Dubai Tour Packages

Dubai is one of the easiest, safest and most comfortable cities in the world to visit. It is modern, English is spoken everywhere, and everything works. A few pointers will still save you time and money.

Getting around

• The Dubai Metro is clean, cheap and driverless, running along the two main arteries of the city. Buy a Nol card and tap on.
• Taxis are plentiful, metered and inexpensive. Careem and Uber both operate.
• An abra across Dubai Creek costs almost nothing and is one of the best experiences in the city.
• Distances are deceptive — Dubai is spread out, and walking between districts is rarely practical in the heat. Private transfers are included in most of our packages.

Money

The currency is the UAE Dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar. Cards are accepted virtually everywhere; keep a little cash for the souks, where you will also want to bargain.

Practical tips

• Dubai is very safe, with an extremely low crime rate — but the law is strict, so read the Do's and Don'ts section.
• Book Burj Khalifa tickets in advance, especially for sunset — the prime slots sell out.
• Dress modestly in public and in malls; swimwear belongs at the beach and pool only.
• Everything is air-conditioned. Carry a light layer for indoors, and drink far more water than you think you need.
• The weekend is Saturday and Sunday; Friday is a half day, and Friday brunch is a Dubai institution.
• Power is 220V with UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G).

Dubai has a hot desert climate: sunshine is close to guaranteed, and rain is rare — the city sees only a handful of wet days a year, almost all between December and March.

Winter (November to March) — the best time

Warm, dry and glorious. Daytime temperatures sit around 24°C to 30°C, with cool, pleasant evenings. This is peak season: perfect for the beach, the desert, outdoor dining and sightseeing.

Shoulder (April, May & October)

Hotter — often into the mid-30s — but still very manageable, especially early and late in the day. Hotel rates are lower and the crowds thinner. A good compromise.

Summer (June to September)

Genuinely extreme: temperatures regularly reach 40°C to 48°C, with high humidity near the coast. Life moves indoors, where everything is fiercely air-conditioned. It is the cheapest time to visit, and works well if your plans are mostly malls, indoor attractions, spas and hotel pools — but sightseeing in the middle of the day is not realistic.

In short: come between November and March for the classic Dubai holiday.

Dubai is one of the most visited cities on earth, and it has engineered itself relentlessly for the traveller: world-class airports, spectacular hotels, effortless safety and an appetite for building the biggest, tallest and first of everything.

The headline acts

• Burj Khalifa — at 828 metres, the tallest building in the world, with observation decks on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors.
• The Dubai Mall — among the largest in the world, with an aquarium, an ice rink and more than a thousand shops.
• The Dubai Fountain — a nightly choreographed water and light show, and it is free.
• Palm Jumeirah — the palm-shaped island, crowned by Atlantis.
• Burj Al Arab — the sail-shaped icon of the Dubai skyline.
• Museum of the Future — arguably the most beautiful new building in the region.

And the other Dubai

Cross the creek by abra and you find a quieter, older city: the Gold Souk and Spice Souk of Deira, the wind towers of Al Fahidi, textile stalls and tiny cafes. Head inland and the dunes take over. This contrast — the futuristic and the traditional, thirty minutes apart — is what makes Dubai far more interesting than its reputation suggests. Dubai also makes a superb stopover, being a major global aviation hub.

Dubai's seasons are governed by one thing: heat. Get the timing right and it is one of the most comfortable holidays imaginable.

November to March — the best time

Warm days around 24°C to 30°C, cool evenings, blue skies and virtually no rain. Perfect for beaches, desert safaris, outdoor dining and sightseeing. This is peak season, so book flights and hotels early — particularly around Christmas, New Year and February half-term.

April, May & October — good value

Noticeably hotter, but still very doable if you plan around the middle of the day. Prices drop and the attractions are quieter.

June to September — the low season

Extremely hot (40°C+) and humid. The upside: the cheapest hotel rates of the year, and Dubai is built for it — malls, aquariums, indoor theme parks, spas and hotel pools. Fine for a shopping or stopover trip; not ideal for a first-time sightseeing holiday.

Worth planning around

• Dubai Shopping Festival — roughly December to January: huge discounts, concerts and fireworks.
• Ramadan — dates shift each year. The city is beautiful and atmospheric at night, but eating and drinking in public during daylight is restricted, and some venues change their hours.

Dubai is one of the great eating cities. Because almost everyone here is from somewhere else, you can eat astonishingly well across every cuisine on earth — from a 15-dirham shawarma to a Michelin-starred tasting menu. The Michelin Guide now covers Dubai, and the city's restaurant scene is genuinely world class.

Emirati and Middle Eastern dishes to try

• Machboos (kabsa) — spiced rice with meat or fish, the Emirati national dish.
• Harees — slow-cooked wheat and meat, comfort food especially loved during Ramadan.
• Luqaimat — crisp, syrup-soaked dough balls. Utterly addictive.
• Shawarma and falafel — the great late-night staples.
• Mezze — hummus, moutabel, fattoush, warm flatbread.
• Karak chai — strong, sweet, milky spiced tea. The drink of the city.
• Camel milk and camel-milk chocolate — an only-in-the-Gulf souvenir.

Where to eat

Eat at both ends of the spectrum. Al Fahidi and Deira have superb, unglamorous cafeterias and grill houses. Time Out Market is a great way to sample many kitchens at once. For the classic Dubai splurge, book a table with a Burj Khalifa view, or a beachfront restaurant at sunset. And do at least one Friday brunch — it is a rite of passage. Note that alcohol is served only in licensed venues (mostly hotels and restaurants). We are happy to book tables and food tours for you.

Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates, so you will need a UAE visa or entry permit. For many travellers this is granted automatically on arrival.

Visa on arrival

Citizens of many countries — including the UK, most of Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore — receive a free visa on arrival at Dubai International Airport, typically valid for 30 or 90 days depending on nationality. GCC nationals do not require a visa at all.

If you need a visa in advance

Many nationalities, including Indian passport holders, must arrange a UAE tourist visa before travelling. These are usually issued as e-visas (commonly 14, 30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry) and are sponsored by an airline, hotel or a licensed travel agent — we can arrange this for you as part of your booking.

There is one useful exception: Indian passport holders who hold a valid US visa or Green Card, or a UK or EU residence permit, may be eligible for a visa on arrival. Conditions apply, so check carefully.

What you will need

• A passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival.
• A confirmed return or onward ticket.
• Confirmed hotel booking or proof of accommodation.
• A passport photo and passport scan for e-visa applications.

Important: UAE visa rules, validity periods and eligible nationalities change from time to time. Always confirm the current requirements before booking. If you travel with us, we will tell you exactly what you need and, where required, arrange your visa for you.