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Open trips to the United Arab Emirates
All open tripsBest time to go
November-March is peak perfection: 24-30°C, beach days, desert nights around a fire, alfresco everything: with the Dubai Shopping Festival (Dec-Jan) and F1 Abu Dhabi (late Nov) spiking hotel rates. April and October are hot-but-doable shoulders. June-September is fierce: 42°C+ with humidity on the coast, yet hotel prices crater and indoor attractions (malls, museums, waterparks at dawn/dusk) keep trips viable. Ramadan (dates shift) is calmer by day and magical by night; many restaurants now serve discreetly during fasting hours, and iftar feasts are open to all.
Top places
Costs
| Budget, per person | Typical |
|---|---|
| Backpacker, per day | $70-110 |
| Mid-range, per day | $150-280 |
| Comfort, per day | $450+ |
| Hostel/budget hotel (Dubai) | $25-60 |
| 4-star double (winter) | $110-200 |
| Cafeteria meal (Old Dubai) | $4-8 |
| Burj Khalifa 'At the Top' | $45-65 |
| Desert safari (shared, dinner incl.) | $45-80 |
With a partner, rooms, taxis and boats are the easy things to share. Our guide to splitting travel costs with a travel partner has a simple way to keep track. Estimates in US dollars, for planning only.
Getting around
Dubai's Metro is clean, driverless and cheap: get a Nol card and ride the Red Line past the skyline; trams, buses and abras fill gaps. Careem and Uber are everywhere; street taxis are honest and metered. Dubai-Abu Dhabi runs by frequent intercity bus (~2h) or taxi; there's no metro between emirates yet. Renting a car is easy and fuel cheap: useful for Jebel Jais, Fujairah's east-coast beaches and Liwa's mega-dunes, though Downtown parking and salik tolls add up. Walking outdoors is seasonal; in summer, the city moves through metro-linked malls on purpose.
Money and staying connected
The dirham (AED) is pegged to the dollar (~3.67). Cards and contactless rule; cash is mainly for souq haggling and small canteens. Tipping: 10% is appreciated (service charges often included at hotels); round up taxis. SIMs/eSIMs from du or Etisalat (e&) activate in minutes at the airport with a passport: data is fast 5G nearly everywhere. Note: internet calling (WhatsApp/FaceTime voice) is restricted on UAE networks; locals use Botim-style licensed apps or Wi-Fi workarounds. Alcohol is hotel/licensed-venue only and taxed accordingly: budget for it or skip it.
Culture and etiquette
The UAE is cosmopolitan (90% expat) but Emirati culture sets the frame: dress modestly in malls and old quarters (shoulders/knees: beaches and hotels are relaxed), keep public affection to hand-holding, and accept hospitality, dates, gahwa, with the right hand. Photographing strangers, especially women and security sites, is genuinely offensive/illegal. During Ramadan, daytime eating in public is courteous to avoid (and partly regulated). Useful phrases: "Marhaba" (hello), "Shukran" (thank you), "Inshallah" (hopefully/God willing), "Khalas" (done/enough), "Kam?" (how much?). Friday is the holy day; brunch culture peaks Saturday.
Health and safety
The UAE is one of the safest urban destinations on Earth: lost wallets famously come back. The genuine hazards are environmental and legal. Heat: hydrate, plan outdoor hours, never hike Jebel Jais midday in summer. Roads are excellent but fast: cross at signals only (jaywalking is fined and dangerous). Tap water is technically safe; most drink bottled/filtered. The legal culture is stricter than the skyline suggests: no public drunkenness, no drugs whatsoever (including residues: medicines like codeine need paperwork), and avoid online rants about the state.
General guidance, not medical or security advice. Check your government's travel advice and a travel clinic before you book.
How many people visit
International arrivals to the United Arab Emirates over the most recent years with data, roughly number 5 of 31 in its region by reported arrivals.
Source: UN Tourism (UNWTO). Years marked * are estimates: this country's measured baseline scaled by UN Tourism's published regional recovery rates, shown until measured figures are out.
Key facts
- Largest city
- Dubai
- Languages
- Arabic
- Population
- 11.5 million (2025)
- Area
- 83,600 km² (32,278 mi²)
- Calling code
- +971
- Region
- Western Asia
Travelling solo in the United Arab Emirates
Arriving alone is fine: plenty of people start a United Arab Emirates trip on their own, and a travel partner can be someone you share one day with or the whole route.
Meeting someone new? Talk here first, meet somewhere public, and read our travel safety guide.
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Travelling to the United Arab Emirates with a travel buddy
How do I find a travel buddy for the United Arab Emirates?
Make a free profile and add your United Arab Emirates trip with rough dates. You will see travelers going on your dates and open trips to the United Arab Emirates you can ask to join, or you can post your own trip and let partners find you. Asking to join a trip is always free.
When is the best time to visit the United Arab Emirates?
November-March is peak perfection: 24-30°C, beach days, desert nights around a fire, alfresco everything: with the Dubai Shopping Festival (Dec-Jan) and F1 Abu Dhabi (late Nov) spiking hotel rates. April and October are hot-but-doable shoulders.
How much does a day in the United Arab Emirates cost?
Typical costs, in US dollars: backpacker, per day: $70 to $110; mid-range, per day: $150 to $280; comfort, per day: $450+; hostel/budget hotel (Dubai): $25 to $60; 4-star double (winter): $110 to $200; cafeteria meal (Old Dubai): $4 to $8; burj Khalifa 'At the Top': $45 to $65; desert safari (shared, dinner incl.): $45 to $80. These are estimates for planning only. With a travel partner, rooms and taxis are easy to share.
Is the United Arab Emirates good for solo travelers?
Arriving alone is fine: plenty of people start a United Arab Emirates trip on their own, and a travel partner can be someone you share one day with or the whole route.
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