Dubai is unlike any other place in the world and there’s a definite learning curve when it comes to traveling smart in this city – especially if this is your first time here. I’ve learned a lot about Dubai since I moved here in 2022. So if you’re looking for Dubai travel tips to help you make the most of your trip, I’m here to help!
From must-have apps to money-saving hacks, off-the-tourist-path attractions, and tricks that expats swear by, these tips for traveling to Dubai will ensure that your big trip to the UAE’s flashiest city goes off without a hitch.
13 Essential Dubai Travel Tips (An Expat’s 2025 Guide)
1. Be strategic in where you stay
Many first-time visitors to Dubai underestimate just how spread-out Dubai’s attractions are from one another. So one of the most important Dubai travel tips is to be strategic when choosing which part of the city you’re going to base yourself in.
For example, if you’re in town for a sun-soaked beach vacation, you might consider staying at a hotel in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) or a resort in Palm Jumeirah. Culture and history lovers might prefer to stay in Old Dubai, while those looking for nightlife will love Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai.
That’s not to say that you can’t see and do it all during your big trip to Dubai. But it is important to understand that it can take 30 to 60 minutes, or more depending on traffic, to get from one side of town to the other. And trust me when I say that traffic here can be bad!
2. Save money and time with public transport
Like I said, traffic is a major issue here. So, another one of the top tips for traveling to Dubai is to use the city’s super-affordable public transportation. Not only will it help you avoid weekend and rush hour traffic jams but you’ll save on costs.
The metro system in Dubai isn’t the most extensive in the world, but it’s great for getting from one side of the city to the other. Plus, there’s a stop at Dubai International Airport, so you can even take it to and from the airport if you choose a hotel near a metro stop.
The metro will whisk you away to some of the most popular places in town, like Dubai Marina, Mall of the Emirates, the base of Palm Jumeirah, Deira, and Downtown Dubai (which is where you’ll find Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa). To use the metro (and the tram), you’re going to want to get a Nol Card.
If you’re planning on visiting places that aren’t near a metro stop, don’t worry. Taxis are king in Dubai and thankfully they’re quite affordable! While you can hail them on the street in many parts of town, one of my top pieces of Dubai travel advice is to download the Careem app and hail them on there.
If you’re staying in Dubai Marina or JBR, there’s a handy tram that loops around the area, making getting around a breeze. Or, if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in Palm Jumeirah, there’s a monorail that runs up and down the “trunk” of the “palm tree.”
3. Avoid visiting Dubai in July and August
When it comes to travel tips in Dubai, you’re going to want to have an understanding of the local weather. While you can absolutely visit Dubai during the summer, temperatures typically hover between 40°C/104°F to 45°C/110°F in July and August – and the humidity is off the charts.
The summer weather is so brutal here that many top attractions close for the summer season – from outdoor markets and glamping sites to top tourist attractions like Global Village and Dubai Miracle Garden, to name a few. The heat and humidity are so bad that it’s tough to go outside, even in the middle of the night. And it’s for this reason that I argue summer is the worst time to visit Dubai.
The best time to visit Dubai is from October to March. This is when the weather is at its most mild (sometimes it even gets a bit chilly!), and all outdoor attractions and activities are in full swing.
4. Set up your eSIM in advance
Whenever I visit a new city, I always like to have my eSIM ready to go so I can hit the ground running as soon as I land. As one of my top Dubai travel tips, I recommend using Airalo because it offers a range of eSIMs for travelers to the UAE. Plus, it’s super affordable, with prices ranging from 1GB for AED 17 (valid for 7 days) all the way up to 20GB for AED 129 (valid for 30 days).
If you don’t set up your eSIM ahead of time, that’s OK! You’ll be handed a free 10GB eSIM at passport control at Dubai International Airport. While this eSIM is only valid for 24 hours, it’s super simple to top up either at the airport or online. For more information on the free airport eSIMs and other SIM cards for tourists in Dubai, check out my full guide.
5. Seek out Dubai’s cultural and natural sides
One of my pet peeves is when people say there’s no nature and culture in Dubai. Yes, it’s easy to get distracted by the glitz and glam of Dubai’s engineering feats, over-the-top nightlife scene, and 5-star resorts, but there’s so much more to Dubai than this.
One of my essential Dubai travel tips is to seek out some of Dubai’s top natural attractions. Go on a sustainable desert safari and learn about Bedouin culture and lifestyle, spot a “flamboyance” of wild flamingos in the city’s mangroves, go hiking in the rugged hills of Hatta, or seek out swimming holes in one of the many nearby wadis.
Or, if it’s culture you’re after, take some time to explore the souks of Old Dubai and Deira, ride a traditional abra across Dubai Creek, enjoy Emirati eats at restaurants like the Arabian Tea House or Siraj, sample street food-style eats from around the region in humble foodie hotspots like Satwa, Karama, or Meena Bazaar – the list of cultural things to do in Dubai goes on!
6. Make reservations well in advance
Another one of my top Dubai travel tips for visitors is to make reservations well in advance. While you don’t have to plan out your entire trip ahead of time, it’s important to do a little research to see which things on your Dubai bucket list require advanced reservations.
For example, if you’ve got your heart set on going on a particular sunrise desert safari tour or if you want to go to the top of the Burj Khalifa at sunset, you’re going to want to make sure you plan those activities way ahead of time.
For reference, time slots to go lounge around the incredible AURA SKYPOOL go on sale 60 days in advance and fill up fast. Likewise, sunset Burj Khalifa tickets and tables at popular restaurants and beach clubs may require advanced reservations. So inquiring about whether reservations are needed is another one of my essential tips for traveling to Dubai.
7. Get anything delivered right to your door
One of the best insider tips for traveling to Dubai is to know how to get (almost) anything delivered right to your hotel or apartment door. Food and grocery delivery is huge in Dubai, and with the right apps, you can get whatever you need delivered straight to your door.
If you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to go out, just download the Careem, Deliveroo, or Talabat app, and you can get stuff delivered from tons of restaurants, grocery stores, and pharmacies around town. Another huge piece of Dubai travel advice for new visitors is that you’ll get hefty discounts on your first few orders, so it’s honestly best to download all three apps to take advantage of huge deals.
Another great thing is that food delivery is super cheap here, and it’s easy to monitor the status of your order and driver through Dubai’s many different food delivery apps.
8. Make life easy with these essential Dubai apps
Speaking of apps, there are quite a few apps I recommend for anyone visiting Dubai. From Careem and Deliveroo for food and grocery delivery to Waze for driving, WhatsApp for messaging, and The Entertainer for BOGO deals on dining and entertainment, here is a list of must-have Dubai apps that will make your visit so much easier (and cheaper!).
9. Understand Dubai’s ‘dress code’
Before I moved to Dubai, I spent way too much time worrying about Dubai’s “dress code.” But I quickly found out that it’s not difficult to be respectful of the local culture while still being comfortable in what you’re wearing.
There are many areas in Dubai that are very touristy – such as Dubai Marina, JBR, and Palm Jumeirah. In these parts of town, it’s very common to see women wearing shorts and tank tops around town and bikinis at the beach.
That being said, when you stray from these more touristy areas, you’ll want to be more mindful of what you’re wearing. In places that are less touristy and more family-friendly, it’s always best to dress more conservatively. This is true in the city’s malls, which actually do have a dress code.
And while all this is true for men, women should take extra caution to simply wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees. Ladies: Because what you wear depends on which part of Dubai you’re in, one of my top tips for traveling to Dubai is to bring light layers so you can cover up on the fly.
10. Dine on authentic food from around the world
Dubai is a city of expats, so in addition to local Emirati restaurants, you’ll find authentic cuisines from all around the world served in Dubai. So while you should definitely sample as much Emirati fare as you can, I also suggest seeking out some of the other cuisines on offer too.
From Levant dishes from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine to South Asian fare from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to Southeast Asian eats from the Philippines and Indonesia to surprising American chain restaurants and everything in between, you’ll be able to dine around the world during your trip to Dubai!
11. Be familiar with the local laws and customs
There are a lot of rules in Dubai that visitors should be aware of. But don’t worry, as long as you act like a normal person, you’re going to be just fine!
As a general rule of thumb, don’t be drunk in public, don’t drink on the streets, don’t do drugs, avoid over-the-top PDA, don’t take photos of other people without their permission, don’t drink and drive, don’t eat and drink on the metro, and don’t yell or fight with people in public.
If you can manage to follow these rules, you’re going to be fine.
12. Understand the alcohol situation
If you plan on imbibing during your trip, one of the best travel tips in Dubai is to understand the city’s alcohol rules. Yes, you can absolutely drink alcohol in Dubai. You’re just going to want to understand the city’s quirks.
Alcohol permits are tough to come by in Dubai, which means most (but definitely not all) bars and restaurants that serve alcohol are attached to hotels. So you’ll find loads of places slinging out cocktails in Dubai’s most touristy areas.
If you want to buy alcohol to consume in your home or hotel room, it’s important to know that alcohol is not sold in grocery or convenience stores. The drinks you’ll find for sale in these places are alcohol-free, which often confuses newcomers to the city.
One of the top tips for traveling to Dubai for those looking to imbibe is to track down a branch of either MMI or African + Eastern, Dubai’s two dedicated alcohol store chains. Tourists just need to flash their passports to purchase booze, while Dubai residents will need to obtain an alcohol license, which is totally free and can be set up on the spot at any of these shops.
Check out my full guide to buying alcohol in Dubai if you want a better understanding of the ins and outs of it!
13. Save on costs with these money-saving tips
While it’s very easy to break the bank in Dubai, it is totally possible to have a great visit to the city on a budget.
There are a lot of different ways to save money as a tourist in Dubai. But some of my top Dubai travel tips for those looking to save are to get deals through The Entertainer and Groupon, get incredible deals on accommodation and attractions during the low season, choose a budget-friendly hotel in Deira or Bur Dubai, dine on cheap street food-style eats in Old Dubai, and shop at cheap grocery store chains like VIVA and Al Maya.
Implement a few of these money-saving hacks, and you’ll be able to get great deals in Dubai.
