Is Dubai Safe for Women?
As an American woman and longtime expat who moved to Dubai in 2022, I get a lot of questions about what living in Dubai is really like. “Do you have to cover your hair?” “Can women drive?” “Do you have to be married?” “Is Dubai safe for women?”
There are a lot of misconceptions about what living in Dubai is like for women. So I figured I’d try to shed a little light on what it’s like to live and travel in Dubai as a woman (in my case, as an American, non-Muslim woman). Hopefully, this helps to ease your concerns if you’re thinking about moving to Dubai or even just taking a trip here!
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Is Dubai safe for women?
So, first things first, is Dubai safe for women? It is absolutely safe! In fact, I’ll even go so far as to say that Dubai is the safest place I’ve personally ever lived or traveled.
As a female Dubai expat, I’m far from alone in this sentiment. If you ask most women who have made the move to Dubai, you’ll often hear “safety” as the number one perk of living in Dubai.
Personally, I have never felt nervous taking public transport or taxis solo, walking around or exercising outdoors alone at night, or doing anything at all honestly. I’m also not constantly on guard while in crowded places with my purse.
In terms of theft, the crime rate is so low that you will see women putting their iPhones or designer handbags on tables in the mall food courts to reserve their tables while they order. It’s actually a thing! I personally don’t do that, but I do feel comfortable leaving all of my belongings on the beach while I swim and I’ve never had an issue.
The crime rate is so low in Dubai that expats and tourists don’t have to worry quite as much about crime, petty theft, or harassment as we would in many cities around the world.
Also, this is the UAE, so the laws here are strict. The perk is that the crime rate is low but it also means that you’ll want to be aware of the local laws and behaviors that can get you in trouble. In Dubai, things are far more lax than in other Emirates. Mainly just don’t be drunk in public and be respectful!
All this being said, let’s be real. Incidents do happen to women in Dubai, so like anywhere in the world, you’re going to want to always be smart. And do be careful if you’re out at nightclubs or taking taxis home alone after a long night of drinking.
What to wear in Dubai as a woman
If you’re visiting Dubai as a woman, here’s a little bit about what you can expect.
Dubai is a very liberal Emirate, and 85% of the population is expats. So you have expats hailing from dozens upon dozens of countries who have varying races, socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, religions, traditional clothing… you get the idea.
If you’re wondering what to wear in Dubai, it’s really not as complicated or strict as you might think. And no, you don’t need to cover your hair (unless you’re going to a mosque!).
Honestly, because Dubai is so international and tourist-oriented, sometimes it’s almost easy to forget that you’re in a Muslim country, and in many areas of Dubai, you can wear whatever you’re comfortable in. That being said, you need to know what’s appropriate and where.
For example, if I’m at the beach, I’ll wear a one-piece or a bikini. If I’m at the mall (which has a dress code for women) or a more conservative, family-oriented part of town, I wear a T-shirt and pants or a long skirt. Or if I’m in a tourist hub like the Dubai Marina (where I live), I usually wear shorts and a tank top or a sundress.
I always err on the side of being respectful, but spend a little time in Dubai and you’ll see that many women don’t abide by any “dress code” at all and they don’t seem to have any issue.
Is it safe for women to use public transport?
Once again, it’s absolutely safe. If you’re visiting Dubai as a woman and wondering how to get around using public transport, check out my complete guide. But here are a few brief tips for women who are a bit nervous about getting around town on their own.
You’ll likely be taking quite a few taxis during your visit. While you can easily hail them on the street, I would suggest downloading the Careem App.
This is a local app used for ordering taxis (hit the “Yalla!” button for a taxi) and restaurant and grocery deliveries. Ordering your taxi through Careem not only means that you can get to view the estimated price (which will be charged to your credit card) but you can track your driver and your journey to give you peace of mind.
You can use Uber too. I don’t use it because it’s more expensive but it works great in Dubai and is super safe!
If you’re hailing taxis off the street, keep an eye out for the pink taxis. These are female and children-only taxis and they’re driven by women. I’ve hailed normal, non-female taxis many times and I’ve never had a problem with a driver.
Finally, if you’re taking the metro or the tram, you can also use the female-only carriages (they’re pink!). Local tip: These carriages are way less crowded than the other carriages!
Is Dubai safe for solo female travelers?
As a seasoned traveler, I think visiting Dubai as a woman is a great idea. It’s an amazing place to fly solo because it’s so safe! If you’re planning a solo trip to Dubai and you’re wondering where to stay where you’ll feel safe and comfortable, I highly recommend staying in the Dubai Marina.
This is where I live and it’s honestly such an easy place to be. Hotels here are right on the gorgeous marina, which has a lovely Marina Walk lined by restaurants. You’re also a 5 or 10-minute walk to JBR beach and you have easy access to metro and tram stations, making getting around Dubai a breeze!
