Traveling to the Middle Eastern country is nothing like other countries in the world. Due to the difference in culture, there's so much for you to take note before visiting these countries. Taking the United Arab Emirates for an example, attire is more important than ever. Wearing closed attire such as long sleeves shirt and long pants are required to be worn if you're entering a holy place.
The last time when I visited Dubai, I decided to take down the some of these tips and tricks that might be helpful for travelers who wish to travel to Dubai. For the first timer who visit to visit Dubai, this post is definitely going to help you out to take note of things you should and shouldn't do.
So, I hope this Dubai guide is going to give you a hand to prepare ahead before heading to your destination.
Do I need a Visa?
Typically not many countries require a visa to visit Dubai. If you're holding a US passport or an EU passport, you do not need any visa on arrival. Occasionally, Emirates Dubai even provides sponsorship on arrival visa with terms and condition apply. To check out if you needed a visa, check out this link: Dubai Visa Check
How to get there?
Getting to Dubai is the easiest by plane. With the extensive Dubai flights from different popular airlines like Emirates, Qatar or Etihad Airways, you'll definitely find suitable deals online to make there to Dubai without hassles. Check out Emirates Special Offers for special deals!
Dubai is a perfect layover destination for those who have a connecting flight to the European countries. However, if you're flying to Abu Dhabi and hoping to have a day trip to Dubai, try to catch a shuttle bus that runs every hour at the Airport to Dubai. With just an hour and a half ride, you already make it to the dazzling city of Dubai.
When to visit?
Dubai has a tropical desert climate, because of its location within the Northern desert belt. To put it in simple terms, Dubai is generally a very hot and humid country to visit. Especially during summer, with the average high temperature around 41 °C, you definitely need plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also, a lot of sunscreens too if you are keen on outdoor visiting.
Typically during the winter months which is also known as the golden month in Dubai, please be expected that there will be packed with tourists. Mostly because the temperature is the best to visit, not too cold and neither it is too warm to walk around the city. So, I would strongly suggest to look out on your calendar for November to March for a year-end trip to Dubai.
How to get around?
Getting around in Dubai is fairly easy. Just like in any other major cities, transporting from one place to another is not that difficult at all. The good thing about Dubai, even though the city could be congested with traffic sometimes, it is pretty convenient to travel around with the hassle.
Taxis: Taking a cab in Dubai is pretty cheap and definitely more comfortable than taking a public transport. If safety is your concern, please don't worry. Dubai's cabs are mostly operated with meter and their driving is pretty safe as they are regulated by traffic cameras most of the time.
Metro: During the rush hour, taking a cab home might not be the best option. Metro in Dubai is clean and very easy to use. Getting from location to another hasn't been that easy with public transport. However, do expect that there will be a crowd during the after work timing during the weekdays.
Hop-on Hop-off bus: If you're a tourist, this service is a steal for you. As much as I love walking around the city, but the distances from one place to another in Dubai is pretty far apart. To see the city, I would recommend in getting a multi-day pass where you have a better look of Dubai. Just a tip, start your journey early as you know, the weather in Dubai is pretty hot and the traffic is fairly slow in the afternoon during the weekdays.
Tram: Little of us know that Dubai actually has a tram system. It's not a well-known public transport system here in Dubai yet as the system is not that extensive yet. The limited location only allows you to visit a certain place in downtown Dubai. If you're curious about how it works, check out this Tram Dubai Map
Expected Expenses:
If you're living in Malaysia, the currency exchange is almost on par with each other. 1 Ringgit is approx. around 0.92 cents Dirhams. While 1 Dirhams equals to around 0.27 USD as per current rate.
Honestly, I wasn't sure if Dubai is a budget-friendly city for backpackers. Things here in Dubai is generally not the cheapest. Cost for eating at a local restaurant is around 30-50 AED while do expect to pay up to 300 AED for a mid-range restaurant in Dubai. The cheapest food you can probably get is a classic McDonald combo meal which cost around 25-30 AED.
As I mentioned Dubai is an expensive city to visit, so do expect that almost everywhere you go you needed to spend a great amount of money for activities like a creek cruise, tours, entrance tickets to the aquarium, and etc.
Where to exchange currency?
To exchange currencies, it is highly recommended for you to do that in your home country beforehand. However, if your credit card accepts dispense of local currencies, that would be the best.
If you really need to do your currency exchange here in Dubai, head down to Al Ansari Exchange at Dubai Mall for the best exchange rate. *Disclaimer: this is based on my personal experience. Do check up the rate online ahead for your optimum budget before deciding for a currency exchange here in Dubai.
Language
Don't worry about the language here in Dubai. If you have the mindset that people here just speak Arabic, then you are wrong. A cosmopolitan city like Dubai, a multi-language is being spoken widely here. This includes of English that is widely spoken here. Stree signs, labels and restaurant menu is always written in both English and Arabic. This definitely makes it way easier for travelers to navigate around the city.
What to wear
For the first timer who visit the UAE, having the concern what to wear is something you might want to look into. Dressing appropriately in Dubai is pretty much necessary. Especially if you're visiting a mosque. Be expected to wear a hijab or an abaya while visiting a mosque. Not hair should be exposed as it's not appropriate to their culture.
Another thing to take note is that you'll pretty much be surprised that revealing clothes are strictly just on the beach but not even allowed on the pathways. At some restaurants, you might even be expected to have yourself covered. For example, dining at Burj Khalifa restaurant's, you needed to wear a closed shoe with long garments.
What to eat and drink?
Dubai is a multi-cultural city where you can practically find any cuisines here. From western cuisine, Chinese or local cuisines, you name it you'll get it. Local cuisines are highly influenced by the Indians where much of the Indian spices, like cumin, bay leaves and etc.
One of the must-try dishes is definitely the shawarma where the big you see the big chunk of barbecued meat being sliced and sandwiched with local pita bread. However, Dubai is pretty famous for the Persian and Lebanese cuisines which are very much like barbecued kebabs and vegetables with hummus as a dipping. For all the sweet tooths, check out the dates and the baklawa in Dubai where different varieties of sweet dessert can be found easily in a mall.
Honestly, I couldn't believe that how much of research is needed for a trip. Especially if you're new to the country and there's so much that you needed to take note. I hope this Dubai guide will definitely help you out and of course to even provide you with some of the insights for you to expect for your travel.
If you want to know more about my travel to Dubai, stay tuned! It will be published sooner than you thought :)
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