Dubai Travel Guide
First Time in Dubai
The first-timer's briefing: which tickets to book before you fly, how the metro, taxis and abras work, dress and etiquette, the weekend and Ramadan, money, heat and what is closed in late 2026.
Dubai is one of the easiest big cities in the world to visit and one of the easiest to do badly. It is safe, clean and English-speaking, the infrastructure is excellent and almost everything can be booked online. But it is also spread out along fifty kilometers of coast, the heat shapes every day for half the year, and many of its headline experiences are timed, seasonal or priced by demand. This briefing covers what a first-timer needs to know before landing.
Book these before you fly. One ticket matters more than any other: the Burj Khalifa At the Top, ideally a sunset slot, which sells out days ahead in the cool season. Levels 124 and 125 are enough for most visitors; add Level 148 if you want a calmer, higher deck. Next, decide on your desert evening and book a well-reviewed operator, choosing between a classic dune-bashing safari and a quieter heritage or conservation-reserve experience. If you plan an Abu Dhabi day, book the tour or check the new Etihad Rail timetable. Families heading to Aquaventure should check whether an Atlantis stay, which includes the waterpark, beats buying tickets. Everything else, from the Dubai Frame to the abra across the Creek, can be arranged a day or two ahead.
What is closed or changed right now. Check status before you plan. The Museum of the Future closed on 1 September 2026 for a complete rebuild of its exhibitions and reopens in the first quarter of 2027, so do not plan around it until then. The Burj Al Arab closed in April 2026 for an eighteen-month restoration, with no stays, tours or restaurant visits until late 2027; you can still photograph it from Jumeirah beaches and Madinat Jumeirah. The old Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort has been closed for restoration and has been due to reopen as a new museum. On the plus side, Global Village and the Miracle Garden opened their new seasons in October 2026, the Dubai Fountain is running with new lighting and sound, and the Etihad Rail passenger service now links Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Check the travel advice. The region saw conflict in 2026 that disrupted flights in and out of the UAE at times, and by autumn the city's hotels, malls and attractions were open and visitor numbers were recovering. Before you travel, read your government's current advice for the UAE, buy travel insurance that covers disruption, and keep an eye on your airline's updates in the days before departure.
Getting around. The Dubai Metro is clean, cheap and air-conditioned, and the Red Line runs the length of the city along Sheikh Zayed Road, from the airport through Deira and Bur Dubai past Downtown, Mall of the Emirates and the Marina. The Green Line covers old Dubai on both sides of the Creek. Buy a Nol card at any station and top it up; carriages include a Gold Class car and a women-and-children section, and eating and drinking are not allowed on board. Taxis are plentiful, metered and reasonably priced, and ride-hailing apps work well. In the Marina the tram links to the Palm Monorail. On the Creek, the traditional abra costs about one dirham for a few minutes' crossing, and it is one of the best rides in the city. Walking is pleasant in winter evenings, but distances are deceptive and pavements can stop abruptly at highways.
The weekend and opening hours. Since 2022 the UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday, with Friday a half day for many government offices. Friday midday prayers matter for visits to mosques: the Jumeirah Mosque does not run tours on Fridays, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi closes to visitors over the Friday prayer period. Malls and attractions are generally open late every day, and the city really comes alive after sunset.
Ramadan. In 2027, the holy month falls roughly from February into March. It is a fascinating time to visit, with iftar tents, lit-up streets and a calmer pace, and most attractions remain open, sometimes with shorter or later hours. Visitors should not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours, though hotels and many restaurants serve non-fasting guests discreetly. Entertainment such as desert-camp shows may be toned down.
Dress and etiquette. Dubai is relaxed by regional standards, and swimwear is normal at beaches, pools and waterparks. Elsewhere, especially in malls, old Dubai and religious sites, cover shoulders and knees. Mosque visits require long sleeves and long trousers or skirts, with a headscarf for women. Public displays of affection beyond holding hands are frowned upon, drunkenness in public is an offence, and photographing people, especially women, without permission is not acceptable. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants.
Money and prices. The currency is the UAE dirham, often written AED or Dh, pegged to the US dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for abras, souks and small eateries. Tipping is appreciated rather than expected; ten percent in restaurants where service is not included is generous. Prices span a vast range: a shawarma costs a few dirhams, a celebrity-chef dinner many hundreds. Attraction prices are often dynamic, with sunset and weekend slots costing more, so booking off-peak saves money.
Heat and season. From about May to September daytime temperatures are fierce, and outdoor sightseeing is limited to early mornings and evenings. October to April is the cool season, warm and sunny, and it is when the seasonal attractions open and prices rise. Whatever the month, drink water constantly, wear sunscreen and plan outdoor sights for the edges of the day.
How many days. Four days covers the essentials: Downtown and the Burj, old Dubai and the Creek, the desert, and the Palm or a beach. Add a day for Abu Dhabi and another for rest, and you have a well-paced week. Our three-day itinerary guide gives a tight version for short stays.