Visit Dubai for First Timers Travel Guide
Quick Information | Free Sim Card | Best Time to Visit | How to get around | What to wear | Things to do in Dubai
What you need to know before you visit Dubai for First timers
Do I need cash in Dubai?
I didn’t need any cash whilst I was in Dubai. It is becoming a cashless city. I would say that some markets prefer cash; however, the ones I went to still had a card machine, so no need to exchange any money prior to going.
Visa for Dubai for UK Citizens
British passport holders are granted a 30-day visa on arrival for free. There is no need to apply for a visa before you travel; the visa is stamped into your passport as you go through immigration.
Power
Dubai uses a G plug (same as the UK Plug), so you don’t need to bring an adapter.
Alcohol
Alcohol can only be purchased in licensed venues such as hotels and restaurants. Be aware that being drunk in public is illegal and does have its consequences.
Flights
You can get a direct flight from London to Dubai, which takes 6.5-7hours. The cost will depend on the airline and class.
How long can I stay in the UAE?
For UK Citizens, it’s a 30-day visa-free entry—no need to fill in any forms. When you get to immigration, they take your photo and fingerprints (as well as receive a free tourist SIM), then you are on your merry way.
ESIM/Sim Card
I used an Airalo eSIM. Do note that you cannot buy an e-SIM through Airalo whilst in the United Arab Emirates – it simply won’t allow you, so you need to purchase it before coming to your home country and then activate it when you arrive in the UAE. If you use my link, you can get £2.50 off your eSIM.
Language
The official language of the UAE is Arabic; however, English is widely spoken in Dubai due to its many expats.
Accommodation
I would recommend finding a hotel or Airbnb that is close to the metro for convenience. Downtown Dubai is very popular; however, it can be costly.
I would avoid staying on the palm if you want to go sightseeing, as it is far from everything. If you want a relaxing holiday by the beach and to chill, then this is a fantastic place to stay.
Free Tourist SIM Card for first timers in Dubai
When you enter Dubai for the first time, you are given a free tourist SIM card, which has 10 GB of data valid for 24 hours. You can set this up at the airport (as you will need wifi)
Best time to visit Dubai for first timers
November to March is the perfect time to visit Dubai, where temperatures range from 14C – 25C – this is, however, high season, so it will be more expensive.
I would avoid the summer months unless you are doing indoor activities, as temperatures reach a whopping 50 °C. However, this time of year is affordable.
I would suggest visiting in the shoulder seasons, late October or early April.
How to get around Dubai
Public Transport in Dubai
Public Transport in Dubai is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around. For tourists, you will need to buy a NOL card (Red, Silver or Gold NOL card); however, I find the Silver NOL card cheaper if you are staying in Dubai for more than a few days, and the Gold is for a more premium experience, as you will get a dedicated cabin. For more information about public transport in Dubai, here is how to purchase a NOL card, how to use it and how to top it up.
Taxi Apps in Dubai
Another option is to take a taxi. Uber is used in Dubai; however, many locals prefer Careem. They both do the same thing; however, Careem may be slightly cheaper. You can also order food from these apps.
Hire a Car
If you want full flexibility and freedom, then you may want to hire a car in Dubai. Some malls have free parking, and you have full rein of where you want to go and when.
What to wear in Dubai
Personally, I felt more comfortable wearing modest clothing, ie covering at least my shoulders and my knees, although most of the time I did cover my wrists and ankles as well, as it was so hot! Be aware that most establishments have air conditioning, so it may get cold, especially when eating in a restaurant.
I wouldn’t bring any short shorts or wear anything that reveals too much. I pretty much wore t-shirts and long cotton trousers throughout my stay.
If you do intend on visiting Abu Dhabi and/or Sharjah, then I would definitely recommend covering your shoulders and ankles at all times. The mosque in Abu Dhabi was particularly strict, as not only do you need to cover your ankles and wrists, but women also need to cover their hair.
Things to do in Dubai
I highly recommend doing a desert safari. It was so much fun, I went quad biking, dune bashing, desert sunset photos, sandboarding, camel riding, shisha, henna, entertainment and a BBQ dinner. This was a 7-hour hour and I loved every minute of it. This also included a hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Sky Views Observatory is a must-see if it is your first time in Dubai. For only £16, you get to experience the glass walk, glass slide and magnificent views of the Burj Khalifa. It is also attached to the metro and a short walk (indoors) from the Dubai Mall.
Day trip to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is only an hour and twenty minutes car ride away and is great for a day trip. The main reason for going to Abu Dhabi was to see the Grand Mosque, and it did not disappoint. The full day trip included photo stops at Ferrari World, to see the Abu Dhabi skyline, the Founders Memorial and of course the Grand Mosque. Lunch wasn’t included; however, just before you enter the mosque, there is a food court where we had some free time to eat. This is the exact tour I did. This also included a hotel pick-up and drop-off.
The Dubai Mall is massive and is a great place to go shopping and dining, and a must-see if it’s your first time in Dubai. I would also recommend seeing the Dubai Fountain show, which is free to watch and happens every half an hour from 6 pm to 11 pm. Inside the Dubai Mall, you will also find the aquarium; however, you can see some of the animals from the mall without having to pay.
Another mall I would recommend going to is the Mall of the Emirates. It wasn’t as big as the Dubai Mall, but there was still plenty to do and see (and eat).
Global Village is considered the ultimate family destination for entertainment, culture, dining and shopping in the region. You can pretty much do everything here.
Miracle Garden: This Instagrammable garden is beautiful and is a must-see if you are ever in Dubai. It is closed during the summer months, and be warned, it can get very hot here due to the limited shade.
Go up the Burj Khalifa: You can, in fact, go up the Burj Khalifa to levels 124 and 125. There is also an option to go to level 148; however, I found this to be a lot more money than the lower floors. Do check the weather before going, as if it is foggy, there is no point in going up, as you can’t see anything. I preferred doing the Sky Views Observatory as it was more cost-effective and I could see the Burj Khalifa from there, although you may want to say that you have been in the tallest building in the world, right?
