Dubai

Why visit?

Dubai’s compelling brand of Arabian style luxury lures you in from the moment you arrive. From traversing the desert dunes to loading up on luxury labels in the city’s plush malls, basking in the sun on the beautiful beaches, and ramping up the fun factor at the fantastic array of family-friendly attractions, Dubai is sure to deliver a holiday to remember.

On Arrival

You’ll fly into one of two airports: Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the busiest hubs in the world, serving more than 88.2 million customers annually; or Dubai World Central (DWC), located south of the city. For most passport holders, the UAE operates a 30- or 90-day visa on arrival – check which applies to you by visiting https://u.ae/#/. Want a fast-track arrival experience? Book the excellent Marhaba service (marhabaservices.com) for a hasslefree welcome and speedy transfer from touchdown to curbside taxi.

Getting Around

Dubai Metro: The Red and Green lines zip between key locations across the city. The Red Line shuttles from Rashidiya station to UAE Exchange station in Jebel Ali. The Green Line runs from the Etisalat station in Al Twar to Dubai Old Souk in the Al Khor region. You can transfer between the two lines at Union station or BurJuman station.

Dubai Tram: Linking Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail, this handy service runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road. Gold Class ticket holders get access to private cabins with wide leather seats and panoramic views.

Taxi and car: Available to hail from the street, or by calling +971 4 208 0808, Dubai’s official taxi service is an affordable way to get around. If you prefer to hire a car, you’ll find booking desks at malls, airports and hotels. Uber and local version Careem are other options, the latter also giving you the option of booking an official city taxi.

Need to Know

Weekends in Dubai are Friday and Saturday. Show respect for the local (Islamic) culture by covering up shoulders, décolletage and legs (to the knee) when entering public spaces. Feel free to fall in love with the city but do avoid public displays of affection – it’s simply not the done thing.