Dubai travel guide
United Arab Emirates
A city of glass towers that grew from a trading creek, where old souks and wind-tower houses sit across the water from the modern skyline. Dubai is easy, efficient and home to people from almost everywhere.
Essentials
- Language
- Arabic (official); English is used almost everywhere
- Currency
- UAE dirham (AED)
- Plugs
- Type G, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance, 997 for fire
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants where no service charge is added; small tips for delivery riders and porters are common.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $50-80, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $130-220, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Dubai
- Al Fahidi: the restored historic quarter of wind towers, museums and narrow lanes.
- Deira: the gold and spice souks on the other side of the Creek.
- Dubai Marina: high-rises, a waterside promenade and the beach at JBR.
Getting around Dubai
A Nol card covers the metro, tram, buses and water transport. The metro is clean and air-conditioned, and taxis and ride-hailing apps fill the gaps.
Best time to visit Dubai
November to March, when the heat is bearable.
Top things to do in Dubai
- Ride up the Burj Khalifa to the observation deck, booking a time slot in advance
- Explore the Al Shindagha Museum and the restored houses along the Creek
- Watch the Dubai Fountain show outside Dubai Mall in the evening
- Visit the Museum of the Future for its building as much as its exhibitions
- Swim at a free public beach such as Kite Beach or Jumeirah Public Beach
What to eat in Dubai
- Shawarma: spit-roasted chicken or meat wrapped in flatbread, the city's late-night staple
- Machboos: rice cooked with spices, dried lime and meat or fish
- Luqaimat: small fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup
- Karak chai: strong tea boiled with milk, sugar and cardamom
Day trips from Dubai
- Abu Dhabi: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, about an hour and a half by road
- Sharjah: the Heritage Area and the Museum of Islamic Civilization, 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic
- Hatta: kayaking on the dam and mountain trails, about an hour and a half east
Local etiquette
Dress modestly in malls, souks and older areas, and keep public displays of affection to a minimum. Alcohol is served only in licensed venues, and public drunkenness is an offence.
Staying connected
du and e& sell tourist SIM cards and eSIMs at the airport and in malls, Wi-Fi is everywhere, and some internet calling apps are restricted.
Staying safe
Street crime is rare; the main hazards are the summer heat and fast traffic. Drug laws are strict and cover some prescription medicines, so check the rules before you fly.
A local tip
Cross Dubai Creek by abra, the wooden water taxi, between Bur Dubai and the Deira souks.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Dubai on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Dubai for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Dubai, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Dubai
- What currency is used in Dubai?
- Dubai uses the UAE dirham (AED).
- What is the emergency number in Dubai?
- In Dubai, call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance, 997 for fire.
- When is the best time to visit Dubai?
- November to March, when the heat is bearable.
- How much does a day in Dubai cost?
- Roughly $50-80 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $130-220 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Dubai?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Dubai without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.