United Arab Emirates Quick Guide

The United Arab Emirates is a nation located in Western Asia, just east of the Arabian Peninsula, at the southern end of the Persian Gulf. It shares its coastline with Qatar, which is its only major city and economic partner. It also shares its maritime border with Iran and Oman, and has several offshore oil fields in the region. It has one of the most developed aeronautical infrastructures in the world, with the long runway at Dubai being the main commercial airport in the country.

There are many reasons why you should visit the United Arab Emirates. A cheap flight to Dubai is not hard to find, due to the increasing number of direct flights that leave and arrive at this airfield. This means that when it comes to finding the cheapest flights to Dubai, your options are numerous and quite diversified. You can get great prices if you book a direct flight and hotel, as airline companies offer huge discounts on their routes. If you choose to combine these two, you will be able to take advantage of great discounts that many airline companies offer on both.

Booking cheap flights to Dubai starts with getting in touch with a reputable travel agent or company. They will have inside information on all the flights scheduled to get through the Dubai airport during the peak travel season. They will also have information on how to get cheap tickets for your return trip. When you contact a company that has years of experience in the business, they will be more than glad to give you valuable advice on what the best options are for your travel needs.

If you are planning a long stay, you will need to consider what kind of accommodations are within walking distance to the city center. The cheapest options are usually to stay in a mid-range hotel. These offer good value for money, although you might not get the most modern features. If you really want the best in comfort, consider staying in one of the city's star-rated hotels, as they are usually very well located and offer some of the best views over the city. Hotels in Dubai are categorized into several different price categories. To make it easy to compare, we have listed the categories along with the rates they offer:

From cheap hotels to mid-range hotels, there is a great deal of variety when it comes to choosing accommodation options in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates travel guide has detailed descriptions of all the types of accommodations available, including: hostels, hotels, serviced apartments, and many other lodging options. Just remember that while many of these offer great value for money, they are often not popular with local tourists, so do your research before choosing which one to use.

When booking your flights online, you will be able to save money by buying a return ticket. This is especially useful if you are planning to fly during off season. Dubai is a very busy city and when it is busier than normal, it can be expensive to buy a return ticket. A lot of people choose to book flights during non-peak periods, which enables them to get cheap flights and reduce their holiday costs.

Once you have found the right accommodation options, you will need to find a good hotel in Dubai. A good hotel will offer competitive rates, great room service, and convenient amenities. A good tip is to stay at the same hotel as a family member or friend, as you can often get a discount. A good traveling guide should also provide information on the different types of hotels around the city. The United Arab Emirates travel guide will help you choose the right hotel based on location, reputation, price, and amenities.

Once you have found a great place to stay, you will also need to figure out where you want to go when you are finished with the day. The United Arab Emirates travel guide will give you great advice on where you can see and enjoy all that Dubai has to offer. If you are an adventure seeker, you might want to check out the snake boating experience in Ir Dhabi. This adventure tour allows visitors to watch river dolphins, go on a rafting adventure, or enjoy an adrenaline ride on a hot air balloon. Dubai is jam packed with fun activities for families and couples, which make it one of the most popular destinations for leisure travellers.

What vaccinations do I need?

Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to United Arab Emirates are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Is it safe to travel?

Best time to visit?

The best time to visit the UAE is between the months of October and February. Temperature at this time of the year is cool, requiring a light jacket or a sweater. However, if you want to visit beaches, then plan your visit in October, March or April when the weather is hot but in a pleasant way.

Do I need a Visa?

As of 6 July, holders of full British passports will once more be granted a free of charge visitor/tourist visa upon arrival in the UAE although currently visitors/tourists can only fly to Dubai. Your passport will be stamped with the visa as you pass through Immigration at any of the International airports in the UAE.

See which forms you may need for entry into United Arab Emirates.

What currency do i need?

The official currency of United Arab Emirates is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in United Arab Emirates you can grab amazing United Arab Emirates Dirham deals via Wise.com (GBP to AED).

What about the wildlife?

Terrestrial animals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): These include the sand gazelle, mountain gazelle, Arabian oryx, jerboa, Arabian tahr, Arabian leopard, white-tailed mongoose, sand fox, striped hyaena, sand cat, hedgehogs, pygmy shrews, rock rabbit, Cape hare, and many more.

What is the traditional food?

Arabic food? Considered the national dish of the Emirates, kabsa, a fragrant mixture of basmati rice, lamb or chicken, mixed vegetables, cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, nutmeg and bay leaves cooked in one pot and often served in a huge mound at the centre of the table.

What Languages are spoken?

The official language of the United Arab Emirates is Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic is taught in schools, and most native Emiratis speak a dialect of Gulf Arabic that is generally similar to that spoken in surrounding countries. You can learn some basic Arabic before you travel to United Arab Emirates and really impress the locals!

How much do you tip?

The currency in United Arab Emirates is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (While most restaurants will note at the bottom of the menu that taxes and service charge have already been included in the bill, it's still common for diners in Dubai to tip the service staff. A figure between 10% and 15% is customary, but this is dependent on the quality of service.).

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Useful Numbers

  • Police: 911
  • Ambulance: 998
  • Fire: 997
  • UK Embassy: +971 2 610 1100

Time Difference

The GMT time difference is 3 hours

Travel Apps

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Learn Arabic

Learn some Arabic before your trip to United Arab Emirates


United Arab Emirates Guidebook

Stay informed before, during and after your trip to United Arab Emirates by buying a guidebook.


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