United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is one of the world's most important aviation hubs, with Dubai (DXB) consistently ranking among the busiest airports globally for international passengers. The country has leveraged its geographic position—roughly 8 hours from both Europe and Asia—to become a superconnector between continents.

Dubai International (DXB) is Emirates' massive hub, while Abu Dhabi (AUH) serves as Etihad's home base. Together, these airports connect travelers to virtually anywhere in the world, making UAE layovers extremely common even for travelers not visiting the country.

The UAE is also a destination in its own right: Dubai's futuristic skyline, luxury shopping, and year-round sun draw millions of visitors, while Abu Dhabi offers cultural attractions including the Louvre museum. The country operates as a liberal hub in the Gulf region, with relaxed rules for tourists compared to neighboring countries.

Dubai

Airport	Code	Role	Airlines
Dubai International	DXB	Emirates hub, main gateway	Emirates, flydubai, most international
Al Maktoum (Dubai World Central)	DWC	Cargo, overflow, some LCCs	Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, cargo

Dubai International (DXB) — The world's busiest airport for international passengers. Three terminals:

• Terminal 3: Exclusively Emirates (world's largest terminal building)
• Terminal 1: International airlines (oneworld, Star Alliance, others)
• Terminal 2: flydubai and regional carriers

Connected to Dubai Metro (Red Line) at Terminals 1 and 3. 15 minutes to city center. 24-hour operation—many flights arrive/depart late night.

Al Maktoum/DWC — Dubai's second airport, 50 km south in Jebel Ali. Currently underutilized but planned to eventually become the world's largest airport. Some budget carriers use DWC—always verify your terminal.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi International (AUH) — Etihad's hub and UAE capital's gateway. New Terminal A opened 2023—one of the world's most modern terminals. Terminal 1 handles other carriers. 30 minutes to city center by taxi/bus.

Strong connections to North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Smaller than Dubai but excellent facilities and often less crowded.

Sharjah

Sharjah International (SHJ) — Low-cost alternative to Dubai, 20 minutes from Dubai city center. Air Arabia's hub. Budget option for UAE access, though taxi/transfer to Dubai adds cost.

Super-Connectors

Emirates (EK) — Dubai-based, one of the world's largest airlines. Hub at DXB Terminal 3. Flies to 150+ destinations on 6 continents. Known for A380 fleet, premium service, and extensive connectivity. Most travelers transiting UAE will use Emirates.

Etihad Airways (EY) — Abu Dhabi-based flag carrier. Hub at AUH. Smaller than Emirates but high-quality service. Strong network to Australia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Good option when routing through Abu Dhabi.

Low-Cost Carriers

• flydubai (FZ) — Emirates' low-cost sister airline. DXB Terminal 2. Extensive network to Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Indian Subcontinent. Code-shares with Emirates for connections.
• Air Arabia (G9) — Middle East's first LCC. Sharjah (SHJ) hub. Budget flights across Middle East, North Africa, and Indian Subcontinent.
• Wizz Air Abu Dhabi (5W) — European ULCC's Gulf joint venture. Abu Dhabi base. Budget routes to Europe and region.

International Airlines

Major carriers with UAE presence:

• British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France — European networks
• United, American, Delta — US routes (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
• Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways — Asian connections
• Qantas — Kangaroo Route via Dubai
• Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air — Regional Middle East

Visa on Arrival

The UAE offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many nationalities:

No visa required / Visa on arrival (30-90 days):

• USA, Canada, UK, EU/Schengen countries, Australia, New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia
• Most Western and many Asian nationalities

Nationality	Stay Allowed
GCC countries	Unlimited (ID card entry)
US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia	90 days (renewable)
Many Asian countries	30 days

No pre-application needed—visa stamped on arrival at immigration.

Visa Required

Citizens of some countries must apply in advance:

• Apply through UAE embassy/consulate or sponsor
• E-visa available for some nationalities
• Processing: 3-5 business days typically

Transit Without Visa

Passengers transiting through UAE airports do not need a visa if:

• Staying airside (not leaving the airport)
• Transit under 24 hours
• Valid onward ticket

For longer transits or airport exit, normal visa rules apply. Emirates offers stopover packages for passengers wanting to explore Dubai during layovers.

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 6 months from entry
• At least one blank page
• Israeli passport stamps are no longer an issue (relations normalized 2020)

Official information: u.ae/visa

Between Emirates

The UAE consists of 7 emirates (states). Most visitors focus on Dubai and Abu Dhabi:

Route	Distance	Transport	Time
Dubai ↔ Abu Dhabi	140 km	Car/bus	1.5-2 hours
Dubai ↔ Sharjah	15 km	Car/bus	20-40 min (traffic dependent)
Dubai ↔ Al Ain	150 km	Car/bus	1.5 hours

Buses: Modern, air-conditioned intercity buses. Dubai-Abu Dhabi runs frequently (25 AED, ~$7).

Taxi: Fixed rate Dubai-Abu Dhabi around 250-300 AED ($70-80). Uber/Careem available.

Dubai Transport

• Dubai Metro: Modern, air-conditioned, covers main areas. Red Line connects airport to city. Gold class available.
• Tram: Dubai Marina area
• Buses: Extensive network, connects to metro
• Taxis: Metered, plentiful, reasonable rates
• Uber/Careem: Widely used
• Water taxis/Abras: Cross Dubai Creek

Nol Card: Rechargeable card for metro, bus, tram. Buy at stations.

Abu Dhabi Transport

• Buses: Main public transport option
• Taxis: Metered, readily available
• Uber/Careem: Available

No metro system yet (under construction).

Car Rental

Easy and practical:

• International licenses accepted for tourists
• Drive on the right
• Modern highways, clear signage
• Fuel very cheap
• Mandatory: car insurance, seatbelts
• Heavy fines for speeding (cameras everywhere)
• Salik: Electronic toll system on Dubai roads

Between Dubai Airports

DXB and DWC are 50 km apart. No direct public transport link—taxi/rideshare required (30-45 min, 100+ AED).

High Season (November-March)

Best weather—warm days (25-30°C), pleasant evenings. Peak tourist season with highest hotel prices. Major events: Dubai Shopping Festival (January), Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (November).

Shoulder Season (October, April)

Good weather, slightly less crowded. April can get warm (30-35°C). Good balance of price and weather.

Low Season (May-September)

Extreme heat: 40-50°C, high humidity. Outdoor activities very limited. Significant advantages:

• Hotel rates 30-50% lower
• Fewer crowds
• Indoor attractions (malls, museums) excellent
• "Dubai Summer Surprises" promotions

Note: Ramadan dates vary (lunar calendar). During Ramadan, restaurants close during daylight hours and alcohol service is restricted. Check dates if planning travel.

Weather Overview

Month	Temperature	Notes
Nov-Feb	20-25°C	Perfect weather
Mar-Apr	25-32°C	Warm but pleasant
May-Sep	35-45°C	Very hot, humid
Oct	30-35°C	Cooling down

Dubai

Attraction	Notes
Burj Khalifa	World's tallest building, observation decks
Dubai Mall	Massive shopping, aquarium, ice rink
Palm Jumeirah	Artificial island, Atlantis hotel
Dubai Marina	Skyscrapers, waterfront dining
Old Dubai	Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Dubai Creek
Dubai Frame	Giant picture frame structure, city views
Jumeirah Beach	Public beach, Burj Al Arab views
Desert Safari	Dune bashing, camel riding, dinner camps

Abu Dhabi

Attraction	Notes
Louvre Abu Dhabi	World-class art museum
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque	Stunning mosque, open to visitors
Yas Island	Ferrari World, Warner Bros, F1 circuit
Emirates Palace	Iconic luxury hotel
Corniche	Waterfront promenade, beaches
Saadiyat Island	Beaches, cultural district

Other Emirates

• Sharjah: Museums, cultural heritage (more conservative)
• Ras Al Khaimah: Mountain adventures, beaches
• Fujairah: East coast beaches, diving
• Al Ain: Oasis city, zoo, mountain scenery

Day Trips

• Musandam (Oman): Dramatic fjords, 2.5 hours from Dubai (need passport)
• Hatta: Mountain town, kayaking, heritage village (1.5 hours from Dubai)

Money

• Currency: UAE Dirham (AED, also called Dhs)
• Exchange rate: Fixed to USD (3.67 AED = $1)
• Cards: Widely accepted. Visa/Mastercard universal
• Cash: Useful for souks, small shops. ATMs everywhere
• Prices: UAE is expensive—budget $150-200/day minimum for tourists

Alcohol

Available but regulated:

• Licensed hotels, restaurants, bars serve alcohol
• No public drinking
• Don't be visibly intoxicated in public
• Can purchase for home consumption with license (residents) or from airport duty-free (tourists)

Dress Code

The UAE is liberal for the Gulf but respect is expected:

• General: Smart casual acceptable everywhere
• Beaches: Swimwear fine at beaches/pools
• Malls/Public: Shoulders and knees covered preferred
• Mosques: Women must wear abaya (provided at Sheikh Zayed Mosque)
• Ramadan: More conservative dress appreciated

Connectivity

• Mobile: Etisalat, du
• Tourist SIM: Available at airports and malls. 100-200 AED for 2-4 weeks
• eSIM: Works well. Airalo, Holafly available
• WiFi: Excellent in hotels, malls, cafes
• Note: VoIP (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime) officially blocked—may not work reliably

Electrical

• Voltage: 220V, 50Hz
• Plug types: Type G (UK-style three-pin) and Type C (European)
• Adapters: Hotels often provide; UK travelers may not need adapters

Legal Considerations

UAE laws differ from Western norms:

• Drugs: Zero tolerance. Severe penalties including death for trafficking
• Prescription medications: Some are banned. Check before bringing
• Public behavior: No public displays of affection (hand-holding generally okay)
• Photography: Don't photograph people without permission, especially women; avoid military/government buildings
• Respect Islam: No criticism of religion

Cultural Notes

• Weekend: Friday-Saturday (Sunday is workday)
• Business hours: Often 8am-1pm, 4pm-7pm (afternoon break)
• Tipping: Not mandatory but 10-15% appreciated for service
• Bargaining: Expected at souks, not in malls

Useful Apps

• RTA Dubai: Public transport, parking
• Careem/Uber: Ride-hailing
• Entertainer: 2-for-1 deals on restaurants, attractions
• Talabat/Zomato: Food delivery
• Waze: Navigation (better than Google Maps locally)

• Dubai Tourism: visitdubai.com
• Abu Dhabi Tourism: visitabudhabi.ae
• UAE Visa Info: u.ae/visa
• Dubai Airports: dubaiairports.ae
• Abu Dhabi Airport: abudhabiairport.ae
• Emirates: emirates.com
• Etihad: etihad.com
• Dubai RTA: rta.ae