Best Things to Do:
With These Tips, You'll Experience All the Highlights in No Time
Are you planning a trip to Thailand, the Maldives, or even Australia? If so, a stopover in Dubai is almost a must, especially for long-haul flights. To make your time as enjoyable as possible, I've compiled the best tips for your stay.
Tips for Your Stopover in Dubai
Important Facts for Your Stopover at a Glance
To ensure you don't spend all your time at the airport during your stopover in Dubai, here are some useful tips.
Visa: As a German citizen, you don't need to apply for a visa in advance to travel to Dubai. Once you exit the plane at Dubai International Airport and head towards passport control, you will receive a free visitor visa in the form of a stamp valid for 90 days. It's important that your passport is still valid for at least six months upon entry. However, if you're just stopping over in Dubai, you will receive a 96-hour visa for the United Arab Emirates.
Transportation: If you want to go to Downtown Dubai, you can either take the Metro or a taxi. But let me tell you: taking a taxi is definitely the more pleasant option and is not overly expensive. Right at the airport exit, you'll find a line of taxis that will take you to your desired destination at fair prices.
- Currency: 1€ currently equals about 4 AED (Dirham). So it's best to divide the prices roughly by 4 to keep track of your spending.
- Climate: The Emirate of Dubai is located right by the Persian Gulf and has a very dry climate due to its proximity to the desert. The average temperature ranges from 27 to 45 degrees Celsius throughout the year. It's advisable to bring light clothing and preferably sunscreen with high UV protection. You can find more information in my travel calendar, where I've summarized everything about the best time to visit Dubai.
- Rules: Tourism is a significant economic sector in Dubai - the city has adapted to the many visitors who don't have to dress conservatively as they once did. However, you should always remember that you are a guest in a Muslim country and should adhere to its rules and laws. It's important to show respect to the locals and avoid showing too much skin, exchanging affections in public, or drinking alcohol on the street - as it is served only in hotels.
Dubai in Just One Day?
Before you decide to leave Dubai International Airport, I'd like to share a friendly piece of advice: a trip to the heart of the city is usually only worth it if you have around 8 to 10 hours to spare. The traffic situation in Dubai can be unpredictable, so for the typical 15-minute trip to Downtown, you might need to plan for anywhere between half an hour to an hour and a half. Additionally, remember to get back to the airport early, because who knows in advance how long the security lines will be? But if you have that time, quickly put on a comfortable outfit and let's go!
I would ideally start the sightseeing tour at the city's most famous landmark, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 828 meters. Here, you actually have three highlights in one place: the Burj Khalifa with its stunning observation deck, the gigantic Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the city right next to it, and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, where you can dive with real sand tiger sharks. However, I recommend that you book tickets for the Burj Khalifa online in advance. This will save you time and money. Tickets for the aquarium are often included in a hop-on hop-off ticket, which leads me to my next tip.
Quick Sightseeing
If you're sure that after getting a few first impressions from the mall you want to see more of Dubai rather than just shopping, buy a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket and tour this impressive metropolis in the United Arab Emirates. With the red double-decker bus from City Sightseeing, you can choose between four different routes, while with Big Bus Tours you'll have access to three routes. A one-day ticket costs between 40 and 55€, but you can often negotiate a bit on-site. Both buses will take you with an audio guide to the highlights of Dubai. Start off at the Burj Khalifa and discover exciting Dubai sights such as the historic Bur Dubai district, the Burj Al Arab, or even the legendary Palm Island with the impressive luxury hotel Atlantis The Palm easily from the bus. When you buy the tickets, you will receive a detailed plan outlining the different routes and their durations.
A little tip: If you still have enough time, make sure to take a ride on the Abra, a traditional Dubai boat. This is usually included in the ticket and will take you across the famous Dubai Creek to the old city center of Dubai, Deira. Here, you will find traditional spice and gold markets, known as souks.
An alternative to the sightseeing bus is the Metro, which is definitely more cost-effective but requires a bit more self-organization. If you generally don't like using public transportation, just pick three to four sights that you want to visit that day and simply take a taxi. The rides here are definitely cheaper than in Germany, and your driver might just share some interesting facts about Dubai that you've never heard before.
Dubai Fountains - A Highlight for the Evening Hours
Is your flight not leaving until late at night? Then you absolutely must not miss this unique spectacle. I'm talking about the Dubai Fountains, a show that starts every evening at half past six. Here, the huge fountain at the Dubai Mall transforms into a unique water show, as the jets shoot over 30 meters high to the rhythm of the music, while the Burj Khalifa sparkles in the background. Anyone watching this show for the first time will be left speechless, I promise you that. The perfect ending to your wonderful day in Dubai!
It's Time - Off to Dubai!
Whether for a layover or as a main destination for a week, for a relaxing beach holiday or a sightseeing and shopping trip - the Emirate of Dubai is so multifaceted that it should be visited at least once in your lifetime. If you're looking for more inspiration, check out my travel magazine - you'll find many more exciting articles about the dazzling Dubai. And on my site, there are always great Dubai offers at top prices - so feel free to stop by!
Browse through my Dubai tips