If you can arrange it, it makes sense to visit Dubai for the first time in the winter – November to March – outside of the European school holidays and try to avoid Ramadan (which falls in February in 2026 and then 11 days earlier each year) and Eid. Although Eid is a wonderful time to be in Dubai, it’s also an extremely popular time to visit and prices will be high.
If you are bringing the kids, and have no option but to travel during the school holidays, just be sure to shop around for a deal. Dubai has over 150,000 hotel beds, so you can usually find affordable digs even in the high season. Make your first visit to this wonderful emirate much easier with our tips and tricks for visiting Dubai.
Where should I stay on my first visit to Dubai?
By far the easiest place to stay is in and around Dubai Marina or, for a cheaper option, in one of the neighbouring areas like Business Bay (on the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road). You may find that these hotels are a good deal cheaper and very well connected to the Marina and Jumeirah Beach via covered walkways and the Dubai Metro.
Further north, accommodation around Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa tends to be very pricey and for not an awful lot of gain unless you plan to spend your entire trip shopping. Bur Dubai and Deira are interesting neighbourhoods, but do not have much tourist accommodations and aren’t a good option for visitors.
Although the city is well-connected, staying in one of the outlying areas – such as Jebel Ali – might be a false economy, as you will spend a good deal of time and money on transport and may find your neighbourhood resembling a vast building site. If you’re going to splurge on anything while on holiday in Dubai, make it your hotel. We recommend Dubai Marina, Downtown, Palm Dubai and the Jumeirah area.
Is it easy to get to and around Dubai?
Absolutely, Dubai is arguably one of the region’s – if not one of the world’s – best connected cities, with myriad public transport options from the ubiquitous taxis to the Dubai Metro, which connects almost every point in the city, including the airport, to every other. Dubai is one of the world’s busiest airports, and you will not struggle to find a flight that fits your needs. For citizens of some 70 nations, visas are available on arrival and are free.
The advent of ride-sharing apps has made the process of getting a taxi in Dubai even easier, although even the old school Dubai taxi drivers speak very good English and there is never drama about putting on the meter. The taxi system is well regulated and closely policed, and the risks of getting caught hustling tourists is not worth it for drivers.
Top things to do in Dubai
Spend time on the beach
It may sound obvious, but Dubai Marina and JBR are great places to wander, with myriad cafes, restaurants and entertainment, and excellent facilities for kids. If you can afford it, consider splashing out on a day pass to one of the hotel clubs (not all of them are prohibitively expensive, although some are). That way you can enjoy the pool (especially in the summer, when the sea is uncomfortably warm) and attentive service.
See the old town from the water
For a very traditional experience, take a ride on a wooden abra (water taxi) across Dubai Creek. A ticket costs just Dhs1, and gives you superb views of the creek, surrounded by bustling souks, historic wind towers and minarets. The ride typically lasts between five and 10 minutes and connects Deira with Bur Dubai.
Visit a waterpark
Dubai is home to two absolutely stellar waterparks, Wild Wadi and Aquaventure World, which are must-see destinations for children and adults alike. Get in a rubber ring and float along the latter’s ‘Lazy River’ at Atlantis on the Palm, or visit Wild Wadi for epic water slides and general family fun. Neither is cheap, but you can often find offers online.
Is Dubai expensive?
By the standards of, say, Egypt or Tunisia, Dubai is not a cheap place for winter sun. It is possible to find affordable flights and hotels – especially out of season – although it’s best not to try and go *too* budget when it comes to your hotel, particularly in the summer, when good air conditioning is essential.
Once you are in Dubai, food and drink can seem prohibitively expensive, but lots of people live here and are not millionaires. If you do as the locals do and eat in Lebanese and Indian restaurants, you can save a great deal of money and eat better than you would in expensive hotels and expatriate diners.
For transport, the metro is a lot cheaper than taxis, and while it can take a lot longer to get from A to B, with traffic there is often not a lot in it.
What are the main tourist rules in Dubai?
While women do not need to cover their heads in public, it is worth keeping a scarf in case you visit a mosque or a more conservative neighbourhood. It’s also a convenient cover up when moving from the warm outdoors into air-conditioned spaces. Dubai very publicly lifted restrictions on unmarried couples sharing hotel rooms, but OTT public displays of affection are rare and should be avoided. Swearing and rude gestures are illegal, as is taking a picture of someone without their permission.
