Marhaba! This short greeting means ‘welcome’ in Arabic, the official language of the UAE(United Arab Emirates).
Dubai is a warm and friendly city. Throughout the city, you’ll see people smiling and welcoming visitors.
1. UAE Quick Facts
Language Arabic
Religion Islam
Currency Emirati Dirham (AED)
Visa Free 30 or 90 day visa for 60 nationalities
Power Plugs 230 V, 50 Hz (G타입)
Capital Abu Dhabi
ATM The fee for using an ATM is at least 15 dirham.
Use card Payment can be made with most credit card companies, including Visa and Master.
APP
Google Maps : This is an essential app that gathers essential information for travelers in one place, uch as directions, bus routes, tourist attractions, restaurants, and reviews.
Wojati : Dubai area public transportation route guidance app. You can also save the searched route information as a PDF, which can be useful before preparing for a trip.
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Marrakesh Menara Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Rent a car : Dubai is a great place to rent a car and drive yourself around.
Documents required for car hire: International driving licence, passport, credit card and full cover insurance.
Taxi : Taxi fares in Dubai are relatively inexpensive compared to many other destinations around the world. Taxis cost around AED1.8 per kilometre, plus an opening fare of AED10 to AED25 depending on the taxi provider.
Metro : The Dubai Metro has two convenient lines, the Red and Green, which serve Dubai International Airport (DXB) and the city centre. You can purchase a Nol, a public transport card, which you can easily top up with money or buy a ticket at your departure station.
Bus : Buses are an affordable and convenient way to get around Dubai. You can catch a bus from any of Dubai’s airport terminals, and there are connecting routes to all major neighbourhoods. Dubai buses run 24 hours a day, every 30 minutes. Bus fares are not payable in cash, so you’ll need to purchase a Nol public transport card in advance
Boat &Ferry
Creek Boat Cross Dubai Creek for as little as AED 1.
Dubai Ferry For fares as low as AED 15, you can explore Dubai’s coast and reach several areas, including Business Bay and Dubai Marina. Ferries depart from Al Jaddaf marina daily at 10 am, 12 noon and 5.30 pm
4 Different Nol Transport Card – Metro, Tram, Bus
Red card
Ideal for stopovers or short-term travellers, you’ll need to top up your single or day pass with this card.
Card price: 2 AED, T1 4AED for single ride, adjacent T2 6AED, T3 8.5AED
One Day Pass (unlimited) reloadable day ticket price: 22 AED
Silver Card
For those travelling around Abu Dhabi by bus or for longer stays of a week or more, this card is more expensive than the Red Card, but cheaper than the Red Card for single rides.
Card price: 25 dirhams (19 dirhams rechargeable) Single metro ride T1 3 AED, adjacent T2 5 AED, T3 7.5 AED
Blue Card
Card price AED 70 (AED 20 loaded)
Photo and ID card required for issuance, additional costs depending on the zone you are travelling in
Gold Card
This card allows you to travel in Gold Class compartments, which are premium vehicles on the metro and trams.
Price: 25 Dhs (19 Dhs rechargeable) Single metro ride T1 6 AED, neighbouring T2 10 AED, T3 15 AED One Day Pass (Unlimited) Rechargeable 1-day pass Price: 40 AED
*The One Day Pass provides unlimited rides on all metros, buses and trams in Dubai throughout the day (excluding water taxis and water buses).
4. Safety
Dubai is very safe – in fact, it has been named one of the world’s safest cities to visit in 2023, according to the global database Numbeo. Strict laws are in place to protect everyone, so you can enjoy a stress-free and fun-filled family holiday in the city any time of the year.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
911: Police.
+971 800 4438: tourist safety issues
+971 800 342: Dubai Health Authority
+971 600 545 555: Consumer enquiries
5. Climate
Located on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai enjoys year-round warm weather.
Except for March to April when yellow dust is strong and June to August when humidity is high, the discomfort index is not high because it is dry even though the temperature is high. Especially From October through March, the weather is cool and breezy, perfect for traveling.
6. price
As far as we know, Dubai, with its luxury hotels, high-end shopping, glamorous parties and fine dining, is known for its high cost of living. But, Dubai is not as expensive as it seems. There are plenty of attractions that don’t cost a fortune and are great fun. For example, the famous abra ride across Dubai Creek costs only AED 1. If you want to take this one-dirham approach further, you can also enjoy some delicious choco dates, Chips Oman crisps or a hot cup of traditional karak chai, an aromatic spiced tea with milk, from a street side cafe.
A bottle of water: AED 1.5 (50 cents)
Big Mac hamburger: AED 16.75 (USD 4.5)
Biryani fried rice: AED 13 (USD 3.5)
Shawarma sandwich: AED 5 (USD 1.4)
Taxi base fare: AED 12 (USD 3.3)
Dubai Metro (3 zones): AED 5.8 (USD 1.6)
Movie tickets (regular rate): AED 35 (USD 9.6)
Abra fare across Dubai Creek: AED 1 (27 cents)
7. Travel precautions
Dubai is an open-minded and tolerant society where people from all over the world live harmoniously and respectfully. As with any destination, residents and tourists must abide by the local laws. It is important to note that the moral code is stricter in the United Arab Emirates than in some parts of the world. For example, it is prohibited to drink alcohol in public places other than licensed hotels and their restaurants, as well as in dedicated lounges. Furthermore, excessive public displays of affection are not allowed. The UAE has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and is widely recognised as being one of the safest places to live, work and visit.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Greetings are usually by handshake, although women may be reluctant to do so. Public displays of affection are best kept to a minimum. Holding hands is acceptable, but kissing and hugging in public areas is not permitted.
Drinking or possessing alcohol is prohibited in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, so be careful. Please note that sometimes you have to eat with your hands.
Tips for tipping.
No tip, Typically, a service charge of around 10% is included in the calculation, but in some cases, a 10% service tip is usually given to hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, and valet parking.
Restaurant servers: 10-15%
Spa and salon therapists: from AED5 to ~10-15%.
Hotel receptionists and valet parking attendants: AED5 We recommend tipping a little more depending on the heaviness or extra luggage.
Concierge: Unlike some international countries, it is not customary to tip concierges in Dubai hotels.
Concierge A person who provides various services to hotel guests.
Tour guide: 20% of the total tour cost or AED100 for a one-day tour
Airport porters: AED40 for a flat rate for a regular trolley service or AED100 for a large flatbed trolley service. Tipping porters separately: AED5-10%
Yacht crew: 5 ~ 15%
9. Holidays
public holidays for 2024
National holidays Dates
New Year’s Day 1 January 2024
Commemoration Day 1 December 2024
UAE National Day 2-3 December 2024
Religious holidays Dates*
Eid Al Fitr 8-12 April 2024
Arafat Day 15 June 2024
Eid Al Adha 16-18 June 2024
Hijri, Islamic New Year 7 July 2024
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday 15 September 2024
*Dates for religious holidays may vary depending on the moon sighting.
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Saturday, 29 March : Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Sunday, 30 March : Eid al-Fitr
Monday, 31 March : Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Tuesday, 1 April : Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Thursday, 5 June : Arafat Day
Friday, 6 June : Eid al-Adha
Saturday, 7 June : Eid al-Adha Holiday
Sunday, 8 June : Eid al-Adha Holiday
Tuesday, 26 June : Islamic New Year
Thursday, 4 September : Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
Monday, 1 December: Commemoration Day
Tuesday, 2 December: National Day
Wednesday, 3 December: National Day Holiday