private golf course, or a palatial hotel in downtown Dubai with a palm-lined pool and manicured gardens. Alternatively, you could leave the bustle of the city behind and stay in a Bedouin-style villa in a desert conservation area. To get some ideas, browse our collection of places to stay in Dubai.

Dubai has a variety of distinct districts, and you’ll find different experiences in each from the super-sized shopping malls in the heart of the city to the traditional architecture of Al Fahidi, and the waterparks of the Palm. Downtown Dubai is where you’ll find some of Dubai’s best shopping along with the aquarium, opera house, Museum of the Future, and the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

Jumeirah is one of the city’s most fashionable addresses and has an array of smart restaurants to choose from, nearby Dubai Marina is another good spot for dining and nightlife. For a more traditional take on the city, head to historical Al Fahidi to wander meandering lanes lined with artists’ workshops, traditional wind towers, cafes, galleries, and small gift shops, or hop across Dubai Creek to visit the gold souq. Beyond the city lies the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, a rippling blanket of dunes with a surprising array of wildlife.

It takes around 13 hours to fly to Dubai from the East Coast of the USA and around 16 from the West Coast. Flights from Hawaii to Dubai take upwards of 24 hours.

The time zone in Dubai is UTC+4 hours. The clocks don’t change during the year.

The best way of getting around Dubai is by public transport because it’s clean, efficient, and easy to use. You can take the metro or tram to most places of interest, and there’s also a monorail that will take you to Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis hotel. The Dubai Ferry runs along the coast, and you’ll find taxis everywhere. They can be booked in advance or hailed on the street. Taxis with a pink roof are driven by women and take female passengers or families only.

US citizens will need to get a 30-day visa on arrival in Dubai. If you plan to stay longer, please contact the UAE embassy.

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for Dubai, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

You’ll need to check that your passport is valid for six months from your date of arrival into Dubai. You will also need to have confirmed onward airline tickets to your next destination.

You can take medication into Dubai, but some medications require a permit. You should check with your doctor before you travel to see if your medication requires one. If it doesn’t, you’ll just need to carry your prescription with you. However, if your medication is on the controlled list, you’ll need to apply in advance for a permit to import medicines for personal use. Applications are normally processed within five working days.

In Dubai, you should wear long, loose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees in public areas including shopping malls. Cotton or linen clothing is most comfortable in hot weather, and everyone is expected to dress modestly regardless of gender because the United Arab Emirates is an Islamic country.

If you’re visiting a mosque or religious site, you should wear full-length sleeves and trousers or an ankle-length skirt. Women will also need to bring a scarf to cover their heads. It’s a good idea to carry an extra layer in case you need to cover up or just feel cold in the air-conditioned shopping malls.

On the beach and at hotels, you can wear regular swimwear including bikinis, but you should always cover up when leaving the beach.

You can travel to Dubai during Ramadan and shouldn’t encounter any significant changes to your experience. Non-Muslims are not required to fast and there are no specific restrictions for visitors during Ramadan. Most restaurants, including those in hotels, operate as normal during the day, but you may find there are different opening hours at some on-site dining options in hotels.

It’s strictly prohibited to take photographs of military or government buildings, ports, aircraft, or in the airport in Dubai. You must also ask for permission before taking a picture with anyone else in it and you should never take photos of women or families in public areas.

Dubai is part of an Islamic country, so the customs and traditions may be very different from your home country. For example, it’s illegal to drink alcohol or be drunk in a public place, though you can still drink alcohol in a licensed hotel, and its restaurants or dedicated lounges.

Out of respect you shouldn't use your right hand for opening doors, greeting people, or for eating. Excessive public displays of affection are prohibited, and swearing, fighting, or using rude gestures in public can land you in a lot of trouble. It’s also worth knowing that the weekend is Friday and Saturday.