United Arab Emirates Travel Guide
November–March is the comfortable season at 20–30°C. June–September brings extreme heat and daytime plans move indoors.
Last reviewed
United Arab Emirates at a glance
Best time to visit United Arab Emirates
November–March is the comfortable season at 20–30°C. June–September brings extreme heat and daytime plans move indoors.
Peak: December–February and major event weeks — hotel rates are at their highest.
Shoulder season: April and October–November: hot but manageable, with noticeably lower rates.
Visa and entry
Visa on arrival or e-Visa for most nationalities. 30-day stay for many Western passport holders.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
United Arab Emirates uses the AED (AED).
10% at restaurants if no service charge; taxis: round up. Not obligatory but appreciated.
Getting around
Dubai Metro uses a Nol card: singles run about AED 3–7.50 by zone, and a Nol day pass is around AED 20 for unlimited travel.
When a pass pays off: The day pass beats singles from about 4 metro trips — though free mall links and cheap taxis mean many visitors never reach that.
Local etiquette
Do
- Dress modestly in public areas and malls — shoulders and knees covered.
- Use your right hand for eating and greeting.
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women.
Avoid
- Don't show public affection; it is against local law.
- Don't drink alcohol outside licensed venues, and never drink and drive — the limit is zero.
- Don't eat or drink in public during Ramadan daylight hours.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Unlicensed taxis and “desert safari” operators outside official ranks — book through your hotel or a licensed operator.
- Dynamic currency conversion at card terminals; always choose to be charged in dirhams.
- Gold-souk pressure selling — check the day's gold rate before you start negotiating.
Health
Routine immunizations are typically sufficient for the United Arab Emirates, with Hepatitis A vaccination sometimes recommended as an added precaution. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM |
| dinner | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
Useful Arabic (English is the everyday working language) phrases
English is used almost everywhere in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Arabic greetings are appreciated.
- Hello
- مرحبا (Marhaba)(mar-HA-ba)
- Thank you
- شكرا (Shukran)(SHOOK-ran)
- Excuse me / please
- لو سمحت (Low samaht)(low sa-MAHT)
- How much is this?
- بكم؟ (Bikam?)(bi-KAM)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover United Arab Emirates: Airalo, Ubigi. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
United Arab Emirates travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit United Arab Emirates?
- November–March is the comfortable season at 20–30°C. June–September brings extreme heat and daytime plans move indoors.
- Do I need a visa to visit United Arab Emirates?
- Visa on arrival or e-Visa for most nationalities. 30-day stay for many Western passport holders. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in United Arab Emirates?
- 10% at restaurants if no service charge; taxis: round up. Not obligatory but appreciated.
- What currency is used in United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates uses the AED (AED).
- What power plug and voltage does United Arab Emirates use?
- United Arab Emirates uses Type G sockets at 220–240V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in United Arab Emirates?
- In United Arab Emirates, call 999 (police) / 998 (ambulance) / 997 (fire).
- What time zone is United Arab Emirates in?
- United Arab Emirates is in the Asia/Dubai time zone (UTC+04:00).
- What language is spoken in United Arab Emirates?
- The main language is Arabic (English is the everyday working language). English is used almost everywhere in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Arabic greetings are appreciated.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in United Arab Emirates?
- Dubai Metro uses a Nol card: singles run about AED 3–7.50 by zone, and a Nol day pass is around AED 20 for unlimited travel. The day pass beats singles from about 4 metro trips — though free mall links and cheap taxis mean many visitors never reach that.
- What health precautions should I take in United Arab Emirates?
- Routine immunizations are typically sufficient for the United Arab Emirates, with Hepatitis A vaccination sometimes recommended as an added precaution. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made United Arab Emirates itineraries
Plan a United Arab Emirates trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my United Arab Emirates tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.